Hey everyone, welcome back to The Tamnation Gilsey Podcast. I’m James Mitchell, and today we’re diving into something that’s been on my mind a lot lately—rediscovering those so-called “lost” skills. You know, woodworking, sewing, farming, all that stuff our grandparents just did as a matter of course. It’s funny, isn’t it? These things used to be everyday knowledge, and now they’re almost like niche hobbies. But I think there’s more to it than just nostalgia.So, why do these forgotten skills even matter? Well, for starters, there’s a cultural piece. These crafts and trades, they’re part of our collective story. When we lose them, we’re not just losing a way to make a chair or grow a tomato—we’re losing a connection to our past, to the people who came before us. And, I mean, there’s a practical side too. Industrialization and all this tech we have now, it’s made life easier in a lot of ways, but it’s also made us, I dunno, a little disconnected from how things actually work. Like, I couldn’t tell you the last time I fixed something instead of just replacing it.And that’s kind of the crux of it, right? As we’ve gotten more reliant on technology, these skills have faded. Factories, mass production, convenience—suddenly, you don’t need to know how to sew a button or build a shelf. But here’s the thing: when we reconnect with these skills, it’s not just about being able to make stuff. It’s about agency, about feeling like you can solve problems with your own hands. There’s a sense of pride and, honestly, a kind of peace that comes from that. I might be romanticizing it a bit, but I think there’s something real there.And, you know, as we talked about in our “Trades vs AI” episode, there’s this unique human element—creativity, judgment, adaptability—that you just can’t automate. So, bringing these skills back isn’t just about looking backward. It’s about building a more resilient, connected society today.Now, here’s where it gets interesting. You’d think that technology is the enemy of traditional skills, but actually, it’s kind of the opposite these days. Digital platforms, online courses, YouTube—suddenly, you can learn just about any hands-on skill from your living room. I mean, I remember during lockdown, I signed up for this virtual woodworking class. I’d always wanted to try making a simple table, but never got around to it. The instructor was halfway across the country, but there I was, in my garage, following along on my laptop, making a mess of things. It was humbling, but also really satisfying.And it’s not just individuals, either. There are whole organizations out there dedicated to reviving these crafts. Makerspaces, online communities, even local libraries are getting in on the action with tool lending programs and workshops. It’s like there’s this grassroots movement to bring back hands-on learning, but with a digital twist. We touched on this in our “Craft and Code” episode—how digital tools aren’t replacing tradition, they’re expanding what’s possible. You can 3D print a part for your sewing machine, or join a global community of woodworkers sharing tips and designs.And I think that’s what’s so powerful about this moment. The barriers to entry are lower than ever. You don’t need to apprentice for years or have a family member teach you. You can just log on, find a course, and start learning. Sure, you’ll make mistakes—trust me, my first table was, uh, not exactly a masterpiece—but that’s part of the process. The important thing is, these skills are accessible again, and people are hungry to learn.So, what does all this mean for the future? Well, I think there’s a real link between these traditional skills and sustainability. When you know how to grow your own food, repair your clothes, or build something from scratch, you’re less dependent on these massive, fragile supply chains. It’s about self-sufficiency, but also about community resilience. I mean, look at some of the urban farming programs popping up in cities. There’s one—I can’t remember the name, but it’s a city initiative teaching residents how to grow food in vacant lots. It’s not just about the vegetables; it’s about reconnecting people with where their food comes from, building community, and reducing waste.And it’s not just farming. Communities are coming together to share skills, tools, and knowledge. It’s a kind of quiet revolution, really. People are realizing that these so-called “old” ways have a lot to offer in a world that’s facing some pretty big challenges—,electrical grid fragility, electrical demand, all of it. By reviving these skills, we’re not just preserving the past, we’re building a more sustainable, adaptable future.Alright, that’s all for today’s episode. If you’ve got a story about learning a new skill or reviving an old one, I’d love to hear it—drop me a message or tag the show online. We’ll be back soon with more on how culture, technology, and tradition are shaping our world. Thanks for listening to The Tamnation Gilsey Podcast.

Episodes

Rediscovering Lost Skills