Comments on: claiming identity http://www.timethrums.com/blog/2010/06/claiming-identity/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:29:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lori http://www.timethrums.com/blog/2010/06/claiming-identity/comment-page-1/#comment-581 Lori Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:04:33 +0000 http://www.timethrums.com/blog/?p=641#comment-581 Yeah - I can easily claim that I'm a knitter. Why is that? The stakes are low? It's very clearly a hobby, and few people knit professionally for a living, even if some people do make money selling knitted things on etsy, for example. But I think I'd be in the same position you are about designing; isn't it funny - you probably say quite easily "I design patterns" or maybe "I've designed a couple of patterns" but saying "I am a designer" is a whole other thing. I guess we could insert 'amateur.' I'm an amateur photographer, that's pretty easy to say. Amateur designer, maybe. Amateur writer, what does that mean! Aren't we all. :) Yeah – I can easily claim that I’m a knitter. Why is that? The stakes are low? It’s very clearly a hobby, and few people knit professionally for a living, even if some people do make money selling knitted things on etsy, for example. But I think I’d be in the same position you are about designing; isn’t it funny – you probably say quite easily “I design patterns” or maybe “I’ve designed a couple of patterns” but saying “I am a designer” is a whole other thing.

I guess we could insert ‘amateur.’ I’m an amateur photographer, that’s pretty easy to say. Amateur designer, maybe. Amateur writer, what does that mean! Aren’t we all. :)

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]]> By: Anne Campbell http://www.timethrums.com/blog/2010/06/claiming-identity/comment-page-1/#comment-580 Anne Campbell Sat, 05 Jun 2010 19:53:22 +0000 http://www.timethrums.com/blog/?p=641#comment-580 What an interesting thing to think about! I certainly think that I am a knitter - is that one something you feel OK claiming? The next step for me is - am I a designer? Well, I'm not a professional, for sure. I've had one pattern published, as an amateur (in the book Think Outside the Sox.) I have also released several free patterns, the most popular of which has 640 projects on Ravelry (which constantly amazes me.) I'm not entirely comfortable claiming that I am a designer, but I've probably said and maybe written it several times. When it comes to photography and writing, I really do agree with you. I would never claim to be either of those. Thanks again for making me think! What an interesting thing to think about! I certainly think that I am a knitter – is that one something you feel OK claiming?

The next step for me is – am I a designer? Well, I’m not a professional, for sure. I’ve had one pattern published, as an amateur (in the book Think Outside the Sox.) I have also released several free patterns, the most popular of which has 640 projects on Ravelry (which constantly amazes me.) I’m not entirely comfortable claiming that I am a designer, but I’ve probably said and maybe written it several times.

When it comes to photography and writing, I really do agree with you. I would never claim to be either of those. Thanks again for making me think!
On her own blog, Anne Campbell just wrote a post titled..Post 100My Profile

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]]> By: Lori http://www.timethrums.com/blog/2010/06/claiming-identity/comment-page-1/#comment-569 Lori Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:59:13 +0000 http://www.timethrums.com/blog/?p=641#comment-569 ah......yeah, that's so right - it does also carry an assumption that you devote a significant portion of your time and attention to it. i'd completely left that one out. i agree - it would be amazing. and your idea of a world filled with more zing and sparkle leaves me smiling. it would also be amazing if these kind of little categories weren't so charged. so here's to a higher baseline! have a wonderful weekend! ah……yeah, that’s so right – it does also carry an assumption that you devote a significant portion of your time and attention to it. i’d completely left that one out.

i agree – it would be amazing. and your idea of a world filled with more zing and sparkle leaves me smiling. it would also be amazing if these kind of little categories weren’t so charged.

so here’s to a higher baseline! have a wonderful weekend!

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]]> By: perches http://www.timethrums.com/blog/2010/06/claiming-identity/comment-page-1/#comment-568 perches Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:54:04 +0000 http://www.timethrums.com/blog/?p=641#comment-568 You aren't alone in this avocation/vocation dilemma! People seem to enjoy putting their identities in easy boxes, expecially discussing themselves online. But self-identifying as someone who does "X" is generally understood to mean that you (1) have attained a high level of skill in that area and (2) devote a significant portion of your time/attention there. Recognition/fame is nice but not necessary - there are so many who only achieved that posthumously and others who had acclaim in their day but wouldn't be considered "good" today. And of course, there are always people who lack skill and/or creativity in their chosen field(s). Always. Some hobbyists are way ahead on the learning curve than self-identified professionals. And doesn't that feel good? :) But wouldn't it be amazing if they were good, all of them? With the baseline set higher, the world would have so much more zing and sparkle. .-= On her own blog, perches just said ..<a href="http://perchesinthesoul.wordpress.com/2010/06/04/weekendin/" rel="nofollow">weekending : in search of summer</a> =-. You aren’t alone in this avocation/vocation dilemma! People seem to enjoy putting their identities in easy boxes, expecially discussing themselves online. But self-identifying as someone who does “X” is generally understood to mean that you (1) have attained a high level of skill in that area and (2) devote a significant portion of your time/attention there. Recognition/fame is nice but not necessary – there are so many who only achieved that posthumously and others who had acclaim in their day but wouldn’t be considered “good” today.

And of course, there are always people who lack skill and/or creativity in their chosen field(s). Always. Some hobbyists are way ahead on the learning curve than self-identified professionals. And doesn’t that feel good? :)

But wouldn’t it be amazing if they were good, all of them? With the baseline set higher, the world would have so much more zing and sparkle.
.-= On her own blog, perches just said ..weekending : in search of summer =-.

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]]> By: OK – I’m a photographer http://www.timethrums.com/blog/2010/06/claiming-identity/comment-page-1/#comment-567 OK – I’m a photographer Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:39:44 +0000 http://www.timethrums.com/blog/?p=641#comment-567 [...] I guess this makes me a photographer. After my excessive rumination below, I guess this nagging issue is taken care [...] [...] I guess this makes me a photographer. After my excessive rumination below, I guess this nagging issue is taken care [...]

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