RE: Makers - The Missing Link

beacon_dave — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 19:22:43 GMT

I think prioritising spare time is probably a very significant one. I was watching Laura Vanderkam's TED talk on this issue the other day

https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_vanderkam_how_to_gain_control_of_your_free_time

Personally I'm trying to get back into the maker/hobby electronics after having spent the last 25 years over at 'the dark side' more commonly known as ICT. However spare time just appears to vanish these days.

Other ones to add to your list might be: space, or lack of, for workshop facilities; workshop equipment, or lack of; and appearing to spend more time reading about the latest technology than getting more involved in the practical side of using it.

RE: Makers - The Missing Link

DAB — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 19:09:39 GMT

Good post Douglas.

You identify a dilemma well know with all groups as to why everyone is not participating at the same level.

I wish I had the answer. I know a lot of marketing people would like an answer.

All I can say is that it was not until I retired that I found Element 14 and realized that it was a good outlet for my technical knowledge and mentoring skills.

In my experience, 35+ years, in technology is that only about 10% participate at all and of those 10%, only about 10% are really motivated to do more than just the minimum.

So I think the numbers we see here at Element 14 are appropriate for an average group of technical folks.

I would say that actual makers are more likely to blog as they like to show off their builds.

DAB