An American Timber framer in France rebuilding Notre Dame

Good question, Charlie. OTOH, if stonecutters, traditional carpenters, and masons had iPads as kids, how many would have opted for careers as stonecutters, traditional carpenters, and masons? I don’t think iPads and social media are the culprits here. It is more likely due to the lack of opportunities for today’s kids to get hands-on exposure to the trades.

Respectfully (as respectful as I can be), I think you’re both wrong. It’s been proven. Kids, and plenty of adults spend way too much time on gadgets and social media. Being proficient at it doesn’t make it a good thing. Parents take the bulk of the blame for not getting involved and limiting the time spent on devices. Who hadn’t heard their parents forcing them away from the TV and outside to play? How about parental interaction and getting kids involved in something other than their own selves. You are more than welcome to blame the school system and its leadership (or lack of). They sold our kids a bill of goods and took away their creativity. There are plenty examples of things that can or should be good for us which are easily abused and made to look like the culprit. “Social Media” is an inanimate concept. IT doesn’t make you do anything. You have to tell a child not to walk into the street, it’s dangerous. They don’t know that on their own. Conversely, you need to expose these skills to your kids and show them the beauty of opportunity. That’s what you got Charlie. It wasn’t the classes that made you. They only SHOWED you what was available. You took the path. (And walked pretty well, I must say.)

I’ll step off my soap box now.

There is a latin phrase (which I just made up) that probably explains more of the decline in the trades than we care to admit: Omnia vincit inertia (inertia conquers all). Success in the trades requires perspiration and practice.