17 Feb
2010
17 Feb
'10
9:24 p.m.
I agree, but I'd like to add that I think it goes
beyond simple
neophobia - the activity is unforgiving of failure - a joint is good
and works, or a joint is bad or marginal and it fails or works
intermittently (which is worse). From trying to teach soldering, the
unforgiving nature leads to student frustration.
I am suprised. I've taught dozens of people to solder over the years, and
every one had success within half an hour.
It's quite easy to test the soldered connections. Of course you don't
want to have to do that for every joint you make, but it doesn't hurt to
do it on the first circuit or 2 that you solder up.
They hear it's "hard", the see it's "hard", they don't
want to try,
and if they do and it doesn't work, it tears down the confidence to
move further.
It takes practice and it takes persistence and it takes the
willingness to risk failure - things that don't seem to be so popular
I can't think of any worthwhile activity (I am not just thinking about
science, engineering, etc) that doesn't take practice. That you are
instantly able to do. No, you hvve to try, make mistakes, and learn from
them. Then you will improve. Undortunately, as you imply, people want
instant results these dats. Which is a pity, since they will never get
really good at anything like that.
lately (and mentioned in this article on the job
market
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/201003/jobless-america-future)
-tony