Cycling is said to be an addiction, and I have to admit that from personal experience, it seems to be so. But unlike other addictions, the results seem to be curiously different. The cyclist becomes leaner and stronger. His/her attitude becomes more positive, based on the "I can" viewpoint, due to increased energy. Health benefits ensue, and oftentimes, increased lifespan. Overall, cycling addiction often results in it's subjects becoming happier, more vibrant, creative, productive members of society, for longer than the average lifespan, allowing them to be creative and productive for much longer.
But what about driving? Driving is also an addiction. It can destroy people. Sometimes suddenly, as in a crash, but usually very slowly, as they waste away from inactivity.
The first thing to notice is weight gain, followed by an increase in difficulty in getting around (except by car.) As time passes, the muscles shrink and grow weak, while the size and weight of the load they carry increases as the body continues to add useless weight. If left unchecked, driving addiction can result in it's victims becoming unable to get around at all, except with mechanical help. In the end, not only is life often made shorter, but the latter years can be spent in a handicapped lifestyle.
If I had to choose, I'd choose cycling addiction, I think.
;)
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
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I think you have hit the nail on the head. It is the only good additction that I know of, besides love.
willic
Is laziness an addiction?.
The way I see it, the longer a person depends on a car to transport themselves about,the less and less they will resort to other modes of travel.
Is that not the reason behind the proliferation of out of town supermarkets, shopping Malls and so on.
Dependancy on the motor car!. Not so much an addiction, as a compultion. It is just so easy to climb into a car. With so many people the though never crosses their mind to go where they want to go by any other means.
gonesh9
While I agree that our car culture has made a devestating impact on the world's health and environment, it is only one of many addictions or habits that has a detrimental effect. I believe human's addiction to meat and dairy is oine of the most devestating addictions today. Throughout history, people have eaten meat and dairy, but the recent practice of factory farming has turned it into an extremely inhumane industry. I call it an addiction now, because even though most conscious people are aware of the horrors of factory farming, they choose to ignore it. The same people that would help prosecute someone that brutally tortures a dog, choose to ignore the brutal torture that goes on behind slaughterhouse walls.
At a time when obesity is running rampant throughout our country, the concept of supersizing your order at McDonalds is accepted. A daily McDonald's eater is considered an honorable American, while someone like me who chooses to break the cycle of abuse and exploitation is considered an extremist, and looked down upon in our society.
At a time when heart diseases are the number 1 killer, our medical professionals in general still refuse to promote a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, which are the simplest ways to limit cholesterol intake.
Even just cutting down on meat and dairy is too hard for the average American. It is a concept that scares them. They have been told since they were children that they need meat to grow up big and strong. That you need milk to have strong bones. When are we going to pull the needle out of the vein of our society and start putting something good in our bodies for once?
Ebbtide
Throughout history, people have eaten meat and dairy, but the recent practice of factory farming has turned it into an extremely inhumane industry.
"Inhumane", of course its inhumane, they are not humans, they are animals.
ehenz
hoodie
"Inhumane", of course its inhumane, they are not humans, they are animals.
ehenz
that's got no bearing on anything...youll find the definition (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=inhumane) doesn't reference degrees of inhumanity based on species.
gonesh9
in·hu·mane ( P ) Pronunciation Key (inhu-man)
adj.
Lacking pity or compassion.---------------------------------
Great reply, Hoodie!
The current situation with people's acceptance of factory farming's practices is surely an example of lacking pity or compassion.
What really confuses me is when followers of the Christian faith interpret the statement in the Bible saying "God gave man dominion over animals" to mean that man can do whatever s/he wants to animals, because we are above them. To me, it clearly means that we have a responsibility to a stewardship role with the creatures we share this life with.
Chris L
Is laziness an addiction?.
The way I see it, the longer a person depends on a car to transport themselves about,the less and less they will resort to other modes of travel.
Is that not the reason behind the proliferation of out of town supermarkets, shopping Malls and so on.
Dependancy on the motor car!. Not so much an addiction, as a compultion. It is just so easy to climb into a car. With so many people the though never crosses their mind to go where they want to go by any other means.
I really think it's a question of slick marketing. Note a phrase quoted above -- "resort to other modes of travel". Resort? Personally I use my bike for transport because it is simply the best option. I know that my commute takes 30-35 minutes (even allowing for Queensland's notoriously slow traffic lights) and I can plan my whole day around needing that long to get to work. I am impervious to tourist traffic (which can be a major factor around here).
I also know that I don't have to pay for massive amounts of fuel for my bike (apart from my pasta addiction, but somehow I think that would happen anyway :) ). Then there is the question of my bike as an asset. OK, it mightn't appear as such a massive asset in dollar terms when I purchase it, but it won't lose it's value -- and it's paid for immediately. Generally a car would require repayments to be made for several years, and it would lose it's value just as quickly as it's paid off.
There are other advantages to cycling I could go on about, however, you wouldn't know any of them existed if you listened to the publicity of most cycling advocates. That tends to focus on "we need special facilities because what we do is very dangerous". Say what you like about Tim Shaw, but he sold a heck of a lot of steak knives, and he didn't do it by claiming they were "very dangerous" -- he did it by highlighting their use (even stretching the truth a little at times). Perhaps if a few cycling advocates followed the same tactic, it would be more effective.
Chuvak
I think you have hit the nail on the head. It is the only good additction that I know of, besides love.
Have you thought about other sports? ;)
Chris L
Have you thought about other sports? ;)
I had a running addiction a couple of years ago -- not hard with 42km of golden beaches to run on. :p
JoeTown244GL
Have you thought about other sports? ;)
The wife considers my constant daily desire to mount things and then to begin pumping vigorously quite tiresome. :) Thus, I ride a bicycle.
TeleJohn
I'm addicted to nordic skiing(all modes). I ride to ski better.
Ebbtide
in·hu·mane ( P ) Pronunciation Key (inhu-man)
adj.
Lacking pity or compassion.---------------------------------
Great reply, Hoodie!
The current situation with people's acceptance of factory farming's practices is surely an example of lacking pity or compassion.
What really confuses me is when followers of the Christian faith interpret the statement in the Bible saying "God gave man dominion over animals" to mean that man can do whatever s/he wants to animals, because we are above them. To me, it clearly means that we have a responsibility to a stewardship role with the creatures we share this life with.
Well, you are certainly in the minority with your thinking.
I don't pity nor hold compassion towards my food, Once again, they are animals that are part of the food chain. Unfortunate for them, but I must keep my belly full until I become food for the fishes. Thats just life (or death :D )
What does Christianity have to do with eating meat? Muslims, Hindus, and Jews eat meat. I don't see how one has to do with the other???
ehenz
hoodie
Muslims, Hindus, and Jews eat meat. I don't see how one has to do with the other???
ehenz
I'm not really up for debating the ethics of any particular diet but I have to take exception with the statement above, at least the part regarding Hindus. For the most part, Hindu society is vegetarian. They want to eat a cow about as much as most westerners want to eat the family dog. Some followers of Jainism won't even kill insects, eating meat would be unlikely for most of them. In their societies you would be, as you say, in the minority in your thinking. :)
Aggressor
I think this discussion should be continued in the appropriate forum.
Mr. Smashy
Bring this thread back to it's original topic, if you got something to debate about politics or religion, bring it to the Politics and Religion forum.
LittleBigMan
Bring this thread back to it's original topic, if you got something to debate about politics or religion, bring it to the Politics and Religion forum.
I hurt my right knee. I don't know if I will be off the bike or not, but if I am, I will be suffering!