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I came across this today on an Avants thread,
Written by Dan Henderson founder of Apex Automotor group on Facebook:
So why is it, that some of us crazies can’t let go of this ancient device? Why do some of us carry on endless arguments with a stranger that tells us this is just a relic, old, outdated, and slow? Why is there such loyalty from some for a mechanical object?
I do ask myself this.
It calls to me.
It stares at me and says “get in”. I sit inside. I look down to see the pattern. Then I drop my hand, it falls directly on the knob. My left leg presses on the pedal. In that one second I learn a wealth of information. The weight. The place of catch. Where it resists and where it lets go. The engine is not even on yet. I hold the pedal down, look forward, press the lever forward… snick… it’s found its home. I pull back. It lets go for a second, then resists ever so slightly before snapping into place. Snick… home again. Move forward, loosen your grip, and it naturally move up and a tad right. It waits. I’ve not even attempted to go right. Unlike the rookie, I just gave it the freedom to do what It wants.
I’ve now allowed the car to shake my hand and introduce herself. It’s a slightly intimate moment… like when that beautiful woman in your circle of co-workers takes a step forward and introduces herself. In that 2 seconds of hand/eye contact, you know. Right now, in this seat, with my foot on the pedal and my hand having gone through the gate, I know.
The car has mechanically placed me between its heart, the engine; and the wheels… what moves it. It’s me taking the two halves and making it whole. What I do, and how expertly I use these controls, is how she will behave moving forward.
So who am I?
When this is gone, so are you. You are no longer between the two halves. You are no longer intimate. The girl that was dancing with you hand in hand has walked away and is now dancing alone.
Some will understand this and many…. won’t. They’ll get all abstract and analytical, and try to explain with words why this connection does not matter. You will never convince them, but it won’t matter.
All that matters, is that you know.
Written by Dan Henderson founder of Apex Automotor group on Facebook:
So why is it, that some of us crazies can’t let go of this ancient device? Why do some of us carry on endless arguments with a stranger that tells us this is just a relic, old, outdated, and slow? Why is there such loyalty from some for a mechanical object?
I do ask myself this.
It calls to me.
It stares at me and says “get in”. I sit inside. I look down to see the pattern. Then I drop my hand, it falls directly on the knob. My left leg presses on the pedal. In that one second I learn a wealth of information. The weight. The place of catch. Where it resists and where it lets go. The engine is not even on yet. I hold the pedal down, look forward, press the lever forward… snick… it’s found its home. I pull back. It lets go for a second, then resists ever so slightly before snapping into place. Snick… home again. Move forward, loosen your grip, and it naturally move up and a tad right. It waits. I’ve not even attempted to go right. Unlike the rookie, I just gave it the freedom to do what It wants.
I’ve now allowed the car to shake my hand and introduce herself. It’s a slightly intimate moment… like when that beautiful woman in your circle of co-workers takes a step forward and introduces herself. In that 2 seconds of hand/eye contact, you know. Right now, in this seat, with my foot on the pedal and my hand having gone through the gate, I know.
The car has mechanically placed me between its heart, the engine; and the wheels… what moves it. It’s me taking the two halves and making it whole. What I do, and how expertly I use these controls, is how she will behave moving forward.
So who am I?
When this is gone, so are you. You are no longer between the two halves. You are no longer intimate. The girl that was dancing with you hand in hand has walked away and is now dancing alone.
Some will understand this and many…. won’t. They’ll get all abstract and analytical, and try to explain with words why this connection does not matter. You will never convince them, but it won’t matter.
All that matters, is that you know.