Great New York Times article… Let’s hear it for working with our hands!

“The case for working with your hands.” A fascinating article about just that–how the author became a motorcycle mechanic (and author) and how the manual trades may be making a come back in our economy. You can find it at

www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24labor-t.html

Many of us in education have long argued against the dilution of vocational and technical training and the elevation of academics and lots of testing for all. This article by Matthew B. Crawford is taken from his new book, Shop Class as Soulcraft.

See also another new book, Blue Collar and Proud of It– Success Outside the Cubicle, by Joe Lamacchia. He runs a million dollar lawn care company in Newton, a Boston suburb. http://www.bluecollarandproudofit.com/about.html

Let’s hope these books help lead us out of our lopsided educational system–academics for all. Nothing else. One size does NOT fit all–there are lots of great ways to create a successful life.