Natura vacuum abhorret = Nature abhors a vacuum. Francois Rabelais, c.1494–1553. (Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations)
I've never really understood this, although I seem to have known it for a very long time, as a 'saying' or piece of folksy wisdom trotted out as the occasion demands. However, as we now know, quite a lot of Nature IS vacuum (or, at least, non-atmospheric) - but not according to science nit-picker MSW. However, all this is a roundabout way of getting to the point, which is, that while Nature may abhor a vacuum, she's got nothing on drivers on I-35 between San Antonio and Austin. Specifically that bit between San Marcos and Austin. And this during Spring Break, when a good 1/4 of the regualar commuters are out of town! The 'average' driver (and yes, I use the term as loosely as possible) seems to feel that any space larger than a car length MUST BE FILLED!!! I have noticed that traffic seems to come in waves, and I prefer to be in the trough, rather than the crest, although at least at night it is easier to see that crest advancing, advancing, steadily advancing, to crash down on my poor unseaworthy bark. It seems as if the other drivers are all thinking "There is space ahead, empty space! I must fill it, now!"
Why??????
No comments:
Post a Comment