On the Make
If ever a brand seemed to be easily built— it would be “the makers” A word that describes the passionate hobbyist, the tech geek, the science geek, the green geek, the rocket geek, the astro geek, the tool geek, the robot geek, the gadget geek, and yes the pyro geek each who live to tinker about with do it yourself projects (DIY). Makers are described as backyard/garage enthusiasts who love to build, craft, hack, play and make. The faire is the brainchild of Make Magazine a wildly successful publication catering to the mastermind, leisurely pursuits in the tech age.
Last weekend the Second Annual Maker Faire was held at the San Mateo Fairgrounds. At the Maker Faire an entire world of DIY geek projects are captured and are on display. One feels like the 50’s are back, kind of—the faire reeks of good ole’ American values, ingenuity, and resourcefulness. With that in mind, I bet makers could get Congress to create an American Maker Day—a day that celebrates American inventiveness and creativity. Makers are apple pie a la mode made with a solar oven and robotic ice cream churn. They are the anti-tech revolution, but they are the tech revolution. Charge your cell phone with a USB kit in an Altoid tin, or make a family programmable control board—it’s all good at the Maker Faire.
But perhaps best of all there is finally an event that caters to the whims and maker fantasies of boys (okay pls don’t deluge me with trackbacks, I know there are plenty girls out there who found the faire engaging, but personally I witnessed a whole lot of testosterone). I had 3 young males in tow, one 11 soon to be 12, one 13, and one 14. My posse was pretty much interested in the combat robots – especially the ones that burst into flame upon serious impact, motorized rockets, and the beyond mom computer stuff. They were busy and I was left to wander about on my own.
Aside from the electric car that boasts 100 miles per gallon, mom’s personal favorite was a blender attached to a stationary bicycle. One could work out while making a smoothie or in my neighborhood a batch of Margueritas.
Microsoft showed up as the Microsoft Makers, seemingly missing the point. Makers are their own brand, not to be qualified as someone else’s. Although most likely any maker is happy to tinker whenever an opportunity arises, so if Microsoft is now employing makers for the sake of making, I doubt anyone is complaining. I hit their computerized bar—and was poured a Bacardi and Coke mixed by technology.
Driving away I wondered, could Maker Faires be the next saving grace for America’s bankrupt fair grounds? Hopefully as long as the makers commit to clean tech and remember to put out the recycling bins.
Stay true,
M