Bobby Nitro was reflecting on the theme of community in the lead article and that how in a healthy community the needs of other people, of the group, are highly regarded.
That’s refreshing, because we can so easily get stuck in a rut where it’s only our individual needs that we care for.
For example, when I need to get to a meeting on time, I see that as the most important thing, and I’ll drive super fast just to make that happen.
See what’s happening here, my needs are top and the needs of others on the road, to not be endangered and to stay alive, are secondary.
Something’s very wrong in that picture.
Another example, say I’m young and have a kwaai kar(and I’m most likely male), and I have this need to show off in front of friends, look cool and get a thrill. It’s a big need for me, so I drive too fast. Again, I’m negating the needs of others on the roads, the need to be safe.
‘My needs first’ is causing direct threat to other people. That’s not community spirit, that’s rampant narcissism gone wild, and in a hurtling piece of bone-crushing metal. Something’s definitely not right in that picture.
So ja, is the need to be on time more important than the speed limit? Is the need to be cool more important than life?
The answer is obvious here, Bobby thinks. Speed is not unacceptable only if someone is killed, let’s slow it down before we get there. And here’s a helpful hint: speed limits are set for daytime conditions, not for night and rain, so slow it down even more in these conditions.