N.W. writes:

I’ve often wondered how one can take joy in a thing which the one who made it took no joy in making. For instance, which of these two toys would a child prefer to be given: 

Now, there are different gradations between these two points, but these gradations are all marked by the distance the thing is removed from the original idea in a craftsman’s mind. For instance, one will find soldiers made from the original mold to be quite detailed. However, over time, other manufacturers will make a mold from soldiers made in the original mold. This can occur a number of times, with the later models being noticably more affordable than the earlier models. The idea executed by the original craftsman is at a further and further remove from the end product. Also, there is no artistic imagination within later production of the figure. Essentially the further from the original production gets, the less concern is shown towards the appearance of the finished product.

Laura writes:

That’s an interesting point.  Craftsmanship is not just skill, but intellect. The craftsman conveys something from within, but his work is more than self-expression in the modern sense. In order to create something beautiful, even if it is simply a wooden duck or a pipe, one must have a mind to begin with, one must be alone with the world, and communicate from within this island with God. The mind of the craftsman cannot be created by modern education. It destroys privacy and creates a social being afraid of solitude. There can be no craft where there is no mind.

N.W. writes:

Laura writes: “The mind of the craftsman cannot be created by modern education. It destroys privacy and creates a social being afraid of solitude.” 

Modern education is mere ly the tip of the iceberg on that front. Everywhere one goes nowadays one is assaulted by visual and audio stimuli. Whether it be piped in music, cell phones, ipods, or DVD players in the back of car seats, finding a moment of solitude is a tough propisition. My solution is to carry a pair of earplugs in my pockets. They get frequent use.

Laura writes:

But, I think education is still behind this. It breaks down resistance to herding and makes people addicted to distraction.

N.W. writes:

While modern education is certainly a part of this problem, I would argue that the reason why we surround ourselves with distractions is because we are terrified of ever finding ourselves alone. We are terrified of what we would find. In solitary contemplation the materialist encounters the abyss, the believer encounters the Divine.

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