surprise
there is a well-known case study from the 80s telling the story of an autistic child. its details are vague and it has been told in at least six different forms. the original report was actually redacted and it’s not even clear what actually happened but it is a similar enough thing to what many adult autistics experience in their daily lives that it is a useful starting point. the…
that’s so last millennium, english!
there are many things about the english language that truly need to be upgraded for it to be efficient and streamlined, easy to learn and functional without a huge delay for non-native speakers. most of these upgrades would make it far easier for children to learn to use the language effectively and upgrade the quality of communication in daily life in english-speaking areas, too. but there is a huge amount…
fundamentals of japanese saws
japanese saws (nokogiri, 鋸) have, for the last few decades, been becoming more and more popular in the west as an alternative to inaccurate, rough push-stroke cutting tools that have been the norm for centuries, requiring thicker steel, more force and causing untold mechanical injury to craftspeople. it is unsurprising that they have been so effective in penetrating the lucrative hobbyist woodworking market in such a short period of time.…
2021 furniture challenge, stage 1
this year, as a woodworking teacher, i was given a challenge and gave it in return to students and others in the wider woodworking community. this challenge is simple. it’s a variation on the “draw this in your style” challenge floating around the art world and on instagram but with a design and manufacturing twist. take a historic form of furniture and design a modern piece in any style you…
