Philosophy of LockPicking

[LockSmithNovice]

Anyone know anything about this?

[ToolyMcgee]

I suppose it depends on what you are referring to specifically. Unless you want me to lock you down talking in circles.

As vague and brief a question as it is, and as much as I personally understand about it at this point, lock picking is about encyclopedic mechanical understanding, dexterous manipulation, and respect for all things associated with lock and key. What they represent as much as what they are as physical objects. Understand these things, and you will grow as a picker as your reverence and understanding of the mechanics grow. You start to take ability for granted, and approach new locks with a jiggle and pop attitude, then at some point you won't get anything in return but frustration.

You asked for philosophy, and so I gave you what many would consider nonsense. To me, it's only a difference of perspective.

-T'Mcgee

[LockSmithNovice]

That description of philosophy is good, however, it fails to touch on the abstract and articulate side of the urge.

[LockSmithNovice]

A Friend brought this question to me and it's 100% right.

How can you explain your attraction to locks as a passion?"

[Olson Burry]

Knowing the unknown, understanding what some might consider a "black art" or some kind of magic perhaps?

I enjoy the personal satisfaction of being able to walk around and identify locks and mentally picture exactly what's inside (the lock - not behind the door!)

Also the way my fingers are extra sensitive and far more dexterous than before.

"To understand is to be, and to be is to understand"

etc

[raimundo]

I pick therefore I am.

to understand is good, to need to be understood is overrated, considering no one ever will understand you except through the thick filter of themselves and what they can use you for. Acceptance is all you can hope for.

[LockDFTR]

This may go a little beyond "passion"

But for some people, it's a superiority, or God complex. The feeling that you could go anywhere, and get into anywhere, if you wanted to.

Might not sound philosophical, but it could help explain the attraction to locks.

[Mutzy]

For me (being a locksmith who also is involved in the hobbyist/collector side) it's the appreciation of a mechanical device that is designed to do something special, and my intimate knowledge of the lock. This is combined with the knowledge of my ability and skill to manipulate these locks, the fact that I can gain access to places that I normally can't but don't, that I use my skills for the good, not the bad of society and finally, that I have something unique that gives me an intellectual challenge.

[Dak]

for me its kind of just a reaction to idleness. Whenever I am not doing anything with my time (%90) I always end up with a lock in my hand and im picking it. I do enjoy it, but I always just kind of end up messing with locks whether I mean to or not.


I may also have a little bit of a God complex