Another neat video shared by Go Wood reader Tom Donnell. This time, it's a wood-turner producing a wooden lampshade from a section of pine. There are a lot of great wood-turning videos out there, and I like them all, so I haven't posted one yet that I can recall...but this one has great production value, and is among the best I've ever seen, so here it is.

There is a side issue controversy about this video that I think is worth considering. For some reason, many people who viewed the video expressed concern about the issue of "wasting wood" in the process...enough people, so that the person who posted the video felt compelled to post the following defense:

" !!! Please before you write a negative comment about the waste of wood, please realize, this is fast growing pine, it had already been cut down to be used as firewood, the centre of the log is sap wood and is very poor quality, and all the wood chips are reused in another way, for heating, or in the garden. We appreciate your care for nature, and assure you that we too have the same regard for what our planet gives to us."

I browsed the comments on the video to ascertain what the protesters were actually concerned about. And there were quite a few who expressed this concern. I have to say, the logic that was put into these comments shows a level of comprehension of the subject that I can only describe as sheer ignorance. Several earth-righteous commenters made the assertion that the shade could have and should have been made from veneer.

Could have, true, sort of. But it would have an ugly seam, and would not have the rigidity of this product.

Should have...just missing the point of wood-turning and being an eco-ignorant bully.

Another commenter actually stated...

"As far as carbon footprints go, his is huge! How much electricity was used in the time it took for him carve this down?"

I suppose this defender of the earth would have preferred the turner to chisel the shade by hand.

Here's another brilliant observation...

"Although I don't know much about carpentry, he is wasting wood material by carving out all the inside of the log instead of cutting out the core."

Don't you love it when someone starts a sentence with "although I don't know much about the subject..." and then proceeds to give you their opinion anyway?

The sad part of this otherwise idiotic series of exchanges is that they sound very similar to climate change and related progressive justifications for a wide range of regulatory controls over the actions of millions of citizens who are otherwise just going about their own business trying to enjoy and get a little benefit out of a productive life. Well, I'll tell them this....(chortle)...(blood pressure check)...(pop a Xanax)...(ok, ok)...(aahhh).

Well...have a great day, and be careful to be extra sensitive to the environment next time you sharpen a pencil. Use a hand-crank sharpener, and be sure to compost the shavings. We must be mindful of efficient use of our rare natural resources. (Big Smiley Face.)

And Go Wood, if you really have to Go at all, that is.