What’s on your mind?

[Apple fanboy]

Safe travels; I seem to recall that you mentioned that you might have to travel to Glasgow, as well.

Anyway, I like Edinburgh, a wonderfully atmospheric (and, in places, quite beautiful) city.

I hear you re needing, or wishing for, a good session with the chiropractor; personally, I'd almost kill for a really good back and shoulder massage.

Flew to Edinburgh yesterday. Had an appointment. Drove to Glasgow last night.
Dinner in hotel. Then appointment this morning there. Then drove back to Edinburgh Airport. So I’ve seen no pretty parts of either City I’m afraid. Even the M8 between the two isn’t all that! Just ready for home already. Too many people about here for my liking. I’m not a people person these days.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Flew to Edinburgh yesterday. Had an appointment. Drove to Glasgow last night.
Dinner in hotel. Then appointment this morning there. Then drove back to Edinburgh Airport. So I’ve seen no pretty parts of either City I’m afraid. Even the M8 between the two isn’t all that! Just ready for home already. Too many people about here for my liking. I’m not a people person these days.

Ah, okay: That means that you hired a car - or, one was placed at your disposal.

Actually, there is a very good (and quite frequent, I seem to recall that it ran every half hour) train service between the two cities; I've used it in the past, and - if memory serves - the journey took around 30-40 minutes.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Ah, okay: That means that you hired a car - or, one was placed at your disposal.

Actually, there is a very good (and quite frequent) train service between the two cities; I've used it in the past, and - if memory serves - the journey took around 30-40 minutes.

Driving took a little more. But also got me to and from my appointments. Done huge Ford EV thing they gave me. Not ideal in the Cities, but fine on the motorway. Probably weighs 3 times what my BMW does.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Driving took a little more. But also got me to and from my appointments. Done huge Ford EV thing they gave me. Not ideal in the Cities, but fine on the motorway. Probably weighs 3 times what my BMW does.

Ugh; what a horror - I must say that I think that many - if not most - modern cars, or, more properly, vehicles, are extraordinarily ugly.

Perhaps the Edinburgh/Glasgow - or Glasgow/Edinburgh - rail trip was closer to 45-50 minutes; it was certainly a bit under an hour, but I was impressed with the frequency, punctuality and reliability of the service.

 

[Hamdullah Retarderson]

What a strange idea. Oh well. I’ll not be paying for the increased healthcare in your country or the rising sea levels in the low lying islands. But as long as you are happy that’s the main thing.

It's all or nothing. My citizens won't develop and will drive around in 90's Fiat models until the 2070's

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

To think any of what is going on in the occident is purely by chance is willful ignorance. Regardless of what your beliefs and preferences are, nothing about what is or has happened is by chance. It absolutely is intentional and strategically orchestrated and targeted directly at the setting sun. I’d focus on how we choose to deal with it. One thing is for certain. We can and will disagree but we cannot fracture.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Ugh; what a horror - I must say that I think that many - if not most - modern cars, or, more properly, vehicles, are extraordinarily ugly.

Perhaps the Edinburgh/Glasgow - or Glasgow/Edinburgh - rail trip was closer to 45-50 minutes; it was certainly a bit under an hour, but I was impressed with the frequency, punctuality and reliability of the service.

I tend to like boxier cars/trucks so the last few years have been enjoyable as I like that 90’ aesthetic and many vehicle manufacturers returned in part to it. With that being said, I am not a fan of some designs - like the Tesla truck for example. That is too much of a departure from a traditional “truck” for me. I hope they square it up a bit in future revisions. I like the vdubs of the past few years as well. Nice, relatively clean line design language etc.

 

[Hamdullah Retarderson]

It's 5:39 a.m. right now. I have 240 km to go to apply for my visa. Wish me luck

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

Ugh; what a horror - I must say that I think that many - if not most - modern cars, or, more properly, vehicles, are extraordinarily ugly.

Perhaps the Edinburgh/Glasgow - or Glasgow/Edinburgh - rail trip was closer to 45-50 minutes; it was certainly a bit under an hour, but I was impressed with the frequency, punctuality and reliability of the service.

I find that most modern cars are extraordinarily boring. They all look the same. Once upon a time, you could glance at a car and identify it as a Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Fiat(Coupe or Bambino), Wolseley, Datsun, Isuzu, Porsche, Jag or whatever. Now you have to find the badge to identify it. Except for the Porsche SUV, that looks like a fat elephant with wheels.
I saw a new Audi sports car today, it has copied the look of the re-born Mustangs. Again, I could only tell because of the four rings on the front.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I find that most modern cars are extraordinarily boring. They all look the same. Once upon a time, you could glance at a car and identify it as a Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Fiat(Coupe or Bambino), Wolseley, Datsun, Isuzu, Porsche, Jag or whatever. Now you have to find the badge to identify it. Except for the Porsche SUV, that looks like a fat elephant with wheels.
I saw a new Audi sports car today, it has copied the look of the re-born Mustangs. Again, I could only tell because of the four rings on the front.

Both boring and ugly, to my mind.

And hideously, horribly, identical.

Agreed: Perhaps I am showing my age, but I far preferred the motoring aesthetic of the 1990s, (the early 00s), and also, a some specific cars from earlier decades, a time, as you have already observed, when motoring marques actually differed from one another.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Both boring and ugly, to my mind.

And hideously, horribly, identical.

Agreed: Perhaps I am showing my age, but I far preferred the motoring aesthetic of the 1990s, (the early 00s), and also, a some specific cars from earlier decades, a time, as you have already observed, when motoring marques actually differed from one another.

The trouble is with modern cars the rules are much stricter. So regulations dictate a lot of what you can do.

One of the things I like about my i3 is that it looks different from many of the cars I see.

Also for a small car it’s much roomier on the inside than you might imagine. The monstrosity I drove about felt much smaller inside with its small windscreen and large centre console.

SUV’s are generally pretty hideous. I mean even the name. Sports utility vehicle.
It’s like saying you are having a diet Burger and chips or a professional entry level camera. It’s one thing or the other. Or just compromises and marketing blurb.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

I find that most modern cars are extraordinarily boring. They all look the same. Once upon a time, you could glance at a car and identify it as a Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Fiat(Coupe or Bambino), Wolseley, Datsun, Isuzu, Porsche, Jag or whatever. Now you have to find the badge to identify it. Except for the Porsche SUV, that looks like a fat elephant with wheels.
I saw a new Audi sports car today, it has copied the look of the re-born Mustangs. Again, I could only tell because of the four rings on the front.

Oh my, “a fat elephant on wheels” is a fantastic lol description of that car. Made me laugh when I read it anyhow. Everytime I get behind one of those in traffic, I’d think “woof! that thing looks like two pigs in a blanket”.

Just like with PC design language, the big car companies have coalesced their design language similarly which is a reaction to competitive market sales and we (all of us collectively) make those purchases, so is it not in large part an expression of our collective tastes? That’s how I look at it anyhow.

For the record I agree with preferring the 90s aesthetic. I much prefer the 80s- early 90s truck athletic so much so that I still drive one. We were making some awesome cars during that time!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The trouble is with modern cars the rules are much stricter. So regulations dictate a lot of what you can do.

One of the things I like about my i3 is that it looks different from many of the cars I see.

Also for a small car it’s much roomier on the inside than you might imagine. The monstrosity I drove about felt much smaller inside with its small windscreen and large centre console.

SUV’s are generally pretty hideous. I mean even the name. Sports utility vehicle.
It’s like saying you are having a diet Burger and chips or a professional entry level camera. It’s one thing or the other. Or just compromises and marketing blurb.

Yes, but the rules don't require motor manufacturers to make every car look almost identical, - similar, yes, (especially when platforms and some components have been shared across a line) not identical, no - and, moreover, in a way that grossly offends basic taste.

Moreover, for those of us who are somewhat short in stature, actually clambering into these ugly monstrosities calls for a degree of effort that older cars never required.

These days, one hardly ever sees what would once have been described as a standard saloon car - few marques even manufacture them any longer.

Years ago, there were some cars that I would see parked, and would stop, and stare at (lust after, indeed, at times), with a wistful, longing gaze, sometimes even chatting to their owners (or drivers) if they chanced to come by while I was gazing in mute adoration.

That has never happened with a modern car, and I cannot remember the last time it happened to me.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

The trouble is with modern cars the rules are much stricter. So regulations dictate a lot of what you can do.

One of the things I like about my i3 is that it looks different from many of the cars I see.

Also for a small car it’s much roomier on the inside than you might imagine. The monstrosity I drove about felt much smaller inside with its small windscreen and large centre console.

SUV’s are generally pretty hideous. I mean even the name. Sports utility vehicle.
It’s like saying you are having a diet Burger and chips or a professional entry level camera. It’s one thing or the other. Or just compromises and marketing blurb.

I used to be all about little, efficient cars. You can fit them anywhere, super efficient, great on gas etc (and part of me still is) until my mom n dad bought a Lincoln Corsair (sized similarly to a mini). They got into an accident (100% not their fault) and were hit on my mom’s side. The small size really did a bad job of dispersing the energy from that impact and hurt my mom pretty badly. She had a lot of repercussions from that accident for years afterward where as the other driver and passenger walked away without injury. They were driving a big ford.

After that I rethought my desire for a small compact and instead decided I wanted my family to have the biggest vehicle on the road. I want the energy from any potential accident to travel and disperse through the vehicle, not its occupants. It was really alarming how badly my mom got hurt from that impact in a compact car.

FYI, the i3 is such a neat design from BMW.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I used to be all about little, efficient cars. You can fit them anywhere, super efficient, great on gas etc (and part of me still is) until my mom n dad bought a Lincoln Corsair (sized similarly to a mini). They got into an accident (100% not their fault) and were hit on my mom’s side. The small size really did a bad job of dispersing the energy from that impact and hurt my mom pretty badly. She had a lot of repercussions from that accident for years afterward where as the other driver and passenger walked away without injury. They were driving a big ford.

After that I rethought my desire for a small compact and instead decided I wanted my family to have the biggest vehicle on the road. I want the energy from any potential accident to travel and disperse through the vehicle, not its occupants. It was really alarming how badly my mom got hurt from that impact in a compact car.

FYI, the i3 is such a neat design from BMW.

I hear what you are saying but that is the problem. People feel safe in their huge cars knowing they will be safe in an accident from other huge cars. But if people drove smaller ones there would be a lot less need to size up if you know what I mean.

 

[scubachap]

Also, I wonder if leasing has something to do with it here in the UK. Larger cars from the up market manufacturers tend to hold their value more so as leasing tends to work with the depreciation costs, rather than the upfront purchase cost it sort of makes sense for everyone to upsell - you don't pay a huge amount more for a much fancier and bigger car then you would a smaller car from a more budget brand as they depreciate faster.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Also, I wonder if leasing has something to do with it here in the UK. Larger cars from the up market manufacturers tend to hold their value more so as leasing tends to work with the depreciation costs, rather than the upfront purchase cost it sort of makes sense for everyone to upsell - you don't pay a huge amount more for a much fancier and bigger car then you would a smaller car from a more budget brand as they depreciate faster.

EV’s depreciate the fastest. Trust me I know! Bigger is not always better. Only really suits those that spend their lives on the motorways. On the country lanes and in town, small cars rule supreme.

 

[JackAHyde]

I'm really liking Vimium C so far, although it feels a little inconsistent with commands at times.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

I hear what you are saying but that is the problem. People feel safe in their huge cars knowing they will be safe in an accident from other huge cars. But if people drove smaller ones there would be a lot less need to size up if you know what I mean.

I do not follow this logic. Everyone should drive small cars? What about larger families? Should they drive two small cars? Or not at all? No, of course not. There is inherent risk in life and that is ok. We cannot stop this and attempting to bubblewrap and handcuff society to mitigate said risk is the last thing we should do. My choice to drive a large vehicle for my 5person family is not a problem. It is pragmatic responsibility in action. Acknowledging the real risk of tiny cars in a diverse car size world and making choices to improve safety for those I love and am responsible for is never a problem.

If a small cars is right for your situation and you are ok with the added risk in collision, then by all means move forward as it is the best choice for you. It is not for us.

On a side note, I did convince my parents to get a *slightly* larger car lol after they realized my mom was not going to die from the new health concerns post collision.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I do not follow this logic. Everyone should drive small cars? What about larger families? Should they drive two small cars? Or not at all? No, of course not. There is inherent risk in life and that is ok. We cannot stop this and attempting to bubblewrap and handcuff society to mitigate said risk is the last thing we should do. My choice to drive a large vehicle for my 5person family is not a problem. It is pragmatic responsibility in action. Acknowledging the real risk of tiny cars in a diverse car size world and making choices to improve safety for those I love and am responsible for is never a problem.

I convinced my parents to get a *slightly* larger car lol after they realized my mom was not going to die.

Most journeys are taken by a single person.

I’m not saying everyone should get a small car. But cars are getting bigger and bigger whilst family sizes are getting smaller. That doesn’t make sense. A bigger vehicle takes more energy to move (whatever the power source).
There is a compromise between huge cars and small cars. Medium cars!

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Most journeys are taken by a single person.

I’m not saying everyone should get a small car. But cars are getting bigger and bigger whilst family sizes are getting smaller. That doesn’t make sense. A bigger vehicle takes more energy to move (whatever the power source).
There is a compromise between huge cars and small cars. Medium cars!

Compromise is good and I think the economics of big cars & fuel costs alone will eventually push single drivers to smaller vehicles or outright to EV or even public transit in some spaces. It’s slower going here in the states than say in Europe as our costs per gallon while not cheap, is not nearly at a point to cause dramatic shift to EV but it will happen eventually I don’t doubt that. Even as simply as EV folks shrinking the CE market as more n more plug in and become grid dependent, at a point they will converge. I wonder if I’ll see this in my life time. I don’t think so truthfully but maybe I will.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Compromise is good and I think the economics of big cars & fuel costs alone will eventually push single drivers to smaller vehicles or outright to EV or even public transit in some spaces. It’s slower going here in the states than say in Europe as our costs per gallon while not cheap, is not nearly at a point to cause dramatic shift to EV but it will happen eventually I don’t doubt that. Even as simply as EV folks shrinking the CE market as more n more plug in and become grid dependent, at a point they will converge. I wonder if I’ll see this in my life time. I don’t think so truthfully but maybe I will.

I think it will definitely happen in your lifetime. Personally I could never go back to a petrol car. EV’s are just so much more pleasant to drive and convenient.

 

[rm5]

I have a great group of kids this week (not that I've ever had a bad group but these ones in particular are really amazing). They have the songs perfectly down for tomorrow's concert. In fact, they learn so fast that we had 10 minutes to spare at the end of rehearsal. The guitarist was playing the groove to "Road Song" by Wes Montgomery, so I taught all four of them that tune. Didn't expect to do any jazz (this is mainly rock and roll), but that was great. And they enjoyed it, too.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I have a great group of kids this week (not that I've ever had a bad group but these ones in particular are really amazing). They have the songs perfectly down for tomorrow's concert. In fact, they learn so fast that we had 10 minutes to spare at the end of rehearsal. The guitarist was playing the groove to "Road Song" by Wes Montgomery, so I taught all four of them that tune. Didn't expect to do any jazz (this is mainly rock and roll), but that was great. And they enjoyed it, too.

I have long thought that teaching was (is) terrific fun - and can be incredibly fulfilling - when you have enthusiastic - and interested, and passionate - students.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Still 30 degrees here. I had hoped it might call down a little but alas no joy. Going to be a long weekend with not much activity after 9 am.