Making

I've spent most of my professional life in the high-tech sector. There I observed that there are a relatively small number of people who actually make things and a great number of people who use not only the things made but often the makers themselves.

After much thought, I've concluded that the differences between makers and users arise not from any special aptitude or intrinsic ability but rather from a fundamentally different approach to the world.

Making is by far the road less traveled, but I hope to encourage a few more to try the path.

Maker Concepts and Definitions
What is a maker?
Means, ends, and integrity
Systems
Making Life Cycle
Meaning

Makers and Users
Makers vs. users
System keepers and system beaters
Monism and Dualism
Black Friday is a User Holiday

The Unpopular Virtues of Makers
Patience
Responsibility
Finishing
Doing what needs to be done
Doing a job well
Devotion
Forgiveness
Gratitude

Making in Practice
Making Communities
The difference between Hope and Happiness
Do it Yourself
Aesthetics: Steampunk

History
Why did you start thinking about makers?
What is the distinguishing power of the makers?
What is the nature of the universe of the makers?

The Laws of Making
Overview

The Three Laws of Understanding
Law 1: Love is the Foundation of True Making.
Law 2: Beauty is the Object of True Making.
Law 3: Truth is the Substance of True Making.

The Three Laws of Living
Law 4: True Making is an Expression of Hope.
Law 5: True Making is an Act of Faith.
Law 6: True Making is an Embodiment of Charity.

The Three Laws of Transcendence
Law 7: True Makers see Beyond the Actual to the Potential. (Vision)
Law 8: The True Maker's Devotion Never Wavers. (Devotion)
Law 9: The Highest Power is to Finish, and the Greatest Wisdom is to Know When to Finish. (Completion)

Retrospective

Exploring the First Law: Love is the Foundation of True Making
Passion
Long-suffering
Fascination
What is Precious?

Exploring the Second Law: Beauty is the Object of True Making
Form and Contrast
Beauty Arises When Form Follows Function
Elegance
Balance

Exploring the Third Law: Truth is the Substance of True Making
Truth is True
Truth is not Wishful Thinking
Truth is Choices and Consequences
Truth is not Isolated

Exploring the Fourth Law: True Making is an Expression of Hope
Hope is not Simplistic
Hope is not Dismissive
Hope is Constant
Hope is Specific and Ineffable

Exploring the Fifth Law: True Making is an Act of Faith
Faith is Active
Faith is Trust
Good Faith
Fidelity and Faith in our Work

Exploring the Sixth Law: True Making is an Embodiment of Charity
Giving What Only You Can Give
Inclined to Think Favorably of Others
Acts of Kindness or Benevolence
Getting Beyond Yourself

Exploring the Seventh Law: Vision - True Makers See Beyond the Actual to the Potential
Building a Nation
To See Far
To See Detail
To See Beyond

Exploring the Eighth Law: Devotion - The True Maker's Devotion Never Wavers
Devotion and Focus
Devotion and Doing What is Necessary
Above and Beyond
Excellence

Exploring the Ninth Law: Completion - The Highest Power is to Finish and the Greatest Wisdom is to Know When to Finish
Knowing the End from the Beginning
Baby Bear's Example
Letting Go
Stepping Aside

Evaluating the Laws of Making
What to Make of Making
Makers and Artistic Integrity
Making as a Way to Know Yourself
Limitation vs. Justification
Making and the Sacred
Are Rules Made to be Broken?
A Job Well-done vs. Perfect
To be Used with Prudence and Thanksgiving
Making and the Big Pile O' Fail
Solitude vs. Isolation
"Fake it till you make it," and the Laws of Making


Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net