6/14/2005: Naked Madrid bike ride

[mrnoodle]

Originally Posted by BigV

They're all wearing shoes, too. Tell me again why that diminishes their point? They want you to PAY ATTENTION to their message, "ride a bike, don't drive a car" and to get that attention, they uncovered enough skin to get it. Do you interpret this "exception" to nakedness as hypocrisy and discard their views accordingly?

Does HM have all your sensors set to obliterate today?

Nah, I'm always that way about environmentalists. I just usually filter it. The point of their message has nothing to do with cars, or you would see that many people on their bikes every day. Their message is, "look how edgy and politically active I am. Now that I've done this, I can live normally until the next left-wing cattle call." Five'll get you ten that at least half of em own SUVs.

Oh, but to answer your point, the joke was that their heads were their least valuable body parts, and if they were going to wear protective gear, they might have covered, say, their sweaty nasty balls.

[Griff]

Unlike most naked protests these folks look decent doing it. I don't really want to see the naked SUV driver protest. Even this nut from the lower right quadrant gets it. Our addiction to automobiles isn't doing us or the planet a great deal of good. I understand that the car is all about freedom and opportunity. I live in the boonies and cycling to work is work. However, bikes don't have nearly the social cost of cars. If we are going to subsidize gas to the tune of 1704 dead enlisted men, maybe widening the odd bike lane isn't that big a deal to make cycling available to folks it makes sense for.

[russotto]

Originally Posted by Griff

If we are going to subsidize gas to the tune of 1704 dead enlisted men, maybe widening the odd bike lane isn't that big a deal to make cycling available to folks it makes sense for.

Forget the bike lane, we need weather control. I don't want to bicycle one mile in 90 degree heat, let alone the ten it would take to get to/from work. Not even naked. (eww, I'd have to burn the seat afterwards)

[jtm]

Originally Posted by mrnoodle

Nah, I'm always that way about environmentalists. I just usually filter it. The point of their message has nothing to do with cars, or you would see that many people on their bikes every day.

Just because they don't live that way everyday doesn't mean their message or actions are invalid. What do you care about? our country? our troops? does each day in your life revolve around your passions? By your logic, unless you are [ed.] constantly active for your passions, then you are a poser as you claim these cyclists to be. Worse if you have no passions and are futilely heckling from sidelines at those courageous enough to act for what they care about.

Their message is, "look how edgy and politically active I am. Now that I've done this, I can live normally until the next left-wing cattle call." Five'll get you ten that at least half of em own SUVs.

I'd love to take that bet. For one thing, SUVs are virtually non-existent in Europe compared to the US. Maybe one in 20 vehicles at most. But your point is hypocrisy, I know. On what basis do you judge environmentalists as hypocrites? Because some don't consume their life with it? Again, do you consume your life with your passions?

Oh, but to answer your point, the joke was that their heads were their least valuable body parts, and if they were going to wear protective gear, they might have covered, say, their sweaty nasty balls.

Their head may be the most valuable but if you have been on a bike recently you'd know their feet would hurt the most moment to moment, since pedals, especially clipless pedals, aren't designed for barefeet comfort.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Damn, jtm. You sure got a lot more out of his post than I did.

[mrnoodle]

Originally Posted by jtm

blahblahblah

Yeah, yeah. I got mixed up on my continents as far as the SUV thing, so I'd lose my bet. But those people aren't displaying courage or passion. They're displaying their naughty bits. It's called exhibitionism, and it doesn't "raise awareness" about anything other than perhaps the psychology of herd mentality.

Let's look at the post-game numbers:

Number of people who will stop driving their cars because their consciences were so pricked by the courage and passion of the demonstrators: 0
Number of dollars donated to environmental causes: 0
Number of spotted owls saved: 0
Number of jokes about ass-scented bicycle seats: 15.3 bazillion

Everyone is aware of the existence of bicycles and the fact that they don't pollute. No one learned anything new. People drive their cars because they WANT to drive their cars.

Pooooooooooooooooserrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs.