"Joe Fleming" wrote...

Thanks for the comments - more are welcome!!


Joe:

I found you musing interesting as I was thinking about something similar the
same day, and perhaps you will find this perspective interesting as well.

On the program Radio Times, Marti was interviewing an author/scientist who
had just written a book about the differences between female & male brains,
and who mentioned there is still resistance among those who say all
differences are learned. Also she mentioned that they were speaking in
generalities anyway because there were such wide difference in physical
make-up of the brain between individuals of the same gender.

IMO, and I believe the most widely accepted opinion, is that we are all a
combination of innate abilities and tendencies and learned behavior.

What this all got me to thinking was about how differences in our innate
brain abilities would affect our woodworking skills and directions and
tendencies.

For example, my number skills are very poor, and this clearly affects the
way I approach woodworking. On the other hand, my three-dimensional
reasoning is very good. So working with the metric system is very difficult
for me, and no easier or more intuitive than hex or octal numbering systems.
Fractions OTH are a cinch, since they represent parts of the whole - halves,
quarters, eights, etc.

So when I think of what inherent abilities I bring to woodworking that
enables me to succeed, I look at three-dimensional reasoning, creativity,
and reading comprehension as about it, but I imagine others would have
different strengths and weaknesses.

When I turn, I pick a piece of wood I think will look nice when turned, and
start turning. I'm not trying to express anything, or make a statement, or
explore new ground, or impress anybody, but I can clearly see in my minds
eye a form that I think is pretty, and have no trouble translating that form
to the piece. More experienced and far better turners than myself have seen
my turnings and made generous and favorable comments on the shapes and
wonder where I got the inspiration, but really it's just "extemporaneous, of
my mother wit".

So I would say that being "above-average" in creative ability and in
three-dimensional resoning is what informs my work. (Less this sounds
pompous, let me just add that the areas in which my brain is far below
average outweigh my few talents.)

So I wonder what abilities people bring to their work that helps to shape it
and make it unique?

--
Timothy Juvenal
www.tjwoodworking.com