Most of us have had an automobile accident or two. I'll bet you've launched into a retelling of the accident, only to notice that your audience has started fidgeting, has lost eye contact with you, and then changed the subject.
Why is that? Lack of empathy on their part? Poor listening skills, short attention spans? Or was the story teller too animated and self-absorbed?
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In either case, I haven't had an accident; but I did manage to spin out and lose traction near the top of a mountain in the Gunnison CO area; it was the first time in 16 years, and with two wheel drive, that's not a bad record. Now the question is, can I write about it with more efficacy than is typical in "horror stories."
This wasn't a reckless stunt. I had probed the slope the day before on my mountain bike, and had let out half the air in the rear (drive) tires of the tow vehicle. And there was good motivation: the most scenic dispersed campsite in years, and with two Verizon towers lighting up the mountain.
I managed to get over 95% of it. Then one of the drive wheels started spinning, which instantly produced a hole. At that point you're sunk. (Why don't all two wheel vehicles have limited slip differentials? The option only costs $300-400.)
Ahh dear, I can't wait to replace my old tow vehicle with one as new as model years 2010 or 2011, because they all have Traction-Control as standard equipment, even at the low trim level.
And then it started happening. Frustration turned into mild panic. How do you get out of a mess like this? Next time I'll try to educe general principles of more use to the reader. I haven't accomplished as much as desired when it comes to the balancing act of:
Why is that? Lack of empathy on their part? Poor listening skills, short attention spans? Or was the story teller too animated and self-absorbed?
____________________________________________________
In either case, I haven't had an accident; but I did manage to spin out and lose traction near the top of a mountain in the Gunnison CO area; it was the first time in 16 years, and with two wheel drive, that's not a bad record. Now the question is, can I write about it with more efficacy than is typical in "horror stories."
This wasn't a reckless stunt. I had probed the slope the day before on my mountain bike, and had let out half the air in the rear (drive) tires of the tow vehicle. And there was good motivation: the most scenic dispersed campsite in years, and with two Verizon towers lighting up the mountain.
I managed to get over 95% of it. Then one of the drive wheels started spinning, which instantly produced a hole. At that point you're sunk. (Why don't all two wheel vehicles have limited slip differentials? The option only costs $300-400.)
Ahh dear, I can't wait to replace my old tow vehicle with one as new as model years 2010 or 2011, because they all have Traction-Control as standard equipment, even at the low trim level.
And then it started happening. Frustration turned into mild panic. How do you get out of a mess like this? Next time I'll try to educe general principles of more use to the reader. I haven't accomplished as much as desired when it comes to the balancing act of:
- Avoiding a too detailed, too personal, and self-absorbed description of a "horror story," (while the reader sniffs boasting), or
- Avoiding too general or dogmatic platitudes about risk and panic.
Comments
Maybe in another 16 years you can try it out?
That seems an aptly similar experience to yours.
My take on that is that it's the fear of death instinct. Of course, neither you nor I were at death's door in these situations but the instincts of the body are automatic (and unconscious) and early detection is built into the system. It's not an accident that our species dominates the planet.
"Frustration turns into mild panic"......that is indeed how it goes.
Frustration because one cannot control their environment suitably for one's purpose.
Mild panic because of that same thing, being out of control, and fear of consequences if one cannot get back into control.
Fear and panic can interfere with cognition, the ability to actually figure one's way out of the situation in the best way. I think it takes practice and training. I guess that's what's supposed to happen in the military. And with meditation. I prefer the latter.
Sorry if I appear to be overly dramatic, something you wanted to avoid, but I don't think so. We really don't like looking at our vulnerabilies, especially our ultimate vulnerability..