The Little World

Go google up William of Ockham and read the article. Follow a few of the rabbit hole links and then come back.

You’ll want a stiff drink now. Don’t try to model as your hands will be shaky. Avoid bright lights.

The principles that William seemed to be writing about and that have provided philosophers opportunity for mis-quotation ever since are good tools for scale modelling. In essence, he was trying to stop people from imagining when they did not have to and pressing their views on others where there was no need. We can do the same:

a. Buy a good set of modelling knives…but when the set includes a special blade for separating scale model barnacles from sailing ship models, consider whether you have been had.

b. You do need side cutters. One pair. A good pair, and not to be lent out to people cutting fencing wire. If you have five pairs you have been had by yourself.

c. There are goopy liquid cements and watery liquid cements but the trick to using them is to see where each is valuable. If you need something in between, pour a little out of each bottle and mix them. Stop sniffing.

d. We now turn to the question of the right green colour for paint. And we turn away just as smartly.

e. If you have one of each of anything, congratulations. If you have 14 of each, please accept our condolences. No, we don’t want to buy any of them from you.

f. If it worked for them, it will work for you. Or not, as the case may be. William of Ockham never had to gloss-coat a scale model in his life and can contribute nothing to the problem.