Hiromi_X
Thoughts on machines
I've always placed humans in opposition to machines. To me, humans are supposed to be of Nature, and by inventing and relying on machines, we have somehow betrayed our true character. During the Industrial Revolution, we lost our souls forever. Of course I realize that machines make our lives more comfortable, but I've always thought that this came at a cost: alienation from our true selves. Even musical instruments powered by electricity seem less authentic to me, as do cameras relative to the brush or pen or chisel.
But then I rode a motorcycle and all bets are off.
In my limited experience with them, I've changed my attitude toward machines. I made a lot of progress toward mastering them in the short hours I've spent with motorcycles so far. No, I'm not deluded enough to think I'm heading for the race track as soon as my new motorcycle is delivered. But the progress I made was significant: I went from a fascinated ambivalence all the way to love toward...a machine. Toward the end of the lessons, I was "leaning the heck out of the motorcycle" (my instructor's words) while making a tight corner. The machine was slowly starting to feel like a part of me.
This is a little disturbing to me. I kept thinking of Tetsuo: the Iron Man. But that silliness aside, the thrilling feeling of conquering or mastering something is alien to me. In pursuits such as yoga or other sports I've engaged in, the thrill derives from becoming closer to your own body and fitting into it better. I never approached these activities in terms of conquering and controlling my own body or mind. I've always felt like I was becoming more and more me. Also, the notion of "conquer" or "master" has always been associated with the destruction of nature or the oppression of human beings. Maybe that sounds extreme to many people, but somehow, this point of view has become ingrained in me.
I know there are inconsistencies in my beliefs. For instance, I believe that the pursuit of knowledge in the form of science or philosophy is a large part of what makes us human. But the conversion of knowledge into technology -- I'm ambivalent toward that at best.
It was also strange to find myself in sympathy with something I've always considered an opponent. Throughout my life, I thought people who are into cars or whatnot were completely batty. I even pitied them for being so enraptured with things. Inanimate, soulless things. Despite my atheistic leanings, I feel sympathy with animist religions that recognize the sacredness of nature. But machines? Hell no. Seriously, I resist technology as much as I can. Sure, I succumb from time to time -- I did buy a cell phone after all. But now I'm thinking that creating machines is a part of what makes us human.
I can't wait for my machine to arrive later this month. We're going to bond, this machine and I, and I can't wait to get good enough to ride the beautiful, hilly, twisty roads of FM 2222 here in Austin.
Comments
I'll admit up front - I'm a gadget freak. But there are machines I bond with and machines I don't. I can't explain what it is, but there are planes I've bonded with, and planes I couldn't. I've bonded with one car, but not any of the others I've owned.
But I've bonded with all my motorcycles, although none as strongly as my first.
I think the key is responsiveness - does the machine do what I'm expecting it to do? Most sport bikes excel at that, and cruisers don't, which may explain my preferences. If you do something, and the machine responds in exactly the way you expected, it's easy to think of it as an extension of yourself.
1. Posted by Tina Marie on July 8, 2007
I tend to think of it as if the machine age was about extensions of the body and the digital age is about extensions of the central nervous system. There's a kinesthetic beauty to machines. I'm currently saving up for a typewriter and a rotary phone. I've also had conversations with my gearhead relatives about just how beautiful the old Ducati motorcycles are.
2. Posted by rufus on July 8, 2007
what bike are you getting ,my first bike was a 550 honda four ,new in 1976,i took that bike all the way to prince edward island canada that year. .the love of motorcycles hit me hard thirty years ago and has never let up.i rode my 04 suzuki dl 1000 to work today,tomorrow i'll ride my 06 triumph scrambler. don't let anyone say "be careful" that's bad ju-ju.the correct thing to say is "ride like an asshole"
3. Posted by gene on July 9, 2007
When an artist paints, or a sculptor sculpts, that's a form of technology, too. Who found the pigments and refined them to make the colors to apply to the canvas? Who forged the steel so that the chisel can carve the marble, enabling the artist to express her feelings and communicate with us?
A lot of technology does alienate/insulate us from ourselves. A lot of the stuff that we surround ourselves with has no real purpose for its existence other than to provide an income for those who make it and sell it to us, and it just weighs us down. It makes me think of the ghost of Jacob Marley: "I wear the chains I forged in life."
And yet a well made tool or machine can be satisfying in and of itself. When you feel that attachment to your bike or your car or your laptop(or your mixer, ;-)), when it becomes not just a thing you use but something more, it is then when the designer's purpose has enhanced your existence. That's good technology.
Enjoy your new ride!
4. Posted by Joe on July 10, 2007
Tina, I find myself drawn toward sportbikes. They just seem more fun.
I better bond with this machine, since I'm going to be doing all the routine maintenance on it.
Rufus, I kind of miss the sounds of those kinds of machine. You have to watch old movies with office scenes to hear the sound of typewriters and rotary phones. It's neat.
Gene, I'm getting a Ninja 250, and I most certainly will break a leg. ;p
Joe, my motorcycle definitely won't be a "thing." It's gonna be my only way to get around except for my feet. Plus, I like that it's just about the cheapest "real" bike you can buy. Somehow, that makes it less like a "thing" to me. I guess because it's not a vanity purchase.
5. Posted by Hiromi on July 10, 2007