I have a digital job in a digital market that is part of a digital world. We do our work digitally with word processors. We interact digitally with social networks. We record our history digitally with blogs. We even relax digitally with Pandora, NetFlix and iPads. Even when we slum a little bit we'll put in a CD or DVD ... both digital. Too seldom do we read from something that isn't glowing, watch something that wasn't rendered or listen to something that can warp or play something that isn't in the form of an app. Way too seldom do we make things with our hands, something physical, something tangible, something analogue. In order to combat this, I have started a new project. (Pictures below.)
Clarifications
Exceptions
There are plenty of exceptions to this rule. There are a lot of good people who read books, watch plays, listen to records, play boardgames and make arts or crafts. I am not ignoring this truth. I applaud this truth. I am merely suggesting that such people are in the minority ... and probably aren't reading this.
Definition
The meaning of the word analogue has evolved over the years. At one point it referred to analogies. One thing represented another. Today the word is used most often to simply mean not digital ... something that can't be broken down into numbers ... something that isn't ultimately 1s and 0s.
Problem
The problem is simple. When we spend too much of our time digitally, we lose touch with the analogue. That may not seem too crucial, but it is; just watch Surrogates starring Bruce Willis. When it comes down to it, the things that matter in life don't happen on a screen or because of a mouse. The things that matter happen in flesh and blood, and we need to be a part of that.
Project
For a while now, my office has needed furniture. I've been wanting a cool table for my back wall. My plan was to find a bright blue one to contrast the black wall in front of which it will sit. I was previously aware of the digital problem, and even had the thought to make a table. I wouldn't even know where to begin with something like that. So, I didn't.
[Enters my wife's family]
My wife's grandfather is a former carpenter (current pack rat). My wife's aunt is a former scrap-booker (current mother of four). He had an old door that used to be in a bank. She had the idea that it would look cool in my office. I had the audacity to agree. Thus, my new labor of love began. Too seldom do I make things with my own hands, but with the help of Harvey's tool shed I'm going to turn this discarded door into a trendy table.
