Shop Class As Soulcraft

Just heard a fascinating interview on Bill Bennett's show with the author of the book "Shop Class As Soulcraft." It strikes me there is a profound relationship between any conversation about followership and our nation's devaluing perspective on "shop class" vocations. Perhaps the disappearance of shop classes from the public school system is the best indicator of this country's devaluation of typically follower-filled vocational roles. It only makes sense. We all know the silly logic. Vo-Tech stuff is just for losers and those who can't get into good colleges. We're all praying, pushing and training our kids to become leaders and celebrities; why not just leave shop classes for the dumb kids. Right? Who needs shop class? Shop class is only for followers!

I haven't read the book yet, but I suspect I now know at least one author who would reject that utterly idiotic, myopic thinking. Even verbally playing around with such shallow, stupid logic makes me cringe...it makes me downright angry.

My father has been a shop class guy his whole vocational life. My father wanted a turning lathe, so he built himself one. My depression baby, greatest generation father has never seen an old refrigerator motor he considered worthy of throwing away! My parents home is filled with the fruit of my father's intelligence and hard work. My shop class father is so precious to me I can scarcely think of him without getting emotional. In many ways, my shop class dad is the inspiration for my passion for followership research and writing.

So don't be dissing shop class! Even though I have woefully never been much of a shop class guy, I ask us all to ponder who is more powerful - the person wealthy enough to own all the latest gadgets or the person who knows how to design, build and maintain them?

I have my answer.