You are a “trim tab!”

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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@garethb2

July 3rd, 2010 8

One of the stories from R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE I liked was Bucky talking about being a “trim tab,” the trailing edge of a control surface (e.g. on a boat or plane rudder), used to “trim” the controls, and how this small surface on the end of a plane or a boat can change the direction of the entire craft. Bucky likened this to how a single individual can have a disproportional effect on society by “doing dynamic things mentally.” I came home to do some more research on him and found out that “Call Me Trimtab” is on his headstone. The Buckminster Fuller Institute newsletter is also called Trimtab.

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R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE

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