Comments on: Collect Skills, Not Tools

By: lorienos

lorienos — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:37:41 +0000

Jeffrey–This is an incredible post. I created a educational program at my work last year and instead of teaching people how to use SAP (an ERP system), I taught them to think about what it did so that they could figure out new problems themselves. I hate it when we teach people to push buttons instead of to think.

By: Jeffrey Tang

Jeffrey Tang — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:38:23 +0000

Colin - great to hear from you, man! I'm a big fan of your blog, so it's cool to have you pop in over here :)

That's a brave thing you do: "I work hard to put myself in uncomfortable and awkward situations so that I can figure out a way to make them work for me." I can't say I've thought about doing things that way, but I just might have to try it.

Build more empires!

By: Jeffrey Tang

Jeffrey Tang — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:36:35 +0000

Thanks for the compliment, Krishna :) And I was referring more to the popular notion of a hacker, but I hear what you're saying about the hacker vs. cracker distinction.

By: Colin Wright

Colin Wright — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:51:12 +0000

Yes yes yes!

I try to explain this to people all the time, and you've done a solid job of it right here (in fact, even just the first part of this post does an excellent job of making the argument).

I got rid of most of my tools when I left LA and started traveling because I wanted to be able to get by without being dependent on them. I work hard to put myself in uncomfortable and awkward situations so that I can figure out a way to make them work for me. I invest in education and experiences before shiny new toys and tools.

The feeling I get from doing all this is awesome; I feel like I could be thrown naked into most any situation and build an empire out of nothing, and that's not something that having the latest notebook computer or power tie could ever do for you.

Thanks for the reaffirmation! Really great post.

By: Krishna

Krishna — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:49:25 +0000

Hi Jeff,

What a wonderful article. Every word rings true. I will point this article to anyone who asks me whether we need to teach maths and english in school anymore :-)...

If you have the skills then the tools are helping you, but if you just have the tools then obviously you are at their mercy... Also, this article helps me realize that the skills we have acquired over time are valuable after all, well done!

One thing though, a hacker is still not a derogatory term in the tech circles, its a cracker that leaves destruction in his wake :-).

Cheers,
Krishna

By: jonathanfrei

jonathanfrei — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:51:54 +0000

I like those questions “How?” and “What else?” Asking those questions on a daily basis will open up worlds of possibilites that we'd never imagine if every tool was only used for its maker's intended purpose

By: Patrick @ unwrapyourmind.com

Patrick @ unwrapyourmind.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:52:57 +0000

Jeffrey, I really looooove your commandments. Having been in martial arts for quite a while, I know that it is definitely not about the tools. Even if I had the best samurai sword in the world I wouldn't dare to use it against one of my old masters. But aside from martial arts this one is so true for our times, we (and I include myself) fall in love with gadgets, and we think owning them gives us power. But they are just that – tools, gadgets.

There is no power in an iphone, mac, or any great gadget. It is me, who can put them to power by learning to use them.

Or they could be powers to suck my energy (money & attention) away from me. I have to choose.