“To have much learning, to be skillful in handicraft, well-trained in discipline, and to be good of speech — this is the greatest blessing.”
—Guatama Buddhahand•i•craft n.
• A craft or occupation requiring skilled use of the hands.
There is great gratification in creating something fine with only our hands, and, perhaps a few accommodating tools. Maybe it is the amount of devotion, consideration, effort, and hard-work required to accomplish these fruitful tasks. There is also the underlying aspect that it is custom made, and without heavy-machine interaction. Nothing against heavy machinery or large warehouses, but it seems there is a deficiency in real authenticity in mass made goods.
In an effort to keep up with the ever-growing population, and all of the demands of modern life, countless manufacture workshops have been structured across the globe. It has become more efficient to produce goods in large quantities and distribute them to the general population this way. However, without the advent of heavy-machinery and factories, much of the worlds existing conditions would be varied. Finding the middle ground of quantity over quality in most cases has over-shadowed the art of handicraft as an honest service.
There are still several skilled trades offered today, however, there are ostensibly more factory positions available. This imbalance occurred because heavy machines and assembly lines are able to outproduce human counterparts, which subsequently renders away business from craftsmen. Many occupations became available in factories and so the struggling crafters sought after work. “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” seemed to be the general approach. Even today, there are handcrafters who find ways to find success, but a great percentage of produced goods tend to come from factory lines.
In most cases it takes hours upon hours of experience to become skilled– when achieved, quality is often only matched by other crafters. One of the utmost reasons I enjoy handicraft is the amount of determination required to acquire the skill. It takes ample trial, error and creativity to become a trained craftsperson. There are also personal benefits that I enjoy, such as: exerting energy into the necessary physical labor; or expressing my thoughts and emotions artistically. I would like to learn many skills, but it would be next to impossible to apply practical effort into learning them all. It is for this matter I rely on fellow humans to teach me skills or perform the tasks I cannot.
There are some factories that do offer exceptional quality and quantity, and the integrity of their practice should be commended. In the future, it would be wonderful to see more of these factories arise. Combining the art of handicraft quality with the high production capabilities of assembly lines could create an improved happy medium. Imagine if there was a warehouse full of skilled crafters who only had access to the heavy machines necessary and capable of doing incredible features, like: applying extraordinary amounts of pressure or heat to bend metal, or wood. All other labor could be performed with their most skilled assets— hands and a few essential tools.
How unique!
I enjoy a quality product. I appreciate another’s hard-work. I admire skilled handicraft. Perhaps moving forward, the crafter and machine can find ways to work together in a more effective and efficient manner.
The phenomena of industrial evolution and revolution has momentously influenced quality living standards. As the future rapidly blurs unto the horizon, all aspects of development ought to be considered. If machines, computers, and humans wish to co-exist, then humans must make the required efforts to claim their fair stake in this ever-advancing work space.