"As far as the mechanics go, working with other people on received ideas was for me a very interesting technical problem. I can't say that any of my collaborations engaged my heart, but they engaged the craftsman in me"

In this quote, author Robert Sheckley reviews his experience dealing with others on innovative tasks. He explains it as a technical issue, suggesting that he approached it with a sensible and analytical frame of mind. While he found it fascinating from a mechanical standpoint, he confesses that none of his collaborations genuinely touched his heart. However, he still found value at the same time as it engaged his skills as a craftsman. This might suggest that while he might not have formed deep psychological connections with his partners, he still valued the opportunity to refine his craft and develop something together. In general, the quote highlights the balance in between technical ability and psychological financial investment in imaginative cooperations.