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Hobbies under capitalism (lemmygrad.ml)

submitted 3 months ago by VictimOfAmerikkka@lemmygrad.ml to c/comics@lemmygrad.ml

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[–] 666@lemmygrad.ml 9 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

The other day, me and a friend were enjoying some time underneath a black walnut tree. He's a good friend, I don't think he meant any ill by it but he mentioned I should take the black walnuts and make stain out of it.

Sounded like a good idea, but in order to make stain it'd take a crazy amount of walnut rinds pressed down. Sure, you could sell the stain for 120 or 150 as some home-made bougie shit; but for the effort compared to massive industrial operations that most people go to buy them vs one or two cans of bougie stain that I'd already have to try to pitch to hipsters? Maybe in a different area, but not this one.

Sounds like something enjoyable actually, but I'm not a woodworker by hobby so I'd have no use for it. Reminds me though that some people look at a beautiful, ancient tree and see money instead of a space to relax.

[–] CriticalResist8@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 3 months ago (1 children)

tbh I love industrialization lol. I homemake some stuff too and it's just so much work for what you get out of it, when you could buy something that looks/tastes/feels exactly the same from the store. Doesn't apply to everything but it does apply to some things. Lots of focused physical work and hobbies can be expensive too!

[–] 666@lemmygrad.ml 9 points 3 months ago

I have no issue with it; and the hobby sounds fun. It's just that he immediately went to the idea of "money" and in order to turn a profit on something like that would be an insane amount of work; nowhere near what you'd be getting paid for.

It's actually kind of a fun thought experiment. It's basic. Sure, you got these black walnuts. At the current standard of concentrated capital and technological development; the "buy-in" to develop a mechanized process to rind, press and can the stain would be exorbitant compared to even just 50 years ago because the standard of living was at least cheaper (all though you'd be rural, for sure) plus the equipment likely would have been domestically made or an antique farming tool.

Sure, say you go to the bank and take out a loan. Now you got your line in your backyard. Now you got to try to compete with literal national brands making those cans of stain of cents on the dollar and pay back the loan while selling at a significant cut to compete with these national brands and reaffirming their monopoly. This is pretty much the case with any product. It's why it's so insufferable to me that most reactionaries or libs look at something like that and just see "money" when it's so much more complicated than that. Most businesses fail. Learning that takes just a little theory or at least an understanding of economic statistics on business.

[–] multitotal@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

To be the devil's advocate here, there's nothing wrong with taking fruits from a tree. In fact, it's a pretty sustainable practice.

[–] 666@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 3 months ago (2 children)

For sure, I explained in another reply some more.

I am considering doing it to just stain the fence we have at the apartment now.

[–] multitotal@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

You should.

[–] 666@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Harvest season approaches on the garden; so while I'm chopping up some of the plants for compost I'll throw some walnuts in the bin.

[–] multitotal@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

May you have a bountiful harvest. I've been eating figs for the past few weeks. Tangerines are coming in in November.

[–] 666@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Heck yea! Tangerines! They don't grow where I am sadly, I'm mostly looking forward too apples and ESPECIALLY to the tomatoes that are almost done (we planted them a lil later, for some reason they grow bigger that way). I got a three tomatoes bigger than my hand on the vine and they're just starting to change colors :D Squash too.

Of course, I also grow some fine hemp. Great crop for composting after harvest, for personal enjoyment and for making your own farm twine. Should get well over two pounds this year.

[–] multitotal@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

planted them a lil later, for some reason they grow bigger that way

Had no idea about this. I'll try that next year. When did you plant them? In late April/early May? And what kind of tomatoes?

[–] 666@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Late May, actually! Part of it is what we use to feed them too. Regular ol' garden tomatoes.

We use Fox Farms; right now we're working on making our own nutrient mixtures but for some reason, Fox Farms is just absolutely bonkers when it comes to feeding plants. It was originally made for hemp; but hemp and tomatoes require nearly the same amount of phosphates, calcium and other nutrients! (legally, the feeder is "for tomatoes") If you adjust the feeding schedule/amounts you can use it on other garden plants too. Our squash likes a heavier load of the big bloom than the rest.

Here is what I use:

[–] multitotal@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 months ago

I just used some bio manure beads this season and mixed it deep into the soil. Apparently it's enough nutrients for three seasons. I'm more confident about next season cause this year a lot of the things I grew got burnt by the heat. But the trees have been fruitful on account of the sun, heat and deep roots.

I'll try planting some tomatoes in late May. :)

[–] Addfwyn@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 2 months ago

I would! If for nothing else than the satisfaction/fun of doing it yourself. (Which I realise you went into depth on in your other answer)

There are a lot of things that I've done myself that were probably not cost-efficient. But I enjoyed doing them, and there is a special sort of satisfaction by having something you can say you truly did yourself. I despise that mindset of every hobby has to be turned into a "side-hustle".