We talk about the work of the pioneering scientist, feminist and educator, Ursula Franklin, whose book, The Real World of Technology, helps us understand how things are made in modern systems of manufacturing, and how the technology of manufacturing has changed relations in the workplace.

We also talk about what motivates people to make; mundane work and craftwork; and what’s the difference between making a chair and raising a child.

Deb Chachra is an associate professor at the Olin College of Engineering, in Massachusetts.

Links for this episode

• Deb’s excellent weekly newsletter, Metafoundry
• Deb on Twitter
• Ursula Franklin
• The Real World of Technology
• The Massey Lectures, on which the book is based
• An introduction to Franklin’s idea of holistic and prescriptive technologies
• Deb Chachra in the Atlantic: Why I am not a maker
• Educating the Reflective Practitioner by Donald A. Schon
• Edward L. Deci’s self-determination theory
• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Dan Pink
• Baumol’s cost disease
• Leah Buechley’s talk at Eyeo 2014 – who gets to be a ‘maker’

This episode will be broadcast on Resonance 104.4 FM on Sunday 21 February. To listen on Resonance, check out the show page.

This series of Looking Sideways is a Lighthouse production for Resonance 104.4 FM