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RE: [TCML] ***** My real tip for all coilers *****
Great words Miles.
I took on mentoring a brilliant young man in the Tesla coiling arts some
3-4 years ago. He was much like you described.
Social trouble, bored in school, no real serious goals in his life, lack
of focus. Lots of potential, but no direction, and thus, the idle
hands/devils playground effect was grabbing hold of him at the young age
of 14. But I could see that glimmer in his eye...I could tell he was a
willful young man, much as I once was, and I saw an opportunity to shape
his destiny and give him something that he could be passionate about. A
golden opportunity.
It concerned me, having someone so young messing with potentially lethal
current...so I instilled safety into his every action, and constantly
reminded him of the gruesome painful death or life with a disfiguring
disability that would come about if he was not 100% cautious 100% of the
time. He listened studiously and I knew he was taking it all to heart.
I persuaded him (much to his dismay)to avoid microwave oven
transformers. He let me "hold onto them" for him. :)
I set him up with a small bug zapper transformer and some caps, a spark
gap, a small secondary, and an enclosure and gave him as much wisdom as
I could transfer to him and let him go after it. It wasn't long until he
had worked his way to a 3" secondary and a bigger nst, and he has
evolved much as we have since...slowly and cautiously. He is now a very
capable young man with focus and goals and confidence in his abilities.
I'd like to think that my influence had a part in that, and I'm happy
that I had the opportunity to pass on my knowledge to him.
Now his knowledge has surpassed mine in all sorts of areas of
expertise..the padiwan has become the master. (don't let it go to your
head Mr. Karr...I'll always be wiser)
So just to follow up with what you said Miles, do seek out those kids
with that look of wonderment in their eyes and reach out to them.
You might just get a best friend out of the deal in the end.
I did. ;~)
Shannon Weinhold
-----Original Message-----
From: miles [mailto:mileswaldron@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2011 8:54 AM
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: Re: [TCML] ***** My real tip for all coilers *****
I don't very often post; however, I feel quite strongly about this
issue.
I agree 2000% (maybe more) with Bart.
I have learned more about everything in the world because of coiling.
Coiling changes abstract science into personal involvement. Coiling
makes you read Wikipedia about difficult mathematics. Coiling changes
difficult mathematics into visions and feelings. Coiling makes you do
"dumb" experiments to prove the obvious. Coiling opens your mind to
seeing how other people have done things and how other people use
symbols to represent ideas. Coiling makes you a better machinist.
Coiling makes you resourceful. Coiling makes you read the AARL handbook
over and over. Coiling provides you with a whole world of very cool
friends. Coiling makes you curious. Coiling cuts to the heart of what
motivation is.
Certainly, coiling always keeps you on your toes...
Once in awhile I have an opportunity to go to a school or go to the boy
scouts or to the girl scouts and do a show. There will be one percent of
the kids who will be inspired. Don't expect more than that. Do the flash
and bang, and magic for the show, but always realize the really
important thing you are doing is inspiring those very few, very special,
kids. Those are the kids who are probably bored. Those are the kids who
probably don't enjoy build kits. Those are the kids who probably have
social trouble and following rules. Those are the kids who probably
have academic problems learning from poor teachers. Those are the
special kids who want real knowledge, and they don't know how special
they are. Reach out to them. Find them. Send them capacitors...
IMHO, we have very few "doers", or leaders, in the world. 99.999% of
everything out there is a copy of a copy of a copy with the volume
turned way down. Unfortunately, quality of life is generally evaluated
using monetary wealth as the standard. However, for some of us, the
shuffling of financial papers, ponzi schemes, legal maneuverings,
manipulating political advantages, etc, are all impossibly boring; if
not, somehow, a disgusting waste of time.
Coiling can change that.
Miles
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