The Maker Revolution

CHAPTER 10A Call to Arms—How Engaged Are You?

For a revolution to be successful, it needs broad support and participation. Revolutions need to radicalize people. (I'm talking about social revolution here, not a violent physical overthrow of a government or economic system.) One of the keys to radicalizing people is to get them to do something they haven't done before. The thing you ask them to do needs to be contextualized, developed, and explained. Once you've done that, and people do “the thing,” it becomes a very powerful memory that helps them to identify with and internalize being a member of the revolution.

Perhaps you don't already identify as a “maker” or you feel that making is outside your comfort zone. Have no fear. First, we are all makers at some level. Making is fundamental to what it means to be human. Making is a defining characteristic of humanity. Do you bake? You are a maker. Do you garden or farm? You are a maker. Do you enjoy crafts? You are a maker. At a more conceptual level, do you write, film, or design? You are a maker. We are all makers. We have the genetics for an opposable thumb, which gives us the ability to use tools and make tools like no other creatures in the world. We are makers.

Much of the Maker Revolution is about physically making something. And that is what I would like to encourage you to do. Make something for someone you care about. Make something specifically for that person, something that has meaning for you. Put yourself into it. ...