Comments on: DIY In the Nano Age: Yearning to Accept That The Storyteller Will Be Valuable Even In a Post-Globalized Tribal Culture http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/ Personal website of author Doug Fine Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:27:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Victoria http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-135402 Victoria Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:57:05 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-135402 Fixitus over here. If I can make it myself I can, and if I can't I want to learn how. I try my best to be as natural as I can be when it comes to living in suburban Texas, considering I'm one of those New Age-y Wiccans that people always hear tell about. Best of luck Doug, and keep up with the dispatches. Fixitus over here. If I can make it myself I can, and if I can’t I want to learn how. I try my best to be as natural as I can be when it comes to living in suburban Texas, considering I’m one of those New Age-y Wiccans that people always hear tell about. Best of luck Doug, and keep up with the dispatches.

]]> By: Alvina http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-59814 Alvina Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:35:36 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-59814 I would consider our household fuzzy techies. We do quite a bit ourselves, mechanically, woodworking, cooking, but find that even DIY means going to the big home store and buying more stuff to maintain wheat we have. I have a habit of curb shopping which increases our fix it load. Other times I collect from the street just to give to others. As I was recently driving much of this "stuff" fondly referred by my husband in other terms, to the local thrift store I had to wonder how my gas output compared to my efforts to keep these items out of the landfill. My husband is very conscious about buying items made in the US which he finds increasingly hard to do. With his woodworking habit I knows the parts and tools made domestically are far superior to imports, with the exception of German made tools. They are more expensive, but as your entry relates, it is fixable and more reliable. FYI: our environmental book group is discussing Farewell My Subaru this month. As the moderator, I must say I have enjoyed the book and your blogs. An East Coast hello to you, we are still here trying to buy and live local, save land for open space in NJ, and try hard to do our best for the environment. Keep up the fun work. I am planning on serving Goat Milk Ice Cream at the meeting. Your recipe would be fun to compare to the one I found online. Thanks I would consider our household fuzzy techies. We do quite a bit ourselves, mechanically, woodworking, cooking, but find that even DIY means going to the big home store and buying more stuff to maintain wheat we have. I have a habit of curb shopping which increases our fix it load. Other times I collect from the street just to give to others. As I was recently driving much of this “stuff” fondly referred by my husband in other terms, to the local thrift store I had to wonder how my gas output compared to my efforts to keep these items out of the landfill.
My husband is very conscious about buying items made in the US which he finds increasingly hard to do. With his woodworking habit I knows the parts and tools made domestically are far superior to imports, with the exception of German made tools. They are more expensive, but as your entry relates, it is fixable and more reliable.
FYI: our environmental book group is discussing Farewell My Subaru this month. As the moderator, I must say I have enjoyed the book and your blogs. An East Coast hello to you, we are still here trying to buy and live local, save land for open space in NJ, and try hard to do our best for the environment. Keep up the fun work. I am planning on serving Goat Milk Ice Cream at the meeting. Your recipe would be fun to compare to the one I found online. Thanks

]]> By: OrgoCowboy http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-30913 OrgoCowboy Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:16:40 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-30913 I wanted to add an update to this Dispatch. I'm seeing disturbing evidence that I might give off "replacitus" pheromones. "Better keep your receipt," the box store check-out woman said prophetically to me upon our completing my recent bunk, foreign-assembled sixteen-foot ladder purchase. "Just in case." Wow. Was I that obvious a replacitus? Was it my clothes, my hesitant body language as I pulled out my credit card, or possibly even my helpless sub-species scent? "In case what?" I asked. "If there's a problem, that means I already fell sixteen feet." Wait a minute, I thought, as I for some reason set off the store's security system in the exit alcove. Did she have inside manufacturer information? Or perhaps return desk experience I should know about? Speaking of the box store's return desk alcove (I should call it the return desk county), its walls, I noticed, were plastered with bassinet and child seat recalls of products assembled on the same continent as my new, suspiciously lightweight "metal" ladder. If they can't be bothered to get what you might call mission-critical infant products right... I wanted to add an update to this Dispatch. I’m seeing disturbing evidence that I might give off “replacitus” pheromones.

“Better keep your receipt,” the box store check-out woman said prophetically to me upon our completing my recent bunk, foreign-assembled sixteen-foot ladder purchase. “Just in case.”

Wow. Was I that obvious a replacitus? Was it my clothes, my hesitant body language as I pulled out my credit card, or possibly even my helpless sub-species scent?

“In case what?” I asked. “If there’s a problem, that means I already fell sixteen feet.”

Wait a minute, I thought, as I for some reason set off the store’s security system in the exit alcove. Did she have inside manufacturer information? Or perhaps return desk experience I should know about?

Speaking of the box store’s return desk alcove (I should call it the return desk county), its walls, I noticed, were plastered with bassinet and child seat recalls of products assembled on the same continent as my new, suspiciously lightweight “metal” ladder. If they can’t be bothered to get what you might call mission-critical infant products right…

]]> By: OrgoCowboy http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-30333 OrgoCowboy Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:33:08 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-30333 Indeed, JChristensen, both rain catchment (though mainly for irrigation) and a new water tank are on the horizon. Appreciate the thoughtful post! With your Chutzpah, you should be a football special teams coach. Or a mom. Indeed, JChristensen, both rain catchment (though mainly for irrigation) and a new water tank are on the horizon. Appreciate the thoughtful post! With your Chutzpah, you should be a football special teams coach. Or a mom.

]]> By: JChristensen http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-30264 JChristensen Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:04:48 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-30264 Skirting the storyteller issue in favor of addressing your water situation as briefly as possible... First, do you own any land at a higher elevation than your house? If yes, throw up a steel-roofed pole barn, capture the runoff in a rainwater tank, and gravity-feed the house with it. Yes, aesthetics will suffer if you're trying to avoid building on highly visible part of your land. And yes, you've got a second deal to make with the devil because unless you're able to get a decommissioned stainless steel tanker (like the kind that mounts to a tractor trailer to haul milk, cheap white wine, etc.), you're going to have to consider either a polypropylene tank or one made of ferro-cement. Or relocate your current tank if its movable. One potential problem: lengthy drought. Second, what to do with that ferociously expensive Danish pump? I assume you've already called the manufacturer; if not, git on the horn and let them know your mind! When really expensive stuff breaks down with no hope of repair over here, as a last resort we ship the thing back to its manufacturer (or U.S. distributor if the overseas postage is too onerous) along with a one-page, clearly and politely written note stapled to a copy of the receipt. "Dear Acme, Your product came highly recommended. We trusted you with $[price] of our hard-earned money. Your equipment failed to perform up to our expectations--perhaps this is a rare problem. Maybe we got a lemon. We are returning your product because we believe you'd want to know what went wrong with it. We would appreciate a replacement or refund. Yours sincerely..." Well, back to building a client's web site, and helping my dear husband put our 5 year old horizontal axis washing machine back together. Looks now like it's no simple fix, nor cheap: the bearings are shot and we're going to have to replace the assembly for $200+. That ain't chicken feed for a coupla dirt-huggers. Until we have the money, I'll be doing the wash for our family in the bathtub. It was good enough for Colin Beavan. We wish you the best of luck from CenTX. Skirting the storyteller issue in favor of addressing your water situation as briefly as possible… First, do you own any land at a higher elevation than your house? If yes, throw up a steel-roofed pole barn, capture the runoff in a rainwater tank, and gravity-feed the house with it. Yes, aesthetics will suffer if you’re trying to avoid building on highly visible part of your land. And yes, you’ve got a second deal to make with the devil because unless you’re able to get a decommissioned stainless steel tanker (like the kind that mounts to a tractor trailer to haul milk, cheap white wine, etc.), you’re going to have to consider either a polypropylene tank or one made of ferro-cement. Or relocate your current tank if its movable. One potential problem: lengthy drought.

Second, what to do with that ferociously expensive Danish pump? I assume you’ve already called the manufacturer; if not, git on the horn and let them know your mind! When really expensive stuff breaks down with no hope of repair over here, as a last resort we ship the thing back to its manufacturer (or U.S. distributor if the overseas postage is too onerous) along with a one-page, clearly and politely written note stapled to a copy of the receipt. “Dear Acme, Your product came highly recommended. We trusted you with $[price] of our hard-earned money. Your equipment failed to perform up to our expectations–perhaps this is a rare problem. Maybe we got a lemon. We are returning your product because we believe you’d want to know what went wrong with it. We would appreciate a replacement or refund. Yours sincerely…”

Well, back to building a client’s web site, and helping my dear husband put our 5 year old horizontal axis washing machine back together. Looks now like it’s no simple fix, nor cheap: the bearings are shot and we’re going to have to replace the assembly for $200+. That ain’t chicken feed for a coupla dirt-huggers. Until we have the money, I’ll be doing the wash for our family in the bathtub. It was good enough for Colin Beavan.
We wish you the best of luck from CenTX.

]]> By: OrgoCowboy http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-29554 OrgoCowboy Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:39:03 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-29554 And wine. Who will press the grapes post-Trader Joes? (Actually I'm not too concerned about that: Have grapes. Will ferment.) And wine. Who will press the grapes post-Trader Joes? (Actually I’m not too concerned about that: Have grapes. Will ferment.)

]]> By: ruffled feathers http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-29524 ruffled feathers Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:19:55 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-29524 Yikes look at my spelling. OK, so maybe I already opened the bottle of wine... Yikes look at my spelling. OK, so maybe I already opened the bottle of wine…

]]> By: ruffled feathers http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-29523 ruffled feathers Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:18:39 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-29523 I have to side with storyteller. My only consolation today after struggling with attahcing a top strand of barbed wire to the field fencing without getting stuck myself was that I might have something interesting to write about it. Because as soon as I finished, the livestock guardian dog I was trying to contain climbed right over it. If the tribe was counting on my efforts to keep that dog in or the coyotes come tonight for the goats, I am screwed. I am still trying to come up with a funny story about it. Maybe it will come ot me after I finsh coating all the bloody scrapes and gouges on hands and arms with Neopsporin. Or after I finsh this bottle of wine to dorwn my woes..... ww.ruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com I have to side with storyteller. My only consolation today after struggling with attahcing a top strand of barbed wire to the field fencing without getting stuck myself was that I might have something interesting to write about it. Because as soon as I finished, the livestock guardian dog I was trying to contain climbed right over it. If the tribe was counting on my efforts to keep that dog in or the coyotes come tonight for the goats, I am screwed. I am still trying to come up with a funny story about it. Maybe it will come ot me after I finsh coating all the bloody scrapes and gouges on hands and arms with Neopsporin. Or after I finsh this bottle of wine to dorwn my woes…..
ww.ruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com

]]> By: Andy from Workshopshed http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-29495 Andy from Workshopshed Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:28:00 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-29495 Designing something to be easy to make is a lot different from designing something that is easy to repair. For example we tried to change a battery on a IPod the other week and it's an almost impossible task, I believe even Apple don't even bother to replace them. Also making things more reliable can reduce the need to make them easy to fix. Modern cars (despite recent comments on Toyotas) are more reliable than those of 30 years ago, can do more miles between services and don't need running in. Designing something to be easy to make is a lot different from designing something that is easy to repair. For example we tried to change a battery on a IPod the other week and it’s an almost impossible task, I believe even Apple don’t even bother to replace them.
Also making things more reliable can reduce the need to make them easy to fix. Modern cars (despite recent comments on Toyotas) are more reliable than those of 30 years ago, can do more miles between services and don’t need running in.

]]> By: Nicole http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-29312 Nicole Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:38:43 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-29312 Well, I think you're right - the storyteller probably won't be my FIRST pick of the twelve, but would definitely be SOMEWHERE in amongst the twelve... And as much as I want to call myself a fixitus, truth is, you're far more fixitus than I am, than most people are, I'd be willing to bet. I can plant seeds, pull weeds, care for the hens, build a cob oven, clean gutters, etc., but when it comes repairing roof leaks or frozen pipes that have burst, well, i'm afraid i'm not gonna be much help. I too have wondered recently what my 'valuable attribute' is to offer the community... but your contemplating made me laugh!!! should never take ourselves too seriously, eh keep up the awesome writing, doug. :) Well, I think you’re right - the storyteller probably won’t be my FIRST pick of the twelve, but would definitely be SOMEWHERE in amongst the twelve…

And as much as I want to call myself a fixitus, truth is, you’re far more fixitus than I am, than most people are, I’d be willing to bet. I can plant seeds, pull weeds, care for the hens, build a cob oven, clean gutters, etc., but when it comes repairing roof leaks or frozen pipes that have burst, well, i’m afraid i’m not gonna be much help. I too have wondered recently what my ‘valuable attribute’ is to offer the community… but your contemplating made me laugh!!! should never take ourselves too seriously, eh

keep up the awesome writing, doug. :)

]]> By: Sonja http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28225 Sonja Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:02:15 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-28225 Doug you've outdone yourself this rime. I'm all worn out as I ponder the benchmark of Pa Ingalls and come up severely lacking. On the other hand, he was magnanimous enough to hire a guy here and there. According to Laura he was stuff of legend without a cuss along the way, so I'm inclined to agree she left some details out. I'm sure your kid will do the same for you. Meanwhile I will replace my beyond repair toilet today with a handier than me handy guy's help and take refuge in the low tech solutions like my handy rainbarrels that let me flush a few times when my well pump lost power. Doug you’ve outdone yourself this rime. I’m all worn out as I ponder the benchmark of Pa Ingalls and come up severely lacking. On the other hand, he was magnanimous enough to hire a guy here and there. According to Laura he was stuff of legend without a cuss along the way, so I’m inclined to agree she left some details out. I’m sure your kid will do the same for you. Meanwhile I will replace my beyond repair toilet today with a handier than me handy guy’s help and take refuge in the low tech solutions like my handy rainbarrels that let me flush a few times when my well pump lost power.

]]> By: OrgoCowboy http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-27772 OrgoCowboy Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:34:41 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-27772 Well, thanks for the encouraging words, Sandra. I recognize that throughout history there have been enduring cultures that have valued arts equally alongside such essentials as food, water and shelter (hello, Bali). Indeed, that's part of my definition of a healthy culture. And I also recognize even our own intra-cultural relativity surrounding the concept of "Do It Yourself." Where I come from, you hear people say "we built our dream house," when what they mean is "we had some actual conversations with the architect about the design and also let some of the workers use our bathroom during construction." I know I'm more of a "fixitus" than average in our current culture. The question that lingers in my mind is whether, in an emergency, without help, I could keep a structure (and related components like a well) functioning. Here's to not having to find out! But rest assured, I'll be working on these "fixitus" skills, even if, all things considered, I'd rather be daydreaming. P.S. Janis -- Hope the book club has fun with Farewell My Subaru. Well, thanks for the encouraging words, Sandra. I recognize that throughout history there have been enduring cultures that have valued arts equally alongside such essentials as food, water and shelter (hello, Bali). Indeed, that’s part of my definition of a healthy culture. And I also recognize even our own intra-cultural relativity surrounding the concept of “Do It Yourself.” Where I come from, you hear people say “we built our dream house,” when what they mean is “we had some actual conversations with the architect about the design and also let some of the workers use our bathroom during construction.” I know I’m more of a “fixitus” than average in our current culture. The question that lingers in my mind is whether, in an emergency, without help, I could keep a structure (and related components like a well) functioning. Here’s to not having to find out! But rest assured, I’ll be working on these “fixitus” skills, even if, all things considered, I’d rather be daydreaming.
P.S. Janis — Hope the book club has fun with Farewell My Subaru.

]]> By: Sandra http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-27420 Sandra Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:35:25 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-27420 Of course Storytellers will be valued! They've been around forever and will be as well. Remember that you're not just sharing humorous anecdotes, but real, valuable information and perspective. You can't do all that without a place to start from, and certainly I wouldn't want to put all my eggs in the Storyteller basket, you have to have all the skills to live your life as well. Sure, you can be handy but it is crazy to think you can fix everything or build everything yourself! That's what a community is for! How are your chickens doing? Of course Storytellers will be valued! They’ve been around forever and will be as well. Remember that you’re not just sharing humorous anecdotes, but real, valuable information and perspective. You can’t do all that without a place to start from, and certainly I wouldn’t want to put all my eggs in the Storyteller basket, you have to have all the skills to live your life as well. Sure, you can be handy but it is crazy to think you can fix everything or build everything yourself! That’s what a community is for!

How are your chickens doing?

]]> By: Merry http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-27190 Merry Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:26:55 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-27190 Hmm..I would have to say that I'm currently a practicing replacitus with a (not so) secret desire to be fixitus. Growing up a brown rice suburbanite (you know what I mean...New Age parents, small town suburban lifestyle) I was some how left with the idea that I should respect the Earth through my actions, but without many of the skills for hard-core respecting. I'm remedying that, slowly but surely. A desire to live in community led to an undiscovered love of natural building. A summer apprenticeship program in natural building at The Farm has landed me in a job at the very hostel I inhabited during the program. Hopefully, in between the housekeeping duties, I'll have a chance to get in a little more building. One day someone may be writing Little House-ish memoirs that recall my amazing ability to stomp enough cob to chink the walls of the new cabin all in one day. Or, heck, I just might those memoirs myself. Hmm..I would have to say that I’m currently a practicing replacitus with a (not so) secret desire to be fixitus.
Growing up a brown rice suburbanite (you know what I mean…New Age parents, small town suburban lifestyle) I was some how left with the idea that I should respect the Earth through my actions, but without many of the skills for hard-core respecting.
I’m remedying that, slowly but surely. A desire to live in community led to an undiscovered love of natural building. A summer apprenticeship program in natural building at The Farm has landed me in a job at the very hostel I inhabited during the program.
Hopefully, in between the housekeeping duties, I’ll have a chance to get in a little more building. One day someone may be writing Little House-ish memoirs that recall my amazing ability to stomp enough cob to chink the walls of the new cabin all in one day. Or, heck, I just might those memoirs myself.

]]> By: Janis http://www.dougfine.com/2010/02/23/diy-in-the-nano-age-yearning-to-accept-that-the-storyteller-will-be-valuable-even-in-a-post-globalized-tribal-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-27063 Janis Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:40:12 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/?p=692#comment-27063 I would consider our household fuzzy techies. We do quite a bit ourselves, mechanically, woodworking, cooking, but find that even DIY means going to the big home store and buying more stuff to maintain wheat we have. I have a habit of curb shopping which increases our fix it load. Other times I collect from the street just to give to others. As I was recently driving much of this "stuff" fondly referred by my husband in other terms, to the local thrift store I had to wonder how my gas output compared to my efforts to keep these items out of the landfill. My husband is very conscious about buying items made in the US which he finds increasingly hard to do. With his woodworking habit I knows the parts and tools made domestically are far superior to imports, with the exception of German made tools. They are more expensive, but as your entry relates, it is fixable and more reliable. FYI: our environmental book group is discussing Farewell My Subaru this month. As the moderator, I must say I have enjoyed the book and your blogs. An East Coast hello to you, we are still here trying to buy and live local, save land for open space in NJ, and try hard to do our best for the environment. Keep up the fun work. I am planning on serving Goat Milk Ice Cream at the meeting. Your recipe would be fun to compare to the one I found online. Thanks I would consider our household fuzzy techies. We do quite a bit ourselves, mechanically, woodworking, cooking, but find that even DIY means going to the big home store and buying more stuff to maintain wheat we have. I have a habit of curb shopping which increases our fix it load. Other times I collect from the street just to give to others. As I was recently driving much of this “stuff” fondly referred by my husband in other terms, to the local thrift store I had to wonder how my gas output compared to my efforts to keep these items out of the landfill.
My husband is very conscious about buying items made in the US which he finds increasingly hard to do. With his woodworking habit I knows the parts and tools made domestically are far superior to imports, with the exception of German made tools. They are more expensive, but as your entry relates, it is fixable and more reliable.
FYI: our environmental book group is discussing Farewell My Subaru this month. As the moderator, I must say I have enjoyed the book and your blogs. An East Coast hello to you, we are still here trying to buy and live local, save land for open space in NJ, and try hard to do our best for the environment. Keep up the fun work. I am planning on serving Goat Milk Ice Cream at the meeting. Your recipe would be fun to compare to the one I found online. Thanks

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