Why are people in cars so often jerk-weeds?
I have one theory; driving is anonymous. It’s sort of like the web; if no-one knows who you are, it gives some people (a minority) a chance to act like a dill-hole. I’m sure that you’re totally famillair with the idea.
To take it a little further, I think that big cities have lead to the downfall of any sort of “community” feeling. Phoenix is big enough that pretty much anywhere I drive, I’m surrounded by people I’ve never seen before, and probably will never see again. That means that there is little chance that there is a consequence for being jerkly.
Imagine that you lived in a community, where most everyone knew everyone else. Sure, your business would be out in the open, but it would add another layer of accountability to the situation. Act like a bastard, and chances are that you’d be embarassing yourself and your family once word got back to them.
Am I saying we should all live in sheltered little towns where everybody watches everybody else? Not at all. But I do feel like our communities have eroded to a point that our only cultural currencies are television, sports, and election propaganda.
- Daniel
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Amen.
I think Driving is such a solo thing, that people drive only for their purpose. When I’m going to the store, I think “I’m going to the store” and my mind is built on, getting to that store. I don’t care if the guy behind me is going to Canada, or the car next to me is going somewhere else, the only thing I care about is how I’m getting to my destination. Mind you I’m not a huge jerk-weed on the road, but I have a little jerk-weed in me.
Too true. Too true.
Well said. People feel so insulated in their cars too, everyone in their own little mobile microcosm.
I agree about there being little lasting consequence for being a total jerk while driving. What’s funny though is even in big cities I’ve heard friends share about their huge driving jerk-a-tude and they usually end with “And then I saw that person at church….and it was akward.”
It’s funny how many people seem to think that they are invisible inside of their cars. I’ve seen a lot of people who seem to not think I can see them picking their nose, or singing like they’re on broadway… oh wait. That’s me.
I’m usually too busy texting to pay attention to those around me.
Just kidding. I’ve always thought it would be nice to have video cameras mounted to your dash so you could record a video people speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, tailgating, road rage etc, etc…and upload that video to the proper authorities. But I guess that would be to “big brother-ish”. Might make people think before they acted though.
I call them “ME PEOPLE”. The ones that “take cuts” or in general feel that they are more important then everyone else who waited patiently in line. As you say, if we new everyone, we would be able to discuss driving with the me people, but as they are anonymous…all we can do is make gestures to their tail lights.