Evangelism Summer 2001

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I have been flying a lot lately, and it has made me think that the flying experience contains just about everything that makes the modern world both cool and disgusting. I could give hundreds of examples, but just a few will use up my word limit for this space, so I'll leave it at that.

First of all, I haven't really been flying; I have been flown. I mean, I wasn't up there pulling back the stick and easing the throttle forward as we hurtled down the runway at takeoff. The airplane is, you see, the best place to directly experience the cult of the expert. Perched behind the windshield are a couple of top experts in their profession, Air Force veterans most likely, who are driving this 737 or A320 back and forth across the country without any particular problem.

When you are in the comfortable care of experts you have no idea what to do if anything goes wrong. Naturally I do wonder—as I'm sure anyone who was raised on Microsoft Flight Simulator does—if, when the pilots all have tragic simultaneous heart attacks, I could bring that baby in. I suppose this might be classified as a revolt against the cult of the expert. But on the whole I do think it would be better if my flight crew stayed healthy. When confronted with the harsh realities of modern existence, I prefer to rely on the services of an expert, thanks very much.

Consider also the way in which the airplane experience demonstrates the power of the screen. I am reading a book, a good book. It holds my attention; I can't wait to turn the next page. The lights dim, and they begin to play an extremely mediocre Billy Crystal comedy. I have seen the movie already, and I hated it, but nonetheless I am compelled to look. My neck muscles spasm as I try to keep focused on the written ...

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