Random musings on the train..

Ahh the train. Have I mentioned that I love travelling by train? That in Europe when I was bored or stressed I would often just take a trip by train, usually to a nearby city, for nothing in particular, often just to sit at Starbucks for an hour or so and return. I just find it so relaxing. Unlike in vehicles, (provided I’m facing the right direction) I don’t get motion sick, but I still get to enjoy the beautiful scenery. There is no take offs or landings, no putting your tray table up and putting away electronics. There is space to walk about, get food, stretch your legs. The seats are comfy, there is no TV, no radio, everyone listening through their respective headphones. And in this car in particular, aside from the occasional screaming child heard when the train stops, there is no noise sound other then the sound of the train on the tracks, and the train whistling as we pass roads. I think I love it because I find it’s the best of both worlds. It has the relaxing soothing effect of watching scenery or a beautiful view, yet still allows me to work on my laptop and read.

On a slightly unrelated note, when is it that I developed this hatred and intolerance for TVs? I think I first really noticed it in Switzerland, how it intensely bothered me when the boys would turn the TV on in the mornings while eating breakfast. I think I find that it disturbs the peace in a way that conversation and music cannot. It’s so artificial and invasive. Nothing but commercialism, false pretences, and garbage enveloping every inch of your space. Not that I’m saying televisions themselves are evil, I think they’re indispensable for movies and gaming, but as far as TV shows go, I strongly prefer other mediums, such as computers. Maybe it’s because movies are usually chosen specifically for entertainment purposes, and usually watched by more than one person. Movies are also the offspring of theatre, which in its essence is a grandiose performance on stage, so a 60” screen with the latest surround sound makes sense in this respect. Gaming is much the same thing. TV programming on the other hand, I think is a time waster. Don’t get me wrong, I have a few TV shows that I watch myself, and a few more that I watch seasons of at a time when I’m having a lazy day or evening. But I readily acknowledge that unlike movies that have a purpose, a message, symbolism, etc. or games that are interactive, sitcoms, reality TV, soap operas, talk shows, etc. are for entertainment purposes only. Aside from the occasional Oprah or Dr. Phil, they are not meant to be educational, or even informative. Not only this, but the platform on which they are viewed, in this case being the station or channel, bombards you with subliminal messaging in the form of adds, news clips, and infomercials. They are meant to make money.

I guess I just find that it symbolizes everything that I don’t like about North American/Western culture. This is my own personal view obviously, shaped by my own experiences and perceptions. Also probably the same reason why I detest reality TV. Sometimes I find myself wishing for that Zombie Apocalypse everyone talks about. The complete and utter destruction of all unimportant aspects of life for a return to the essentials of survival. Or maybe just a the implosion of traditional forms of electricity, forcing us to use our few sustainable electrical sources for the essentials. Who knows, maybe by the end of this year ;).

SIDE NOTE: Still on the train. This blog is a full +12 hours after my first one, yet we have just arrived in Saskatoon. Because of the lovely Canadian weather, which is causing congestion on the tracks, causing us to follow freight trains doing 45 kms/h, the train is now running a full 4 hours late. Might very well have a third blog (hopefully about Vancouver this time) by the end of the day.