Once again Adam Savage has given us a video I can highly recommend, for a variety of reasons.
This time he's re-creating a ping pong ball gun that he made as a fledgling 16-year-old maker, and there's a story of disappointment and encouragement that accompanies his build.
Savage's videos are often worth the watch, just to see an experienced craftsman at work, and to admire the skill he brings to his work (also the mistakes he freely admits to - even the pros don't always get it right the first time).
But just as often it's his commentary, the stories behind the build that speak to us as makers, even when we don't share his enthusiasm for the particular project or process. Savage often talks about his emotional engagement with the item, or the process, or the general idea of making, and his genuine inclusivity makes him a role model for the maker community.
If you are not interested in the build itself, I suggest watching the first 3 minutes to get the background story, then skip forward to the 29-minute mark. There he talks about the impact of one bit of feedback on that 15-year-old kid, and what it meant to him.
Adam Savage One Day Build: Ping Pong Ball Gun
The message to take away from his video, above all else, is that supporting our fellow makers with a kind word, a sincere compliment, an acknowledgement that they and their creations are seen is a precious gift we can give, and it costs us nothing but a few moments of our time.
As I have said in earlier posts, it costs nothing to be kind.