Who’s the Expert….?
I did Phil a disservice last evening when I introduced him as an expert on the box joint jig. It was an off-hand remark that I regretted as soon as I made it. It was unfair because it could have put a lot of pressure on him and, in a sense, on you — the people who came to learn.
One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Woodsmith, Workbench and ShopNotes is the way they offer suggestions or solutions to a problem. They don’t present themselves as "experts." The editors for each magazine have always preferred a more open-minded approach. You’ll never hear them say this is the ONLY way to do something; instead, you’re more likely to hear them explain WHY something is done as opposed to just HOW to do it.
That point became clear to me last night after I interrupted Phil twice with suggestions. I was hesitant to do so, because I didn’t want it to appear as if I was trying to show him up. I can tell you from experience; it’s a lot easier to think clearly when you’re sitting behind the "curtain" than when you’re up in front of 120 people! (Those of you who caught my box joint jig mini-seminar at the 2005 EXPO know what I’m talking about!) On the other hand, there are times during the seminars when we’ve kept our mouths shut rather than interrupt the speaker. It’s a dilemma.
So my question to you is this. (And I’d really like to get some discussion going on this, so please respond if you have an opinion.) Should Doug or I speak up when we have some input? Or would you rather we sat in the corner and minded our own business? Let me know.
Thanks, Joel
Joel – I think it is great that you spoke up Thursday night and at other times when it seems appropriate. The seminar students have similar problems when they (including me) are not sure when to ask a question, sometimes thinking that it will be answered later in the presentation…then getting home and realize that the question was not addressed.
Maybe it is not a new idea, but the seminars could be opened to question and answers…including you (Joel), Doug and the presenter. I am sure there could be some delightful interchange about how to handle a particular problem or project. I am truly a novice, but know there are many ways to handle a given woodworking problem.
I was at the hands-on session this morning and Phil did a great job of making the class comfortable with the Box Joint Jig. It was also interesting to see how that device evolved from the earlier and more primitive tools.
Adolph Peschke was watching the class and it was interesting to me to hear that woodworking has passed through several generations of that family. Does that prove that sawdust gets into our blood?
Thanks to Phil for directing the class this morning and thanks to you and Doug for your committment to present good quality classes.
Bob Meyer
Comment by Bob Meyer — November 12, 2005 @ 12:06 pm
Bob,
Thanks for the input. I hope we continue to encourage questions during the seminars, but in case we don’t, rest assured that we welcome them before, during and after the seminars. If you’re not sure of a procedure or tip, the best time to ask is when it’s fresh in everyone’s mind.
Last year we had a seminar that was a Q&A session right from the start. It didn’t go over quite as well as we hoped. We had four people fielding questions and I think it was a little confusing for everyone. Maybe it would work better with one presenter, one topic, and open it up to questions from the beginning rather than just a demonstration. Something like “Get All Your Questions Answered about Box Joints.”
Glad to hear the Saturday sessions are still going well.
Comment by Joel Hess — November 14, 2005 @ 9:12 am
Joel,
As long as the person giving the presentation diesn’t mind, then why should we. It is great to get different perspectives on how to do something or hear problems that people have had from their own experiences. I am really new to woodworking and feel better hearing all these things. It helps me to get a better overall view of what I am doing and what I need to watch out for AND to really understand that there are many different way to do something. It is also great to see the guys try something that the audience brought up.
Katherine
Comment by Katherine Jansen — November 26, 2005 @ 12:52 pm