Now, without generalizing too much, I believe that some countries facilitate being a diver more than others. Take Germany, a country known for their superb craft and engineering capabilities. The land of "Handwerk" and "Wertarbeit". From my own experience growing up there, Germany is a country of divers (wouldn't you agree, my German readers?), or at least, that's where their social focus is.
People there are guided to become specialized from a very young age. And I admire the outcome of that and enjoy all of it's subsequent advantages. The beauty, quality and durability of products, and services for that matter are wonderful and reliable. I still buy certain items in Germany, not only because they feel familiar, but also, because they are better made. But as a scanner, I always felt a bit "out of place" with my duct tape approach to things.
Does society create divers, because it is more appreciated and useful? Can scanners become divers or the other way around?
In Argentina, almost everybody seemed to be a scanner, which was useful in a society where inflation can happen overnight and security is scarce. There are many places in the world struggling with political, economic and social uncertainties. It seems useful to be flexible and have the ability to rapidly shift focus and not be dependent on the specialty you've learned.
These were my breakfast thoughts. I'm working on the purse tutorial coming later this week, and here's one more style to get inspired. The purse above was a wedding gift for a dear friend. It's made from silk, embroidered similar to these, and contains inside an antique linen handkerchief - you see, I do venture occasionally into the little luxuries of life.
Til then, farewell my scanner and diver friends!
It is absolutely beautiful! I love reading your blogs.
ReplyDeleteOkay - that purse makes me want to make one right now. So pretty!! I also wanted you to know that I am helping my niece make some of the spiral scarves for her teachers. It's a great beginning sewing project with rather quick results.
ReplyDeleteAre scanners about knowing a lot of things or about "checking off" quick projects for a feeling of accomplishment? Hmmm... I had a friend once who knew a little about everything and she always described herself as a "garbage can of facts". She could start a conversation with anyone anytime anywhere.
oh my goodness what a beautiful purse! this is a lovely gift for anyone, but so appropriate for a bride....how sweet....i have been pondering the scanners and divers...my daddy was a definate diver...a real craftsman in woodworking...but, a scanner in that he could do/fix ANYTHING...such talent...perhaps he was a "sciver" or a "danner"!!
ReplyDelete@weatherbee: Thanks so much! Glad you are here.
ReplyDelete@Vicki K.: Thanks Vicki. I agree, the scarves do make a great beginners project.
Regarding the scanner/diver theme, I'm not sure if it is about checking off a quick project for accomplishment. Might be part of it. One main characteristic seems to be that scanners are always passionate about learning and trying something new. Because they love the moment of a blank slate, when everything seems possible and there are no restrictions.
@Sharon: Maybe there are people who are a little bit of both. Like your dad. I don't think it's all black and white. Just started reading the book: "I could anything if I only knew what it was" and it's a really good read so far.
i also have the experience and believe that society kind of leads us to become divers or scanners.i come from Greece and the society there wants you to become a diver -and unfortunately more because the "image" of a diver is much more accepted. Leading to what you choose as your profession doctor, lawyer, teacher or wood worker will reflect to who you are what respect you get! Things have definitely changed a lot but still...i could also see that here in the US. The culture, the location, the education is what pushes people to take out what they are -or what they are not sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI don't think so either, that all is black and white and lots of people are both. play a game and compare people who grew up and live in NY with people in any other state. figure out what the majority is divers or scanners???
by the way this is lovely gift to your friend.
I like reading your blog. That looks great.
ReplyDeleteI think that here in the U.S., we're a lot of scanners :) I mean that is what our sort of national ideals guide us toward.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a society or economical circumstances make us evolve certain scanner oder diver abilities, although we might have the other disposition? When money is tight and times are rough, people often develop scanner abilities to get at least some of the things they want or need.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that in our times, it is more prestigious to be a diver, and as for Germany (where I live), the companies are eagerly searching for skilled engineering workers. On the other hand, if you're not flexible enough, when you lose your job it might be much more difficult for a diver to find another.
I am definitely a scanner, I always have a lot of UFOs in the drawer and other projects in mind ;-)