Cool Tools

Tools are the revolution. New tools create new visions, new possibilities. New tools are the source of all progress. At the same time old tools continue to improve, making it easier to make things. Making things is what makes us himan ; the more we make, the more human we become. The book is full of tools, most of which are not-digital, but are as physical as a hammer and anvil. Digital tools are wonderful, but the obsolete within minutes, and are not worth tracking on paper. So we don't feature very many apps or gizmos, preferring to focus on more tangible tools. Additionally, as our collective attention is swallowed byt he digital realm, there's been a dawning realization that behind the virtual wolds stand an immense physical infrastructure of generators, roads, power towers, as well as buildings, vehicles, shelters, and so on. They all need to be designed, built, and improved, and in many ways contain the real frontier for innovation. Wheareas previously, making big things required institutional or corporate assistance, new tools such as some highlighted in this book enable individuals ans small groups to make great stuff. A third industrial revolution is stirring -- the Maker era. In this era the digital is embodied bu the physical, producing a hybrid of intense virtuality embedded in high-tech physically, a new matrix for civilization. The skills for this accelarated era lean toward the agile and decentalized. Therefore tools recommended communities, the do-it-yourself, and the self-educated.That means you. The empowered individual or small group that wants to create something. These possibilities cataloged here will help makers become better makers. These tools to make us better humans. [Source : p.3].