My Aug. 20 post about 3D printing prompted a reply that included a link to a site called Profoundly Disconnected. When I clicked on the link, I got a "cannot connect to the server" error.

Ironic, huh?

This points out a major flaw in the whole "new technology" concept. It's something I think about constantly. The fragile nature of technology and its total dependence on vast amounts of power is not discussed nearly as much as it should be.

As woodworkers, we have little involvement with energy and the development of alternatives. And yet, we are becoming more and more dependent on it to fuel the technology that runs our businesses. Many of us try to be good stewards, not wasting materials, being conscientious about things like toxins in the finishes we use and so forth. But we still expect that power to be there when we plug in our machines.

It might be a good idea to at least remember the old ways of doing things. We might need them yet.

D.D.