What do we make things for?

NISH (Living World) 2007-10-10

Recently we ran an event dubbed the Living Science Cafe. Over the course of an hour and a half, we introduced a number of our projects, and fielded questions and comments from the audience.

One question was “What do you make things for?”
Somehow I managed to dodge that one, and leave without answering.

I can talk about the thoughts that run through my head as I make things. You’ll find that written on the Works pages, here on this site.
But “What for?” Now that’s a tough one.
It’s a question I occasionally encounter at lectures and such, and it’s always hard to answer. I do my best, but am invariably left feeling slightly unsettled.

On this occasion I found myself muttering on the way home… Ummm, now why was it?
When I mentioned my hesitation to our chairman (cat, aged eight), and Tariho-san waiting at home, this was the response.

“No one ever asks someone who sings why they do it, do they? But we do get asked that question. To some people I suppose our work looks like the kind of thing one “thinks about” to do. But as far as we’re concerned, we’re no different from singers.”

Couldn’t have put it better myself.

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