What Speed is Mastery?

It is a noisy environment—I don’t mean the sound of woodworking machines. Most places I look want speed—fast, easy, quick. It is like riding a wave, but it is overlayed with a fear of missing out on something. Perhaps the irony is that speed itself is the cause of the fear of missing out.

The idea of slowing down is not new. The ‘slow movement’ emerged in the 1980s, and I strongly resonate with its fundamental principles and argue that they also underpin the idea of mastery. What is it? The slow movement is a cultural shift that advocates for a more deliberate, mindful, and sustainable pace in various aspects of life. It emerged in response to modern society's fast-paced, efficiency-driven culture, emphasising quality, authenticity, and connection over speed and mass production.

Origins

The slow movement began with the Slow Food Movement in Italy in 1986, founded by Carlo Petrini as a response to the opening of a McDonald's near the Spanish Steps in Rome. Slow Food promotes traditional cooking, sustainable agriculture, and the preservation of local cuisines and food cultures. This philosophy has since expanded into broader areas of life.

Core Principles

1. Mindfulness: Being present and intentional in actions and decisions.

2. Sustainability: Supporting practices that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

3. Quality over Quantity: Valuing craftsmanship, authenticity, and durability rather than opting for convenience or volume.

4. Community: Fostering connections with others and supporting local businesses and traditions.

5. Balance: Prioritizing well-being, self-care, and meaningful activities over constant busyness.

Branches of the Global Slow Movement

1. Slow Food: Focused on sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and traditional culinary practices.

2. Slow Travel: Emphasizes immersive experiences, connecting with local cultures and minimising environmental impact.

3. Slow Fashion: Advocates for ethical production, sustainable materials, and buying less but of higher quality.

4. Slow Living encourages a simpler, more intentional lifestyle focusing on personal well-being and relationships.

5. Slow Cities (Cittaslow) promotes urban planning and policies prioritising community, sustainability, and a better quality of life.

6. Slow Education: Supports personalised learning, deeper engagement, and a focus on critical thinking rather than standardised testing.

7. Slow Work: Advocates for work-life balance, meaningful work, and humane workplace practices.

8. Woodcraft: well, it is something I now advocate for, the craft I love.

Benefits of the Slowing

• Reduced Stress: Encourages mindfulness and balance, helping to counteract the pressures of a fast-paced life.

• Deeper Connections: Promotes building meaningful relationships with people, places, and activities.

• Improved Sustainability: Encourages environmentally conscious choices that reduce waste and protect resources.

• Enhanced Creativity and Productivity: Taking time to reflect often leads to better outcomes and innovation.

When considering the challenges of advocating ‘slow woodcraft,’ I must be careful not to fall into the raging torrent. It won’t be for everyone, perhaps even most, and that is OK. But those interested in pausing for a closer (and deeper) look will always be welcome.

Photo by Jared Erondu on Unsplash