In my summer role as 3D Printing Intern at Colgate University, I've been researching the Maker* movement, the (New) Liberal Arts, and their intersections. Some thoughts follow:

*Unpacking Language

As I've quickly come to realize, the language of the Maker movement can be tricky. First off, we have 'maker' and 'makerspace'. Just what, exactly, do these terms mean? And therein lies the problem; they simultaneously mean too much and practically nothing.

There are too many different communities loosely clustered together to properly capture in a single word. Making activities can apply to every field, discipline, hobby, or inclination. Yes, we're all makers. And just that fast, the term becomes meaningless. Worse, many perceive maker identity as being pretty strongly classed, gendered, and raced.

'Makerspace' is even trickier since it is used to describe organizations (ranging from companies and startup incubators to skill-sharing communities or social clubs) and places (from garage workbenches and industrial-grade workshops to mobile 3D printshop or community science laboratory). And now that 'maker' anything is in vogue, outside interests are slapping the label on everything even vaguely nerdy, techy, artisnal, crafty, or DIYish.

'Makerspace', 'maker' - these terms aren't worth the etymological hassle. 'Makerspace' describes something that typically isn't defined defined by the space. But, an entire constellation of identities and communities coexist, collaborate, and cross-pollinate.

I hereby announce my upcoming retirement from using these terms. I already can't expect much using them when pitching, or explaining, or answering about 'Maker' stuff. It's time to pick a different set of terms that actually communicate what they describe. Hopefully a set that is perceived as less excluding.

A Different Set of Terms

If I'm going to ask for help in identifying this different set of terms, I should probably explain what I view as the major common themes in the cluster of groups known as the Maker movement.

I think any maker common core is a set of shared values that stem from a set of shared character traits. Openness, collaboration, authenticity, civic activity, empowerment, generosity, technical and material literacy, proficiency; these are the kinds things that makers value. We can trace all of these, and more, back to a smaller set of shared character traits: curiosity, a tendency towards passion, and drive.

Recipe for a _______ (maker)

Curiosity : "Curiosity is the antidote to orthodoxy." (Dr. Max Rayneard, co-creator of The Telling Project)

: "Curiosity is the antidote to orthodoxy." (Dr. Max Rayneard, co-creator of The Telling Project) Tendency towards Passion : I don't have a fancy quote for this, but passion is the feedback loop for both curiosity and drive. Passion is informed by and helps steer curiosity. Passion fuels drive during the long sprints, drive keeps us going when passion falters.

: I don't have a fancy quote for this, but passion is the feedback loop for both curiosity and drive. Passion is informed by and helps steer curiosity. Passion fuels drive during the long sprints, drive keeps us going when passion falters. Drive: "We shall teach each other: first, because we have a vast amount of experience behind us, and secondly, in my opinion it is only through free criticism of each other's ideas can be thrashed about... During your course here no one is going to compel you to work, for the simple reason that a [person] who requires to be driven is not worth the driving... thus you will become your own students and until you learn how to teach yourselves, you will never be taught by others." (JFC Fuller, by way of LTC Smith, US Army. Page 2 of this PDF)

The neat thing is, participating in the process of making builds those very traits - it's a virtuous cycle.

If you think about these things, please help me improve the quality of my thinking. Ideas or suggestions for new terminology, other cases of fraught language, insight into issues of identity - I welcome it all!