What if society is losing something? Irrevocably discarding innately satisfying skills that have sustained us for millennia? What are we missing in our commercialized culture?
Lately I have been craving a way to make “creating” a regular part of my life. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I wanted to be doing more than just clicking away on the computer. I desired to really use my hands to live my everyday life. While I was pondering on this, I found Alexander Langland’s book, Cræft. Immediately, I was consumed.
WE’RE INCREASINGLY CONSTRAINED BY COMPUTERS AND A PIXELATED ABRIDGEMENT OF REALITY THAT SERVES ONLY TO MAKE US BLIND TO THE TRULY INFINITE COMPLEXITY OF THE NATURAL WORLD.
Alex Langlands, Cræft
Though I’ve never met him, Alexander, Alex, Langlands seems a friend to me. I have watched several of his TV series and read his thoughts in the series’ books. He has appeared in the BBC’s Victorian Farm, Edwardian Farm, and Wartime Farm, to name a few.
In each program, Alex, along with the rest of the team, spent a year experimenting with living life as it would have been in the past. Through these programs, everything from how to catch a rabbit, smoking fish, and basketmaking, to rearing sheep, sowing grains, and harvesting crops was explored.
Over the years, Langlands has accumulated an impressive array of skills and experiences. Cræft assembles all this knowledge into a thought-provoking, exceedingly well-written account. An archaeologist by training, the perspective he brings to issues in Cræft is thoughtful. He asks meaningful and practical questions as to why a particular item or practice fit into a historic culture.
Langlands states that these skills still fit into our modern culture. The satisfaction that is derived from making with one’s hands cannot be obtained from a computer. Furthermore, cræft provides a sustainable and responsible alternative to the commercial industries we rely so heavily upon.
THE GOAL, IN BEING CRÆFTY, IS NOT TO USE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES YOU HAVE AT YOUR DISPOSAL BUT TO USE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE IN RELATION TO THE JOB THAT NEEDS UNDERTAKING. THIS IS THE RESOURCEFULNESS IN CRÆFT. HAVING PHYSICAL ADEPTNESS, STRENGTH AND FITNESS REPRESENTS THE POWER IN CRAEFT. AND FINALLY, UNDERSTANDING THE MATERIALS, MAKING CRITICAL DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO APPROACH THE WORK, AND FACTORING IN WIDER FINANCIAL AND TIME CONSTRAINTS REPRESENTS THE KNOWLEDGE IN CRÆFT.
Alex Langlands, Cræft
Cræft identifies the significance of skills such as weaving, shepherding, pond digging, lime burning, and leather making in the history–and future–of mankind. Langland’s descriptions of his own attempts at using a scythe, hedging, and more are entertaining and informative.
Read the foreword and preface even if you aren’t able to read the entire book!
Afterwards, you might think twice the next time you sit down to the computer, zip out to the grocery store, or throw away a rusted farming relic from the shed.
In Cræft, Langlands delves into his insights on exactly what society is losing as true cræftiness disappears. He explores why we so desperately need cræft, and what cræft has meant and will mean to us. All this he does while writing in an engaging, personal style. I finished the book with the sense of having spoken with Alex myself.
Did I say I gave it 5 stars?
Note: even though each chapter could be read on its own, I enjoyed reading them in order, as there were references that built upon each other. Also, I found my copy at the local library!
Cræft
https://youtu.be/CZBqLb_nk6g In the midst of a seemingly endless supply of mass-manufactured products, we find ourselves nostalgic for products bearing the mark of authenticity-hand-made furniture, artisan breads, craft beers, and other goods produced by human hands. What often goes unnoticed is the transformation of our understanding of craft-or rather, craeft-in the wake of industrialization….
This video was shared by Langlands on social media; it’s an interesting perspective on society’s relationship with cræft today.