When I was in high school and with $900 burning a hole in my pocket, I purchased my first car. A 1968 Datsun Roadster 1600. My Mom thought I was crazy and fought with my Dad. My Dad was driving a 1971 Toyota Corona at the time and, while full of envy, convinced my Mom that money hard earned is money well spent.
We all, I'm sure, have memories of our first car. Mine was a bit more beat up than the one pictured above (including a piece of plexiglass replacing the missing driver's side window). This car was imperfect, but it was mine.
So why is it that the best music I ever heard was out of the AM/FM stereo of this little car? With tinny little speakers! I figured it out the other day as I was planning on the combination of music, news and podcasts I would be listening to on my 50 minute drive home from work. I realized how uninspired I felt knowing exactly what was coming on the drive home.
So, what made my music experiences so powerful in that little convertible?
It was the unplanned, unexpected and incredible timing of your favorite song hitting the radio - just as you finished dropping off your high school girlfriend.
It is hard to explain the rush of that moment. There is a freedom and a sense that Nirvana is more than just a popular cult band.
Where are those moments today? I fear they are gone for me, perhaps for good. Maybe because I am no longer the young, impressionable teenager. But also because as a society we have innovated ourselves out of these experiences.
1. Our music is available at the ready via iTunes and through our iPod. It is scripted and categorized. It is also at the ready in the car via Sirius Radio.
2. Our TV is pre-recorded and available when appropriate times allow. Remember plopping down on the coach, hitting the remote and seeing your favorite movie just starting? Wasn't that movie more fun to watch than the same one that's been on your TIVO/DVR for two months?
3. You Tube allows you to see and share unique and fun homemade videos with the world. While I love the creativity that this service allows, I miss the accidental tripping over these vs. having them e-mailed to you by your third cousin.
4. DirecTV and cable brought us hundreds more channels - significantly reducing the quality of the average channel. Despite it being the only place my kids go for TV entertainment (and the educational aspect is nice), I miss going to the TV, seeing nothing on and heading out with bat and glove to meet my friends at the ball field.
Before you call me old fashioned or out of touch, I do not suggest that we reduce our use of all these fantastic innovations. They have and will continue to make our lives dramatically easier and more dynamic.
But I'd like to challenge the companies in these industries to find some ways to allow the impulsiveness of radio, TV and other media to return. Surprise us every once in a while with a little less predictability (not in service though).
You see as a kid who woke up every morning listening to the radio up in the bay area (610 KFRC and Dr.Don Rose), I often needed that special song to get my lazy rear end out of bed and in the shower.
Does anybody know where I can get a deal on a 1968 Datsun Roadster?
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