I will be speaking at AlterConf 2017 NYC on “The Privilege of Making” – about how making, crafting, and DIY not only are the same thing at heart, but because of how these fields get perceived, that affects resource allocation. “Crafting” for example tends to be imagined as something for children or women, and while the reality varies with how much associated activities can cost, it’s not seen necessarily as an investment or as “serious”. Someone who spends $200 in knitting supplies, for example, tends to be seen as a foolish woman who is overspending unnecessarily. However, someone who spends $200 on a little pen that may possibly draw simple electrical circuits is seen as a man (or precocious child, often also usually male) who is investing in technological advances. Whether either of these examples are actually spending more than their budget, or make a business out of their actions, it doesn’t actually matter: one is perceived to be a certain way, and therefore inferior, and the other is perceived to be another way, and superior/preferred. There is also the question of economic access: someone who learned to put together computers may have had to due to making a family desktop computer last as long as possible, while people who can access websites like Newegg often already have access to the Internet and are comfortable enough ordering online (i.e., have a place where they can safely do so).
In other words: when we talk about makerspaces, how is that different than talking about a crafting circle or workshop? Why? What are the differences?
What are the prestige differences? Which is considered higher status, and what factors go into that?
So there’s the gendered action axis and the poverty/privilege axis. And these can intersect, of course.
Something to chew on for you!