Making is not a rebel movement, scrappy individuals going up against the system.
Chachra, Debbie. “Why I Am Not a Maker.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 23 Jan. 2015.
My attention was attracted by this quote because it made a statement that, upon first read, I did not agree with. I have always felt that creativity is very central to any movement that rebels against the system, so at first I felt that this statement was contrary to what I believe. As I read the article and Chachra developed her definition of “maker”, I realized that there is a difference between the mainstream “maker” and a creator, who could come in different forms (including that of a “maker”, but also including creative processes that fall outside of the maker category).
The more I thought about this quote, the more I realized that it supported my ideas and my enjoyment of creativity. It calls out the inherent adherence to the system by “makers”, people focused with the final product and in doing so encourages rebellion against the system by focusing instead on the process of creating. Realizing this kindled my current interest in creating things and finding joy in the process of taking time to work on an artistic project or learn a new skill, just because I can. It will serve as a reminder as I create things to focus more on the process and what I enjoy, instead of stressing over the final product.
I personally have had a fascination with storytelling for a long time, and have a particular interest in seeing how the introduction of digital mediums, like video games and webcomics, impact the way that people choose to tell stories. Though most of the Digital Arts and Humanities topics that we have touched on in the class so far have leaned toward the historical side of the humanities, I am eager to discuss topics that are on the more narrative and artistic side of things.
