[ARC5] [Milsurplus] "Oldtimer bitching"? Or Timely Warning? You Decide.

[hwhall at compuserve.com]

Seems like we'd have a chance of interesting young folks if we figured out how to present our passions to them as new (to them) experiences instead of as old technology. If they think something is an "insider" thing, it might be more interesting...at least for long enough to introduce them to it. They may not pick it up as a hobby right away but seeds might be planted that'll bloom into more later on.  I think the guys showing up at steampunk meets & conventions with teletypes & stuff may be doing a good job introducing youth to vintage tech.
 

 Wayne
WB4OGM

 

-----Original Message-----
From: David Stinson <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>
To: Boatanchors Mail List <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; MilSurplus QSLNet <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tue, Jul 26, 2016 6:40 pm
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] [ARC5] "Oldtimer bitching"? Or Timely Warning? You Decide.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Merz via ARC5" <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>


It's not "bitching". These are not "complaints". It's a warning. 
I think what most of us on these lists recognize is this....
If you want any money out of your collection of ANY old, 
special-interest technology, NOW IS THE TIME. 10 years from now 
will not work. Your kids will most likely load it into a 
dumpster. This or something close to this is a guaranteed 
outcome. It's not ambiguous. It's demographically unavoidable.
----------------------

I wrote this in November of 2015.
In this context, I think it bares repeating:

"All Good Things...."

"I don't know. The young people just don't care
about this anymore. They have new things that
interest them."

"Yes, but surely some of them see and appreciate the
fine craftsmanship, the elegant beauty and function.
We need to think of interesting projects; a way to
get them involved. We're getting old and unless we
can spark a passion like ours in the young, the craft
will pass away with us!"

"Yes; that may be an answer. There will always be
at least a few who will appreciate and cherish these
works of skill and art. We must find them and
"pass the torch" of our passion and knowledge
before it goes out forever...."

This conversation took place in China.
5000 years ago.
They were talking about the dying skill and art
of crafting excellent and beautiful chariots.
Conversations like it have been repeated for millenia.

Today, those with the skill and the passion
to produce fine chariots can be counted on the fingers
of one hand. They still exist, and they matter,
but the passion and skill will inevitably pass
from the living world.

It is the nature of the Universe and of  Man himself
that "all good things must come to an end."
We can and should make efforts to preserve our craft
as long as possible, but we must also accept that its time
has come and gone. Few will "carry the flame" for us.
Find those few- they are what matter.
Ignore the masses, for they do not.

Perhaps it's best to adapt the ancient Greek philosophy
(was it the Stoics?) : "The universe was born when I
was born and will cease to exist when I die."
Cherish and enjoy your passion and craft while your
time remains, but do not expect it to survive forever;
Nothing physical can.

There is this: Unlike "those who have no hope-"
for a person of Faith, nothing is ever lost.
Everything is remembered and preserved.
Faith is the only hope of conquering Entropy.

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