You’re at a party, having a good time, when your friend comes over and introduces you to someone new. What’s the first question this new person asks you?
“What do you do?”
I’ve always hated that question. It’s so hard to answer.
I do lots of things. Some things really well, others not so much. But none of those things define me1. It’s like they are asking for an easy way to categorize me in their mental rolodex (do those still exist?).
Honestly, can anyone be so easily sorted? It’d probably be better to use more of a tagging system.
Matt McCray: #artist #writer #programmer #designer #animator
But our meat-based cognition isn’t geared that way. Discrete values are much simpler to remember.
I guess if I had to settle on one word to sum me up, I’d choose: Maker.
I make things. Stories, software, comics, games2. Things that can be interacted with. Things that have a purpose.
Purposeful Maker
That’d be a pretty good title for my business cards3.
I’m not claiming to be some unique snowflake4. I’m just saying I have a lot of interests, and several pro or near-pro level skill sets. ↩︎
I also make mistakes, regrets, odoriferous emissions, etc. ↩︎
Not that I’ve ever really had a business card – Or a need for one. Maybe I should visit Japan for an excuse to get cards. ↩︎
Sigh, remember when “snowflake” was a non-political expression? Good times5. ↩︎
Behold! A footnote of a footnote in a footnote! 'Tis footnote inception. ↩︎