OlderThanILook
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- Sep 2, 2020
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Let's set aside hunting, fishing, etc. -- not everyone grows up in that world. Let's talk more basic than that.
A while back I was having a discussion with a pair of guys who are almost exactly my age (early 50s). I made some comment about "basic life skills, like building a fence or changing a tire." I was surprised when both said they have never done either.
Heinlein has a classic quote: "A Man should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects". I can't do all of these (specifically, butcher a hog -- I outsourced that! -- and I suck at fighting), but can get by on most.
What would you add to the list, and what have you run into that you're surprised most guys your age cannot do or have never attempted?
A while back I was having a discussion with a pair of guys who are almost exactly my age (early 50s). I made some comment about "basic life skills, like building a fence or changing a tire." I was surprised when both said they have never done either.
Heinlein has a classic quote: "A Man should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects". I can't do all of these (specifically, butcher a hog -- I outsourced that! -- and I suck at fighting), but can get by on most.
What would you add to the list, and what have you run into that you're surprised most guys your age cannot do or have never attempted?