The Taffy-puller at Work

As a fan of handmade shellac, I try to be ever mindful that someone’s career-path led to a place where they are standing in front of an open charcoal fire hearth “the “bhatta”) while handling molten shellac.  This video presents a little different process than I was familiar with, but is compelling nonetheless.

This makes me thankful for the products these people make, and that I live in a different place and time.  My Iowa/Minnesota blood practically curdles at the thought of working in this environment but I celebrate them for doing so.   As the Hayekian framework posits, humans choose paths they perceive as beneficial compared to the alternatives.  The same can probably be said for lacquerworkers given my extreme sensitivity to urushiol.