We have grown up in a culture where your lifestyle or career 'status' is driven by your academic studies. It is now generally accepted that those who excel at scholarly activities go and work in an office and those who don't usually pick up a trade. So where did we gain this misconception that applying a more hands-on and physically demanding career path is less socially accepted as an integral role in today's society? In short it began at the very place that benefits the most, the secondary education system. Like all powerhouse marketing campaigns, the education system is up there with the likes of Microsoft and Apple. While less subtle you quickly find yourself becoming another chess piece to replace others before you. Brainwashed during the years of adolescence, their ability to influence your decisions even after you have seen your contract through does not become apparent until it is too late.
In truth, the focus on the 'how' and not the 'why' that enables these 'lesser beings' to bridge that gap between the non-tangible and physical realm of design. Where tinkering laid the foundation for innovation. It is the collaboration of the tinkerers and academics that further evolves our future. Future Tense recently discussed the importance of how Australia has embraced tinkering and have become a country of tinkerers with Alex Pang - Futurist, Associate Fellow at Oxford University's Said Business School and Managing Editor at Encyclopedia Britannica.
Futurist Alex Pang believes the products, technology and designs of tomorrow are being discovered today by people who like 'tinkering'. Tinkering isn't just wasting time in the back shed, it's taking objects, or even ideas, and making them better. From open-sourced software to a hotted-up motor-mower, it's all tinkering according to Mr Pang.
So to conclude, I will take a leaf out of Bert Monroy's book and finish by telling you to sit there and play. Playing is the best way to learn. It shouldn’t be considered “work.” Work could never be that much fun.
