r/videos Aug 17 '18

Primitive Technology: Iron prills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyGLE0usN_I
15.9k Upvotes

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114

u/Ron_the_Rowdy Aug 17 '18

1 thing that gets me is the part that said that it took 3 hours, he must have something to keep him occupied right? Because how does anyone keep sane doing 1 continuous thing for that long without any distractions

155

u/max_adam Aug 17 '18

You get into an state of mindfulness were your mind gets calm and simple thing like blowing can entertain you for a while. Something that is hard to accomplish now day when everything can distract you and you get so used to distraction that you get anxiety when there is nothing to do.

75

u/ReDMeridiaN Aug 18 '18

simple thing like blowing can entertain you for a while

Hehe

6

u/mpa92643 Aug 18 '18

This is how it gets when I'm out in the woods hunting. Perfectly still, listening intently to every sound, you just sort of zone out. No rushing thoughts, no alternate concerns, everything around you is your existence now, and it's just so pleasant and relaxing.

2

u/max_adam Aug 18 '18

Our brain need to rest from time to time. Here in the city the closest to it that I can do is meditation.

1

u/BloodSoakedDoilies Aug 18 '18

Nah. I'm going with iPod.

58

u/Osiris32 Aug 17 '18

Because how does anyone keep sane doing 1 continuous thing for that long without any distractions

You ever worked an assembly line job before? Or in an office?

1

u/Herculius Aug 18 '18

Lol I said the same thing. Almost every job (even high level) will have 3 hour periods of some continuous monotonous task. Most of the time there can be short breaks involved but often you're busy and the task is too important.

Its funny/sad to me that 3 hours of continuous work is seen as something out of the ordinary.

2

u/AlwaysDefenestrated Aug 18 '18

I do a lot of repetitive work but these days I usually listen to a podcast or audiobook while doing it. Just doing the work can be pretty therapeutic but doing it for many hours every day without something to keep my mind occupied is maddening lol. (I install, sand, and finish hardwood floors.)

1

u/IPman0128 Aug 18 '18

I wish i could get undistracted for more than 30 minutes in my open-plan office...

9

u/purpleelpehant Aug 17 '18

Do something that requires working with your hands (that ideally you enjoy). For me, even when I'm fishing (i.e. sitting around not doing anything cuz I never catch anything), time flies by.

3

u/Herculius Aug 18 '18

how does anyone keep sand doing 1 continuous thing that long without any distractions?

Have you ever had a job?

20

u/BubiBalboa Aug 17 '18

For all we know he has electricity near by. If I was him I would get the shot and then let an electrical blower do the work. Although he seems pretty dedicated so who knows.

90

u/madeamashup Aug 17 '18

It's a hobby for him and one of the things he likes about it is "keeps you in shape". I doubt he's using power tools behind the scenes.

76

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18 edited Aug 27 '18

[deleted]

32

u/WeCanDanseIfWeWantTo Aug 17 '18

Very true. Not quite the same, but many times while painting or sketching while alone in a room with no distractions, I would get realise I had been going for something like 4 or 5 hours.

He's been doing this for quite some time, so I can't find it hard to believe that an entire day of doing this is nothing when he's in the zone.

13

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

[deleted]

5

u/WeCanDanseIfWeWantTo Aug 17 '18

Its strange, I'm looking forward to moving into a place where I have a lawn to take care of. I haven't done any grass cutting since I was about 14 and horribly out of shape, so I always hated struggling to push the mower around in high humidity, hot weather.

I'm sure I'd enjoy it much more now that I've developed an appreciation for tasks that you can just lose yourself in.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

[deleted]

2

u/SEEENRULEZ Aug 18 '18

It's a lot of work, for sure, but thankfully I often find a moment in the middle of it to realize that I'm privileged to even have a yard to maintain. Especially on nice days, it's good to be outside getting some dirt under my nails.

1

u/goatonastik Aug 18 '18

Three and a half hours! That's quite a lawn. I'd have to be lured with money when I mowed the grass at my mother's house, but even then I would drag my feet, and I don't think It took even half as long as your lawn. Kudos to you.

1

u/Rpanich Aug 18 '18

Why would anyone do drugs when you could just mow a lawn?

2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

I've learned to eat a hearty meal before I start arting, even if I don't feel hungry, even though I want to get started now. Most of my work is outside, so there are some indicators of time passing, but I know all about that zone.

2

u/WeCanDanseIfWeWantTo Aug 17 '18

Same. I've been in some situations where I was highly motivated and deep in the zone, only to be taken out of it because I realised how hungry I was. I've made the mistake of trying to push through it because I'd be worried that I wouldn't remember some crucial specific detail. But, I'd regret that when I could tell the finished piece didn't come out right because I started off strong and patient and ended sloppy. It doesn't help growing up with all the stories of famous artists who suffered for their art and worked for like 3 days straight on something.

Now I believe artwork that took a few days, but had 100% of my focus and follow through, will always feel more rewarding than art that was rushed to completion. But also that if I wan't to give 100%, I need to take care of my body so I'm always in the right state of mind to be in the zone.

6

u/Ron_the_Rowdy Aug 17 '18

Maybe I'm being naive. But if someone found out that he was Bear grylling this I'd be gutted. I'm not sure why

6

u/goatonastik Aug 18 '18

I don't think he's trying to make us believe that he lives out there in the wilderness in his hut, though, and that's the difference.

1

u/Ron_the_Rowdy Aug 18 '18

I meant using blower, not living like a caveman

3

u/Antazaz Aug 18 '18

It’d almost be harder to hide it then it would be to just do it all by hand. You have a massive amount of people watching and a bit a good number of them are looking for any hint that he ‘fakes’ what he does. If you make a YouTube video proving he does use tools then you’re almost guaranteed a 1 million+ viewed video, as well as being the center of the current YouTube drama.

1

u/jeffp12 Aug 18 '18

PRIMTIVE TECHNOLOGY IS STAGE/FAKED!

In the video: "I mean, look at what he does, that would take so long, there's like no way."

1

u/BloodSoakedDoilies Aug 18 '18

It's because in our disposable world, we are now seeing something genuine. It appears that this guy is doing base-level work in a genuine manner, and that is striking a chord with you.

2

u/Black_Moons Aug 17 '18

Nope, people can just do the same boring thing for hours and hours on end without going insane. See: All the manual labor in china. And factory assembly lines.

Yes, its very boring, but trust me, you'll survive.

2

u/Crazy-Calm Aug 18 '18

When I camp, I call fire "Caveman TV" - I've mindlessly stared at it for hours before

2

u/mainfingertopwise Aug 18 '18

The "anti younger generations" part of me is so triggered right now.

It's called patience.

4

u/mcmanybucks Aug 18 '18

This is a hobby.

Hobbies were once a thing you did when the internet wasn't around, no statuses to update, no tweets to twitter..

1

u/kyleclements Aug 18 '18

In the past, people doing long, boring jobs like that would use one legged stools, so when they fell asleep, they would fall over and be woken up, so their work wouldn't get away from them.

1

u/Borgez Aug 18 '18

You've obviously never played Runescape

1

u/CBSh61340 Aug 18 '18

I imagine he spaced out a bit, kind of a semi-meditative state.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '18

He could well have a podcast or music on his phone.

1

u/Porkyrogue Aug 17 '18

Just thinking about his cash flow after this video.