--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I graduated high school, nearly a…" description: "\"When I graduated high school, nearly a half-million people subscribed to 'Popular Electronics' magazine. Soldering up some radio or hi-fi amplifier on ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85a/seth-shostak-2047_amplifier_when-i-graduated-high-school-nearly-a-ha_2144424.png" --- # When I graduated high school, nearly a half-million people… ![“When I graduated high school, nearly a half-million people subscribed to 'Popular Electronics' magazine. Soldering up some radio or hi-fi amplifier on the basement workbench was not just a personal passion - a lot of young people were doing the same. The magazine expired in 1999 for lack of…” quote by Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85a/seth-shostak-2047_amplifier_when-i-graduated-high-school-nearly-a-ha_2144424.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85a/seth-shostak-2047_amplifier_when-i-graduated-high-school-nearly-a-ha_2144424.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85a/seth-shostak-2047_amplifier_when-i-graduated-high-school-nearly-a-ha_2144424.png) > “When I graduated high school, nearly a half-million people subscribed to 'Popular Electronics' magazine. Soldering up some radio or hi-fi amplifier on the basement workbench was not just a personal passion - a lot of young people were doing the same. The magazine expired in 1999 for lack of interest.” [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hands‑on electronics fostered a community of makers, but shifting interests ended the era. **In simple terms:** DIY electronics built community. Key Takeaway Support maker spaces. Themes technology community DIY innovation Mood nostalgic optimistic Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - education - hobbyist projects - STEM outreach - career pathways Key Concepts engineering culture social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can modern platforms revive hands‑on maker culture? - What role do community spaces play today? A Different Perspective Digital media now dominates hobbyist learning, reducing hands‑on collaboration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amplifier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amplifier/) [Basement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basement/) [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [Electronics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electronics/) [Electronics Magazine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electronics-magazine-4478990/) [Expired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expired/) [Graduated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graduated/) [High](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Lack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lack/) [Lot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lot/) [Magazine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magazine/) [Magazine Soldering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magazine-soldering-4478992/) [Nearly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nearly/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Subscribed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-subscribed-4478993/) [Personal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal/) [Popular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/popular/) [Popular Electronics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/popular-electronics-4478989/) [Radio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radio/) [Same](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/same/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Some](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/some/) [Subscribed Popular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subscribed-popular-4478991/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Were](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/were/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) [Young people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-people/) ## Related quotes > [In prison I had the opportunity to debate and discuss people that had subscribed to all forms of Islamism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maajid-nawaz/in-prison-i-had-the-opportunity-to-debate-and-discuss-people-that-had/) [Maajid Nawaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maajid-nawaz/) > [“Logic and people who subscribed to conspiracy theories were often strangers to each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-brockmann/logic-and-people-who-subscribed-to-conspiracy-theories-were-often/) [Suzanne Brockmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-brockmann/) > [Twitter, for all its good, is a hate amplifier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-sierra/twitter-for-all-its-good-is-a-hate-amplifier/) [Kathy Sierra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-sierra/) > [You can't get a degree at Tisch College. It serves as an amplifier for what your focus is. If you're an engineer, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tisch/you-can-t-get-a-degree-at-tisch-college-it-serves-as-an-amplifier-for/) [Jonathan Tisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tisch/) > [I play with feeling so I need to hear what is coming out of the amplifier to inspire me; I don't just play mechanically.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-schenker/i-play-with-feeling-so-i-need-to-hear-what-is-coming-out-of-the/) [Michael Schenker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-schenker/) > [The world is a complex place, and the influence of the media in its representation and its power of communication and interpretation is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/the-world-is-a-complex-place-and-the-influence-of-the-media-in-its/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [When I first played the guitar without plugging it into an amplifier, the people at Fender were blown away. They couldn't believe the sound.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-dale/when-i-first-played-the-guitar-without-plugging-it-into-an-amplifier/) [Dick Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-dale/) > [I remember one of the first gigs I played with that amp was at a local church. They wanted someone to fill in with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-young/i-remember-one-of-the-first-gigs-i-played-with-that-amp-was-at-a/) [Angus Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-young/) > [Learning to play with a big amplifier is like trying to control an elephant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritchie-blackmore/learning-to-play-with-a-big-amplifier-is-like-trying-to-control-an/) [Ritchie Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritchie-blackmore/) > [About the only thing that I'll probably end up doing is I made this amplifier with Peavey. It's in the manufacturing stages right now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dweezil-zappa/about-the-only-thing-that-i-ll-probably-end-up-doing-is-i-made-this/) [Dweezil Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dweezil-zappa/) > [Negative feedback effected amplifier performance significantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-stephen-black/negative-feedback-effected-amplifier-performance-significantly/) [Harold Stephen Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-stephen-black/) > [In the past, I have not been able to hear myself. I play with feeling so I need to hear what is coming out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-schenker/in-the-past-i-have-not-been-able-to-hear-myself-i-play-with-feeling/) [Michael Schenker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-schenker/) > [When I'm at home or in the studio, I have a 1963 Martin. It's a D-28, and I love that guitar. I write on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-worsham/when-i-m-at-home-or-in-the-studio-i-have-a-1963-martin-it-s-a-d-28/) [Charlie Worsham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-worsham/) > [Trent likes to record guitars direct, whereas I've always preferred playing through an amplifier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisy-berkowitz/trent-likes-to-record-guitars-direct-whereas-i-ve-always-preferred/) [Daisy Berkowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisy-berkowitz/) > [“GGMM A1 Portable Headphone Amplifier, HiFi Digital Stereo Audio Amp for Android Devices, Ultra Light Weight Aluminum Housing W/ Built-in DAC, 3 Button In-Line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ggmm-a1-portable-headphone-amplifier/ggmm-a1-portable-headphone-amplifier-hifi-digital-stereo-audio-amp/) [GGMM A1 Portable Headphone Amplifier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ggmm-a1-portable-headphone-amplifier/) ## More by Seth Shostak > [Studying Sol's interior by looking for analogous patterns on its incandescent face is known as helioseismology, an active - if largely unpronounceable - research…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/studying-sol-s-interior-by-looking-for-analogous-patterns-on-its/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Some pundits have proposed that the aliens have come here to breed with us. Apparently, too much bike riding or something similar has rendered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/some-pundits-have-proposed-that-the-aliens-have-come-here-to-breed/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [As far as I can tell, the only unambiguous consequence of the claimed invasion of Earth by beings from another star system has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/as-far-as-i-can-tell-the-only-unambiguous-consequence-of-the-claimed/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Look, science is hard, it has a reputation of being hard, and the facts are, it is hard, and that's the result of 400…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/look-science-is-hard-it-has-a-reputation-of-being-hard-and-the-facts/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Give consideration to the fact that alien astronomers could have scrutinized Earth for more than 4 billion years without detecting any radio signals, despite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/give-consideration-to-the-fact-that-alien-astronomers-could-have/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [In a movie, it's often important to have aliens whose gestures and facial expressions can be 'read' by humans. And in the days before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/in-a-movie-it-s-often-important-to-have-aliens-whose-gestures-and/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Sure, nobody will make a fortune if we figure out why the Big Bang happened. But just about everyone would like to know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/sure-nobody-will-make-a-fortune-if-we-figure-out-why-the-big-bang/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [If you could drive straight down, into a tunnel bored through the crust of the planet, you'd hit this molten mess in about an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/if-you-could-drive-straight-down-into-a-tunnel-bored-through-the/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [While I have always thought that the motivation for looking for E.T. was both self-evident and patently worthy, it's possible that I'm a victim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/while-i-have-always-thought-that-the-motivation-for-looking-for-e-t/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [I studied Latin in high school, and I was reading stuff from Cicero. And that signal took a few thousand years to get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/i-studied-latin-in-high-school-and-i-was-reading-stuff-from-cicero/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [About the only things that are unique to Earth are our biota and our culture. If aliens ever come here, they'd most likely be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/about-the-only-things-that-are-unique-to-earth-are-our-biota-and-our/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [This plucky NASA telescope is able to find planets en masse. If you compare planet hunting to prospecting for gold, then Kepler is equivalent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/this-plucky-nasa-telescope-is-able-to-find-planets-en-masse-if-you/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [The most attractive habitats for synthetic sentience might be the vicinities of exceptional sources of energy - for example black holes, or even the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/the-most-attractive-habitats-for-synthetic-sentience-might-be-the/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Buying insurance is no one's idea of fun. And it's especially easy to berate something as funky-sounding as writing checks to defend our neighborhoods…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/buying-insurance-is-no-one-s-idea-of-fun-and-it-s-especially-easy-to/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Plate tectonics is not all havoc and destruction. The slow movement of continents and ocean floors recycles carbon dioxide dissolved in the oceans back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/plate-tectonics-is-not-all-havoc-and-destruction-the-slow-movement-of/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) [Explore all 189 Seth Shostak quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) ## More Amplifier quotes > [“GGMM A1 Portable Headphone Amplifier, HiFi Digital Stereo Audio Amp for Android Devices, Ultra Light Weight Aluminum Housing W/ Built-in DAC, 3 Button In-Line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ggmm-a1-portable-headphone-amplifier/ggmm-a1-portable-headphone-amplifier-hifi-digital-stereo-audio-amp/) [GGMM A1 Portable Headphone Amplifier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ggmm-a1-portable-headphone-amplifier/) > [Trent likes to record guitars direct, whereas I've always preferred playing through an amplifier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisy-berkowitz/trent-likes-to-record-guitars-direct-whereas-i-ve-always-preferred/) [Daisy Berkowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisy-berkowitz/) > [When I'm at home or in the studio, I have a 1963 Martin. It's a D-28, and I love that guitar. I write on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-worsham/when-i-m-at-home-or-in-the-studio-i-have-a-1963-martin-it-s-a-d-28/) [Charlie Worsham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-worsham/) > [In the past, I have not been able to hear myself. I play with feeling so I need to hear what is coming out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-schenker/in-the-past-i-have-not-been-able-to-hear-myself-i-play-with-feeling/) [Michael Schenker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-schenker/) > [Negative feedback effected amplifier performance significantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-stephen-black/negative-feedback-effected-amplifier-performance-significantly/) [Harold Stephen Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-stephen-black/) > [About the only thing that I'll probably end up doing is I made this amplifier with Peavey. It's in the manufacturing stages right now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dweezil-zappa/about-the-only-thing-that-i-ll-probably-end-up-doing-is-i-made-this/) [Dweezil Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dweezil-zappa/) > [Learning to play with a big amplifier is like trying to control an elephant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritchie-blackmore/learning-to-play-with-a-big-amplifier-is-like-trying-to-control-an/) [Ritchie Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritchie-blackmore/) > [I remember one of the first gigs I played with that amp was at a local church. They wanted someone to fill in with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-young/i-remember-one-of-the-first-gigs-i-played-with-that-amp-was-at-a/) [Angus Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-young/) > [When I first played the guitar without plugging it into an amplifier, the people at Fender were blown away. They couldn't believe the sound.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-dale/when-i-first-played-the-guitar-without-plugging-it-into-an-amplifier/) [Dick Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-dale/) > [The world is a complex place, and the influence of the media in its representation and its power of communication and interpretation is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/the-world-is-a-complex-place-and-the-influence-of-the-media-in-its/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I play with feeling so I need to hear what is coming out of the amplifier to inspire me; I don't just play mechanically.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-schenker/i-play-with-feeling-so-i-need-to-hear-what-is-coming-out-of-the/) [Michael Schenker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-schenker/) > [You can't get a degree at Tisch College. It serves as an amplifier for what your focus is. If you're an engineer, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tisch/you-can-t-get-a-degree-at-tisch-college-it-serves-as-an-amplifier-for/) [Jonathan Tisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tisch/) > [Twitter, for all its good, is a hate amplifier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-sierra/twitter-for-all-its-good-is-a-hate-amplifier/) [Kathy Sierra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-sierra/) > [The Marshall guitar amplifier doesn't just get louder when you turn it up. It distorts the sound to produce a whole range of new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/the-marshall-guitar-amplifier-doesn-t-just-get-louder-when-you-turn/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [The Web is a compelling new medium being put to all kinds of uses, by everyone from banks to Cub Scouts to flying saucer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-saffo/the-web-is-a-compelling-new-medium-being-put-to-all-kinds-of-uses-by/) [Paul Saffo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-saffo/) [Browse all 24 Amplifier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amplifier/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I graduated high school, nearly a half-million people subscribed to 'Popular Electronics' magazine. Soldering up some radio or hi-fi amplifier on the basement workbench was not just a personal passion - a lot of young people were doing the same. 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