Make
Writing by Brad on Saturday, 4 of April , 2009 at 12:27 am
Anyone that’s been around me for any length of time in the past year or so has probably heard me rattle on about “Make“. Either the Blog, that I spend a great deal of time reading, the Magazine, the long anticipated Make:TV, or the Maker Faire that I had an incredible time at last year.
“Make” is an idea that’s been around forever but has found some new momentum. It used to be that skills were handed down from generation to generation, then learning was institutionalized in the guilds, schools and colleges, now it has been globalized with the Internet. Anything you want to know, or want to know how to do, is within your grasp. Even better, if something you dream of isn’t available to buy, the means of production are available to you so that you can create it yourself. Given that you have enough drive to see it through…
Make is creativity, resourcefulness and the desire to create. Make is DIY with a hacker ethos.
As I have become a part of all this I am inspired daily by how people are rethinking, reimagining, and redesigning the world around them. In an effort to further this idea a few friends and I have been working together to launch a local Chapter of the Make: groups that have been popping up around the country.
And with that effort I give you Make:PDX
Portland, Oregon is a magnet for creative people and has a social scene second to none. There is a group of people getting together somewhere for nearly every interest you might have. Make:PDX has the lofty goal of bringing together groups of focused interest to trade ideas. To act as a community builder, not to replace any of the individual passionate groups of people chasing ideas but hopefully bring more people into their ranks by raising awareness. This extends from rockets to robots, cooking to crochet, electronics, woodworking, writing, roasting coffee, brewing beer, etc…
If there is one thing I have learned in this life, it is that the more skills you have and the more you understand, the more beautiful and full of possibility the world around you is.
If you’re in Portland this weekend, we’ll be having our first get-together. If for no other reason than to watch me squirm as I attempt public speaking after a long hiatus it should be interesting. Oh, and also for the cupcakes and cookies Summer and I have been busily making. 
Comments (3)
Category: Culture Jamming,Design,Hack,Make,Personal,hobby,trends
Comment by The Dad
Made Saturday, 4 of April , 2009 at 5:02 am
I wish you luck and also wish I could be there for the cupcakes and cookies. When you’re done and everyone has traded ideas, you could bring the rest of us up to date with an article…
Make:PDX “The Gathering” 
It’s a good thing you’re not doing this back here… Can you imagine Make:SUX…
Not Good
Have to go get ready for the snow… 8” to 15” they say.
Love Ya
the dad
Comment by Crystal
Made Saturday, 4 of April , 2009 at 1:52 pm
This is awesome, way to go!
Comment by The Wifey
Made Sunday, 5 of April , 2009 at 5:36 am
I’m so very proud of you! I wish I could be there for your first meeting, I know it will be fantastic! Next time carrot cupcakes!
Stilll giggling over The Dad’s comments above : )
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