Thursday 19/02/15
The DIY industry has become big business in recent years. Home renovation projects and build your own furniture packs can be an interesting way to pass the time on weekends. The DIY that interests me most is when I'm presented with a problem and have to think my way out of it. This form of DIY has been given the inelegant name of kludging (or red-neck repairs). In recent years I've met an increasing number of people who won't attempt even the smallest of repair jobs without retrieving their extensive (and expensive) collection of tools.
It's great to see so many people willing to tackle projects with step-by-step instructions. There are many TV shows, magazines and books that can guide you every step of the way; and I've seen some great results (and a few disasters) from these weekend projects.
There is a downside to DIY, and that is a lack of creativity. With the availability of such detailed instructions, people aren't getting the opportunity to use their imaginations anymore. I've recently been involved in a few situations where imagination would have gotten people out of a jam, but instead turned into a big drama or a trip to the hardware store to purchase supplies for a temporary fix.
If you have that much time and money to spare, a trip to purchase specific equipment is fine. But what would you do if you had to make-do with what you had around you? Just being willing to have a go can make all the difference. You don't have to be an expert, you just have to try. Henry Ford once said "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right". That's especially true in kludging. You can take control of the situation and find a way to create a temporary fix for the problem. Or you can play the role of the victim and give up without even trying.
The reason I'm talking about this subject is because I have been unfortunate enough to experience equipment failures while out camping or hiking and had to think my way out of the situation. They would have had very different outcomes if I had chosen to give up, because I didn't have a replacement unit. A clear head and a willingness to have a go can see you safely through a lot of problems life throws at you.