The ancient Greek legend of Dedalus and his wax wings, while we can presume is just that– a legend– teaches some important lessons. One, sometimes the greatest enemy of masterful design and invention is user error (RIP Icarus– kids, you really need to listen to your parents sometimes). Another lesson is that even with the best of intentions and skillful designs, failure is an unavoidable part of invention. Lastly– and the main focus of this post and blog– when faced with a seemingly impossible problem, the solution is often obscured by an important concept: perspective. In Dedalus’ case, though he determined that while the labyrinth may have been technically solvable with great time and effort, why is going through the only option?
Perhaps a violent bi-pedal half-man-half-bull creature would have been a pretty good incentive to find a solution that kept me out of horn-goring range, but the important takeaway is that it is important to always challenge convention. Oftentimes, things are the way they are for no other reason than it was just the way it always has been. It was just the way that worked the first time, so why “waste” time finding a different way and messing up a good thing? I acknowledge that there is wisdom in “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” However, just because something “works” does not imply that it is the “best” way. As the saying goes, “People demand progress, but resist change.” (Credit for that quote goes to Burnie Burns as the first voice I heard say it. So until I find an earlier instance, I’ll credit him with introducing me to it)
All that is to say this, if have been building things since I was as young as 4. I have always looked for the most efficient and clever solution to problems. I then took these skills and mindset into a 6-year career as a set engineer (grip) in the film industry and my budding maker career. Grip equipment is old and enduring, as are many of the techniques and practices. So now after gaining the experience enough to see a lot of methods that work (and A LOT that don’t) I want the foundation of my making journey to be to find ways to better protect the longevity of film workers’ bodies through machine innovation. Ultimately, I want my legacy of making and creation to be a wake of peoples’ lives I’ve improved, particularly by using machines to better aid people in their day-to-day lives. This blog will serve as a record of my journey to approach such things from the bird’s-eye (but certainly not Icarus’ eye) view.
Welcome, and keep an eye out for the Minotaur. He’s motivated and has some pretty deep-rooted parental trauma…