[cmccuist]

The trades and craft workers of today are challenged mentally as well as physically. I mean look at mechanics. Microprocessors everywhere. Electronics everywhere. Back in the day, a car had about 5 electric motors. I read the new 911 has 60!

Welders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, masons, painters, have to have the equivalent of college degrees to successfully rise to the tops of their professions. The variety of materials and building supplies is exploding.

I mean look at plumbing and what's available today - copper, PVC, ABS, HDPE, galvanized, braided stainless over rubber - and all the associated connections you can make - solder, weld, thread, those shark bite things, swage lock, compression... You can spend an hour at Home Depot just to get the right fitting to make a joint!