How fast is "fast enough"

    Ever since I first learned to drive one truth has been self evident.   No matter how fast you drive, somebody will want to pass you.  This question is not about them.  They are welcome...nay encouraged to answer it, as is everybody, but this question is about the self.  How fast do you think is fast enough?  or as I am currently answering (well explaining, to be followed by answering) the question, how fast is fast enough for me.   The answer seems to be temporal in nature.  I have found that over the course of years, I have gone through several stages of relationship with the speed limit.  From thwarting it at every opportunity, just because I could, to strict and fierce adherence.   What can I say...people change, they are changing all the time, and I am no exception.   

    I am typing this in April of 2020, at my desk in my home in Donald, OR,  USA.    It is a unique time because much of the country is not commuting, which has freed up the highways and byways.  Those of us who are still commuting have found fewer restrictions from other people, and much more freedom to find a comfortable speed for us.  There are still police officers pulling people over, so the sky is NOT the limit, but within the buffers of the legal system, there is space for every person to drive at a personally comfortable speed.  My personal comfort speed is 70 miles per hour.  At least on the Freeway, I am happy to drive 70mph all day long.   In my state most posted freeway speeds are 55-65 mph, although a couple of years ago I found in the very rural areas, it does go up to 70 mph.   I find when there is space, if I set the speedometer to 70 mph, it's fast enough that I feel efficient, but I do not fear getting a ticket, or being a hazard to others.  obviously, I cannot drive that fast during a typical morning commute.  But with lessened traffic 70 mph works.  I don't like it for rural highways.  Where the speed limit is typically 55 mph, sometimes 45.  For that I don't like to go above 60 mph, and am happy to stay at 55.  The primary reason is that there are a lot more unknowns on the rural roads.  Deer, joggers, bicyclists and a whole lot more curves.   55 mph is plenty fine, and is also the speed limit mostly, which is convenient.  

    And that is about it.  This question has been rolling around in my brain for a while, and it needed an outlet.  I apologize to those of you who were expecting a metaphor.  All I can say is that, if you really want to see one, you can build a metaphor in there.  It might take some work, but it would totally be worth it.  I am curious about what other people think of as "fast enough" and how the conclusions were reached.  I know there are people out there who think "if there is empty space ahead, I can go faster."  and that is fine,  I do wonder why though.   It is good to get that out of my head.  

Vacation Log Supplemental

Reflections on an Earlier Time

As I sit here staring at the fire I think what life must have been like in a "simpler" time. Once your basic needs were taken care of your time was totally free & unobligated. (In my imagination anyway) This is not to say it was not stressful. I am sure making sure those needs were met took a lot of time and effort. But those times when there was plenty of food and good weather must have been very nice. Rest meant something more back then I would think. Judging by the weaving & dolls & other items I saw in the museum there was time for patient and detailed tasks. I am sure boredom was an uncommon disease. In many ways it kind of makes me want to become a subsistence farmer. A step in-between primitive & modern. Where you plan your needs meeting ahead of time and then see to it. You set out the days chores and when they are completed your day is done. Again, NOT EASY, high stress and probably requiring knowledge I do not posses. But the reward. Rest is meaningful. And in both these systems (subsistence farming & "primitive") your time is your own. The way it works now is your my time is not your my own ever. I am fairly certain most people suffer form this. your The work schedule is set by your the employer, which means the rest of the schedule is set by the employer. If all chores are done, you are not done. You have to keep busy. Vacation HAS to be requested. You can't say "i have built up enough to be secure for a time, I am going to weave, or explore, or carve, or just plain rest." you just keep going & hope that you will need be ready for and able to take the vacation that was scheduled 3 months earlier. On the other hand it is much easier and less stressful. The system rewards the ignorant because he just has to do 1 job. Not all the jobs.

I think there is also a disconnect that the "modern" system has built in. We don't matter to each other anymore because we don't have to. A person can get a job, earn enough money for himself & buy all he needs (and a little more) And not ever worry about anybody else. In subsistence farming everyone bands together to get the job done so that everybody eats.. If one person does not do his job, everyone suffers & less gets done to compensate. So everybody has a vested interest int he health, welfare, and work ethic of everyone else. It is important to teach the children rather than just sending them to school to learn, "What they need for modern society."

Hunter gatherers/ primitive societies were (probably) even better for the whole human connection aspect. The elders while perhaps weak & unable to work were needed for their knowledge. The young had to be taught work ethic & the value of everyone & caring for everyone. A sickness or injury had to be cared for or it was one less necessary task that got done. I think that's one reason pride is so prevalent in primitive cultures. Pride gives a personal reason to care for & belong to the group. "I am special because my people are the ________ and we _______!" Pride is especially good for teaching children to care for society. (most) children are naturally selfish & need a personal reason for motivation.

I think pride is another huge loss in modern times. Honestly if we actually had pride as a society would our politics be the way they are? (possibly, but I don't think as bad) some would say there is no justification for pride but there is. A huge national infrastructure, discoveries. Up until recently a working representative republic, All working with each other and taking pride in ourselves. rather than shaming each other and trying to change it all. Which is not to say never disagree. Disagreement is healthy and brings change and growth. But if a people are proud of their society. Then they can put that first ahead of pettiness. That would be a cool and strong thing. But perhaps only possible in small groups. I don't' know, but it's not my job to figure out. I just need to learn how to rotate the corn & how to know if the cows are ripe enough to pick.