Made by hand
Subtitle: searching for meaning in a throwaway world
By: Mark Frauenfelder
Publisher: Portfolio
Published: 2010
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 241
ISBN-13: 9781591843320
Subjects: Self-reliant living; Sustainable living; Handicraft
Description: From the Publisher: From his unique vantage point as editor-in-chief of MAKE magazine, the hub of the newly invigorated do-it-yourself movement, Mark Frauenfelder takes readers on an inspiring and surprising tour of the vibrant world of DIY.  The Internet has brought together large communities of people who share ideas, tips, and blueprints for making everything from unmanned aerial vehicles to pedal-powered iPhone chargers to an automatic cat feeder jury-rigged from a VCR.  DIY is a direct reflection of our basic human desire to invent and improve, long suppressed by the availability of cheap, mass-produced products that have drowned us in bland convenience and cultivated our most wasteful habits.  Frauenfelder spent a year trying a variety of offbeat projects such as keeping chickens and bees, tricking out his espresso machine, whittling wooden spoons, making guitars out of cigar boxes, and doing citizen science with his daughters in the garage.  His whole family found that DIY helped them take control of their lives, offering a path that was simple, direct, and clear.  Working with their hands and minds helped them feel more engaged with the world around them.  Frauenfelder also reveals how DIY is changing our culture for the better.  He profiles fascinating "alpha makers" leading various DIY movements and grills them for their best tips and insights.  Beginning his journey with hands as smooth as those of a typical geek, Frauenfelder offers a unique perspective on how earning a few calluses can be far more rewarding and satisfying than another trip to the mall.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: Escape to Rarotonga; title: 1:  Courage to screw things up; title: 2:  Killing my lawn; title: 3:  Growing food; title: 4:  Tickling Miss Silvia; title: 5:  Raising baby dinosaurs; title: 6:  Strumming and stirring; title: 7:  Fomenting fermentation; title: 8:  Keeping bees; title: 9:  Learning how to learn; title: Conclusion: Rise of do-it-yourselfism; title: Acknowledgments; title: Notes; title: Index.