With that said...

[conuly]

I routinely (well, when I'm in the habit of watching TV) see ads from the Plastic Counsel (or whomever) talking about how "plastics make it possible" in reference to saving peoples lives via bulletproof vests, inhalers, blood transfusions, and, of course, saran wrap. (They don't mention duct tape, oddly.)

Which leads me to this question: What is plastic actually required for? What could substitute for plastic in various items that tend to be made of plastic around here? They don't have to be crucial things - if you want to go back to wooden dice, that's terrific! They just have to be things that are commonly made of plastic, and don't have to be.

Because I honestly was surprised for a while to realize that this or that thing could be made of something, well... non-plastic. A lot of games, really.

In a not-at-all-related note, I often hear people pontificating about what "children need to know" in "today's world", usually in the context of teaching children something wildly inappropriate before they're developmentally ready (just because I could read at 3 doesn't mean most children should be reading before they even enter the first grade. Trust me, by 10, you really can't tell). I always feel like pointing out that their kids won't be living in today's world, they'll be living in the world of the future, but this alternately depresses and amuses me.

So, if you don't want to answer question A, answer question B: What skills will kids of today actually need when they're adults?

Comments

[gingembre.livejournal.com]

I am *so* there with you. Being able to "do for yourself" pretty much tops my list. Our "practice" garden this year (too late a start and too much going on to really focus on it) still netted quite a bit of food (including a recent harvest of sunflower seeds YUM!) and after a visit to the Snug Harbor vegetable garden, I am SO into expanding next year! I am with you on the reasons for self-sustaining things, but also because I am egotistical LOL - I figure "well, *they* did it, so I must be able to as well! (This applies to anything, from pattern drafting to carpentry to whatever I can think of next.) I also am fascinated with the tools that people have created for use in third world countries - for instance, the laptop that recharges with a hand crank, the water wheel so you can pull and not carry it, making water retrieval much easier, the pot in pot refrigeration system, etc. (And if you have learning resources for these types of things, count me as interested...)

Side note: With all the bedbugs and dental emergencies, we have not yet gotten 'dul to the doctor(!) which, seeing your comment totally reminded me of. I shall call tomorrow...