So, here’s the thing. I really really really like the Maker Faire. I’m just torn as to the most optimal way to experience it.
First of all, I love taking my wife and daughter to Maker Faire. Getting to see so many amazing things all in one place – and getting to see them all through my daughter’s eyes is absolutely incredible. I could spend the entire weekend just walking from exhibit to exhibit with them.
Second of all, I love talking to Makers and finding out what they do, what they love to make, and how they learned all the things they did to get there. I honestly feel smarter just for having gone each year.1
Third, helping man the MakerBot table last year was AWESOME! There was basically a constant crush of people coming by all super interested in what a MakerBot was and what it could be used to make. Everyone was friendly, polite, interested, and had such excellent and insightful questions. Imagine a place where you got to just hang out with people you like2 and people would stop by and ask you to tell them all about your favorite hobby. Chances are you could talk endlessly and cheerfully about it.
Fourth, I’ve build and made some things over the last year of which I’m kind of proud. While all the actual innovation credit must go to Sandy Noble and others, I like to think that my little drawing robot is uniquely mine. It would be a lot of fun to put it up and have it draw a huge picture all weekend. It would be even better with a time lapse video playing nearby.
So, what’s a maker to do? Experience Maker Faire with the family, spend my time talking to makers, man the MakerBot table, or put something on display myself? In all likelihood I’ll probably hit the Maker Faire before the family is up, help MakerBot, catch up with the family. 3
Oh, Natalie Imbruglia, only you know how I feel!