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Sepoys on the dark side of the Moon
India may not seem to lie within the remit of this column, but bear with me. Britain’s ex-colony — which seems to be a description that fits a lot of nations now outpacing the old country — has just landed a spacecraft on the Moon, although it has not been confirmed whether, in line with Indian trains, there were dozens of people hanging off its hull. (more…)
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A few weeks ago, after I had just completed an essay that touched on the unequal distribution of interest in machines across racial groups (and in which I referred specifically to the demonstrable lack of African interest in engines), I was in the mood to watch a car show. Netflix has many options in that line, and I just happened to choose Tex Mex Motors, a show about a group of mechanics who set up shop on the Mexican border in El Paso, Texas. (more…)
1,619 words
“Compensating for something?”
I heard the voice behind me while walking out to my car after work. (more…)
Irish hurling
Irish hurling
668 words / 2:28:04
Long-time friend of the show Pox Populi was the special guest on the latest broadcast of The Writers’ Bloc with host Nick Jeelvy to discuss the situation with the Dutch farmer protests, as well as answer your questions, and it is now available for download and online listening. (more…)
Perhaps the most classic car of all: the Model T.
Perhaps the most classic car of all: the Model T.
1,168 words
By temperament and by instinct I have a need for the superfluous. — Gabriele d’Annunzio
For many of us, cars are no more than devices necessary for getting from point A to B. They can become a real burden, crushing their owners with payments while rapidly depreciating in value. (more…)
La Jamais Contente, the first electric car, designed in 1899.
La Jamais Contente, the first electric car, designed in 1899.
1,279 words
“Failure of the experts is always an endearing spectacle.” — Nicolás Gómez Davila
At last year’s “virtual” Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, General Motors’ (GM) dominatrix, Mary Barra, outlined a dystopian vision in more detail than ever before. (more…)
The 1923 Fiat Mefistofele, a revolutionary car design for its day which inspired the imaginations of motorists and designers worldwide.
The 1923 Fiat Mefistofele, a revolutionary car design for its day which inspired the imaginations of motorists and designers worldwide.
1,290 words
“We declare that the splendor of the world has been enriched by a new beauty: the beauty of speed. A racing automobile with its bonnet adorned with great tubes like serpents with explosive breath . . . a roaring motor car which seems to run on machine-gun fire is more beautiful than the Victory of Samothrace.” — Filippo Tommaso Marinetti (more…)