Everyone seems to think they’re a great driver but your scuffed bumper might disagree. How can we learn to improve our driving in the age of infinite distractions? Do you even need to own a car these days? We’re talking with Jalopnik writer Kristen Lee about cars in the city, safer driving, and virtues of manual transmissions.
Listen above or find us in all the usual places where podcasts are served, including iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, and NPR One. Please subscribe, rate, and review!
This Week’s Discussion
Driving in the 21st century ain’t what it used to be. So many of us in the city don’t even own a car, instead relying on apps like Uber and Lyft when we need a ride or Zipcar for longer errands. Kristen admits that even though she’s a car nut, a lot of us don’t really need one. (Of course, it’s a whole different conversation depending on where you live.)
But for those of us who do drive, how the heck can we improve? A lot of it simply comes down to paying attention. Paying attention to where every other driver on the road intends to go, and paying attention to how your own actions will be interpreted by the drivers around you. Kristen recommends you look at a driver’s eyes, as their gaze will tell you what direction they intend to go regardless of their blinker (or lack thereof). And modern cars are replete with sensors and cameras but don’t put too much faith in their ability to alert you. A nervous robot isn’t always the best copilot.
Listen to the show to hear about how Kristen became interested in cars herself, the future of self-driving vehicles, and my emotional confession of never learning to drive stick. (It’s fine, whatever. Fine unless I want to take a road trip in Europe.)
Our Upgrades of the Week
Every week we like to round out the show with the little upgrades we’ve made in our own life. This week we’re talking shame, comfort, and toys.
Kristen: Kristen learned that shame is a great motivator to go to the gym. Kristen! Shame doesn’t sound like the most pleasant motivational life hack but she’s being her own tough boss.
Melissa: Melissa has rediscovered the wonders of a heating pad. A heating pad can alleviate both mind and body of all sores and woes. Maybe not your mind but it sure is comfy. Kristen recommends sitting on it like a hen sitting on a nest—if the nest were warming the hen. A reverse chicken, basically.
Andy: Myself, I treated myself to a model kit. I don’t really care about the end product that much; it’s the process that relaxes me, the careful, methodic assembling of an intricate object. My current project is a Strandbeest model kit.
How Do I Submit a Question?
There are two ways to send in your question:
Call (347) 687-8109 and record a question. Calls are awesome! We like them, and may play yours on the show!
Email your question to [email protected].
Please keep your questions as brief as possible. This means about 3-5 sentences for emails and 30-60 seconds for calls and videos. Your questions can be specific, but broader questions are generally better because they’ll apply to more people. Either way, we look forward to hearing from you.