Tuesday, July 08, 2014

IMAGE OF AMERICA TAKES ANOTHER HIT: ROLLING SICK



Ring of Fire reports:

It’s called “rollin’ coal.” And for several years, rural rednecks in America have been modifying their diesel trucks to turn their semi-adequately managed emissions into churning black smoke. Why? Just to see who has the worst fuel efficiency, who can dump the most carbon emissions into the atmosphere, and be the most obnoxious jerk.

But “rollin’ coal” isn’t just a thing to do, they actually consider it a lifestyle, a way to conduct themselves, and a personal identity. “Your truck is not just something to get you from point A to point B,” said Robbie, a South Carolina diesel mechanic. “It’s who you are.”

From road rage to truck pulling competitions and the fuel economy-hating attitudes that underlie those things, they all appear to have something in common. The overcompensation is a way to cover up insecurity about their masculinity. It’s an old adage that goes back generations. If your masculinity is threatened, then be a huge jerk and everyone will get the picture that you’re a big, strong man not to be messed with, at least that’s how they live their life.
I guess if there is any consolation it's worth noting that those who stick their faces into the black exhaust are not long for this world....but then again at this rate neither are the rest of us.

1 comment:

Alan Kobrin said...

I would imagine that seeing their macho-ego driven actions as a totally unnecessary threat to the well-being of those in the community could well be a first step towards making their childish actions ILLEGAL.
Who is ready to take the first step?