Audi-bly Ignorant

Auto maker Audi ran a television spot a few months ago that brought appreciation and laughs including my own.  Have a quick look: Audi Goodnight Ad.

Based on the Goodnight Moon children's book, this ad poked fun of the artificial and stuffy factors that the buying public has been made to believe come with buying a traditional luxury car.  In other words, Audi wanted you to step away from stereotypes and think on your own about why something is deemed great.

What a difference a few months can make.

Audi is now running an advertising campaign lately titled "The Best".   Here's an example ad that is getting a LOT of airplay during the baseball championship series:

True Greatness Should Never Go Unrecognized

The Scotman officially is declaring this second ad as a dislike.  This ad promotes pretentiousness.   Why can't someone like art by Vermeer just because they like the color yellow?  Why must someone know all the intricate details about something in order to "prove" their affinity or appreciation?  Since when is it not good enough to simply appreciate a car for being a car or the way it looks instead of the way it drives?   Don't get me wrong, Audi makes a fine product.  My beef is with the way the agency chose to marginalize those that step back and appreciate things for simple rather than complex or heavily researched reasons.  

The ad, just screams the stereotype of a snooty buyer obsessed with outdoing the neighbor in things they decide to buy or have in their lives.   Everyone's got their own passions, and some may really enjoy researching every last detail to determine that the Audi, on paper and to them, is true greatness.  Sure the folks that learn more about the car may appreciate it for more reasons, but then so does the guy on the production line.   Don't look down at those that choose the same car (or anything) for entirely their own (and likely different) reasons.  

Perhaps I'm a rare consumer, but I prefer the seller to let me figure out why I like their service or product. Be it a  car, art, or even some wine...if my reasons for buying a bottle aren't good enough for the seller, well then, I surely will find another cellar.  

Pedal Users - Pushy Types and Pushing Types

I'm not a commuter. Or rather, I prefer not to spend much time simply commuting.  I'm constantly looking for new ways to cut minutes, even seconds from the commute, as I can't stand spending more time than necessary alone in a car sucking in fumes and burning dinosaur bones.  

I blame this entirely on the lucky fact that I needed to ride a school bus just one of 12 years of my schooling.  I was the guy that rode a bike when I couldn't walk, and sometimes I'd even run places during college to minimize the time I spent in locomotion.  I just can't stand wasting time, unless time wasting is my intent.   Sure, there are distractions in a car based commute like a radio, a conversation with a friend, etc, but I'd just rather do those things while not driving.

Earlier this week, I left my house recalling just how great it was to ride my bike to work.   I did this as part of national bike to work day recently, and it really was surprisingly fast and easy...and not as sweaty as imagined.   Anyway, as I went through the routine of the car commute this week- news radio on, checking messages, etc - I noticed a cyclist in my rear view mirror.   As I slowed to the first stop sign, he passed by me, and I noted his commuting gear.  The guy was decked out in the breathable yet weather proof gear that said I'm a serious pedal commuter.   I reviewed his ride - a fast yet resilient cross bike- and wondered where this guy was headed.

I went about my 16 mile drive to the office, winding through the first 2 traffic lights.  I was shocked to see Charlie Commuter closing in as I sat at the red light.  I kinda felt like a soccer player, waiting out a red card, as he again caught up and passed me.  He made the very turn I was planning to make ahead, so I continued on, pushing my own pedal on the right harder to catch him.   I had 240 horsepower, and he had just .2, so this was not even going to be close.  

I made it a mission to get past this guy, yet I hit a few construction issues that I tried to divert, but only found wrong turns, etc as a result.  I even pulled a few "rolling stops" and was definitely in violation of speed limits a few times.  I tried changing lanes, I tried staying in the same lane, if it seemed it might help, I tried it.


4 miles later, as I finally hit the freeway, guess who was spotted pedaling across the park just in front of me.  Commuter Ken may have used some advantages, but he stayed on course and didn't let distractions weigh on his decisions.   I was happy to concede the victory, with the loss forcing my thoughts again to following his lead and trading in 4 wheels for 2 tomorrow.  I also thought of how much more stress I had needlessly added to my already un-awesome commute.

More importantly, it reminded me of a great life principle embodied loosely by this experience - Forcing an unnatural fate gets one an unhappy fate.   Allowing life to flow allows you to get "there" first, and without the drama. 

A famous quotation that goes way way back in time is something I think of often

-"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."- Lao Tzu

However, this is not to be confused with just sitting back on the saddle and pedalling aimlessly - "Fate is for those too weak to determine their own destiny" - Kamran Hamid

And one last one to close this special philosophical edition of the blog...
"Life is like a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep on moving." - Albert Einstein