I don't often start a new thread, but this is kind of a subject that I feel needs to be carried on. Back when I was a teenager I read a book called "Zen-and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenence" by Robert M. Pirsig. Its not really about Zen Buddism, or really about Motorcycle Maintenence. Its philisophical in what drives us to build, understand and maintain our machines and a way of looking at life itself. My wife has been reading this to me again, and man, its still inspiring. I don't know how many times in the last 35 years my mind has gone back to philisophical references in that book I read so many years ago and how it had related to my love for things mechaincal and technological. It has also helped me to understand people better, and their motivations and denials. It will make you more tolerant, but yet with the understanding it will make you appreciate the independance it gives you to know and have the confidence that you can deal with just about anything. It relates to traditional rodding in the sense that the confidence that you have to use the car, fix the car, and know every little squeak is a Zen within itself. It is great reading, and I hope everyone young and old will seek it out and read it.
I recommend that book to all my gearhead friends, unfortunantly most of them can't read. That book really changed the way I think when it comes to building and working on cars. It also helped me understand people who don't/won't try to repair or build anything. Great book.
Someone recommended that book to me once when I remarked "I don't listen to the radio in my old truck. I like to hear every new sound, feel every odd vibration and smell every strange odor and agonize over them for hours."
I have read it a couple of times and while it is really about the Metaphysics of Quality, which the author deems as undefinable, it really can open your eyes to seeing mechaincal things in a different light. If you enjoy that book, read Tim Allen's "I'm not really here" as well.
I'll check Tim Allen's book out too. I think the continuity of generation to generation appreciation for quality and the confidence to maintain it is the keystone of our hobby. The "dripping faucet" story in the "zen" book reminds me of so many people. And the shop's detatched way of "fixing" the piston seizure really underscores the differences in approach to problem solving.
Interestingly, the story in "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" is somewhat autobiographical for Robert Pirsig. He was the professor in Montana, went through many of the life issues (and mental issues) that Phaedrus (the character in the story) went through, including the ins***utionalization and treatments (I won't spoil the story) described in the book. Following his treatments, he continued to write, but obviously some of the original style was gone. Try reading "Lila" which he also wrote (later).
great book Mr.Ballinger...top the NewYork bestseller list for a very long long time in its day..another great one is "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" and there is a second book to that too..(can't think of the name right now) same vein if you will as the Zen and Art!
Another book you might want to consider in the same vein(if you can find a copy;I've given all of mine away)is,"If you meet the Buddha on the road;KILL HIM!"by Sheldon Kopp.Got me through a very tragic time in my life.
If you dont believe in God -then all u have left is Metaphysics. That's what the book is about. I read the book last year and chucked it halfway through. Dont let the "working on a motorcycle" trick you into thinking its a good book. Its a story about someone trying to figure out people and the world, and why it works from the perspective of an atheist on a motorcycle trip. Typical 60's-70's hippie ******** hey but what do I know, I only write books for a living. Must say though, its one of the best book ***les ever!
I read it about 30 years ago, when I was up in Alaska. Interesting read, but definitely not on the all-time hit list for me. I'm more inclined to agree with the Leaky Pipes on this one. At least, it's a better read than any of that Hunter S. Thompson ****! What a jack*** he was!
ZEN and THE ART of HOTROD BUILDING Bob: "Hey Kenny, look! -a Blackbird in the trees. Kenny: "oh, blackbird ....yeah... -Did you see the half inch wrench?" Bob: "Has anyone ever really seen a half inch wrench Ken?" Kenny: "I think its time for you to go home now Bob." -THE END-
For me it was a realization that you can take something complex and make it simple or something simple and make it complex. I don't really get a hippie feeling from it, in fact its really 180° out from that view. Its more of an inward look to what makes you want to do things and understand why you do them. And to see the differences in the way other people see things and not be judgemental. I have read alot of philosophy and history, and have done alot of thinking and writing in that vein. If its wrong for some people I guess its wrong. I am not an athiest, but there are things that only the understanding of what makes them tick will lead to an understanding. Its not the all or end all by any means, but when you can look at the world as a place for excellence that we can accomplish by simply taking up the tools to do so, or pretend that fire and smoke rules the universe and "that stuff" is just not worth looking at, it will differ by individual. I like the tradition of getting a vehicle as precisely tuned and setup to drive and ride the best that the design will allow. It defines tradition for me. A lawn mower, a 9N tractor or a Z06 'Vette can be their best or they can just be "by the book", thats an individual choice. To go beyond "by the book" and get better performance and longer life out of it, you have to have the curiousity and a desire to take control of it. I am not going to flame anyone for their value system, because that is counterintuitive to my own. I guess that is what makes the book relevant to me, at the age I read it originally, it was a good influence that helped me accomplish many things that I may not have. A little straighter, a little tighter, a little more aesthetically pleasing, it spills over into alot of things. An example: The car doesn't start, it just clicks. Now. First, God is not pissed at you, your battery cable ends are probably just dirty. You get the voltmeter and begin the process, battery has 12.5 volts. Clean the cables, sha-zing. No metaphysics, just dirty battery cables. Clean cables still clicks, solenoid. Cross it, it the starter cranks, probably a wire or cable, if it clicks probably the solenoid. First check the amperage draw of the starter, if its way up it may be the starter and the commutator is kicking the solenoids ***. You see what I'm saying. You aren't at the mercy of anything but your own ignorance. If you seek to overcome your ignorance, you will grow knowlege that will get you home.
Kind of a funny example too. My father in law I love him to death. He is 74 years old and can do some amazing work. But if something momentary goes wrong, he shakes his fist at the sky and curses his luck. To me you you make your own luck for the most part, not on everything, but if its mechanical, there really isn't alot of luck involved except for where you break down and the distance to a parts store. The rest is pretty much knowlege and maintenence.
IMO the split personality aspect makes the book worth reading. A lot of people shell up in their right brain or left brain dominant worlds and quit trying to connect the halves. Easy to do since there's enough in either world to sustain oneself. In literate circles it's considered amateur philosophy at best, but I'm far too ignorant to look down upon it. There seems to be an underlying insult to the book that probably turns readers off. It's almost like he says if you're a thinker, once you master technical things it frees your mind to think like a feeler. But also seems to say that if you're a feeler, that barrier into thinker can't be crossed. Depending on where the reader sits....easy to see why it's often put down halfway. Everybody gets different things out of books. It's a much different read if you know the author's bio before picking the book up. Puts meaning into a lot of things. It is a hard read though. Far far far from green eggs & ham.
I think that the insult point you made is a good one. He addresses it in the forward of the new printing of the book. It was kind of a disturbance, but as a whole the concept of "doing for doing's sake" and avoiding fixed helplessnes was a strong element for me. Its pretty empowering. I moved on to Kiekergard, Hiedegger, Wittgenstein, and modern philosphers and linguists later and found a thread that sems to run though it all in its simplist elements that tie back to the basic elements, though elemental, in the book . But as you said the logic can sometimes be brought to question. Pirsig wasn't well, as Nietzhe wasn't well either. But it sparked a fire that has burned all my life, of curiosity and doing and never giving up. Great observations.
I think I viewed it much more along Bill's lines and thinking than anything else. I don't think Leaky Pipes take on it ever entered my mind and I certainly am a God fearing man. obviously it means different things to different people, and I must say at times it was not an easy read for me as I struggled with the meanings that Pirsig was trying to convey. When I realized that I didn't really care what he was tying to convey but rather what I could learn from it, the read went much better. As for Green Eggs and Ham, I'm still trying to discover the real meaning.
its been a long time since i read that book and i can’t remember if it saying anything about an “atheist point of view” that simply wasn’t my take on it at all. i honestly have no idea, nor do i care, about the authors’ true intent of the “based on a true story” books anyway. welcome to Hollywood,right? i saw it more as an emotional entertainment, if you will, that can stir inspirational messages to those maybe on a different path than you. a harmony of sorts, not unlike the ones found in a long ride in the desert chasing the sunset in a car or motorcycle that God blessed you with the talent to build, it’s a pretty cool feeling, you should try it or maybe you already know what i mean. i agree that the person that ***led the book had a marketing flair, and i will admit that it wasn’t what i thought it was going to be when i first bought it either. overall i thought it was a very good read that has changed people for the better and helped some cope with challenges we all face everyday, and somehow don’t think Christ would be absent from that. like el Scotto said “it really depends on your starting point”.
I enjoyed the book. The book is a good read. It's a look into someone else's mind & seeing the world through their eyes. I don't know if there is a meaning to "Green Eggs & Ham." Try,.."Oh Oh The Places You Will Go." The meaning of this book is easy for all to understand & it has different meanings, depending on your age. I have given this book to friends that finished high school, college, or retired. It's good for people from 8 to 80. Lucky667
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