Bob

As a proper response, to the philosophical bent question, this site is entirely about philosophy. My intended approach to philosophy here is not by splitting words or saying who is wrong, so much as an attempt to have people expand who they are by expanding their interests and abilities. Man has been defined by some as a tool making and using animal. This is an attempt to inspire people to sentience.

Just as Taoism can be illuminated by words but not explained by them, just as there is no better diplomacy than sharing a close meal, I believe that the best of faith and philosophy involve doing. The Tao is most properly approached through movement, tai chi or chi gong. Mysticism that ignores reality can only be called fantasy just as life without mysticism is a life ignoring the great questions.

So instead of interpreting, ‘To do is to be.’ as a proof of my existence, I am saying that the more that you do, the more that you are. The intent of this blog is to inspire people to be. I try not to go on about it too much, but a bit of introspection will creep into my posts from time to time. I am not by any means anti-intellectual, instead I think that wine tastes better after you have brewed your own.

The image you are referring to changes each time you refresh the page, but it is probably a sharpening station. http://battlering.com/overkillsharp.html has a bit more data. If you go to http://toolmakingart.com/2008/06/06/a-magnifying-glass/ you will see some better pictures of it.

Bob

This is my first visit to your blog, which I found through a link on Kari Hultman’s site. A couple of questions to help navigate the landscape. Is your blog more instructional in its focus (some sites do wax on philosophical bents which can overwhelm core content)? Do you craft any of the hand made tools for sale? And, at the header of your blog’s main page, there is a photo of a small wood rack, holding what appears to be scrapers, or some sort of sharpening station. What is this?