Old and New-- Do They Ever Meet?

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Author Message Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 1404 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 - 10:53 am:    120612 OLD AND NEW-- DO THEY EVER MEET ? by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT Cincinnati, OH Do waves that hit the shore and ebb back out to sea, ever become the next waves that come ashore? Or are the “old” waves spent and lost, being absorbed or mixed in to the making of “new waves” [or advising the new one how to form better] Don’t old cars become part of the steel [what there is] in new cars [remember the loads of smashed cars in the interstates]. Or how about old glass being smashed out and returned to the caldron of new glass? Don’t we “re-cycle”? And I think there are still things known as “hand-me-downs? Why do people read and even study history? Besides knowing about the past, are there lessons to be learned, pitfalls to avoid, and-- HEY! What the _____?-- things and methods to be re-used or to augment or make better what is down now. See granddaughters are still learning that 2+2=4.and what they find new we use [mentally, in variations] So why not construction materials, methods, skills, techniques, systems, tools, equipment, etc? Sure we have different goods and nifty tools now, but bet'cha there is still wide use of “old” knowledge, skills, shortcuts, etc.—bet'cha!! Way back we had some stuff called “linoleum” which was the whizz-bang sheet floor covering at the time [carpet existed from ancient times]. Paint was oil-based, stinky, and difficult to clean up. Caulking was putty which dried out, fell out and leaked, before the really sticky stuff of today. Now these and a zillion others evolved out of new technologies. But even behind them are fundamental concept, needs, measures, etc. for better and new products-- for better work and higher profits. In this all is the wealth of basic construction knowledge, from references to the range of material that is a pre-requisite to a good product representative and certain to newly whelped design professionals. It is in this where our ability to design and detail in positive, conclusive, and sound construction lies. This is information that still exists and in large measure is still valid, important and necessary. Everything is not contained in “standard details” or in computer programs-- not every problem is solved in some magical fashion. Sometimes we simply need a human head, with substantial information who can resolve problems in ways that meet several parameters-- even though or in spite of the fact that some data, information, standards, are “old”. Defiantly, in this instance [and forever!] old is NOT bad and OLD is old needed or the basis for new. If for no other reason, the old teaches what not to do, and hence avoids unnecessary effort now. But in the main the vast majority of the old teaches methods, skills and procedures directly sable now, and opens the way to understanding new needs and solutions, or revised methods-- all of which enhances the users of that data, properly, and timely. Other old data is simply worked available and most useful as reference information. SURE they meet-- when you’re so old you become senile and childish [as in young or “new”]!!! And, too, seems good to throw out bath water, but baby and basin might be worth keeping!!! djwyatt (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 - 01:43 pm:    Ralph, I think you are saying is experience is valuable, especially in a profession that is getting younger every day. After a five-year hiatus, I recently re-joined a firm where I had previously worked for nearly twenty years. The time off was good for both of us. Chronologically, I define myself as advanced middle age, but to the 20-something interns and 30-something staffers I found upon my return, I am sure I must seem old. But the young staffers do come to me almost daily for advice on how to get things done and get answers. They are of a generation that aims for perfection in its work and the rewards that come with it. However, the expectation of perfection is a little daunting, even crippling, because it holds them back from letting their work bear public scrutiny. They need affirmation and confidence that their work will survive that scrutiny without shame. My advice to them is to build networks with people in the product world and the construction world who can tell them whether or not their designs are constructible. To this assertion, I am often rejoined with "How do I do that?" Well, when I was coming up, I asked a lot of questions, because I didn't know anything and couldn't fake it very well. Picking up the phone, attending seminars, and hanging around afterwards to get to know the people who know something were good ways (still are) to build up knowledge. A few will do it. Many will not. As for getting old, I hazard to say that you will know you are truly old when you stop talking about it. Same as becoming rich. Ralph, just to test you, what has four wheels and flies? Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 1405 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 08:13 am:    David, just to verify that I am old, the answwer to your question is a manure wagon! "Cageyness is usually achieved in direct proportion to age"!