We Are All Number 2 Pencils
How the global community works to create us all
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I saw a meme the other day that was pointing out the fact that no one person in this world could make a number 2 pencil on their own. The main point was that it takes a global community to produce even the simplest of our tools.
As a mechanical brain, I endeavored to pull the argument apart and much to my surprise, I couldn’t. They were correct. A number two pencil requires quite a list of resources.
Just for the basics components you are looking at the following:
- Lead
- Wood
- Rubber
- Brass
- Paint
On top of these basic ingredients, they need to have specific tooling in order to piece them all together. Things like:
- Saws
- Lathes
- Metal working tools
- Wood working tools
- Rubber processing equipment
- Lead refinement equipment
- Paint producing equipment along with pigments
- Final assembly tooling
If we go even a step further, you’d need to know the practices and processes of each of those. We won’t even get into what it would take to build the tools to do all of it. Nor will we get into the packaging or distribution methods of that pencil.
We are the pencils of our global community
Much like what it takes to create a number 2 pencil, we as humans require a global community of resources to be who we are. Without all of the conveniences that we take for granted, we would still be digging in the dirt for carrots.
Let us never overlook the magnificence of our modern lives. We as a society (albeit at times can be less than wholesome) have accomplished wonders all thanks to our global community.
Not one thing we have was done from a single person on their own without the accumulated works of the rest of the world. Everything from your food to the creature comforts you enjoy daily are all thanks to the resources of the global community.
Knowing that you are created by the collective works of so many, go out there and leave a good mark on the world.
As always friends, I welcome an open discussion on any of my articles. If you leave me a message in the comments, I’ll do my best to respond in a timely manner.
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