Small change or paradigm shift

I'm easily attracted to new gizmos. Granted, with the help of low salary and debt I manage to avoid them (now I think of it - wouldn't a proper SLR digital camera be neat?). Yesterday I played with Google gadgets for spreadsheets (see the money pile in the lower right or the dial gauge above.) I came to the realization that so far my modest spending has approached $200 for getting the ancient Bianchi up to commuting. * I still have corroded spokes and old tires, and the gears in the back have so many worn and missing teeth that they would be more at home in a hockey locker room than a pelaton. I think it will be another $100- $200 before we are well set (near freewheel, tool, spokes, spoke wrench and tires). This means the so called savings from not using gas will take an entire year to see. And this is using an old, out of date bike not buying new. We are moving away from significant savings of fuel and money and into upkeep of another vehicle. See the post by libertarian Eleutheros (free man) in http://milesfrombabylon.blogspot.com/2008/01/every-little-bit-helps-right.html - post that challenges our actions that are in all "good intentions." If they aren't really meaningful (he ends with paradigm shifting as a goal) they are merely poor economic choices. If biking causes me to slow down and be more mindful perhaps it is good choice.

*Headlight, fenders, oil, new cage, stirrup straps, spare tube, tools (tire irons), tape for handle bars, new helmet

Tipping Point

Cousin John suggested The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (2002). The general idea was there were mixtures of message and conditions that lead to dramatic change, even if the message and conditions change only by a little bit. The idea of biking to work seems to fit this. The gas prices went up and the spring was beautiful. Now, we'll see if the idea of biking is "sticky" - that is does the action stay after people trying it out. (The message was broken down into who sends it, how well they communicate it and how well connected they were. An idea said into a dark cave doesn't go anywhere, there are those well connected people who can share a good idea, and there are those people who often have well researched ideas, or are perceived as experts or "cool") Plenty of people can see bike commuters. Plenty of people have the opportunity to bike (a safe route of 45 minutes riding or so and an old bike). If the conditions make it worthwhile people will bike. But now gas has dropped, and the weather is supposed to be lousy this winter (according to Almanac).

While I didn't find the writing in the book inspiring, I read it in a night. Perhaps exciting, well phrased essays are over-sold. There were a few stories that were compelling. One was of a story about (p163) John Darley and Daniel Batson, Princeton University psychologists who studied students at the Princeton Theological Seminary. They had some seminarians read the good Samaritan story, then sent them off to give a short talk. One half of the students were told they were late to present and 1/2 were told to take their time. The best predictor for if the seminarians stopped to help an actor in an alley who was coughing and groaning was if they were in a rush. (Other variables, like why one went into the seminary were considered)
I wonder if the condition of riding a bike will help our community. Neighbor Gabe joked that I'll never be able to ride as I am rushing along at 70 most mornings. We'll see.

Not regular at posting

Went blueberry picking with Ms. Buzzard and kids yesterday. (10 mile loop) Wife had daughter with a trailer bike, son took the trailer with me (so we could carry the berries and lunch/snack). Son fell asleep on the way there. It was a good thing we didn't have him on his trailer bike. He falls solidly asleep where ever he is. Wife and daughter had saddle issues, maybe adjusting their
seats is a good idea. Wife wants a new seat. We were spread out a bit (seemed safer that way)
Wife got a yahoo to yell at her about getting on the side walk.

After that we went to the beach, took the trailer and there was some reluctance from son in particular. Had a great time, but there was a prank phone call that gave wife the willies. Came back partly for company and re taped handle bars.

Went blueberry picking the next day by myself. It is about a ten mile loop. I guess I don't really want to blog about the details of biking.