Popular Mechanics: 25 Skills Every Man Should Know

[Queasy]

This is a companion piece to this article wondering if traditional knowledge of building and fixing ordinary things is being lost today. I have to kind of agree as I'm seeing kids being able to do less handyman type stuff. Even I'm guilty of it though it has more to do with a lack of time than ability or willingness to try.

Link

The List: How to...

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network

edit: Many are saying this list sucks. I have to agree. What are some other man skills that should be on this list?

 

[Kev]

That list sucks.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

26. Women

 

[Alowishus]

27. Hide a boner

 

[imported_LoKe]

Most of the computer-related stuff does not need to be known. There's someone you can pay to do it for you.

 

[Ronstang]

I have been saying similar things for years. Being someone who grew up in a time when you had to be a handyman, especially if you wanted to drive, I fear our younger generations are missing some critical knowledge and experience. When a disaster strikes and the power goes out all you have learned videogaming is useless.

 

[Judgement]

I honestly will say I can't do almost half of the non-electronic stuff on that list, but if they want to claim every man should know how they should also provide documentation on how to do so or at least link to a website that can give basic instructions.

No clue how to do #1, 8, 12, 13, (what the hell does 15 mean?), 18, 19, 22, 24.

I bet all/most of those could be googled though so I'm probably in the clear.


Edit:

If 24 is just to replace the tire I can sure as hell do that.

 

[johnjbruin]

1. Patch a radiator hose - nope
2. Protect your computer - from what?
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized - nope
4. Frame a wall - yes
5. Retouch digital photos - yes
6. Back up a trailer - yes
7. Build a campfire - yes
8. Fix a dead outlet - nope
9. Navigate with a map and compass - yes
10. Use a torque wrench - yes
11. Sharpen a knife - yes
12. Perform CPR - nope
13. Fillet a fish - yes
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid - nope
15. Get a car unstuck - from what? Snow - yes, other stuff - ?
16. Back up data - yes
17. Paint a room - yes
18. Mix concrete - nope
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle - nope
20. Change oil and filter - yup
21. Hook up an HDTV - yup
22. Bleed brakes - nope
23. Paddle a canoe - yes
24. Fix a bike flat - nope
25. Extend your wireless network - yes

Guess there are more than a couple of things that I don't know

* Quietly runs away with his man card*

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Most of the computer-related stuff does not need to be known. There's someone you can pay to do it for you.

Well we can pretty much trim the list down to the following based on that:

1. Patch a radiator hose
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized
7. Build a campfire
9. Navigate with a map and compass
12. Perform CPR
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat

Those seem like the only ones you'd encounter in emergency situations.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Judgement
I honestly will say I can't do almost half of the non-electronic stuff on that list, but if they want to claim every man should know how they should also provide documentation on how to do so or at least link to a website that can give basic instructions.

No clue how to do #1, 8, 12, 13, (what the hell does 15 mean?), 18, 19, 22, 24.

I bet all/most of those could be googled though so I'm probably in the clear.

:laugh:

Ever seen snow? I'm guessing not.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Most of the computer-related stuff does not need to be known. There's someone you can pay to do it for you.

or the car stuff

 

[Mallow]

sounds like a good list. I think I could do any of that except bleed breaks, frame a wall and fix a dead outlet.

 

[OdiN]

1. Patch a radiator hose - yup...if I have the right stuff.
2. Protect your computer - uhm...I have a gun I guess that works.
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized - easy
4. Frame a wall - I could build a house
5. Retouch digital photos - yup
6. Back up a trailer - yup
7. Build a campfire - yup
8. Fix a dead outlet - yup
9. Navigate with a map and compass - I use a GPS but meh...I carry topo maps with me when hiking.
10. Use a torque wrench - yup
11. Sharpen a knife - yup...not super good at it though
12. Perform CPR - don't know a whole lot here
13. Fillet a fish - yup
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid - yup - I think it's more fun to maneuver them into skids
15. Get a car unstuck - unstuck from what?
16. Back up data - easy
17. Paint a room - I can do it without a dropcloth and keep the carpet clean
18. Mix concrete - easy
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle - yup - can clean most types of guns
20. Change oil and filter - easy, though I have someone else do it for me - can't do any sort of repairs to my car at my apartment unfortunately
21. Hook up an HDTV - easy
22. Bleed brakes - yup
23. Paddle a canoe - is this really that hard?
24. Fix a bike flat - yup
25. Extend your wireless network - pringles can?

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: johnjbruin
* Quietly runs away with his man card*

Don't worry, man cards are overrated anyway. If you need a card to prove you're man, you're probably not a real one anyway.

 

[Queasy]

1. Patch a radiator hose - yes, if I have the patch
2. Protect your computer - yes
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized - yes
4. Frame a wall - never had to try
5. Retouch digital photos - yes
6. Back up a trailer - I can but I suck at it
7. Build a campfire - yes as long as I have matches/lighter
8. Fix a dead outlet - never had to try
9. Navigate with a map and compass - never had to try
10. Use a torque wrench - yes
11. Sharpen a knife - yes
12. Perform CPR - yes though I haven't practiced in years
13. Fillet a fish - can't stand eating fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid - loads of practical experience
15. Get a car unstuck - yes though it depends on where the car is stuck
16. Back up data - yes
17. Paint a room - yes though I hate it
18. Mix concrete - yes
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle - never had anything more powerful than a BB gun
20. Change oil and filter - yes
21. Hook up an HDTV - yes
22. Bleed brakes - yes
23. Paddle a canoe - yes
24. Fix a bike flat - yes
25. Extend your wireless network - yes

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: LoKe
Most of the computer-related stuff does not need to be known. There's someone you can pay to do it for you.

or the car stuff

Except when you're in the middle of nowhere. Mind you, some of them can be dropped, but patching a rad hose could be critical (and is critical if you value the life of your car).

 

[Epic Fail]

The writer forgot the skill to come up with a good list.

 

[novasatori]

Can't do (or rather, haven't tried)...

The List: How to...

4. Frame a wall
8. Fix a dead outlet
20. Change oil and filter
22. Bleed brakes

However, that list doesn't even begin to encompass the things my father can do that I can't.

He knows how to use all sorts of tools I haven't the slightest clue how to use (never had a shop class) and a lot of knowledge of mechanical/electrical stuff (engines/wiring).

 

[Ronstang]

The important thing to remember here is that it does not mean crap that you can pay someone to do any of the stuff on the list as the key here is an EMERGENCY situation where there is no one to help you. God forbid should we ever have some kind of real disaster as most of you younger people would be paralyzed without your computers, cell phones, calculators, and all the other technology that make life easy.

 

[imported_LoKe]

1. Patch a radiator hose -- Yes.
2. Protect your computer -- Yes.
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized -- Maybe, never had training so I can't say for sure.
4. Frame a wall -- I think so, but it wouldn't be well done.
5. Retouch digital photos -- Yes.
6. Back up a trailer -- Never tried but I know how to drive with something on the hitch.
7. Build a campfire -- Yes
8. Fix a dead outlet -- Flipping a breaker usually works, but I can re-wire an outlet if that's what it entails.
9. Navigate with a map and compass -- Never tried, but unless it's straight forward then probably not.
10. Use a torque wrench -- Yes.
11. Sharpen a knife -- Yes, but it won't be well done (heavily scratched blade).
12. Perform CPR -- Don't know how to do it properly, so I'll say no.
13. Fillet a fish -- No, but I might be able to figure it out.
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid -- Yes.
15. Get a car unstuck -- Yes. Had to get an ATV unstuck as well.
16. Back up data -- Yes.
17. Paint a room -- Yes, but it might look crappy afterwards.
18. Mix concrete -- Hm...I've done it but don't remember the exact constituents.
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle -- Not yet.
20. Change oil and filter -- Yes.
21. Hook up an HDTV -- Yes.
22. Bleed brakes -- Yes.
23. Paddle a canoe -- Never did it before, but I've seen it done and believe I could do it, although improperly.
24. Fix a bike flat -- Yes.
25. Extend your wireless network -- Yes.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
The important thing to remember here is that it does not mean crap that you can pay someone to do any of the stuff on the list as the key here is an EMERGENCY situation where there is no one to help you. God forbid should we ever have some kind of real disaster as most of you younger people would be paralyzed without your computers, cell phones, calculators, and all the other technology that make life easy.

5. Retouch digital photos
17. Paint a room
21. Hook up an HDTV
25. Extend your wireless network

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
The important thing to remember here is that it does not mean crap that you can pay someone to do any of the stuff on the list as the key here is an EMERGENCY situation where there is no one to help you. God forbid should we ever have some kind of real disaster as most of you younger people would be paralyzed without your computers, cell phones, calculators, and all the other technology that make life easy.

What emergency would require me to manually do 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 25?

 

[novasatori]

Originally posted by: LoKe

Originally posted by: Ronstang
The important thing to remember here is that it does not mean crap that you can pay someone to do any of the stuff on the list as the key here is an EMERGENCY situation where there is no one to help you. God forbid should we ever have some kind of real disaster as most of you younger people would be paralyzed without your computers, cell phones, calculators, and all the other technology that make life easy.

What emergency would require me to manually do 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 25?

18 and 19 I guess if you live on Sopranos.
:laugh:

 

[RossMAN]

Where do I turn in my man card?

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: Ronstang
The important thing to remember here is that it does not mean crap that you can pay someone to do any of the stuff on the list as the key here is an EMERGENCY situation where there is no one to help you. God forbid should we ever have some kind of real disaster as most of you younger people would be paralyzed without your computers, cell phones, calculators, and all the other technology that make life easy.

5. Retouch digital photos
17. Paint a room
21. Hook up an HDTV
25. Extend your wireless network

Yeah, some on that list don't make any sense to me. I consider the DIY skills more important for surviving problems and emergencies myself. It is nice to be the guy that gets called on all the time when something bad happens rather than the one who can only stand there and shrug.