from The New York Times -
Making Things Work
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Although not a direct comment on the work of conservators, but it resonates to a large degree:

"The fact of the matter is that most forms of real knowledge, including self-knowledge, come from the effort to struggle with and master the brute reality of material objects — loosening a bolt without stripping its threads, or backing a semi rig into a loading dock. All these activities, if done well, require knowledge both about the world as it is and about yourself, and your own limitations."

Which, perhaps, explains why I'm happy doing what I do ...
.