186 and Holding

Awhile back I was listening to a morning talk radio on one of the popular FM stations. During this show, they usually take topic suggestions given by the listeners. They then take calls from listeners who want to talk about or comment on a particular topic. One topic was about motorcyclists in Chicago and how they were upset about almost being killed by crazy motorists.

One local guy called in about this topic. After briefly acknowledging that he hated Chicago drivers for almost blindsiding him, this guy went on to talk about a more interesting point. He described to the radio show how he liked to take his motorcycle out on Interstate 290 during the day and proceed to accelerate up to 186 MPH while swerving in and out of traffic. He then went on to say how his high speed exploit was on YouTube and how everyone should check it out. The radio hosts viewed the video and decided to post it up on their webpage. Immediately, the pleased guest blurted out his gratitude. Even going as far to say "this will help get me hits man!." Wow what a display of shameless self promotion.

Of course, the topic couldn't die there. The radio show decided to take other callers on the topic. The next caller was a semi truck driver who operated in Chicago. The man had a very confrontational and angry tone, but he had a few interesting points.

The truck driver went on to challenge the motorcyclist claiming that his high speed exploits were a danger to other motorists around him. The motorcyclist then responded that he was a skillful driver and would be careful not to crash into other people. The motorcyclist went on to say that his actions were fine because he would be the only person who would be hurt or killed in case of an accident. The truck driver countered with a hypothetical. He said that if the motorcyclist crashed in front of his truck at that speed, there would be no time to react and avoid running over the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist once again reiterated that the crash would only kill him. However, the truck driver made perhaps the most poignant point. He said that because the motorcyclist was engaging in this dangerous behavior, he was not only harming himself. He would be placing the burden and guilt of his death upon the truck driver since there would be nothing the truck driver could do. For that reason, the truck driver believed that burning up I290 at 186 MPH was wrong and dangerous.

After the heated exchange, the radio host had a change of heart. He decided to remove the video of the motorcyclist. He did not wish to promote his dangerous behavior. I believe this was the correct decision.

The whole discussion evoked one key thought within me. This was the fact that no matter how much we believe ourselves and our actions to be isolated, we do affect others in many undesired and unseen ways. No man is truly an island.