re: #216 goddamnedfrank

It occurred to me that nobody rides bikes in post apocalyptic movies, and I wondered why. In a real collapse scenario a good mountain bike with rack and a Bob trailer would be the balls. You can haul all your gear around, won’t need any gas and since zombies can’t ride for shit you can easily outrun them.

Then I realized that it was an aesthetic problem, people on bikes look happy and that’s doesn’t work if the goal is to portray a gritty dystopia. My Master’s thesis explored this as as similarity between bicycling and photography, that both activities foster a sense of freedom, independence, creating an ability and desire to explore one’s environment - that people who show an avid interest in both activities independently tend to associate each with these themes/feelings. Both technologies were invented and co-evolved in the same place and time. The first art photography exhibition in the United States was organized by the Capital Cycling Club. This 1896 Washington Salon and Art Photography Exhibition is where the Smithsonian made some of it’s first major purchases.

Coool! Great idea for the thesis! Wouldn’t mind reading it some time.

Happy Dystopia would make a good band name.