Comments on: When the world was powered by the black fuel.

When the world was powered by the black fuel.

nervousfritz — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:05:19 -0800

t r a c t o r p u l l s and d e m o l i t i o n d e r b i e s. Music, a bar graph, and a clown [youtube]

By: Ohdemah

Ohdemah — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:17:07 -0800

You mean coffee? Now this post makes sense.

By: anthill

anthill — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:32:51 -0800

Anyone want to give an executive summary? It could be as simple as 'g c p m r', there's just too many letters to click on!

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:34:20 -0800

I can't believe we still don't have the img tag.

By: T.D. Strange

T.D. Strange — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:37:17 -0800

What about NASCAR?

By: Holy foxy moxie batman!

Holy foxy moxie batman! — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:37:56 -0800

Holy You Tube Batman!

By: nervousfritz

nervousfritz — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:43:55 -0800

Consider the two sets of links, one of which is linked to by the letters of "tractor pulls" and the other of which is linked to by the letters of "demolition derbies" both to be sets in which any member is as good a representative as any other member. Thus to get an understanding of either set you need only click on one of the links comprising it. Why the high number of links in either case? Any of the links would suitably signify the concept involved. By collecting a large number of interchangeable links of the same type and quality, it also signifies a type of currency of the societal or cultural representation of the concept. That is, I am not merely saying "Look, people videotape firebreathing tractors pulling large and heavy objects," but I am saying that "people all over the country frequently gather to witness spectacles of firebreathing tractors pulling heavy objects." I also imply, "this is like a fad, a subculture, a typically American ritual of community." The other links should be easier to click on and therefore to interpret, I hope.

By: LordSludge

LordSludge — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:48:00 -0800

I'm at work, and can't really indulge the YouTube orgy, but I *think* this post is implying that redneck motorsports (and, by extension, ALL motorsports) are a tremendous waste of gas. Of course they are only a symbolic, highly visible waste of gas. The real waste is in transporting the audience there. Professional sports, music concerts, stand-up comedy... basically any events that require gathering people by motor-power are a much bigger waste than tractor pulls & demo derbies. Therefore, all events with an audience should be banned, post-haste.

By: cgc373

cgc373 — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:15:27 -0800

Hear, hear, LordSludge! If we can't perceive an event remotely, off with its head! I mean, our heads! Though I haven't clicked the links—making me an asshole in some sense—I consider my non-clicking to be in line with the postmodern spirit nervousfritz has espoused above, and therefore, in line with the Whole Thrust of Modernity as She Is Writ these sad days, in this sad land, tractor-pulled and breathing fire though it may. To what does "it" refer in my final pathetic sentence? Dunno.

By: mert

mert — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:28:40 -0800

Boy, that clown video is priceless.

By: LordSludge

LordSludge — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:30:50 -0800

Yes. You see, when I want to be entertained, I simply close my eyes and imagine I'm there. It's almost as good, and saves all kinds of gas. Or maybe this post is a commentary on the sort of anachronisms we'll miss in 50 years, when publicly pissing away oil is no longer socially acceptable. I kinda like that angle. From tractor pulls and lawnmower racing to formula one and offshore powerboat racing, motorsports as we know them may well cease to exist. That's.... deep. Or something.

By: bhouston

bhouston — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:45:17 -0800

New York is the lowest per capita in terms of gas consumption. Could this be in part a result of the extreme reliance on mass transit in NYC where much of the population is concentrated? Could be. I notice that Washington DC is also very low in terms of gas per capita.

By: roll truck roll

roll truck roll — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:16:54 -0800

LordSludge is right. The whole "tractor pulls = conspicuous consumption" argument is thinly veiled classism, if veiled at all. Q. Why do NASCAR ratings go up during collisions? A. Because that's when you're watching it, you condescending blue-state prick.

By: Burhanistan

Burhanistan — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 17:26:10 -0800

Shouldn't time making posts like this be spent day trading?

By: LordSludge

LordSludge — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:23:21 -0800

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not much of a tractor-pull fan or anything (never even been to an event), but if you're any sort of a gear-head, it's impossible NOT to appreciate some of the machinery. I mean: 36 cylinder radial engines? multiple alcohol-burning V-12s? gas turbines??? Power levels approaching 10,000 horsepower. C'mon, a little respect! It's kinda like Nascar or NHRA drag racing to me: I don't really enjoy watching it, but I sure as shit respect the skill it takes to build such a beast and the talent it takes to pilot it. And, c'mon... who here hasn't at one point wanted to be in a demolition derby? I know I'd jump at the chance. Now if you'll scuse me, I gotta go wash the dawgs and slaughter me a pig fer supper...

By: Eideteker

Eideteker — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:01:12 -0800

I think I would like most of the links in this post, but it's hard to tell. MeTa.