Entrance Slip: Rope Making - Oct 3
I found the video on the geometry of rope making to be very interesting. My background knowledge on the subject of ropes and braiding was only the most basic three-strand braid. So seeing the bit about twisting and using the natural tendency of the rope to twist a certain way to inform its structure was new and very exciting.
The seven strand braid was a lot more familiar, even though I've never even thought about attempting to braid like that. The instructions had a similar style to some of my previous learning in knot tying and braiding, so it was easy to pick up what was being taught. I didn't get the opportunity to try it though. But I would be interested.
Rope tying is very interesting to me, and in my mind braiding is very similar to knots. It's also very practical.
In theatre rope tying and rope strength are extremely important ideas for rigging. Rigging is the process of hanging lights and set materials above the stage in a theatre. The word is borrowed from sailing, where it would be about tying sails to masts. It's interesting to make that cross-curricular connection, as it doesn't happen very often: theatre and math typically exist in separate spheres. Sadly I don't remember any of my knots because tech isn't my expertise in the theatre. But I'm sure I have the notes somewhere.
Thoughts on the reading:
My "stopping point": As I near the end of page 21, I am beginning to sense that the author might be suggesting people meet their own needs and learn the skills required to build and construct materials necessary for their survival. Perhaps this is clothing or boxes, or rope, or other such things.
Having stopped reading here, my initial response is to question this. I can see value in learning these skills, and I can align myself with the criticism of high energy consumption and mass production that is associated with factory-built goods. But I am hesitant to say that we need to revert to hand-made goods. I think there is still high value in machines and automation. My issue is more with the idea that something would be built in a factory on another continent and shipped to be used here, or that these items would be built to be replaced shortly after buying them. I believe that mass consumption can be addressed without leaning too far into hand making things.
I continued reading and see the greater argument being made by the author. I also thought the reading was slightly longer and was expecting a greater discussion of handmade goods and community resources. That's alright though.
The author goes onto clarify that the pride someone takes in making something and the positive feeling of using local resources are useful in creating a shift in mindset. I really like this point. Because it turns out they aren't arguing against automation, but rather addressing the unhealthy relationship humans have with consumption and proposing that if we spent more time making things ourselves we would value materials more and be less wasteful.
I really like that idea. This was a nice reading.
The seven strand braid was a lot more familiar, even though I've never even thought about attempting to braid like that. The instructions had a similar style to some of my previous learning in knot tying and braiding, so it was easy to pick up what was being taught. I didn't get the opportunity to try it though. But I would be interested.
Rope tying is very interesting to me, and in my mind braiding is very similar to knots. It's also very practical.
In theatre rope tying and rope strength are extremely important ideas for rigging. Rigging is the process of hanging lights and set materials above the stage in a theatre. The word is borrowed from sailing, where it would be about tying sails to masts. It's interesting to make that cross-curricular connection, as it doesn't happen very often: theatre and math typically exist in separate spheres. Sadly I don't remember any of my knots because tech isn't my expertise in the theatre. But I'm sure I have the notes somewhere.
Thoughts on the reading:
My "stopping point": As I near the end of page 21, I am beginning to sense that the author might be suggesting people meet their own needs and learn the skills required to build and construct materials necessary for their survival. Perhaps this is clothing or boxes, or rope, or other such things.
Having stopped reading here, my initial response is to question this. I can see value in learning these skills, and I can align myself with the criticism of high energy consumption and mass production that is associated with factory-built goods. But I am hesitant to say that we need to revert to hand-made goods. I think there is still high value in machines and automation. My issue is more with the idea that something would be built in a factory on another continent and shipped to be used here, or that these items would be built to be replaced shortly after buying them. I believe that mass consumption can be addressed without leaning too far into hand making things.
I continued reading and see the greater argument being made by the author. I also thought the reading was slightly longer and was expecting a greater discussion of handmade goods and community resources. That's alright though.
The author goes onto clarify that the pride someone takes in making something and the positive feeling of using local resources are useful in creating a shift in mindset. I really like this point. Because it turns out they aren't arguing against automation, but rather addressing the unhealthy relationship humans have with consumption and proposing that if we spent more time making things ourselves we would value materials more and be less wasteful.
I really like that idea. This was a nice reading.
So many fascinating threads in this post, Joel! I love the connection between knotting, net making and theatre (and maritime)rigging! It all connects with mathematical knot theory and topology too.Very interesting commentary on the interplay between hand made, factory made and globalized production systems!
ReplyDelete