A small note

[madbean]

Some thoughts on things I am seeing happening.

I see many people plunging into the the challenge of designing their on projects, PCBs, and small business models. I want to let you guys know that I am extremely proud to see this community take that step. I honestly feel that this is a group of colleagues, not customers. We are all in a tiny endeavor together that isn't about our own personal egos, agendas or profit motives. I feel like there is a thriving community of folks here that are willing to donate their time and expertise for the greater good. And, that is important.

Let me share with you a small nugget of my personal philosophy with you. When I was 17 y.o. entering Berklee College of Music we had a series of commencement lectures. One of these was particularly inspiring. A lecturer asked for volunteers to come up to the stage and asked them, "Why music? What is it about music that inspires you?". One particular brave young rocker came upstage and said; "Music is a craft. It has to be be practiced and perfected. I don't care if it takes my whole life...it's what matters to me most".

This has informed so much of my life. It seems silly but it's true. One little moment in time that was so inconsequential yet inspiring. My hope is that you guys will take some small nugget of inspiration, wherever you may find it, and help you in whatever way it can. Whether you find it it music, in pedal building, art, science, philosophy,  or whatever. Take what is meaningful to you and own it. It's yours. No one...nothing, can ever take that away from you.

[lincolnic]

Tell 'em, Brian.

Inspiration and meaning are what keep us going. For some of us, it drives our careers, and for others it drives us to create things we care about when we're done with work. I really hope that everyone here finds what's theirs, and keeps it close.

As always, thanks for giving us this space. Hard to imagine a better community.

(P.S. I didn't know you went to Berklee...I did too.)

[Stomptown]

So true Brian and thank you for everything you've done to build this amazing community. I'm constantly inspired and amazed by the kindness, creativity and innovation I see on the forum and I think that is a direct reflection of your philosophy and aspirations!

[Leevibe]

So true Brian and thank you for everything you've done to build this amazing community. I'm constantly inspired and amazed by the kindness, creativity and innovation I see on the forum and I think that is a direct reflection of your philosophy and aspirations!

This

[cooder]

So true Brian and thank you for everything you've done to build this amazing community. I'm constantly inspired and amazed by the kindness, creativity and innovation I see on the forum and I think that is a direct reflection of your philosophy and aspirations!

This

+2 and more....! Creativity, fun and passion are the force!

[blearyeyes]

Brian,
Your giving spirit and lack of being threatened by others entering your domain is inspiring. If all people could adopt this way of looking at others, wanting them to grow, prosper, and even at your expense wishing them well and helping, the world would be a better place to live in. There would be more innovation and advancement. There are very few people like you in this world. You are a good neighbor, and a friend to many people. Thank you so much.
Daniel Shattuck

[muddyfox]

What he said up there...

I made a few smd layouts (and offered kits to minimize the hassle) that peeps around here seemed to like but I would never have done it hadn't the folk around here made it so much fun. I think when all is said and done I'm a few bucks in the red and the missus still won't let go of one particular kit-parts-bagging-session that took place when she wanted to do something else but honestly... I wouldn't change a thing.

You have a great place going on here, B.! Not a single bad apple, in this day and age of the interwebz, that's saying a lot...

[juansolo]

I have seen a change in the DIY scene of late, and it's for the better. I don't know if it's just here on the Bean Board, but now there are a lot of people feeding the scene with new ideas and projects. Giving back. I love that. It reminds me of the computer scene before PCs, CD-ROMs and the internet took hold and it exploded, before it just became about making money.

[gtr2]

Well said Brian.

Josh

[raulduke]

Nice statement and sentimentality. Rings true as well.

In one of the Guitar Moves videos (great fun videos IMO) Josh Homme is asked for what advice he would give to young guitarists. He says along the lines off 'don't expect anything out of it other than the pure enjoyment of playing and learning about music; that should always be enough'. I quite like that sentimentality.

This forum/community is the best. There is always some new project/development, and with the Amp and Guitar sub forums opening, I see a bright future in encouraging other guitar nerds to join in with the fun!

In short: keep up the good work Brian!

[alanp]

It reminds me of the computer scene before PCs, CD-ROMs and the internet took hold and it exploded, before it just became about making money.

I don't know if you were ever into this, but all in all it reminds me of the demoscene, back in the glory days of Triton, Future Crew, and Scream Tracker ][. When 486 DX2's were hot, and Doom was genuinely, shit-your-pants scary (especially if you had a Sound Blaster.)

I'll admit this is partly because I found the synth-diy mailing list hugely fascinating back in the 90s. (IIRC, Magnus hosted Gene's ASM-1 construction page.)

[juansolo]

Yeah, a little earlier than that as the demos were on Amigas and 486s weren't around yet, but yeah.

Doom was a stratospheric leap in gaming. Shame that other than prettiness, there's not really been another since.

[jtn191]

Such a nice sentiment, Bean! I feel like diy has given all of us more confidence in the craft and practice in creative expression.

[LaceSensor]

[GrindCustoms]

There's something to be really proud of here, Brian. What you've accomplished personnally through the year and how you have transmitted your passion to other enthusiast is to me, an effigy of DIY!

Rock On! and thanks everything you did, do and upcoming!

Rej