I'm too old to ken the software conundrums but it's interesting none the less .
As far as embracing too much technology or perhaps the detritus it creates, I think you're right on target .
I like my CD players and the non film projection where I like to go watch movies but I don't really do 'social media' , this might just be it, I don't know ? .
As least you're trying to get people to _think_ that's the primary battle IMO .
The gist of it is that layering complexity, or abstraction which might look neat/clean but is really just adding a layer of indirection and opacity, leads to a human detachment from the underlying definitive thingness while also often making systems more fragile, harder to understand when something goes wrong, and for questionable benefit.
Brilliant and insightful. I think this was your best essay yet.
I had the misfortune of the electric power steering failing on my Ford Flex. The part alone was over $1000, and has to be "coded" to the car with special equipment. Also, it is impossible to drive when it fails, the steering goes rigid instead of merely being difficult to operate.
I am constantly confounded that anyone would find value in what I write.
As for the electric motor failure - figures that it was indeed a complete replacement, terrifying that the motor going kaput leads to worse failure than losing the pump. I snapped a belt on a ~450RWHP Griggs Racing demo Mustang Cobra and that was a lot of steering effort to pull it off somewhere safe. I was later informed this was a not entirely uncommon failure on their machine. Definitely worse than the 911SC I had which was delightfully light steering in comparison, but was also designed without power steering in mind and didn't have a motor sitting over the front axle.
Had an identical problem after I spent upwards of 8hrs changing inner and outer tie rods. Traded the Flex in on a new Explorer lease which seemed like a good idea at the time. In the end, I should have forked over that 1k plus install fee. Would have been cheaper with the interest rate rising and no real way to purchase that cheap Explorer end of lease.
Ouch. I've spent the last few months trying to diagnose a clunking from the front end. It's driving me crazy. Nothing that I can manipulate with a prybar seems to be loose. Between that and the impending water pump failure (a 4k repair because it is *inside* the engine), I think it's time to say goodbye. Over the last 2 years in addition to the steering rack I've replaced the ac compressor, a mystery electrical box in the B pillar that stranded my wife on the road, upper strut mount bearings, and the backup camera.
Yeah, I did the backup cam too. Well, I cannot recommend the rwd bias Explorers enough. Little sad to see it go back because it had more usable room than the Flex but crushed the Flex in the fuel economy and driving dynamics department. Never thought that would be the case. Worth looking for a used one.
It's replacement is an Expedition which I also would highly recommend, but they're hard to get with no rust depending on the budget and year.
Good to know, I've been curious about the RWD Explorer. The Flex was my old dadmobile that my wife started driving after she totaled her Accord so I could get a trackable street car. She's going back to a sedan now so we will be without a box shaped vehicle in the fleet. When it's time for another box I'll definitely look at the Explorer.
If we have to live in the Matrix, I want to be able to do Sci Fu.
Notice how these little pissant countries never say "Thank You" for all the foreign and military aid we give them? You could at least ACT grateful for that shipload of tanks I say we tighten the purse strings or better yet, only use our hardware and treasure for things that actually affect us.
I like the quick discussion of models. Not everything can be broken down to that.
Like with all the ai crap, it is easy to fool people into believing someone has knowledge and ability with models and ai. But, reality is always quite different. Always. Eventually the luster wears off on those ideas and the truth(like life)... uh... finds a way. **insert Ian Malcolm look here**
Some interesting thoughts here .
I'm too old to ken the software conundrums but it's interesting none the less .
As far as embracing too much technology or perhaps the detritus it creates, I think you're right on target .
I like my CD players and the non film projection where I like to go watch movies but I don't really do 'social media' , this might just be it, I don't know ? .
As least you're trying to get people to _think_ that's the primary battle IMO .
-Nate
The gist of it is that layering complexity, or abstraction which might look neat/clean but is really just adding a layer of indirection and opacity, leads to a human detachment from the underlying definitive thingness while also often making systems more fragile, harder to understand when something goes wrong, and for questionable benefit.
Wow, that's a lot to ponder .
-Nate
Especially when YOU'RE not the one who has to repair it.
Brilliant and insightful. I think this was your best essay yet.
I had the misfortune of the electric power steering failing on my Ford Flex. The part alone was over $1000, and has to be "coded" to the car with special equipment. Also, it is impossible to drive when it fails, the steering goes rigid instead of merely being difficult to operate.
In the name of Zeus' Butthole, why does a STEERING RACK have to be synched to the vehicle? This Heated Gas Pedal shit is why I hate modern cars.
So Ford can claim a 0.2% increase in corporate average fuel economy I suppose.
Chasing fractions is a fool's errand.
Thank you, sir.
I am constantly confounded that anyone would find value in what I write.
As for the electric motor failure - figures that it was indeed a complete replacement, terrifying that the motor going kaput leads to worse failure than losing the pump. I snapped a belt on a ~450RWHP Griggs Racing demo Mustang Cobra and that was a lot of steering effort to pull it off somewhere safe. I was later informed this was a not entirely uncommon failure on their machine. Definitely worse than the 911SC I had which was delightfully light steering in comparison, but was also designed without power steering in mind and didn't have a motor sitting over the front axle.
Had an identical problem after I spent upwards of 8hrs changing inner and outer tie rods. Traded the Flex in on a new Explorer lease which seemed like a good idea at the time. In the end, I should have forked over that 1k plus install fee. Would have been cheaper with the interest rate rising and no real way to purchase that cheap Explorer end of lease.
Ouch. I've spent the last few months trying to diagnose a clunking from the front end. It's driving me crazy. Nothing that I can manipulate with a prybar seems to be loose. Between that and the impending water pump failure (a 4k repair because it is *inside* the engine), I think it's time to say goodbye. Over the last 2 years in addition to the steering rack I've replaced the ac compressor, a mystery electrical box in the B pillar that stranded my wife on the road, upper strut mount bearings, and the backup camera.
Yeah, I did the backup cam too. Well, I cannot recommend the rwd bias Explorers enough. Little sad to see it go back because it had more usable room than the Flex but crushed the Flex in the fuel economy and driving dynamics department. Never thought that would be the case. Worth looking for a used one.
It's replacement is an Expedition which I also would highly recommend, but they're hard to get with no rust depending on the budget and year.
Good to know, I've been curious about the RWD Explorer. The Flex was my old dadmobile that my wife started driving after she totaled her Accord so I could get a trackable street car. She's going back to a sedan now so we will be without a box shaped vehicle in the fleet. When it's time for another box I'll definitely look at the Explorer.
Couple of things:
If we have to live in the Matrix, I want to be able to do Sci Fu.
Notice how these little pissant countries never say "Thank You" for all the foreign and military aid we give them? You could at least ACT grateful for that shipload of tanks I say we tighten the purse strings or better yet, only use our hardware and treasure for things that actually affect us.
I like the quick discussion of models. Not everything can be broken down to that.
Like with all the ai crap, it is easy to fool people into believing someone has knowledge and ability with models and ai. But, reality is always quite different. Always. Eventually the luster wears off on those ideas and the truth(like life)... uh... finds a way. **insert Ian Malcolm look here**