Makers

Makers are the folks that create something from nothing. They dream of the impossible and think of ways to defy conventional thinking to make it a reality.These are the anti-cookie cutter people that make this world a more interesting place. As I sit here and reflect on all that I learned and saw over these past few days, there are a few things that truly are profound and leave a lump in my throat to think about. The first is that, people chose to take their kids and folks hands down, went out of their way to accommodate, engage, and inspire the curious and absorbent mind of the children at Maker Faire. Many trade shows and conventions ask that children not attend because they are a inconvenience and have a way of slowing things down and getting in the way. Makers understand that it is investment in the children that create a better future. Makers are about sharing what is in their head with the people who want to know it and, it seems more often than not, true makers are people who have an amazing story to tell about how and why they made what they did... children love a good story. Secondly, every person I met and had the honor to speak to, never lost that sense of child-like wonder. It is something truly amazing to be in the company of folks who never stop asking questions, who's insatiable curiosity is contagious and the natural questions that occur in just exploring and observing the everyday come out from every pore of their beings. That proverbial "What If?" is on the tips of every tongue and the fantastic and imaginary are sitting there in front of you (A fire breathing Snail Car comes to mind). Maker Faire is about equipping people not only to think about the impossible but giving them the sandbox to keep failing until the impossible is a possibility and from there a reality.