Hello
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your article.
Also to pass on some history (mine and society) and an observation.
Quick personal history, I am what I refer to as "Corp Refugee" ,worked at Hughes
before that was with Amex/FDC as LAN Admin, Before that for a bank. All 80's-90's IT jobs.
But long before, Like you I worked with my hands, automotive and MC mech, construction, etc.
But the pressure from friends, family and My self (your so smart your wasting your self) pushed me to go back to school and not following my natural inclinations to create,build and repair.
So I got into IT, which uses some of the same type of diag skills.
So now I am self employed and try do more hands on type of stuff, camera installs and wire, etc.
I build stuff when I can, drag race cars,build bikes,do fabrication, etc. Balance.
Observation: One of the things that drove me to IT was the way society "looked down on" people that work with their hands, mid 70's thru the
early 90's. I would have to deal with some white collar persons attitude, and as you note, thinking I was stupid. In some instances it
seemed as though lack of skill made them angry and they wanted to take it out on me any way they could.
It wasn't enough that I made more money than most of the white collar types, I wanted clean hands and a tie too.
One thing I do try and pass on to young people is that unless your going for the upper management/income levels everything "pays" about
the same when all factors are considered, the skilled mechanic or electrician that makes about the same as upper middle management in a
cube or a side office. Go for what makes you happy and satisfied at the end of the day or week or ?.
Thank You for explaining "Us"
Looking forward to reading your book.
Just another Geek
Brian McGinnis
Tucson AZ
