I’ve been getting into primitive technology lately. It all started when I looked at my back yard and thought hey, if we call it red clay, then I should be able to make it into pottery. I take dirt from my yard, levigate it, add grog and wedge, hand-build pots, and fire them in my fire pit. Been making sharpening stones from river rocks. Crafting replicas of Roman machines. That sort of thing.
I like traditional slavic folk music and leatherworking (which is misleading what I do is more like crafting rather basic things out of leather, I don’t tan or work the leather myself)
Found the Witcher costume maker
Although the overlap seems to point in that direction (and also the fact that I do enjoy the Witcher books and games very much) it’s rather coincidental:
I actually prefer fully acapella, white-voice songs (but I do enjoy instrumental ones too) And regarding leather I’m more into making gear like chokers, cuffs and whatnot (though I’m not trying to make any money out of it as I don’t sell)
I love mapping on openstreetmap.org
I fly paramotors. Imagine a fan you strap on your back, a paraglider that goes overhead, and you run run run until you’re airborne! Never fails to put a smile on my face when times are tough. And maintaining the engine and planning that next flight keeps me occupied when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
stealth camping. basically camping where your not supposed to / normally wouldn’t want to, and have your presence remain unknown. it’s great fun and breathed new life into “the outdoors” for me
Steve, is that you?
certainly inspired me :)
Ham radio! It’s relaxing. My favorite activity is to take my portable gear to parks and operate Parks on the Air.
Some of mine maybe aren’t that niche anymore, but:
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Retro computing: no one needs more than 640k. Maybe no one needs more than 64k. Those old systems were the last time a single programmer could have control over the entire machine at a low level.
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Ham radio: Oftentimes called a dying hobby, but a great foray into electronics in general, and also a pretty nice community (save for a few curmudgeons).
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Analog audio: often thought of as a boutique thing, but really isn’t. Lots of old equipment ready to be restored that can give you really unique auditory experiences.
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Plastic modeling: especially if you start from a kit but add things to it, or if you build from scratch, or hell, even if you just build a kit as intended, there is a huge amount of personal expression and creativity.
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This could be niche, but I’m a fountain pen nerd. I love stationary, different types of papers inks and nibs and how they all influence the writing experience.
Fountain pens are also for some people more disability friendly. Handwriting has sucked for me as long as I remember as it causes a lot of pain and cramping. Fountain pens glide easier and I can write longer with one than with any other type of pen.
