Re: [Harp-L] harping while driving

[Derwood <derwood.blues@xxxxxxxxx>]

"Reality is:
ANYthing you're doing WHILE operating a moving car is a moment away from
killing  yourself, your passengers and anyone else out on the road at the
same
time. Is  playing your harmonica while driving worth that? None of us want
to
believe it  since we all think we're the exception to the rule and that
WE're
the one who  can multitask. Statistics as well as anecdotal evidence prove
we're all wrong."

I think that we as American's have lost an understanding of statistics. They
are so often used poorly. My favorite example is the fact that breast fed
babies are smarter than formula fed babies, therefore breast feed. Well
actually the "fact" has more to do with the socioeconomic groups that tend
to breastfeed and not breastfeed, than the effects of breast milk on babies.
How about every year 1 in 5 (this is made up based on data I once heard) men
are victims of violent crimes with hand guns. I have lived 43 years and this
has never happened to me. Why? Because men in certain urban areas are
victims a few times a year. The statistics are only informative if all the
facts and variables are considered. Usually this is impossible.

The fact that most accidents are related to "distracting behaviors" should
be obvious. But the other side would be the number of distracting moments in
proportion to the number of distracting moments that result in accidents. I
would guess that we are pretty safe.

So, let's be reasonable. We should all avoid distraction in our driving. But
if you are going to be a "distraction nazi" then please do not talk to
anyone, listen to any conversation, change your radio station, ... Please,
without using any distracting timing systems, make sure you time your mirror
use so that it is reduces the potential for distractions. Please get out of
the left lane!

In the right circumstances playing harmonica may reduce distractions. On a
long trip it can keep you awake and aware when your mind may wander. My mind
wanders.all the time. I also tend to focus too much on driving and getting
where I am going as quickly and efficiently as I can. Playing harmonica
distracts me from that pursuit and I drive with more space in front of me
and a more consistent speed.

Texting takes your eyes off the road. Playing harmonica does not. And if I
am pulled over because a police officer thinks that my harmonica is a phone,
I have to wonder what he thought I was doing with my phone. Unless you have
perfected circular breathing our your ear, it is unlikely that you will hold
a harmonica in the same way as you hold a phone. I often wonder if when
holding my harmonica an the steering wheel, (going around corners with two
hands on the wheel) if it looks like a gun in my hand.



Derwood (the exception to the rule)