Can you change a light bulb?

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I usually do all those things before I make the omelette in the morning.

Grew up in a time of do it yourself or go without.

Speaking of being good at something this guy seems pretty good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYrNXVdZq7Y

[jatco]

Yes to all except #8 and #9... never the need or opportunity. #7 I've gapped plugs in a 60's and 70's car but not a 50's tractor....

[Krash]

Originally Posted by zengineer

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.

Specialization is for insects.

Robert A. Heinlein

Yes for boomers.

No for every generation thereafter.


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[jatco]

Originally Posted by Krash

Yes for boomers.

No for every generation thereafter.


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Got that right....probably

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by zengineer

1) Change the oil and filter in your car (if you have a Tesla, please resist telling us that and think back to a when you didn't )
Yes I do for all the cars. Even the 2 that have lifetime oil changes (I’ll do in between). More people would be motivated to do it if they knew it can be done under 15 minutes.

2) Make a reasonably good 3-egg Western omelet
Yes but I prefer soft boiled with soy sauce

3) Determine why a ceiling mounted light isn't working and replace a faulty light switch, the bulb, the fixture, the breaker/fuse accordingly
Yes Had to replace garage lights recently because the builder (Lennar) used inferior product and went kaput under a year

4) Saddle and ride a horse
No but I can ride primitive for shorter distances. I prefer not to.

5) Solder(sweat) a new fitting in a copper water pipe
No

6) Replace a bicycle tire (no need to tell us about your bicycle and how much it cost)
Yes I rarely ride bikes these days so don’t time me or anything

7) Set the points gap on a 1950's tractor engine
No

8) Cut down a large tree...in the direction away from the neighbor's car.
Yes but no guarantees

9) Weld 2 pieces of steel together
Yes both Mig and Tig. My Tig welding is hideous. Actually you know what? They both are

10) Make a reasonably good Dirty Martini
Yes

Answers in quote

[winst]

I can do 2 & 6 but not at the same time unfortunately.

[Beo3]

Yes to everything excluding saddling a horse (my horsemanship is limited to betting on the stakes races) and I hate to admit it, but I've never even had a martini.

But if you need the points set on your 1966 Chevy Impala, I'm your man.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by Krash

Yes for boomers.

No for every generation thereafter.


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There's a chance you might be taking this all a bit too literally. Regardless, I think there are a few skills in there still useful today.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Yes to everything except the horse, I'm afraid of horses.

I scored the same as you did Bas but not for the same reason.

My youngest daughter has a bad allergy to horses or anyone who has been near one.
I have ridden horses years ago, when I lived in New Zealand, but I though they came with saddles on them.

My MIG and TIG welding is average from lack of practice but my plastic welding (PVC and polypropylene etc) is A+.
I have also laser welded with some success.

Take care with lighting circuits if they are switched from two points and double check that the circuit is isolated.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by zengineer

There's a chance you might be taking this all a bit too literally. Regardless, I think there are a few skills in there still useful today.

Actually, I wasn’t taking this too literally. I wasn’t taking this seriously at all. But I suppose my post could easily be misinterpreted. So I apologize.

What I really meant was that boomers on this thread will love that post. Not sure about other generations.


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[White Collar Boy]

No to everything but the tyre and omelette.

[Rock]

Love Number 8. Everyone can drop a tree but are you confident enough in your ability to drop it exactly where you want it. Different story.
Number 3. Hope those who answered "yes" know what they are doing. Know of a few people (some electricians) who electrocuted themselves doing what they would have described as "routine tasks". I leave electricity to the experts.

[rootbeer7]

I live in the UK. Health & Safety bans all of the above listed

[HHIslander]

With a good set of directions, I could pull them all off. I currently excel at #10.

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by Krash

Actually, I wasn’t taking this too literally. I wasn’t taking this seriously at all. But I suppose my post could easily be misinterpreted. So I apologize.

What I really meant was that boomers on this thread will love that post. Not sure about other generations.


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I’d like to replace Boomers with anyone from the Silent Generation and earlier.


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[zengineer]

Originally Posted by airchitect

I’d like to replace Boomers with anyone from the Silent Generation and earlier.


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I never intended this to have a sky-fisting old man vibe. I probably should have taken more than 3 minutes to come up with the 10 examples.

Are there a lower percentage of millennials who could change a flat tire compared to baby boomers?...absolutely, but it isn't day and night different and I could argue that flats were much more common and cell phones to call for help non-existent 45 years ago. Of course a millennial will be baffled by a rotary phone...I probably would struggle with a butter churn (for a few seconds anyhow)


I just enjoy learning how to "do things" and not being completely dependent on others.

[Jackie Daytona]

I can do almost all. I still do most of them honestly. I feel bad paying people for things I can do typically.

I’ve never had to saddle a horse. I’ve never really lived around horses.

Solder piping. I can do it, but the art of doing it really nicely isn’t there.

Gapping and points on an old tractor in particular, no, however I can do it on cars so sorta I would imagine since the principles are the same.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by Jackie Daytona

....
Gapping and points on an old tractor in particular, no, however I can do it on cars so sorta I would imagine since the principles are the same.

It's exactly the same, just easier to reach.

[Easy E]

Do I get partial credit if the tree comes down, but still hits the car?