Your toolbox filled with wrenches and screwdrivers, if regularly used, can make you a better thinker. Manipulating mechanical objects, turning them around, fitting pieces together and watching the parts move, will exercise and expand your brain in ways your non-mechanical friends can’t imagine because it anchors you to the real world, where things either work or they don’t, while others are free to roam a virtual, but often impossible, universe.
If you learn everything through words, whether in books or online, you can construct elaborate concepts and ideas that sound great but simply don’t work when tested. Knowledge of how things work gained from hands on experience applies far beyond the hands on world because it embeds the habits of checking each part, asking basic questions and following facts to their logical conclusions, a process sometimes glossed over by those building the big ideas.
An interesting article on Wired a couple of months ago, shows why this low-on-facts, high-on-ideas way of thinking can lead to criticism of anything that isn’t perfect. (That never happens in our comment section, does it?) The author labels these opposing views as the intellectuals versus the scientists and engineers:
Reform-minded intellectuals found the low-on-facts, high-on-ideas diet well suited to formulating the socially prescriptive systems that came to be called ideologies. The beauty of being an ideologue was (and is) that the real world with all its imperfections could be criticized by comparing it, not to what had actually happened or is happening, but to one’s utopian visions of future perfection. As perfection exists neither in human society nor anywhere else in the material universe, the ideologues were obliged to settle into postures of sustained indignation. …
While the intellectuals were busy with all that, the world’s scientists and engineers took a very different path. They judged ideas (“hypothesesâ€) not by their brilliance but by whether they survived experimental tests. Hypotheses that failed such tests were eventually discarded, no matter how wonderful they might have seemed to be. In this, the careers of scientists and engineers resemble those of batters in major-league baseball: Everybody fails most of the time; the great ones fail a little less often.
Still with me? OK, let’s add London taxi drivers to the mix, shall we?
Would-be taxi drivers have to learn 320 routes within a six mile radius of Charing Cross, which covers a mind-boggling 25,000 streets and 20,000 landmarks and places of interest.
MRI scans of their brains, before and after all of that learning showed an enlargement of the posterior hippocampus, in other words, their brain changed as a result of what they were learning and doing. This is one of the very few studies confirming actual changes in the brain as it adapts to what you learn and do.
So what’s my point? If some people are grounded in facts and learn through interaction with the real world, you know, hands on tool users, and some are isolated in the world of words, not only do they think differently, their brains may be physically different as well. An explanation that fits with observed fact may be lost on those who don’t form opinions that way and actual brain changes due to different learning experiences and world views may make it extremely difficult to communicate with your opposite. Hmm, …
The longer you stay on one side or the other, the more your brain may differ from those with opposing viewpoints, not just your ideas and thoughts, your actual physical brain. Think about that.
I read incessantly, but I have always worked with my hands, too, and I think the hands on work is necessary to keep a person grounded and to guard against living in a fantasy. I honestly believe that working with tools makes you a better thinker
A lot of these ideas have been floating around in my head recently (I know, I know …) and I thought I would toss it out there and let some of you digest a bit of it and see what you think. Bring it up at your next family get together, … you’ll be the life of the party. 🙂 Or just add your ideas here.
Carolynne says
Recently there have been developments in the area of Neuroplasticity, we are learning some amazing things about the brain and its ability to adapt and change, even from injuries that were thought to be permanent in the not so distant past. They are now looking to use these techniques on surviviors of post tramatic stress, depression and schizophrenics. This is an area we should see a lot advancement in the next few years as we learn more about how neural connections are formed and maintained.
One of my major interests is how we are so disconnected from the real world we live in. We have become so depended on modern convience that when they fail we are reduced to helplessness. I overheard a guy talking to his mechanic one day after he had his car towed to the garage when it unexpected stalled and would not start up again. Turns out, the problem was he ran out of gas, they put gas in it and away it went. How could we be so in the dark that this actually happens? Its a real switch from the older generation. I have an great uncle and grandfather who in my opinion are genuises, thier problem solving abilities amaze me. When grandpa needs a wheel barrow, he doesnt hop into his car and go buy one, he picks up an old something or other he has laying around, grabs a couple bicycle wheels he had up in the garage rafters and welds on a couple handles. I never cease to be amazed, I am hoping I can be like that one day too.
B50 Jim says
Carolynne —
You CAN be like that; in fact, if you recognize that kind of problem-solving, you’re most of the way there. When you have a problem that can be fixed by mechanical means (we’re not talking about relationships or emotional issues here), just look at it for a while, then look at whatever you have at hand the way your grandpa does, and get to work. You might have to learn to weld or use cutting tools, but that’s part of the fun. You have to learn to think like a guy (hence the disclaimer about relationship skills), but you’ll be amazed how easy it its to devise some way to fix what’s broken. I have an oxyacetylene welding outfit in my garage, and I’m amazed how often I find uses for it. Most folks wouldn’t even know how to set the gauges and light the torch — but those who do can’t imagine getting along without it.
There might even be applications to Neuroplasticity — a couple of high-school-level shop courses can do wonders. My high-school days are in the distant past before anything digital, and those cabinetry, machine-shop and welding courses I took then have been a constant benefit all my life.
Gerry says
While learning about the brain is very important, I don’t think the average person needs to spend much time and science digging into the brain to see man adapting and embracing new technologies. The adage “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is, in fact, a myth. At age 36, I, and my fellow Baby Boomers were confronted with the PC. I am now 65 and I am typing this on a PC. Our very survival hinges on our ability to learn and adapt.
Most “technical errors” (the gears) are caused by people who do not take the time to do basic research into their immediate environment.
Doctor to wife: ” Your husband is at death’s door but it’s OK, we think we can pull him through”
The next question should be: Pull him through the door?
Then: “When?” (I don’t want to be here all night)
Next: “If he survives, will he be a vegetable?”
Lastly: “What’s the cost?”
Instead it’s usually “OMG! what am I going to do?” after the Doctors’ first statement.
Then there is “It all depends on how you look at it”
Consider the possibility that the artist who drew the drawing visualized it in his mind in 3D that the gears are in fact separated vertically and can all spin on their own without interference.
If we truly want to think outside the box, we have to make the “box” disappear.
Paul Jackman says
Not long before my Dad died strangely he said “I think I’ve let you down”. “Why’s that?” I said. “Because I never taught you how to butcher a sheep.” he said. He grew up on a farm of course and I didn’t. Truth is we are always discarding knowledge and taking on new things. I learnt my motorycycling on hopeless 1950s British bikes that were endlessly breaking down, so yes I learnt how to fix them. Now, and I’m aged 59, I hack around on a 20 year old Honda and I have no idea how it works because it never breaks down at all. It’s a remarkable motorcycle for that reason alone, and I think that’s great. My adult children are no good with a spanner because they’ve never needed to be, but when it comes to using the internet and a host of related things they run rings around me. Seeing the development of electrical vehicles that’s taking place now, maybe my children’s skills with computers will give then just the right background for “wrenching” the next generation of vehicles. In short, people do what they need to do, and know what they need to know. We shouldn’t worry about it. Change is eternal, and we cast off old knowledge like dried skin. Indeed, the human mind can’t work without the ability to forget.
Carolynne says
I actually don’t think so, I think what will when their electric vehicles have problems will be get rid if them and buy new ones. My husband and I buy vehicles off people like this all the time, and it’s amazing how many cars you find with minor problems you can get for peanuts because their owners are clueless. We are already seeing the economic implications of this throw it away culture
B50 Jim says
Gerry —
As a fellow Boomer, I agree. When I first learned to use the telephone, I picked up the receiver and told the operator what number I wanted. Now I have a Razr phone that’s outdated, so I’ll probably get a smart phone pretty soon. My first camera was an Instamatic; now I have a Canon Rebel digital. I had to learn something all along the way. So it goes. But sometimes I would like to pick up the phone and hear the operator say “number please!” Life was much less complex then, even discounting the fact that I was four.
But I’d never want to give up my Boyer electronic ignition!
alex says
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. ~ Albert Einstein.
Nick5689 says
At the school I went to they encouraged you to get a job in a shop as a machinist for your first 3 years and only get a job or internship related to your engineering major for your senior year. It didnt matter if you were a computer, civil, industrial, or mechanical engineer.
Decline says
Lol, I’ve done graphics for websites exactly along those same lines. In my case though it was my own little private joke I was trying to sneak in.
Monty says
I currently have a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from a top engineering university and I also hold a Master Electrician’s license. I work in the field as an electrician because that way I can work with my hands and not sit at a desk looking at a computer all day. I hear feedback all the time that asks,”Why are you working as an electrician and not an engineer?” Like it is obvious that an engineer with a master’s degree is superior to an electrician in all ways.
I have gotten to see the world from both sides, engineer vs. everyone in the field, and largely I have found that engineers are very lazy and don’t have much grounding and experience in the real world and contractors need to to realize that engineering is important and certain details can’t be ignored. I have heard the bitching and complaining from both sides.
coxster says
I switched from product engineering job to a maintenance gig (at the local wastewater plant) because I walk a minimum two miles a day just doing my job, so I understand completely!
Here’s a quote from Control Engineering magazine: ” If we continue to become more specialized, we’ll know more and more about less and less “
Nortley says
The gear train is locked up.
HigherRPM says
Perhaps there is a need for some social lubrication…..
Generic1776 says
Working at an Aerospace company we get a variety of folk, from the veteran machinist of exotic metals to theoretical engineers/scientists that have never seen a factory floor. One such intern working on his master’s degree in math, was assigned to a no-nothing “let’s move our computer labs to another building” project of mine.
I handed him the socket wrench and a ladder with the instructions “take down the large displays”. After climbing the ladder he turned and asked “which way to do I turn it?”
“Come on down off the ladder, Intern, you lost your tool privileges.”
As he came down he was muttering “wait, wait, righty-tighty, lefty-loosey, I can do this”. “Nope, you lost your privileges, you won’t do it this time, but you’ll never make that mistake again.”
He left the company a year later to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematical modeling, hopefully it doesn’t involve socket wrenches.
😛
todd says
I guess I take issue with Monty’s position: I became a mechanical engineer because there’s more interesting jobs, challenges, and pay than just being a mechanic. Now instead of wrenching on a customer’s old Buick I’m designing (and building, yes, with my own hands) turbine powered hybrid electric vehicles. Now I can come home and wrench on my own vintage bikes and not worry if I’m going to get paid for it.
Some people just don’t care if they could fix anything or not. In fact, I occasionally come across people who feel it is something to boast about – like they’re too intelligent or important for grimy handy work, just pay some immigrant to do the work instead.
I do have to admit, I almost didn’t make it through the whole post and found myself skipping over a bit of it. Too much wordy intellectualizing…
-todd
B50 Jim says
Paul Jackman —
My dad did teach me to butcher a sheep, and cattle and hogs as well. He’s a long-retired butcher and I worked for him in his shop until I got a full-time job as a maintenance machinist in a local factory. All things considered, I’d much rather wrench on my old BSA than butcher a sheep, but I’m glad I could do it if I had to.
I am amazed when I meet someone who has no clue about using tools (I work with several) but not everyone has the aptitude, experience or desire to use them. If they can pay someone to get their hands dirty, that’s their privilege. If they lose the ability to pay, they’re in trouble. My boss is one of those people, and he is dedicated to keeping his hands clean so the business does quite well. It’s job security for me, and I still get to use my tools.
rohorn says
Are the “I can use a wrench, therefore I’m superior” posters the same ones who recoil at the thought of learning anything about the digital electronics on cutting edge motorcycles?
todd says
some of us are employed in the field of digital vehicular control. Then we come home to the joy of an entirely analog garage. I fear that some posters visit blogs just to ridicule the comments of others in the attempt to feel superior.
Stick to addressing the topic directly and keep your snide remarks to yourself.
-todd
Emmet says
I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical engineering last year. I can recall a class in which students learned (VERY) basic machine shop skills: working on a mill, lathe, etc. The lab project was to ‘fabricate’ a c-clamp, but essentially all they did was take the parts to the properly setup machine, pull a lever… It was like a glorified Ikea instruction manual, no intuitive thinking going on. I even had to teach my lab partner which way to turn a screwdriver. Just some sentiments from Matthew Crawford’s novel I guess.
Paul, feel free to share any books you have on this subject 🙂
zyxw says
Interesting discussion. I’m firmly of the belief that our brains only have so much capacity. That is why someone who is truly great at something is usually lousy at many other things. The other day I was struggling with a computer problem and I asked my son for some help and he quickly went to the command lines and typed stuff so fast for a few minutes that I couldn’t follow what he was doing, all the while muttering about how the programmer had screwed up. Bang, it was fixed, but he would not have a clue how to fix the toilet in our house or change the brake pads on my motorcycle. Strangely, my teenage daughter is more inclined towards tool-related projects. I’ll never forget how proud I was when I was struggling on some boat engine project and I looked up to see my 10-year old daughter ( a few years ago) peering down at me intently watching. So, I think different people have different aptitudes and interests and they should go with them.
Kir says
I have MA in philosophy, a motorcycle and an immense fear of screwing something up due to lack of skill. I suppose things went wrong when I purchased a bike that’s worth like ten times my current salary. No, it’s just a ’93 Honda worth $4k and I’m just a poor office hamster from a third-world country. Maybe something cheaper will do for mechanical training, say Minsk for up to 300$ or Jawa for 500$.