Old Tech and Some Bullsh*t!
I was feeling the weight of the world this morning and desperately needed a laugh. Lost Art Press delivered the chuckles with this book title: Build a Chair from Bulls%$t. Color me intrigued!
The premise of the book is simple:
"For centuries, farmers and people who were handy with tools built comfortable chairs using simple tools and the materials around them (usually stuff from the firewood pile). You didn’t need special training or fancy tools – just a normal amount of cleverness and the need to sit down."
"'Build a Chair from Bulls%$t' shows you how easy this is to do – even today. Modern home centers are awash in materials that can be adapted to make a nice chair. Shovel handles and stair handrails can be easily made into chair legs. The seat and headrest come from the construction lumber aisle. The spindles? Dowels. And the curved arm? Plywood."
Sometimes we make things too complicated. Whether we're making a podcast or a chair, we often get sucked into (sold) modern tools and techniques. We let our relevance as a creator be judged by the tools we use, not the quality of what we make.
What if instead of chasing the latest and greatest, you incorporated old tech and some bullsh*t into your creative process?
A filmmaker friend not only uses RED cameras to shoot his films, but also loves old VHS camcorders. A photographer friend loves the simplicity of black and white film and a manual lens. After a long day of sitting in front of the computer, I love to write in my journal with a pen. Sure, digital technology can replicate anything from the past, except for the imperfections; that's where the magic lives.
So, what old tech and bullsh*t can you incorporate into your creative process Instead of buying new gear, use what you have laying around the house or office. Sure, people might label you as relevant by accident—cool Holga, bro—but when you act with intention, that's when you transcend relevance.
Newsletter Notes:
I started writing the newsletter without music and enjoying the chirping birds outside. I then shifted to Life In The Wires by Frost*.
I used Midjourney to generate the image in the graphic above with the following prompt: history of technology in the style of bluebrints --ar 16:9 --v 6.1.
Lost Art Press sells high-quality books and also provides free PDF downloads of all their books including Build a Chair from Bulls%$t.
I used Manometer Serif by Arne Freytag and FG Bethany by Bethany Schlegel Shawfor for the UYFV logo in the graphic above. Additional typefaces include Travelers Gothic by Mahaffey Design Co. and Headline Gothic ATF by American Type Founders Collection.
