I’d like to discuss an aspect of tools for making things: the identity they suggest. Have you ever gotten out all your notebooks, pens, books, and been like, “I’m a student. I can study.” And then just plowed through all the work? I have. The study supplies elevate my mindset from “I can’t” to “I am someone who can.” My favorite tools are the ones which give off the essence of the identity I need to use them.
Using a Raspberry Pi makes me feel like a hacker.
Using a typewriter makes me feel like a writer.
Using a film camera makes me feel like a photographer.
The process also works in reverse. If I refuse to believe, it’s like,
“I can’t write on the typewriter, it’s too serious.”
To conclude, the best tools aren’t just empowering because they’re good, they’re empowering because they make it easy to believe something about yourself.
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