[hackerspaces] Cabin Fever Expo

[Lokkju Brennr]

Or if it's because they are the same people, and have just gotten older?

Loki

On Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 12:42 PM, john arclight <arclight at gmail.com> wrote:
> I've also noticed that the average age of attendees at hacker conventions
> and similar events in the U.S. has gone up considerably. There used to be a
> lot of punk kids at these, and now I see a lot more 20 and 30s aged people.
> I'm not sure if this is because everyone is at home glued to
> IM/gaming/Myspace, or if parents are more risk averse and don't let their
> kids get out any more.
>
> Arclight
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 10:32 AM, Hank The Curmudgeon <hkrishman at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> The machines pictured in the slide show are truly amazing! Notice the
>> size and construction details.
>>
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22103061@N00/sets/72157623211731766/show/with/4275473316/
>> Be sure to check out the gasoline powered pogo stick towards the end
>> of the presentation!
>>
>> Keep in mind that all of this stuff was built, typically in a garage
>> or basement, with tools and equipment that would be found in a
>> hackerspace with a well appointed metal working shop. And I seriously
>> doubt there was any CNC to be found in these models.
>>
>> Cabin Fever Expo: http://www.cabinfeverexpo.com/
>>
>> I feel a bit of social commentary is in order: Did you take any notice
>> of the people manning the display tables and of the crowd in general?
>> All of retirement age or better. Where were was the 15-49 age group?
>> Can I assume that the skills and interest in spending 100+ hours to
>> build from scratch, to operate and maintain such machines, fully
>> functional in every detail, is going to disappear with that
>> generation? What does this indicate of the skill sets to produce
>> machines at full scale? Perhaps it is true what the pundits are saying
>> about America: We, as a country, no longer produce anything
>> [physical]. Your typical urban high school, where the machinist was
>> historically groomed to start their apprenticeship, no longer has in-
>> house shops of any type. I am deeply concerned and saddened by this
>> trend.
>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
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