Technology 7: What is it like to build something?

To “build” something means to create something out of an idea and give it a purpose. An item that someone builds can look like anything. It can be any size, out of any material, and for any intent. Everything in the world has been built, from the chairs we sit on to the very world we are in. I would also like to include that I believe a computer program is something that has been built because it serves a purpose and stemmed from an idea. Not everything that has been built can be held. Over the years, I have built many things with various missions in my mind, whether it was too make someone happy or to make my room cooler than my sister’s. I used to build frames and chests out of wood for holiday or birthday presents. Since I’m broke more often than not, those are usually the only presents that I can give. I’ve also built Rube Goldberg machines, many things out of Legos, and bird houses. Right now, I haven been making various computer programs and am working on building a hideout in my backyard and a diorama of a rural scene. The diorama is probably my favorite thing to work on because ever since I was young, I have wanted to build one. Their intricate details fascinate and while I have wanted to, I never really had the tools or time to create one before. Usually, I build things with a member of my family, but I do occasionally work alone. For example, the hideout that I am building is with my older sister, but the diorama I am building by myself. Most of the objects that I have built have been destroyed by my brother, but I still have a few left. For instance, I will have not and never will let my brother go near my diorama, so hopefully that will remain intact. Unfortunately, my brother has gotten into the room where I had my Legos and Rube Goldberg machine and quickly destroyed all of them, so those are gone. I enjoy building things because it allows me to think and reflect. When I was younger and I was building my Legos, I would always make a story that involved the item I was building. I still do that now. It allows me to focus and gather my thoughts. Building things are frustrating and occasionally painful, which surprisingly makes me happier. I got a soldering iron for my last birthday and I remember one time, I had the genius idea of touching the tip because I thought that the solderer was off. That was a mistake. My finger got severely burned and I wouldn’t touch the iron for a week, even though I was in the middle of a project. Afterwards though, I felt happy because if you haven’t burned yourself with a soldering iron, you are either really careful(which I am not) or you just haven’t used it enough. Additionally, when I code, sometimes, my program doesn’t run even though all my code looks perfect. Often, I seriously find myself wanting to smash my computer to bits and then jump on it for good measure. But when I look at the code really carefully, after a while, I usually find the mistake and am able to fix it. And when my program runs correctly, it feels absolutely awesome, especially if I spent hours coding for the defective lines of code.

One thought on “Technology 7: What is it like to build something?

  1. Oh my goodness Arya you could be writing about me! I too love working incredibly long hours and putting a lot of effort into a really frustrating project. Recently I was trying to fix a piece of equipment outside, and I had to keep taking breaks to lie down in the driveway and just stare up at the clouds in the sky until my frustration passed, waiting for some magical inspiration to help me solve the problem. But when I complete a task like that successfully I feel I could conquer anything! And I love to look at the result.

    I also share your fascination with miniature things – I have always been drawn to tiny replicas of the larger world, I don’t know why!

    Building does not have to start with physical components and end with a tangible object. Coding is absolutely building, starting with letters and numbers and using a digital processor to yield a completely new and different result.

    I laughed reading your story about the soldering iron. It’s not uncommon for even very skilled craftsmen and accomplished builders to suffer injuries as they work. I believe these injuries are the result of one of these three things:
    1. Not paying attention / being careless
    2. Using the wrong tool for the job (for example using a kitchen knife to open a package)
    3. Using the correct tool but holding or moving it incorrectly (like sliding a knife towards you instead of away from you when you are cutting something)

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