This weekend, I found myself on a five-hour drive in a Porsche 993 with a non-working radio. Or at least, a radio I couldn’t get to work.
It reminded me of a story on the BBC news website about how we’ve got so used to ‘noise’; meaning that we are constantly exposed to external stimulus from television, radio, iPods and so on. In fact, the term ‘noise’ was misleading as the report was more about such stimulus rather than simply background noise. The article suggested that, not so many years ago, silence was the norm for most people, whereas now the tables have turned and we rarely get any real peace. Indeed, we have come to rely on background music and chat.
The truth of this hit home to me as I worked my way down the M6 in torrential rain. It’s an old cliché that you don’t need a radio in a 911 because the engine sounds so good. Well, it may do at full chat, but not at 70mph in sixth gear. My brain soon cut out the drone of exhaust and tyre noise, leaving me in effective silence.
And you know what? I was soon yearning to listen to something, whether it be music or a podcast via my iPhone or simply the radio. I found it very hard just to drive in silence, and boredom set in very quickly.
So I found myself starting to think. A novel concept for me while driving. It was tough and the boredom itch kept raising its ugly head but after an hour or so I actually began to enjoy my own company and realised how rarely I get to have space to just think about life and plans. It was an almost monastic experience.
Indeed, with a family at home and a busy job, the only chance I’m really alone is when I’m driving. Yet I highjack that time with background radio that I rarely give my full attention to – crazy. Now, though, I’m going to make an effort to turn off the radio from time to time so I can have some quality time to myself.
So if you want time alone, either become a monk or buy a 911 without a radio…
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This Post Has 30 Comments
So true! I experienced a similar epihany and concur totally.
So true! I experienced a similar epihany and concur totally.
Johan Nezar liked this on Facebook.
Johan Nezar liked this on Facebook.
I owned a 76 3 litre 911 and in the 5 years I owned it just over 200,000 kilometers, I can honestly say I used the stereo less than 10% of the time, preferring to listen to the raspy exhaust and mechanical sounds 🙂
I owned a 76 3 litre 911 and in the 5 years I owned it just over 200,000 kilometers, I can honestly say I used the stereo less than 10% of the time, preferring to listen to the raspy exhaust and mechanical sounds 🙂
Will Ellingham liked this on Facebook.
Will Ellingham liked this on Facebook.
仁平光昭 liked this on Facebook.
仁平光昭 liked this on Facebook.
Steve Harbour liked this on Facebook.
Stephen J Caen liked this on Facebook.
Steve Harbour liked this on Facebook.
Ferdinand Sampayo liked this on Facebook.
Stephen J Caen liked this on Facebook.
Ferdinand Sampayo liked this on Facebook.
@RabyPorsche And the first thing I have to do when climbing into the family car is leap onto the ‘off’ button otherwise I’m deafened…
@RabyPorsche And the first thing I have to do when climbing into the family car is leap onto the ‘off’ button otherwise I’m deafened…
Mohamed Hlehl liked this on Facebook.
Mohamed Hlehl liked this on Facebook.
Sébastien Gobeil liked this on Facebook.
Sébastien Gobeil liked this on Facebook.
The radio is the least used item in my 997.1.
The radio is the least used item in my 997.1.
Vince Granieri liked this on Facebook.
Vince Granieri liked this on Facebook.
Janet McMeekin – Writer liked this on Facebook.
Janet McMeekin – Writer liked this on Facebook.
The sound in my porsche what i want to hear is coming from the back of the car. 😉
The sound in my porsche what i want to hear is coming from the back of the car. 😉