greatest sports car etc etc

[David Ziglin <davidz@domain.elided>]

Am I right ?  The GreaT majority of people viewing a sports car of 
nearly any age will ask :  MG ?

Why?  Because it is the only sports car they can name.


Similarly, Ray Bradbury is the only "SF" writer anyone knows (even 
though he has only written fantasy and a long long time ago and while 
there have been and are truly masterful SF writers out there that 
dumb journalists never heard of; nevertheless, any time anyone in the 
media needs an "expert" to interview after a space related news 
story, they call on Ray.  Again, why?   Because he is the only "SF" 
writer they can name except for Jules Verne.


Auto racing? :  The Indianapolis 500.  Period.   Oh, now, finally 
after all these many years obsessed with balls, NASCAR has been 
discovered by the media - perfunctory anyway.


(And if one had an MG in the 50s -60s-70s, folks would ask if the 
engine was in the back.)


This syndrome, if you will, is extremely frustrating.   I do not 
blame Peter for wishing to challenge the "journalist's" notion.   I 
suppose all I really wish to point out is that it will likely do no 
good whatever to complain or challenge "common" knowledge;" most 
people, most certainly the media, have the most shallow understanding 
and knowledge of just about anything.  (That 888hole P.J. O'Rouke in 
a recent ATLANTIC MONTHLY article portrayed sports car drivers as 
wearing cloth caps, that ancient stereotype built on ignorance and 
arrogance.)   The media and of course the public had never heard of 
militia groups until after the Oklahoma bombing.   The list goes on 
and on and on and on.


The only thing worse than simple ignorance is an accompanying belief 
that one is right on top of things.  (The great majority of people 
from 18-35 get their news from Jay Leno et al; this has been true for 
a long time and is getting worse every year.)  You can bet they think 
they oh so informed.

In case I mislead here, I know that I am terribly ignorant and so try 
to avoid the above kinds of presumptions.   But then there is that 
relativity factor.

David the Snob


PS   If you have listened to even a few "Car Talk"s, you know that a 
great many people believe that trucks handle better than cars - and 
believe worse as well.    A recent caller was looking for a real kick 
ass sporty car that was not associated with being a mom, like a Miata.


We are doomed.
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