When did we stop "doing"?

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I'd like to keep this out of parf. Been looking around at the world and I am thinking that our problem isnt left or right, but rather that we no longer are a nation (world?) of doers. Instead we watch. Watch sports rather than play them. Watch politics rather than participate. Dispose instead of fix (machines and people).

Maybe we've always had the same percentage of doers (they're still around) and watchers but seems at some point the world tilted. Has the criticisms of tv when it first arrived on the scene finally come to roost? Or are we just doing different things now, living in the digital world?

nynor · 08-02-2011, 04:58 PM

amen.

genrex · 08-02-2011, 04:59 PM

Very interesting topic indeed.

So many changes happened to our society in so many ways, in a relatively short time frame, that we haven't had time to adjust. Or even think about it..

cantdrv55 · 08-02-2011, 05:15 PM

Affluence has something to do with it. I know growing up, we just scraped by even though both parents worked. As time passed and parents kept getting promoted, all of a sudden we had disposable income. Toys followed then we started paying for services. I remember taking apart my fake Mongoose BMX bike to the frame, then rattle can painting it. Now, I take my road bike to a shop for a tune up. Stupid waste of $65.

Cloggie · 08-02-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

I'd like to keep this out of parf. Been looking around at the world and I am thinking that our problem isnt left or right, but rather that we no longer are a nation (world?) of doers. Instead we watch. Watch sports rather than play them. Watch politics rather than participate. Dispose instead of fix (machines and people).

Maybe we've always had the same percentage of doers (they're still around) and watchers but seems at some point the world tilted. Has the criticisms of tv when it first arrived on the scene finally come to roost? Or are we just doing different things now, living in the digital world?

Oh yes, my goodness...you betcha. That is how an old fart like me keeps employed even when I really want to be retired, because the younger folks would rather keep up a solid circle jerk rather than actually doing the work.

My team has adopted a Walt Disney line....

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

....and people are offended. They say I am not being "nice". My advice back to them is that if they want "nice", go buy a puppy, we are here to get ***** done and they either help make it happen, watch it happen or go back to their offices and wonder what happened.

It frustrates me almost beyond belief....I fear the educational system has failed these guys big time. I mean, they are so totally risk averse and seek to avoid failure at all costs, even when the effort spent to avoid failure is far higher than the effort to make a good solid attempt.

Anyway, I keep charging stupid rates for what I do in the hope that companies will tell me to take a hike and they just keep paying.

I am starting to feel (slightly) guilty....sigh.

D.

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

We are raising a bunch of button pushers.
Common sense is rapidly disappearing. Soon there will be no doers.....just a lot of head scratchers wondering what to do and how to do it.
There are still many skilled craftsmen around but i fear they are a dying breed.

VINMAN · 08-02-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nynor

amen.

+ Infinity!

artplumber · 08-02-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Affluence has something to do with it. I know growing up, we just scraped by even though both parents worked. As time passed and parents kept getting promoted, all of a sudden we had disposable income. Toys followed then we started paying for services. I remember taking apart my fake Mongoose BMX bike to the frame, then rattle can painting it. Now, I take my road bike to a shop for a tune up. Stupid waste of $65.

Agree. Was sharpening the knives last night. Having a conversation w/friend "whatcha doin'?" He was surprised I was doing that - response was "hire someone".

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Great observations. I think it is true that Americans spend a lot of time looking for someone or something outside our heads to stimulate us. And I don't think our powers of critical thinking have kept up with the onslaught of entertainment/information that assaults us.

VINMAN · 08-02-2011, 06:39 PM

This is the biggest problem with the up and coming generations. The inability to do anything for or entertain themselves. Pretty scary.

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

I believe that the development of information technology had a lot to do with us doing less. We live more and more in a virtual world that gives us the illusion of doing something, while all we are really doing is pressing keys, moving a mouse and watching a screen. Yes we are living more and more in the digital world, and when all the knowledge of the world is only a google search away, even using our own mind becomes futile, memorizing stuff becomes optional since it is all there in cyberspace. This digital era is a double edged sword which makes us both more powerful and more lazy.

Superman · 08-02-2011, 06:44 PM

I'm 5'8" or so and weigh 160. And the only reason for that last 15 lbs is because I really like rib steaks, Wendy's double cheeseburgers and lot of really rich beer (I'm an IPA guy). What's my exercise routine? Yup, you guessed it. I do stuff. My TV is nice if I want to watch a movie, but I have no "channels." No cable, no nuthin'.

I'm not bragging. I'm pointing out that "doing stuff," as a strategy, has a bunch of benefits. In addition to getting stuff done and keeping fit.........it's FUN to do stuff.

This nation is going to Helena Handbasket. I hope nobody blows this conversation up by posting a rant about entitlements. Those are not the problem.

trekkor · 08-02-2011, 07:30 PM

I very rarely pay anyone to do anything for me.

I enjoy projects and doing things.

I don't understand people that are overly consumed by their mobile device, looking up occasionally to make sure they aren't going to hit something in the real world...

KT

vash · vash's Garage

tough call.

i visited taiwan. i swear, there is a small part of the population that does work for the majority.

my wife's auntie called a repair man to come and change the water supply hose on the toilet. granted it was going to be very cheap..(iirc, somewhere under $20US)..the guy was very late. by the time i figured what all the chinese speakers were talking about. it helped that they were pointing at the drippy line..and waving around the new line..duh!..i pulled out a leatherman and changed it out..in minutes. they literally CHEERED!! i was embarrassed with the fuss.

taiwan..not a country of do-ers. and they are not all that affluent.

cantdrv55 · 08-02-2011, 08:20 PM

Cheap labor at $20. You came even cheaper - FREE! Culture of paying for services because of cheap labor. They've been hiring out for so long that they lack the skill to do it for themselves and the motivation to learn.

cantdrv55 · 08-02-2011, 08:26 PM

Affluence is relative. Just have to be able and willing to pay for what the other guy is willing and able to sell him time for.

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

I calculate things based off of a an easy little formula. How much time would it take at my job to pay for what I'm buying, and if it cost more in time for me to make it myself than in time for me pay for it to be done, then is it something I would also enjoy doing?

For example, lets say I made $10 an hour, a T-shirt cost $15. Materials to make the shirt cost $3, and it took two hours of my time, making my own is a $23 T-shirt, buying one is a $15 T-shirt, so unless I really enjoyed making my own shirt - I'm going to go and buy one.

Replacing the clutch on my car, well, I chose to do that myself, probably saved money. Building my own chassis for my RC monster truck, would of been cheaper in "time" to of bought one already designed and with the kinks worked out, but I wanted to make something with my hands, so even though I spent maybe "$40 more" given what I made at the time, I wanted to do it myself.

A lot of the doing will be done by those with motivated poor parents.

LakeCleElum · 08-02-2011, 08:42 PM

Lack of "doers" is a "result" of the real problem: Lack of Parenting! Been happening for 40+ years........

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I only stopped "doing" tonite to cool off & read my Email.

Superman · 08-02-2011, 09:00 PM

I buy my t-shirts too. But I rarely pay for someone to fix something for me, whether it is a car, plumbing, electrical, whatever. The compliment I remember receiving which has stuck in my mind the best because of my pride in receiving it, was being called "resourceful." By Warren. Coming from him, it was high praise indeed.

I did however, take my Stihl chain saw to the repair shop recently. I really need to just get a service manual for that thing.