Today my guys were attempting to blow up a tire of a wheel barrow which had gone flat. It was a relatively new wheelbarrow, with a tubeless tire, not like the old ones which were easy to fix. They were having a tough time gettting the tire to seat enough to seal around the edges.
After a while I couldn't stand it... it couldn't be THAT hard.
I've never done it before, but I've seen it done countless times in a tire shop over the years. How hard could it be?
First off I suggested they use the big compressor with a much bigger volume of supplied air. The little compressor obviously wasn't getting the job done any time soon. Two of us pinched the tire to get the bead over to the edge of the rim, and a quick blast of air ended their struggle in a hurry. It wasn't hard.
I've noticed the same dilemma on other seemingly simple tasks repeated many times in our shop. Anyone with kids has seen it countless times at their place.
Why are these things simple for some and so complex for others?
I know it has a lot to do with experience. I've been around the block a few more times of course. It is also a matter of thinking things through to solve problems. There is always a way to do it.
I've also done so many things wrong over the years I KNOW what won't work in most cases.
It also has a lot to do with confidence in our own abilities. We need self confidence to not accept defeat when things get tough... to know we are able to solve most any problem.
-grampa dan
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
quote: Why are these things simple for some and so complex for others?
Good question Dan!
Reminds me of being able to cook. One thing I'm not modest about is the fact that I'm a very good cook. It's easy for me. I can walk into a kitchen, take some ingredients, put in a little of this and a little of that and have something pretty darn good.
For other people, cooking is like trying to solve the mysteries of the universe.
Computers are another good example. I'm pretty computer savvy as are many others who hang around here. Then there are the majority of the people on the planet who still have the clock blinking on their VCR.
One thing that I know about me is I'm a lousy teacher. I get frustrated easily because it's hard for me to comprehend that someone is having trouble grasping what might come so easily to me.
No matter how many super computers they build, I don't think we'll ever even come close to figuring out the human mind.
Posted by Michael Latham (Member # 4477) on :
Well Dan, it's like this, some people are observant and some just go through life having never seen the sun actually rise or that the City Hall's front steps are uneven in the number of steps and the rise of each step. I do believe when we went to school we were required to do work whereas now the work is very different. Computers rule the classroom and ipods rule the off time. I can't download music but I can cut a board straight or inflate a tire very quickly. Some of the next generation will never get it, never see it and never miss it and never do it. Time was when I was growing up I had to "see" what was going on, and participate, not just show up. My nephew helped me here for awhile, couldn't lay a straight line with the help of a ruler to save his like! Back and forth he would go, one side to the other, then proudly say this is it! A full 1/4 of over 8' was normal, just did not "get it". I wait for the next generation to take over, tires all over the world wil be flat but internet speeds will be faster than touching the keys and everyone has a ipod by 2 yrs old. And no-one will appreciate the sunset.
Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
that the City Hall's front steps are uneven in the number of steps and the rise of each step
Oh? Why? To impress us as we get out of breath, having to slow down?
Posted by John Stagner (Member # 4091) on :
Michael, I couldn't have said it any better myself. You are right-on. Being observant, for whatever reason, is a big key. Some people simply don't care if it's spelled right, if it's said right, if it's North or South, etc, etc. So they don't pay attention in the first place. They'd argue "What difference does it make?" (I want to answer, "If you don't know, then I'm not telling you"). Fact is, they are in the majority, and they'll get by just fine. I believe their opportunities will be limited because of it - but that's just me. We could philosophize all day, and it would be fun, but who's got the time? I should be doing something else right now, too - but this one hit a nerve because I see it everyday, all around me. It's funny - that's all I can say. Right now, there's a sunset I've gotta go catch...
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
COMMON SENSE
some have it, most don't
[ February 21, 2005, 06:27 PM: Message edited by: Jerry VanHorn ]
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
quote:Why are these things simple for some and so complex for others?
That's a good question Dan. I wonder how much our modern technology based society has a negative effect on the kids of today?
I train college age students how to use 31 pieces of different shop equipment. I am always amazed when we survey classes how many 20 year olds have never touched a piece of equipment in their lifes. Gameboy yes, miter saw, NO. I started using my Dads old table saw when I was twelve years old or so. I was building cabinets a couple years after that.
These days it seems like younger people don't have to do any problem solving at all. They just don't seem motivated or pushed to do their own thinking. I had to figure out how to put a transmission in my first car before I could drive it. SO many kids today just get keys handed to them!
I struggle with this whole issue. Sometimes I expect these college kids to just be up to the same level as I am. I tell them how to do something and they look at me like I'm speaking an alien language.
I guess it's a good reminder that I need to have patience and try to be a good teacher....like my quote below. If you want to know the road ahead, ask someone on their way back!
take care,
[ February 21, 2005, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: Dale Manor ]
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Reminds me of today. I got a call from my firetruck customer. HIS customer powerwashed all the stripes off the truck I striped only 2 months ago. Said something was wrong with the stripes. LOLOL
We're talking reflective here. What was left I had to pull off. The glue adhesive was so sticky it felt like it was pulling the skin off my fingers. That was some car wash!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
quote:I'm pretty computer savvy as are many others who hang around here. Then there are the majority of the people on the planet who still have the clock blinking on their VCR.
...Kimberly, that is about the funniest thing I've read here in a few days! Ain't it the truth though Posted by Mike Pulskamp (Member # 3475) on :
Dan,
In Chinese, I think the word is te, loosely it translates to intent. The secret is that anything that gets done is done because of te. If you use the right te it comes out right. My better half is constantly looking for lost keys. She would do better looking to find them.
Ever get a 35/12.50/15 to seat on a 12" rim using either? Now that is fun! WWWWWOoooooooPh!
Posted by Ron Costa (Member # 3366) on :
Mike. The guys at the local racetrack use ether all the time to mount tires. However, one not too observant guy tried to use WD 40 instead. Didn't get the tire mounted, but there wasn't a mosquito for miles. There is more than one solution to every problem. Given enough time, I sure Dan's crew would have succedded in mounting that tire. But some have a difficult time zeroing in on the most appropriate answer. Time, cost, efficiency, and ease of repetition may determine the appropriate rouite to take. But sometimes it takes a few of those obscure, freaky, and unique brain cells that a lot of us here possess. There is a story about Eddison that may or not be true, but illustrates how some have the gift of unique observation. Some of his scientist were attempting to determine the volume of a tapered cylindrical glass container. This was complicated by the convex bottom. After spending a lot of time trying to calculate the volume mathimatically, Eddison quietly filled the container with water and said, "Now measure this!"
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Yes I know what you mean about the Wheel Barrow... to get a little anal here.. My wheel Barrow tire went flat on me last summer, again it was a new wheel Barrow as well, and it would'nt blow up.. all I did was wrap a rope completely around it, and then put stick through it and then cranked the stick like a winch.. ta -dah it worked, even with a cigarette lighter powered compressor.
Talking about street smarts against college graduates, in the latest series of the "Apprentice' The street smarts are kicking the College Grads Ass! I know that a lot of you don't like Donny, but the concept is Really Interesting, and I only started watching this show three weeks ago, and it really makes you open your eyes.
Posted by Darryl Gomes (Member # 98) on :
I was working in a paint shop last fall, and I figured that a requirement of painting was to know that you usually sand between coats. Well there wer 2 of us sanding and another guy came to help. He asked where the sandpaper was and I told him. The sandpaper was 6" adhesive back orbital paper. He came back with a sheet looking dumbfounded at both sides. He asked me which side to use!! I couldn't believe it. He was 40 years old and had apparently painted fighter jets for years, and still didn't know how to sand or had never seen sandpaper before.. I tried not to laugh too hard and told him to figure it out.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
All of us are ignorant - just in different areas.
Yes, I can tell when something is not level, but when I walk into the living room in the evening and Jeanne proudly asks, "Well, what do you think?" I am the most ignorant person in the room. She has changed something, but I'm not observant enough to see it. But it's obvious to her.
Our expertise in one area does not cross over into others. And it's true that we do not all value the same things. My "pickyness" about details on a sign goes unnoticed by most, while the musician goes wacky about one note being flat and I have no idea what they are talking about.
It's all relative. And we all have relatives.
My admiration goes to those who have passion for what they do and get extreme satisfaction from doing it well. I may not be able to understand it, but I can still admire the one who does it.
Common sense is far from being common. We all have a little, just in different amounts and in different areas. My passion may seem silly to most, while theirs is just as weird to me.
One of my Dad's disappointments in me (and I'm sure there were many) was the fact that I never developed an interest in cows, horses, and growing things. He knew all about them and loved it. I liked to draw and dream.
This is probably way off the subject, but I said it anyway.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Ditto's what Jerry said . . . good ol' common sense and academic genius are two entirely different things . . .
Someone mentioned Einstein . . .did you know he had trouble tying his own shoes?
I've noticed another thing about people . . .people will tinker and fiddle around without putting much mental effort into figuring out something if they know someone else is around who knows the answer immediately.
Someone said I was stubborn for putting off asking for help about my plotter . . .another day I tinkered with the plotter for over 6 hours before finally breaking down and calling someone . . .there are a few times I called someone . . .there have been a bunch more times I just 'figgered' it out.
On those days...I did not figure out readily what TO DO . . .I just discovered a bunch'a ways NOT to do it... I think that counts...
When I first came to letterville I was a little stunned by some of the questions that get asked. . . a lot them are things that I had to figure out throught trial and error and a few messed up signs . . .there WAS NO ONE to 'ask' the instant answer . . .
but a lot of the things was just good ol' common sense (which COULD be more common than it is since it's) nothing more than just thinking about something for a few minutes, assessing all tools, materials and options available, and acting on one course of action that is most efficient.
Many times, when I thought I had figgered out the best way to accomplish something and completed it...I was able to ponder the ideas even longer and thought of an even better way to do it for next time. . .
I'm a perfectionisitic person who want's to jump in with the obvious answer and problem solving skills all too often...especially with my kids . . .but with my second child, I've learned to back off and help her develope some 'thinking' skills, often by asking her questions that will lead HER to the solution, and eventually someday she will be using the question and answer process on her own when weighing decisions.
I'm learning to do this with other adults and some of the teens who help me around the shop too . . .not by being condescending, but by asking real, legitimate questions that will open up our minds to other possibilities.
There may be a dozen OK ways to do something . . .but ultimately there's going to be one great way to satisfy all the requirements of practicality, and efficiency.
I think it's fun to get there by asking questions and looking at everything available and making the discovery . . .
Please don't think I'm dogging anyone who asks questions . . .I have a little sign in my shop that says, 'There are no dumb questions...only stupid mistakes made from not asking them'.
But there's also something to be said for the process of learning through experience, thinking, and trial and error.
Posted by Michael Latham (Member # 4477) on :
It is funny the path a post takes. When I responded I was thinking of the older vs younger generations. I remember when I was young, (I have to think way back) but iwas interested and pushed for information. Most young people today have knowledge in computers, or music. Nothing else. Most I have known have no idea where Pakistan is or what sise they are on (ok, do we?) or, as mentioned earlier, how to work a chop saw. There is a big difference in the generations. I hope the young will endevour to grasp the world by the tail and live. I do not have a TV or VCR at home (or shop) but occassionally watch TV at Dads house. The "Real World" is a far cry from from real, reality TV is even further. I guess I see the younger kids not Living, just getting by.
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