CatBookMom asked Jim MacLachlan:

Have you read Craeft? Can't make the elision between "a & e". Book by Alex Langlands. I just did a mid-read review. Curious about your take on the book, if you ever choose to try to read. Some of the lower-star reviews say it's too much 'talk about it', not show diagrams, etc.

Jim MacLachlan I haven't read it & none of my libraries have it at this time, but I did recommend they buy a copy since it looks interesting. I'm not sure how much I buy into the inadequacies of mass manufacturing, though. It's made so much so affordable for so many that I find it hard to knock it generally.

I don't understand "Can't make the elision between "a & e"."

IMO, "craft" has always straddled the lines between utility & art while remaining something of a special skill. It's one of those areas where the tyro can often make a utilitarian item, but a master can raise it to an art form. Showing the difference can often be difficult since it's a matter of degree & taste along with a big dash of style. Quite often, only someone who has actually done the work can appreciate the difference in quality, too.

flag