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Non-Road Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: hbelkins on January 21, 2019, 04:34:53 PM

Title: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: hbelkins on January 21, 2019, 04:34:53 PM
There are a number of aspects to this hobby. A non-comprehensive list is general roadtripping, seeing construction or other features, photography, county visiting, route clinching, collecting items such as maps/signs/traffic signals/other memorabilia, attending meets, participating in online forums or communities, and so on. I probably left a few things out.

What, if anything, might cause you to lose interest in the hobby or various parts of it, or possibly give it up altogether?
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: MNHighwayMan on January 21, 2019, 04:36:20 PM
Losing the ability to drive would be a big one for me.

But even if I could then find someone to drive for me, losing my sight would be even worse. So much of this hobby depends on eyesight that going blind would be a killer. I even made a topic about it once. (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22142.msg2298548#msg2298548)
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: hotdogPi on January 21, 2019, 04:38:42 PM
1. Signs get removed everywhere because self-driving cars don't need them.
2. Instant teleportation anywhere.

I can't think of anything else, other than dying.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: kphoger on January 21, 2019, 04:42:18 PM
I periodically lose interest in roadgeeking because other areas of life become more important.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: GaryV on January 21, 2019, 04:49:39 PM
I probably wouldn't lose interest in roadgeeking.  But I might lose (and/or gain) interest in particular aspects of it.

And certainly I'd lose interest in some implementations of it.  Already has happened for MTR.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: jakeroot on January 21, 2019, 05:01:35 PM
A lot of the typical roadgeek stuff has never really been interesting to me: route numbers and designations, long trips by car, old signs and signals, old infrastructure in general, navigating by map, etc.

My primary roadgeek interest is in traffic control (signs, signals, bike paths, sidewalks, plazas, etc), especially studying how people, and the various modes of transport we use, get through an area. This is why I'm in the Urban Studies/Urban Design program at U-Wash. As such, I don't see myself losing interest in traffic control, since my job will likely be to work with cities to develop long- and short-term growth plans for an area, especially with regards to how people move through and interact with an area.

It's decently likely that I'll end up working and living in an urban area, not likely to be commuting by car. Long-term, I see my interest in roads waning in favor of metros, trains, bikes, scooters, etc. When in DC, I ride the Washington Metro like clockwork, and have already developed an interest in the carriages that are used, and specific features of each series of train. I use scooters to get around Tacoma a lot, so I'm presently studying their effects on urban areas. I've developed a preference for making cars more expensive and less enjoyable in urban areas, through tolls like congestion charges, higher gas taxes and registration fees, the elimination of free parking in commercial areas, etc. This sort of ideology might seem insane to most roadgeeks, but I don't appreciate the car like I once did.

tl;dr -- I've already started losing interest in most roadgeek things
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 21, 2019, 05:52:24 PM
Something else coming causes roadgeeking to take a back seat, but I will always be a roadgeek in at least the back of my head.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: MNHighwayMan on January 21, 2019, 06:10:06 PM
Well, to answer this question, I think that it'd first be useful to have a definition as to what roadgeeking or what "being a roadgeek" is. Judging by the responses so far, it differs for everyone. As such, I don't think you can really give this question a rigorous answer.

For me, I've always paid attention to roads in some form since kindergarten, if not earlier. Having a community with which to discuss such things only broadens my perspective, since there's a lot of things or details I've learned about in my time here that I might not have otherwise given heed to. I don't really see it as a thing which stops, but rather as something that waxes and wanes in intensity. That's why I don't see anything, short of physical disability, from stopping my interest. Even if I stop participating here, for whatever reason, I'm likely still prone to noticing small details which make the mundane fascinating.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Eth on January 21, 2019, 06:48:45 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 21, 2019, 05:01:35 PM
It's decently likely that I'll end up working and living in an urban area, not likely to be commuting by car. Long-term, I see my interest in roads waning in favor of metros, trains, bikes, scooters, etc. When in DC, I ride the Washington Metro like clockwork, and have already developed an interest in the carriages that are used, and specific features of each series of train. I use scooters to get around Tacoma a lot, so I'm presently studying their effects on urban areas. I've developed a preference for making cars more expensive and less enjoyable in urban areas, through tolls like congestion charges, higher gas taxes and registration fees, the elimination of free parking in commercial areas, etc. This sort of ideology might seem insane to most roadgeeks, but I don't appreciate the car like I once did.

Much of this actually sounds like me. As someone who lives in an urban area and enjoys doing so, I find myself welcoming a lot of these changes. I work from home the majority of the time, and when I do go into the office I take MARTA. As a committed runner, I know the surrounding roads just as well on foot as I do by car, and I generally default to walking anywhere within about a mile. It's not at all uncommon for my car to go unused for several days at a time without me even leaving town.

But that's urban life. I think I still have an appreciation for road-related endeavors in general. I remain fascinated by the concept of how we get from point A to point B as well as the navigational aids we use in doing so. To answer the question, I'd probably echo 1's response:

Quote from: 1 on January 21, 2019, 04:38:42 PM
1. Signs get removed everywhere because self-driving cars don't need them.
2. Instant teleportation anywhere.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: In_Correct on January 21, 2019, 07:04:08 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 21, 2019, 04:34:53 PM
There are a number of aspects to this hobby. A non-comprehensive list is general roadtripping, seeing construction or other features, photography, county visiting, route clinching, collecting items such as maps/signs/traffic signals/other memorabilia, attending meets, participating in online forums or communities, and so on. I probably left a few things out.

What, if anything, might cause you to lose interest in the hobby or various parts of it, or possibly give it up altogether?

An overwhelming amount of Grade Separated Maglev Systems where no roads would need to be encountered.

Subway Systems also.

A very small island that is much easier to travel by boat.

Blimps, And / Or Hover Craft.

Personal Jet Packs.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: formulanone on January 21, 2019, 08:31:47 PM
It's kind of hard to work up enthusiasm for something you've seen and discussed several times before. There can be a lot of "been there, done that" with any hobby. It's a long game to be played; new roads aren't built overnight and there's a lot of ground to be covered. But there's also lots of facets tangential to the roads themselves, and that leads to more interests, and so on and so forth.

On one hand, there's more roads than anyone could hope to drive upon in their lifetime. If your goal is to drive on them all, then it's an unattainable apex, but with classification an ordering, one can set more reasonable expectations and goals. Some people are going to keep going, and others are going to just find it tedious and move on to something else.

I get a lot of variety thanks to travelling for work, and that's a huge motivator. If I was stuck driving the same routes almost all of the time, it would get a bit dull...which is how it felt to me after a few years of getting my driver's license. When I wasn't covering any new ground, it wasn't usually as much fun after a few years, and I personally let the hobby go for a while.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 21, 2019, 09:15:43 PM
I also doubt that not being able to drive will make me lose interest because I am a roadgeek who can't currently drive.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: adventurernumber1 on January 21, 2019, 11:10:22 PM
My immense love of roads is strongly boiled into my system. I think it would take death or complete, 100% mental incapacitation to fully take that away from me.

With that said, (as mentioned) going blind significantly negatively impacts and reduces the amount of ways in which I can manifest my interest in roads. As I had said in the mentioned thread (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22142.msg2298569#msg2298569) on going blind, I would still be a roadgeek, but my ability to do such related hobbies would be severely impaired (or completely impossible, as in the case of actually visually seeing roads). If blind, I would have to heavily rely on thinking about and mentally envisioning fictional roads in my head (or remembering and picturing actual roads). My ability to interact with the roadgeek community would be severely impaired - although I may be able to communicate sporadically in obscure ways (as mentioned in my post in that thread). Losing my eyesight would undoubtly be a major hit, but I would hold tightly onto and enjoy to the most everything I had left.

I am now (and presumably forever) unable to drive (due to physical and mental health issues, and certain medications), but as such I have adapted my mindset to accommodate for that by being mindful of the fact that (while not the same), I can drive infinitely in some video games (some of which have incredibly realistic and interesting roads). That is what helps me most to have peace of mind about not being able to drive, since I can still do it virtually. Obviously I can still be driven around, but I am not the one driving, so I am in essence unable to go out into the day and go "roadgeeking" on the roads in a traditional sense - except very, very rarely when my mother might have a chance to do it. And there is also the ability to look at actual roads through media - whether it be road videos I have taken on my phone that are in my Camera Roll, or somewhere on the internet, such as road photos and videos here on this forum, on YouTube, or anywhere else. And of course there is the countless information about roads that can be found throughout the internet, and books and such. And I can still look at all the paper maps I have at home, and the online maps on the internet (such as Google Maps). And then of course there is the ability to communicate and interact with the roadgeek community online, such as on this forum. Browsing this forum can indeed, as mentioned, expand one's knowledge and interest of the many areas within all the road-related topics. In the few years that I have been on this forum, I have learned so, so much about road-related information, and I have much, much more I have yet to learn. Roadgeekery can be enjoyed and manifested in so many different ways - the possibilities are endless. Also, I have no idea how to explain this, but sometimes new interests can build on top of existing interests - sometimes different interests can converge or diverge - and as mentioned, sometimes interests can wax and wane. Sometimes life circumstances affect things, and sometimes physical or mental incapacitation may set in - but whatever happens to me in life, I will fight to the end to preserve my roadgeek heart.  :D  :-P


Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 21, 2019, 11:19:33 PM
Becoming disabled somehow and being unable to drive.  Really this hobby is a general extension of my general enjoyment of travel.  Something akin to disability would certainly kill my other hobbies like hiking and photo taking as well.  I'd find it difficult to enjoy this hobby not being able to interact with it first hand.  I had to face losing the use of one arm in the past decade after I was run over while running, so he consequences of severe injury have crossed my mind now and then.  I agree with blindness being a hobby killer as well. 
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Duke87 on January 22, 2019, 12:32:51 AM
One common cause of me losing interest in anything in life is reaching a point where I have exhausted the possibilities within it, or at least reaching a point where there are increasingly diminishing returns to continuing further, and it stops being fun.

This has already manifested itself for me in terms of roadgeeking in one key way: I've finished the entire state highway systems in MA, RI, CT, NJ, and in the downstate portion of NY. As such, I've stopped going on trips that are purely clinchathons - because I've tapped out my ability to clinch any significant new mileage without at least one overnight stay away from home, and if I have to spend money on a hotel it ceases being worthwhile to me.

I do still make a point of clinching roads whenever I have some other reason to be away from home overnight and can reasonably work it in, but it is now an opportunistic activity rather than a targeted one.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Beltway on January 22, 2019, 12:42:46 AM
It has been 50 years now.  I don't see anything that would decrease the interest.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: DandyDan on January 22, 2019, 12:47:03 AM
I could turn into my dad and get really interested in trains, old rail stations and abandoned rail lines, plus other aspects of the railroad business I can't think about at the moment.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: D-Dey65 on January 22, 2019, 12:53:14 AM
Nothing can make me lose interest in roadgeeking. I was into it long before I was old enough to drive. Unfortunately, seeing many should've been built road projects being abandoned and demolished has only made me feel disgusted about them not being built, and isolated over it.

Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Rick Powell on January 22, 2019, 01:49:46 AM
Quote from: DandyDan on January 22, 2019, 12:47:03 AM
I could turn into my dad and get really interested in trains, old rail stations and abandoned rail lines, plus other aspects of the railroad business I can't think about at the moment.

I am equally interested in roads and rail, for different reasons. I come from a railroad family with roots in the 1800's rail systems of the south. And I grew up watching the interstate highway system being built. Both my dad and I were/are civil engineers who have worked for both railroads and state highway agencies, and I now work in the private sector where I work on projects for both modes. I am probably one of the few people who worked on construction of a legacy interstate highway (I-55) and a commuter rail extension (what is now Metra Electric to University Park) before the age of 21.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: DandyDan on January 22, 2019, 04:28:11 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on January 22, 2019, 01:49:46 AM
Quote from: DandyDan on January 22, 2019, 12:47:03 AM
I could turn into my dad and get really interested in trains, old rail stations and abandoned rail lines, plus other aspects of the railroad business I can't think about at the moment.

I am equally interested in roads and rail, for different reasons. I come from a railroad family with roots in the 1800's rail systems of the south. And I grew up watching the interstate highway system being built. Both my dad and I were/are civil engineers who have worked for both railroads and state highway agencies, and I now work in the private sector where I work on projects for both modes. I am probably one of the few people who worked on construction of a legacy interstate highway (I-55) and a commuter rail extension (what is now Metra Electric to University Park) before the age of 21.
I don't mind tracking down abandoned rail lines, some of which obviously are rail trails, but the books he had which relate to the technical aspects of him doing his job does not appeal to me.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: qguy on January 22, 2019, 06:29:57 AM
Quote from: D-Dey65 on January 22, 2019, 12:53:14 AM
Nothing can make me lose interest in roadgeeking. I was into it long before I was old enough to drive.

Quote from: Beltway on January 22, 2019, 12:42:46 AM
It has been 50[-ish] years now.  I don't see anything that would decrease the interest. [Edit by qguy.]

This is me.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 22, 2019, 08:02:19 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on January 22, 2019, 01:49:46 AM
Quote from: DandyDan on January 22, 2019, 12:47:03 AM
I could turn into my dad and get really interested in trains, old rail stations and abandoned rail lines, plus other aspects of the railroad business I can't think about at the moment.

I am equally interested in roads and rail, for different reasons. I come from a railroad family with roots in the 1800's rail systems of the south. And I grew up watching the interstate highway system being built. Both my dad and I were/are civil engineers who have worked for both railroads and state highway agencies, and I now work in the private sector where I work on projects for both modes. I am probably one of the few people who worked on construction of a legacy interstate highway (I-55) and a commuter rail extension (what is now Metra Electric to University Park) before the age of 21.
I have a secondary interest in rail, my interests tend to switch sometimes, I like rail more in the spring.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: abefroman329 on January 22, 2019, 09:28:58 AM
Quote from: 1 on January 21, 2019, 04:38:42 PM
1. Signs get removed everywhere because self-driving cars don't need them.
It's highly doubtful that the technology will ever become so perfect, or so widespread, that there will be 0 manually-operated vehicles on the road at any given time.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: SP Cook on January 22, 2019, 09:34:16 AM
I can only think of two things.  One would be if all of this self-driving car nonsense actually came to be.  Now, I do not believe this will ever really happen, but if it did, what would be the point. 

The more likely thing is those with anti-transportation agendas return to power.  A combination of converting every road into tolls, high fuel prices and taxes, further performance declines due to enviro rules, reduction in SLs to NMSL or lower, and allowing the system to fall into disrepair will take driving an individual car to a distant place away from the regular person.

Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 22, 2019, 09:51:29 AM
My interest in the hobby kind of ebbs and flows like I'm sure it does for most people.

I live near a major city, and there are generally a number of projects ongoing at any given time, so that helps to keep my interest level high.  If I lived somewhere where major construction projects were less frequent, I'd probably become less interested in the hobby.

One of the things that does keep me interested is the photography aspect of the hobby.  When I drive to work I will often take photos of the same road signs every morning so that I can ensure when I go somewhere far away that I can get consistently sharp photos in varying lighting conditions.

If someone's interest in the hobby was waning (and they wanted to reinvigorate their interest), I'd say get a new camera, and learn how to use it on their drive to work.  That way the next time they do a road trip, they'll get continually better results.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: nexus73 on January 22, 2019, 10:10:25 AM
If my heart stopped beating, then losing interest in transportation would be the least of my worries...LOL!

Rick
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: LM117 on January 22, 2019, 10:20:08 AM
If I ever went blind (hope I didn't jinx myself) or when the time comes for me to take the ol' dirt nap (hopefully many moons from now).

If I lost the ability to drive that doesn't involve going blind, then it would probably put a dent in it, but it wouldn't kill it.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: hbelkins on January 22, 2019, 11:09:32 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 21, 2019, 06:10:06 PM
Well, to answer this question, I think that it'd first be useful to have a definition as to what roadgeeking or what "being a roadgeek" is. Judging by the responses so far, it differs for everyone. As such, I don't think you can really give this question a rigorous answer.

That's why I listed a number of different aspects. It's different for everyone. Each person has their own specific interest.

I'm going to read the responses for awhile before I offer my reasons.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Henry on January 22, 2019, 11:11:51 AM
When the cows come home, pigs fly, or hell freezes over...so never!
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Brandon on January 22, 2019, 11:46:16 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 21, 2019, 04:34:53 PM
There are a number of aspects to this hobby. A non-comprehensive list is general roadtripping, seeing construction or other features, photography, county visiting, route clinching, collecting items such as maps/signs/traffic signals/other memorabilia, attending meets, participating in online forums or communities, and so on. I probably left a few things out.

What, if anything, might cause you to lose interest in the hobby or various parts of it, or possibly give it up altogether?

Not a clue, but I sure as hell won't let people (and their ideological nonsense) get in my way of enjoying it.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: inkyatari on January 22, 2019, 12:02:17 PM
IDOT (Illinois) getting their shit together might.

Fortunately there's little chance of that happening.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Chris on January 22, 2019, 02:21:07 PM
From a European perspective, it may be the lack of road projects in some areas. There are countries / regions with very few changes in the road system. Another problem is the high cost of fuel, which is around $ 6 - 7 per gallon in most of Western Europe. This - in addition to tolls - puts up a substantial barrier to long-distance driving. I combine vacations with road trips, but this isn't for everybody.

I've been engaged in the Dutch road enthusiast community for 15 years now. I've seen road enthusiasts come and go. I can understand that at some point people would think 'been there, done that'. I like road projects and those are plentiful in the Netherlands. While we don't build many new roads, much of the system is under reconstruction / widening since the late 2000s, so there is almost always some major, half-billion-plus, road project going on within a 90 minute drive.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: vdeane on January 22, 2019, 02:53:09 PM
Going blind, I would think.  So much of what interests me is being able to see things.  If I couldn't drive, I'd still have maps and street view.  When I run out of things I'm interested in clinching in day trip range, I'll still have overnight trips tied to vacations/roadmeets/whatnot, albeit less frequently.  Not sure what would be left for me if I couldn't see, though.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: sparker on January 23, 2019, 06:02:12 AM
Probably my own demise; I've been at it since about 1956 or so -- at least as an observer and young map collector -- so unless I develop a disability that prevents me from absorbing information, my interest will continue.  Of course, the ability to drive and thus gather information independent of others is part of the process; if for some reason that should disappear and a dependency upon others' schedules or preferences prevails, I'd likely find myself having to rearrange my interest into a more academic and data-based format rather than one where much of my information is obtained first-hand and physically.  In short, as long as I can get around and see what's going on, I'll continue as I have, utilizing a combination of personal experience and secondhand acquisition -- but if the first is "truncated" by physical or other disability, the second will just have to suffice.   Since I'm on the edge of 70, a sea change or detour into uncharted territory is always a possibility that for better or worse tends to impinge more and more as time passes.
But then -- to state the obvious -- the more stark alternative is drastically worse!
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on January 23, 2019, 08:10:42 AM
Definitely going blind. I was allowed to get the driver's license despite having an autism spectrum disorder (and exactly what had a eponymous name, but they found the namesake was nazi or sth like that so they recently dropped that and I followed suit). Also passing over.

However there is a even worse factor than this that could make me lose interest in roadgeeking: A major improvement on passenger rail transport. It's bad in my area, but at least it's better than the USA. I really like the rail network they have in Japan, due to that I haven't had little interest in their roads. While I also like public transit (metros, trams -or streetcars as you call them-, city buses), it doesn't usually interfere with roads. In fact on a road trip I did last year I arrived at the edge of a city, left my van there and went into downtown and back by city bus.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: jakeroot on January 23, 2019, 04:40:50 PM
Quote from: Eth on January 21, 2019, 06:48:45 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 21, 2019, 05:01:35 PM
It's decently likely that I'll end up working and living in an urban area, not likely to be commuting by car. Long-term, I see my interest in roads waning in favor of metros, trains, bikes, scooters, etc. When in DC, I ride the Washington Metro like clockwork, and have already developed an interest in the carriages that are used, and specific features of each series of train. I use scooters to get around Tacoma a lot, so I'm presently studying their effects on urban areas. I've developed a preference for making cars more expensive and less enjoyable in urban areas, through tolls like congestion charges, higher gas taxes and registration fees, the elimination of free parking in commercial areas, etc. This sort of ideology might seem insane to most roadgeeks, but I don't appreciate the car like I once did.

Much of this actually sounds like me. As someone who lives in an urban area and enjoys doing so, I find myself welcoming a lot of these changes. I work from home the majority of the time, and when I do go into the office I take MARTA. As a committed runner, I know the surrounding roads just as well on foot as I do by car, and I generally default to walking anywhere within about a mile. It's not at all uncommon for my car to go unused for several days at a time without me even leaving town.

But that's urban life. I think I still have an appreciation for road-related endeavors in general. I remain fascinated by the concept of how we get from point A to point B as well as the navigational aids we use in doing so.

Growing up, I was extremely car-dependent. I can certainly understand how so many of us developed a passion for roads -- we were basically forced to enjoy it! -- but living in urban areas of DC, lately, has really allowed me to appreciate a car-less life. We have two parking spots, but I see no reason to fill the extra spot, since the Metrorail, buses, and all the scooter and bike rentals surrounding our house makes driving, at the very least, no more convenient. When visiting the denser bits of the city, the car is basically a burden, since we have to dump it somewhere when visiting a point-of-interest. No such hassle with public options like transit or scooters.

I am also fascinated with how we get around; it's basically the only reason that I like roads at all.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: ErmineNotyours on January 24, 2019, 12:41:56 AM
I didn't have a car for the past five years, but that helped me focus on things I could see from the bus and on foot.  I discovered AA Roads almost a year ago, after lurking on misc.transport.roads for a while.  Now I can see more photos and maps to illustrate the points being made in text.  Wow!  But here I'm faced with people who know the model name and year of a traffic signal, and the exact font of a sign.  Yikes!  I may not be top dog here, but I hope to keep contributing a little.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: slorydn1 on January 24, 2019, 01:00:53 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 21, 2019, 04:36:20 PM
Losing the ability to drive would be a big one for me.

But even if I could then find someone to drive for me, losing my sight would be even worse. So much of this hobby depends on eyesight that going blind would be a killer. I even made a topic about it once. (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22142.msg2298548#msg2298548)

I'm with you. Losing sight would pretty much be a deal breaker for me, too. I could always get someone else to take me on a road trip, but what good would it be if I couldn't see anything?
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: kphoger on January 24, 2019, 02:02:01 PM
I had no car from 1999 to around 2004 or so, then briefly had a car but sold it when I couldn't afford the basic repairs it needed.  My wife and I have only ever owned one car at a time and, when we first got married, we worked in different towns and hers was farther away.

During that time, I used many modes of transportation to get around.  It was hitchhiking that led me to learn about state and municipal traffic laws, which has become a valuable part of the discussion on this forum.

On foot, also, it's easier to pay more attention to things like street signage, signals, etc.  Slower speed, after all.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: abefroman329 on January 24, 2019, 02:16:38 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 23, 2019, 04:40:50 PMGrowing up, I was extremely car-dependent. I can certainly understand how so many of us developed a passion for roads -- we were basically forced to enjoy it! -- but living in urban areas of DC, lately, has really allowed me to appreciate a car-less life. We have two parking spots, but I see no reason to fill the extra spot, since the Metrorail, buses, and all the scooter and bike rentals surrounding our house makes driving, at the very least, no more convenient. When visiting the denser bits of the city, the car is basically a burden, since we have to dump it somewhere when visiting a point-of-interest. No such hassle with public options like transit or scooters.
Same for me - I specifically moved to DC after college, in part, because I wanted to, at minimum, be able to commute by public transit (even if I needed a car to run errands on the weekends).  I can find a way to enjoy trips to car-centric places, but it's not a lifestyle I want to lead perennially.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: jakeroot on January 24, 2019, 04:49:00 PM
Quote from: kphoger on January 24, 2019, 02:02:01 PM
On foot, also, it's easier to pay more attention to things like street signage, signals, etc.  Slower speed, after all.

This is a huge benefit. If I see a cool sign or signal, that's a huge hassle in a car. Hopefully, I can get my camera out quickly enough. If not, I have to circle back around (could take a while), all the while watching for cops who might ticket me for taking a photo. On foot? Not only is it obviously way easier since you just stop and take the damn photo, the overall quality is going to be better.

Quote from: abefroman329 on January 24, 2019, 02:16:38 PM
I specifically moved to DC after college, in part, because I wanted to, at minimum, be able to commute by public transit (even if I needed a car to run errands on the weekends).  I can find a way to enjoy trips to car-centric places, but it's not a lifestyle I want to lead perennially.

Indeed, same for me. Suburban + car living is fine for most people, but it's not really my thing. I prefer denser areas where things are close together, and don't necessarily require vehicles. Especially in this country, city living is great because public transit is so cheap, which is not necessarily the case in transit-heavy foreign metropolitan areas like Tokyo. If I can find a place that allows me to use the bus or train, my transportation expenses are quite low. Even if I have a car at home, driving it 1000 miles every three months reduces my maintenance costs in the short-term, plus, my resale value goes way up.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Bruce on January 24, 2019, 11:43:14 PM
For me, losing access to both places to photograph and resources to look through could spell the end of my roadgeeking.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Beltway on January 25, 2019, 12:58:53 AM
Blindness would end or sharply limit most hobbies. 

Golf and astronomy are two other major hobbies of mine.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 25, 2019, 08:50:43 AM
Quote from: Beltway on January 25, 2019, 12:58:53 AM
Blindness would end or sharply limit most hobbies. 

Golf and astronomy are two other major hobbies of mine.
That's why most people would rather go deaf. One exception is music buffs.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: jon daly on January 25, 2019, 03:21:26 PM
Roadmaps are my thing and I finally joined RMCA. I'll probably maintain a mild interest in them and the history of roads, but there will be times (like the last month or so) when I'll be too busy with other things to talk about them online.

Baseball's like that for me. I'm a little burnt out on sabermetrics after gabbing about the topic online for 18 years, but it is still my favorite sport.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: corco on January 26, 2019, 02:00:46 PM
If I otherwise got a life.

I'm not even really sure I'm a roadgeek anymore - I still like to travel and clinch things, but otherwise I'm indifferent to most aspects of the hobby.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 02:03:18 PM
Quote from: corco on January 26, 2019, 02:00:46 PM
If I otherwise got a life.

I'm not even really sure I'm a roadgeek anymore - I still like to travel and clinch things, but otherwise I'm indifferent to most aspects of the hobby.
You seem kind of like me. I am a roadgeek but I'm not really into things like sign fonts.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: jakeroot on January 26, 2019, 07:37:53 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 02:03:18 PM
Quote from: corco on January 26, 2019, 02:00:46 PM
If I otherwise got a life.

I'm not even really sure I'm a roadgeek anymore - I still like to travel and clinch things, but otherwise I'm indifferent to most aspects of the hobby.
You seem kind of like me. I am a roadgeek but I'm not really into things like sign fonts.

Better than roadgeeks who get all wound up over a non-standard typeface. I think it's cool when something unusual is used.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Ben114 on January 26, 2019, 07:42:48 PM
1. self-driving cars (if I had a choice, I would never get one)
2. destruction of all roads
3. Clearview takeover
4. a disability which causes me to lose the ability to drive
5. death
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 08:20:50 PM
Quote from: Ben114 on January 26, 2019, 07:42:48 PM
1. self-driving cars (if I had a choice, I would never get one)
2. destruction of all roads
3. Clearview takeover
4. a disability which causes me to lose the ability to drive
5. death
Self driving cars might actually improve my road intrest.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: jon daly on January 26, 2019, 10:15:45 PM
Quote from: DandyDan on January 22, 2019, 12:47:03 AM
I could turn into my dad and get really interested in trains, old rail stations and abandoned rail lines, plus other aspects of the railroad business I can't think about at the moment.
I'd be interested in timetables for routes between major league cities, but that covers most of my railfan interest.

It's been years, but I'd like to go planespotting again.

moto e5 play

Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: vdeane on January 26, 2019, 10:42:30 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 08:20:50 PM
Self driving cars might actually improve my road intrest.
Good luck clinching anything when the car is the one navigating.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 10:56:01 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 26, 2019, 10:42:30 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 08:20:50 PM
Self driving cars might actually improve my road intrest.
Good luck clinching anything when the car is the one navigating.
I thought that on self driving cars you could choose the route.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 27, 2019, 12:11:32 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 10:56:01 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 26, 2019, 10:42:30 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 08:20:50 PM
Self driving cars might actually improve my road intrest.
Good luck clinching anything when the car is the one navigating.
I thought that on self driving cars you could choose the route.

I would be highly amused to see a self-driving car attempt some of the more haggard western roadways.  I shutter to think what would happen with a self-driving vehicle on something like CA 4 over Ebbetts Pass much less places like Mineral King Road. 
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: jakeroot on January 27, 2019, 03:40:55 AM
I know our instinct isn't to trust computers, but there's a fair few people that I wouldn't A) trust to drive near a cliff, nor B) trust not to kill me. At least computers don't get distracted.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: MantyMadTown on January 27, 2019, 04:46:55 AM
One of my main interests in roadgeeking involves following up on new road projects. I've been fascinated by them since US 41 was converted to an interstate years ago. I still like seeing road upgrades and the commissioning/decommissioning of routes. If all of a sudden transportation departments stopped funding new road projects and made no further changes to our road networks, then it would certainly dampen my roadgeeking interests by quite a bit. I still don't have my license yet (I have an instructional permit but I haven't passed my driver's test and I haven't had time to practice for it since I started college!), but I would absolutely love to drive on all of these roads someday and I hope I have many years to do that in the future.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: kevinb1994 on January 27, 2019, 06:31:22 AM
Quote from: MantyMadTown on January 27, 2019, 04:46:55 AM
One of my main interests in roadgeeking involves following up on new road projects. I've been fascinated by them since US 41 was converted to an interstate years ago. I still like seeing road upgrades and the commissioning/decommissioning of routes. If all of a sudden transportation departments stopped funding new road projects and made no further changes to our road networks, then it would certainly dampen my roadgeeking interests by quite a bit. I still don't have my license yet (I have an instructional permit but I haven't passed my driver's test and I haven't had time to practice for it since I started college!), but I would absolutely love to drive on all of these roads someday and I hope I have many years to do that in the future.

You're in the same boat I was in when living up north.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: hbelkins on January 27, 2019, 03:45:59 PM
A self-driving car would have one big advantage for me. I could sleep while on routes I've driven often while traveling to a place I've never been before. "Take US 19 south from Asheville. Wake me when we get to the Georgia state line."
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 27, 2019, 05:30:03 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 27, 2019, 03:45:59 PM
A self-driving car would have one big advantage for me. I could sleep while on routes I've driven often while traveling to a place I've never been before. "Take US 19 south from Asheville. Wake me when we get to the Georgia state line."
It's a car, not an alarm.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: hbelkins on January 27, 2019, 07:05:07 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 27, 2019, 05:30:03 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 27, 2019, 03:45:59 PM
A self-driving car would have one big advantage for me. I could sleep while on routes I've driven often while traveling to a place I've never been before. "Take US 19 south from Asheville. Wake me when we get to the Georgia state line."
It's a car, not an alarm.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: MNHighwayMan on January 27, 2019, 07:33:43 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 27, 2019, 05:30:03 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 27, 2019, 03:45:59 PM
A self-driving car would have one big advantage for me. I could sleep while on routes I've driven often while traveling to a place I've never been before. "Take US 19 south from Asheville. Wake me when we get to the Georgia state line."
It's a car, not an alarm.

I guarantee you, if self-driving cars become a thing and take off, an alarm will be an included feature.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: formulanone on January 27, 2019, 08:31:02 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 27, 2019, 07:33:43 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 27, 2019, 05:30:03 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 27, 2019, 03:45:59 PM
A self-driving car would have one big advantage for me. I could sleep while on routes I've driven often while traveling to a place I've never been before. "Take US 19 south from Asheville. Wake me when we get to the Georgia state line."
It's a car, not an alarm.

I guarantee you, if self-driving cars become a thing and take off, an alarm will be an included feature.

You can actually set timed reminders on some cars, even if it doesn't have GPS. Of course, it wouldn't tell you where you are without that feature.

I figure the self-driving car will be more-or-less perfected by the time I'm too old to drive. By 75-80, I'm sure my senses won't be quite the same.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: vdeane on January 27, 2019, 09:13:25 PM
Self-driving cars are basically going to be computers on wheels.  One of the "advantages" the tech companies see with them is the possibility of displaying targeted advertising on the windshield.  I imagine they'll be able to do anything Alexa or Google Home can.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 27, 2019, 10:02:13 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 27, 2019, 09:13:25 PM
Self-driving cars are basically going to be computers on wheels.  One of the "advantages" the tech companies see with them is the possibility of displaying targeted advertising on the windshield.  I imagine they'll be able to do anything Alexa or Google Home can.
That sounds cool but kind of scary.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: abefroman329 on January 28, 2019, 07:30:10 AM
Quote from: formulanone on January 27, 2019, 08:31:02 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 27, 2019, 07:33:43 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 27, 2019, 05:30:03 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 27, 2019, 03:45:59 PM
A self-driving car would have one big advantage for me. I could sleep while on routes I've driven often while traveling to a place I've never been before. "Take US 19 south from Asheville. Wake me when we get to the Georgia state line."
It's a car, not an alarm.

I guarantee you, if self-driving cars become a thing and take off, an alarm will be an included feature.

You can actually set timed reminders on some cars, even if it doesn't have GPS. Of course, it wouldn't tell you where you are without that feature.

I figure the self-driving car will be more-or-less perfected by the time I'm too old to drive. By 75-80, I'm sure my senses won't be quite the same.
Considering I can't even set my phone to remind me of something once I arrive at a specific geographic point, I think we're a long way from cars being able to do that.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: hotdogPi on January 28, 2019, 07:32:59 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 28, 2019, 07:30:10 AM
Quote from: formulanone on January 27, 2019, 08:31:02 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 27, 2019, 07:33:43 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 27, 2019, 05:30:03 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 27, 2019, 03:45:59 PM
A self-driving car would have one big advantage for me. I could sleep while on routes I've driven often while traveling to a place I've never been before. "Take US 19 south from Asheville. Wake me when we get to the Georgia state line."
It's a car, not an alarm.

I guarantee you, if self-driving cars become a thing and take off, an alarm will be an included feature.

You can actually set timed reminders on some cars, even if it doesn't have GPS. Of course, it wouldn't tell you where you are without that feature.

I figure the self-driving car will be more-or-less perfected by the time I'm too old to drive. By 75-80, I'm sure my senses won't be quite the same.
Considering I can't even set my phone to remind me of something once I arrive at a specific geographic point, I think we're a long way from cars being able to do that.

That's probably not a feature because it has low demand. The technology is definitely existing (e.g. "You've arrived at your destination" message at the end of a GPS trip); it's just not being used.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Rothman on January 28, 2019, 07:55:47 AM
To the OP:  Nothing.

Interest would still be there even if I developed some disability.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: abefroman329 on January 28, 2019, 10:57:04 AM
Quote from: 1 on January 28, 2019, 07:32:59 AMThat's probably not a feature because it has low demand. The technology is definitely existing (e.g. "You've arrived at your destination" message at the end of a GPS trip); it's just not being used.
Well who do I need to talk to, because I bet a lot of people would love it if their phone could remind them to turn on the oven when they get home from work, or whatever.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: formulanone on January 28, 2019, 11:03:07 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 28, 2019, 10:57:04 AM
Quote from: 1 on January 28, 2019, 07:32:59 AMThat's probably not a feature because it has low demand. The technology is definitely existing (e.g. "You've arrived at your destination" message at the end of a GPS trip); it's just not being used.
Well who do I need to talk to, because I bet a lot of people would love it if their phone could remind them to turn on the oven when they get home from work, or whatever.

It's called geofencing and it exists.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: dcharlie on January 28, 2019, 11:53:15 AM
Dementia...   maybe.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: abefroman329 on January 28, 2019, 12:35:17 PM
Quote from: dcharlie on January 28, 2019, 11:53:15 AM
Dementia...   maybe.
On the plus side, you'll meet new people every day.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: rawmustard on January 28, 2019, 01:09:38 PM
Quote from: 1 on January 28, 2019, 07:32:59 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 28, 2019, 07:30:10 AM
Considering I can't even set my phone to remind me of something once I arrive at a specific geographic point, I think we're a long way from cars being able to do that.
That's probably not a feature because it has low demand. The technology is definitely existing (e.g. "You've arrived at your destination" message at the end of a GPS trip); it's just not being used.

You can set a reminder in Google Assistant to alert you when you are at either a specific location or a range of them. ("Hey Google, the next time I'm at a Meijer, remind me to pick up coffee.")
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: US 89 on January 28, 2019, 01:34:20 PM
Quote from: rawmustard on January 28, 2019, 01:09:38 PM
Quote from: 1 on January 28, 2019, 07:32:59 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 28, 2019, 07:30:10 AM
Considering I can't even set my phone to remind me of something once I arrive at a specific geographic point, I think we're a long way from cars being able to do that.
That's probably not a feature because it has low demand. The technology is definitely existing (e.g. "You've arrived at your destination" message at the end of a GPS trip); it's just not being used.

You can set a reminder in Google Assistant to alert you when you are at either a specific location or a range of them. ("Hey Google, the next time I'm at a Meijer, remind me to pick up coffee.")

If you have an iPhone, there is a "remind me at a location" setting you can use for reminder notifications.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 28, 2019, 02:45:22 PM
Quote from: dcharlie on January 28, 2019, 11:53:15 AM
Dementia...   maybe.
You might forget specific road memories but shouldn't you still be interested in roads?
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: formulanone on January 28, 2019, 03:23:05 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 28, 2019, 12:35:17 PM
Quote from: dcharlie on January 28, 2019, 11:53:15 AM
Dementia...   maybe.
On the plus side, you'll meet new people every day.

Ring and loop roads forever!
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 28, 2019, 03:28:19 PM
Quote from: formulanone on January 28, 2019, 03:23:05 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 28, 2019, 12:35:17 PM
Quote from: dcharlie on January 28, 2019, 11:53:15 AM
Dementia...   maybe.
On the plus side, you'll meet new people every day.

Ring and loop roads forever!

Makes old roads worth driving again. 
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: jakeroot on January 28, 2019, 03:36:10 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 28, 2019, 07:55:47 AM
Interest would still be there even if I developed some disability.

Probably, but if it was a life-changing disability, your day-to-day interests may change (though you may still have a lingering interest in the back of your mind).
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 28, 2019, 08:23:00 PM
To answer the OP: Bullshit from all of you.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 28, 2019, 09:27:21 PM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 28, 2019, 08:23:00 PM
To answer the OP: Bullshit from all of you.
What do you mean?
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: index on January 29, 2019, 08:41:25 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 26, 2019, 07:37:53 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 02:03:18 PM
Quote from: corco on January 26, 2019, 02:00:46 PM
If I otherwise got a life.

I'm not even really sure I'm a roadgeek anymore - I still like to travel and clinch things, but otherwise I'm indifferent to most aspects of the hobby.
You seem kind of like me. I am a roadgeek but I'm not really into things like sign fonts.

Better than roadgeeks who get all wound up over a non-standard typeface. I think it's cool when something unusual is used.


Same here -- part of what makes roads actually interesting to me (I'm more into things like traffic control, signals, etc) is that everything isn't absolutely standardized and each and every thing has its little bit of variation. If everything was uniform, it wouldn't be too interesting. Imagine if everything was FDOT spec, that wouldn't be too interesting for a lot of people.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: MNHighwayMan on January 29, 2019, 08:48:18 AM
Hard disagree. I like standards, and especially when an agency demonstrates a superb ability to actually follow those standards.

That said, it can be fun to gawk at the freak, too.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: formulanone on January 29, 2019, 06:40:25 PM
Quote from: index on January 29, 2019, 08:41:25 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 26, 2019, 07:37:53 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 26, 2019, 02:03:18 PM
Quote from: corco on January 26, 2019, 02:00:46 PM
If I otherwise got a life.

I'm not even really sure I'm a roadgeek anymore - I still like to travel and clinch things, but otherwise I'm indifferent to most aspects of the hobby.
You seem kind of like me. I am a roadgeek but I'm not really into things like sign fonts.

Better than roadgeeks who get all wound up over a non-standard typeface. I think it's cool when something unusual is used.


Same here -- part of what makes roads actually interesting to me (I'm more into things like traffic control, signals, etc) is that everything isn't absolutely standardized and each and every thing has its little bit of variation. If everything was uniform, it wouldn't be too interesting. Imagine if everything was FDOT spec, that wouldn't be too interesting for a lot of people.

FDOT-spec isn't bad place to start. Most regulatory/warning signage is good stock, road-striping is bright and uniform (for tourists and the elderly?), but the guide signage and route shields are left to the whims of local jurisdictions, tolling authorities, or whatever one of the 7 different districts (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FDOT_district_map.jpg) chooses on. You get a lot of variation in that slice of roadgeekery.

On the other hand, no two states do things exactly alike, and that makes it interesting, as well.

Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 29, 2019, 08:48:18 AM
That said, it can be fun to gawk at the freak, too.

See above.

---------------------------------------

With all that, it's totally okay to focus on other things in life and try to be experts in a different field. You only live once so many times:

http://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2012-09-02
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 29, 2019, 07:41:26 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 29, 2019, 08:48:18 AM
Hard disagree. I like standards, and especially when an agency demonstrates a superb ability to actually follow those standards.

That said, it can be fun to gawk at the freak, too.
I like errors that are super out there.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: Scott5114 on February 01, 2019, 06:20:25 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 29, 2019, 08:48:18 AM
Hard disagree. I like standards, and especially when an agency demonstrates a superb ability to actually follow those standards.

That said, it can be fun to gawk at the freak, too.

The fun part of standards-following agencies is when they run into a non-standard situation and then try to bend the standard to meet the need.

This isn't interesting at all if every third panel has an entirely different design.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: MNHighwayMan on February 01, 2019, 10:21:11 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 01, 2019, 06:20:25 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 29, 2019, 08:48:18 AM
Hard disagree. I like standards, and especially when an agency demonstrates a superb ability to actually follow those standards.

That said, it can be fun to gawk at the freak, too.
The fun part of standards-following agencies is when they run into a non-standard situation and then try to bend the standard to meet the need.

This isn't interesting at all if every third panel has an entirely different design.

I hadn't thought about it like that, but you're completely right.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: dvferyance on February 05, 2019, 06:17:49 PM
Too much politics brought into it.
Title: Re: What would cause you to lose interest in roadgeeking?
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 05, 2019, 06:26:07 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 21, 2019, 04:36:20 PM
Losing the ability to drive would be a big one for me.

But even if I could then find someone to drive for me, losing my sight would be even worse. So much of this hobby depends on eyesight that going blind would be a killer. I even made a topic about it once. (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22142.msg2298548#msg2298548)

Ho boy.  If I were to lose my eyesight, I might lose interest in life itself.  I always say "eyes" as my answer, if anyone asks me which body part I couldn't live without.  My interests are so eyesight-driven because I'm very much a visual-spatial thinker.