The State of Zen Cycling in America
Part of what JP posted:
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Dave Schlabowske replied:
I was with you up to this point, and then I lost you. Do you see videos as a part of culture to be avoided like strip malls? Are you saying movies are a less valid art form than books or the written word? If so I would have to disagree. There are many cultures in which the spoken word is considered the most poignant expression of art and culture and books viewed as unnecessary artifice. I’m a photographer, so I do not view visual communication as secondary to written communication. In our culture we are as visually illiterate as we are under read. Most readers in our society are not reading great works of prose and fiction, but pop culture trash. Just as most people are not renting good movies, but rather pop culture trash. People’s poor taste in any medium does not invalidate the medium as a useful form of communication. Most people’s idea of editorial photography is Annie Liebowits’ photographs of Rosanne on the cover of Rolling Stone rather than Sebastio Salgado’s documentary photographs of sugar cane workers inside the same magazine. The cover photos do not invalidate the inside photo essay. The same holds true for movies. There are tons of awful movies out there. Then there are the few great or at least good ones, not to mention documentaries.
I hope I haven’t missed your point. I do agree with you that teaching the next generation is the best approach to change. But I also believe that living life as the best person you can be sets an example to people around you and has great value too. Not only as an example, but personally as well. For example, when a motorist breaks the law and endangers my safety as a bicyclist I no longer get angry. When ever I can I have a calm discussion with that person a the next stop light and try to educate them about cyclists’ rights and safety. This not only educates the driver, but I feel better about myself. I explain that I am forced by my vulnerability to yield my right of way, but it would be nice if the motorist could give me a little consideration. Like the Zen master faced by the sword-wielding warrior who expounds “I’m the one who can run you through without batting an eye.” To which the master replies “I am the one who can let you run me through without batting an eye.” Some of the critical mass folks might consider this an Uncle Tom approach, but I find it works. Usually people say they didn’t know the law. They usually apologize and say they will take my statements into consideration next time they see a biker. True though there is a common caveat statement “You’d really be better off getting out of the road, but I guess it’s your life.” Not too encouraging but better than leaving another angry driver. And maybe more important, I have not succumbed to that rage, and I am a happier person.
Dave S wrote:
>I was with you up to this point, and then I lost you. Do you see videos as a part of culture to be avoided like strip malls? Are you saying movies are a less valid art form than books or the written word? If so I would have to disagree. There are many cultures in which the spoken word is considered the most poignant expression of art and culture and books viewed as unnecessary artifice.
JP replied:
Modernism destroys and abuses everything even as it tries its hardest to save it. The serious ‘real’ people are the worst off usually. It is very easy for lit/art to be LOWER than stripmalls. Even the classics. It’s all in how we use it. I picked on movies coz it’s often part of a modernist habit. (I know!) How *MUCH* reading and movie-watching do we need? I agree we need it. But let’s study the nature of whether our need is open- ended or whether once the good gets in, we ain’t obliged to work on THAT until our own good comes out. It’s not a one-way street. These things need studying. Work against the paradigm. One greek statue has as much beauty as two. How much food for thought do we need? How many narratives of whatever stripe do we need to witness? We who are inclined to brainstuff have BIG traps to beware, just like everyone else. Consuming the arts. Keeping up. With the latest. We bemoan new shifter systems, but what about all the new books? Are we sure they’re in our best interest? It’s a big freeing scary breakthru when you realize you now have and know enuf to work on for the rest of your life (or for awhile). Otherwise, it’s easy as pie to be a slave to the rhythm. The best cyclist is the one who walks. The best artist is the one who washes dishes. For one thing, by being aware that there’s a point where we can stop spectating, we have lots more time to start making our own things. Get your food for thought, then DO, GO. No excuse. The most withit, involved person will typically appear to be the most out of it, disconnected. It’s all a question of connected to WHAT, HOW. What do you need, get it, move on… Think of the Amish. Images, stories, icons are vital. Because of quality or quantity? Just a dab will do ya.
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I saw something Jobst Brandt wrote about how bicycling is perceived in America, and he said that Americans don’t generally see cycling as a legitimate form of transportation OR a legitimate pastime for adults. Much of what separates the N. American market from others is that bike companies are marketing their bikes in reaction to this attitude, I’m guessing.
That is, bikes are fashion, bikes are tools for fitness, bikes are tools for pursuing “extreme” experiences to conquer fear. In sum, bikes are marketed as methods for setting you, the individual consumer, apart from the boring, old masses. The message isn’t much different than Calvin Klein ads. Assert your individuality by purchasing this (mass produced and marketed) product, so others can readily identify you as someone that stands out from the crowd. Of course, the irony is that your individuality depends on the gaze of the masses (who, by the way, are also attempting to be recognized as individuals).
Reliable, inexpensive bikes and parts aren’t readily available (maybe) because they’re overtly directed toward the masses, instead of toward this consumer-individual who is less concerned about the functionality of the bike, than how trick the parts are, what colors it comes in, etc.–and is willing to pay more money for these image enhancing features.
