On Wednesday, 9 July 2014 at 21:20:28 UTC, Alix Pexton wrote:
On 09/07/2014 4:43 PM, Chris wrote:
This sounds just like Imperial education. Very interesting how
it
equates Imperial practices with the "right" thing and the
(continental)
arch enemy with the "wrong" thing. By the way, there was a
reason why
combatant riders would ride on the right side on a tilting
yard: they
were right-handed. Just as it makes more sense to switch gears
with the
right hand and not with the (in most cases) weaker left hand.
Sorry, the correct side/wrong side designations was all me, I
have trouble with light and reft, and didn't want to get mixed
up with the 2 meanings of right. Perhaps its an artefact of my
imperial education ^^
I see. Your account of what you learned is interesting
nevertheless, because it implies that the Empire kept the ancient
system, whereas now a new "corrupt" system is used in the rest of
the world, a system that has its roots in the "insidious" tactics
of a Frenchman called Napoleon.
Also some argue that it makes more sense in a modern car to
change gear with the left hand and keep the stronger arm on the
steering wheel. Early right-hand-drive cars either had all foot
operated gears, or they were on the outside (actually outside
the cockpit) rather than in the middle because they needed real
effort, modern gears especially automatics don't need that
effort any more.
A...
I don't agree. A lot of cars still use manual gears, not
automatics. I also find that in dangerous situations it is better
that the stronger arm has more room for action in the cockpit and
is not impeded by the window / door. Also, pressing buttons on
the radio / audio player, air conditioning etc. is much easier
(=precise) with the stronger arm, especially while driving when
these actions cannot get your undivided attention. This is at
least my experience, but many people have agreed with me on this.
