AN INTRIGUING READ…"SHOP CLASS AS SOULCRAFT. AN INQUIRY INTO THE VALUE OF WORK"

We find this an intriguing read....

"A philosopher/mechanic's wise (and sometimes funny) look at the challenges and pleasures of working with one's hands

Called "the sleeper hit of the publishing season" (The Boston Globe), Shop Class as Soulcraft became an instant bestseller, attracting readers with its radical (and timely) reappraisal of the merits of skilled manual labor. On both economic and psychological grounds, author Matthew B. Crawford questions the educational imperative of turning everyone into a "knowledge worker," based on a misguided separation of thinking from doing. Using his own experience as an electrician and mechanic, Crawford presents a wonderfully articulated call for self-reliance and a moving reflection on how we can live concretely in an ever more abstract world."

"Shop Class as Soulcraft"

AN INSPIRING STORY OF SHOP CLASS AND BEYOND - "IF YOU BUILD IT"

We are feeling inspired by this amazing documentary.  Our current education system has a tendency to focus on a "one size fits all" education paradigm.  This is a refreshing and inspiring alternative that goes beyond our current shop class offerings at school. It shows the challenges, frustrations and motivation of a group of students learning how to design, build and make their community a better place.

Why is this important to us?  We want our community, our employees, our clients, and our admirers to feel a sense of pride in our homes and buildings.  To do this, we need a different kind of education for those who are interested.  A new vision where we educate, nurture and mentor future craftspeople...teach them the art of the craft so that we have beautiful, well built, well designed dwellings.  We begin by planting the seeds.

For more information, check out their website, "If You Build It".

IF YOU BUILD IT (Official Trailer) from OCP Media on Vimeo.