Doc_Mello
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2019
- Threads
- 45
- Messages
- 4,614
- Reaction score
- 7,354
- Location
- California
- Vehicle(s)
- 2019 CBP Si Coupe
- Build Thread
- Link
- Vehicle Showcase
- 1
- Thread starter
- #1
For GearHeads, those among us innately captivated by mechanical motion, the experience of distress we feel when faced with daunting installs may be is as variant as our toolset. When presented with seemingly complex, arduous, often tedious processes that require not only impressive dexterity, but on-demand ingenuity, we are simultaneously challenged to navigate a slipstream of psychoemotional deliberations that parallel the task at hand, and ultimately encompass a moment within our limited existence that further defines our resilience, and our identity. In essence, those intense tasks to which any GearHead dedicates themselves is knowingly fraught with both boon and bust, the ineffable treasure of growth and accomplishment juxtaposed by the risk of catastrophic failure, which we manage by traversing a complex psychoemotional avenue.
Within the domain of psychology, the experience of distress is often conceptualized by an empirically-based amalgam of existentialāemotional comprehensions. Collegially referred to as the 5 Stages of Grief, but academically known as the KĆ¼bler-Ross Model, the personal, social, and emotional experience of deep distress (i.e. adverse moments in life profound enough to substantively disrupt our nominal daily functioning) is conceptualized as comprising five major psychoemotional epochs: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Amongst broader society, there may be the perception that healthy coping is determined by the realization of all five stages, and that lacking in the experience of any one stage, as well as failing to traverse all stages, is indicative of maladaptive coping, but psychological science on grieving has shown the opposite: the five stages can be experienced in any order and quantity, and inclusive (or not) of the newest sixth dimension: Meaning. Indeed, whatever our personal experience with grieving, finding meaning in the process seems particularly useful for healthy grieving.
GearHeads are particularly susceptible to the experience of distress because at least part of our identity, self-esteem, and sense of self-worth, are predicated on the ability to understand, and manipulate, the mechanisms with which we interact. When tasked with comprehending a mechanical object, whether it be kinetic, chemical, or a combination of both, weāre automatically captivated by the many core and sub-processes that entrain motion. Thus, because we are involuntarily drawn to such machinations, a non-trivial portion of our identity is also drawn to sync, which holds indelible implications for the transference of procedure. Stated another way, not only are we intellectually fascinated, but weāre existentially entranced. Thus, given the interlinking of mind and machine, its successes are our successes, and its failures are our failures.
Across the process of any given install, but especially those that are complex, intense, and risky, GearHeads experience our own series of existentialāemotional comprehensions that mirror, if not compliment, those of the KĆ¼bler-Ross Model. Here, I will reveal those stages, but with the explicit disclosure that these stages can only be truly understood by intense personal exposure:
Similar to the KĆ¼bler-Ross Model, GearHeads need not experience all of these stages, nor in any order, as they processes the nerve-wracking task to which theyāve dedicated a portion of their lives. Each of these stages hold a significant benefit for the GearHead, which may ultimately lead them to the sixth stage of Meaning. Often occurring shortly after the task is completed, and sometimes lasting for days afterward, this stage is characterized by intensive contemplative insight. Here, the GearHead re-considers all aspects of the install, recalling key moments on which success hinged, and they often remind themselves of their aptitude. This stage may also include humble-bragging to allies about their recent triumphs. Thus, family and friends should be forewarned that simply listening, nodding along in mild comprehension, and general social support, are crucial factors in helping any GearHead understand and adapt to their Stages of Grief.
Within the domain of psychology, the experience of distress is often conceptualized by an empirically-based amalgam of existentialāemotional comprehensions. Collegially referred to as the 5 Stages of Grief, but academically known as the KĆ¼bler-Ross Model, the personal, social, and emotional experience of deep distress (i.e. adverse moments in life profound enough to substantively disrupt our nominal daily functioning) is conceptualized as comprising five major psychoemotional epochs: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Amongst broader society, there may be the perception that healthy coping is determined by the realization of all five stages, and that lacking in the experience of any one stage, as well as failing to traverse all stages, is indicative of maladaptive coping, but psychological science on grieving has shown the opposite: the five stages can be experienced in any order and quantity, and inclusive (or not) of the newest sixth dimension: Meaning. Indeed, whatever our personal experience with grieving, finding meaning in the process seems particularly useful for healthy grieving.
GearHeads are particularly susceptible to the experience of distress because at least part of our identity, self-esteem, and sense of self-worth, are predicated on the ability to understand, and manipulate, the mechanisms with which we interact. When tasked with comprehending a mechanical object, whether it be kinetic, chemical, or a combination of both, weāre automatically captivated by the many core and sub-processes that entrain motion. Thus, because we are involuntarily drawn to such machinations, a non-trivial portion of our identity is also drawn to sync, which holds indelible implications for the transference of procedure. Stated another way, not only are we intellectually fascinated, but weāre existentially entranced. Thus, given the interlinking of mind and machine, its successes are our successes, and its failures are our failures.
Across the process of any given install, but especially those that are complex, intense, and risky, GearHeads experience our own series of existentialāemotional comprehensions that mirror, if not compliment, those of the KĆ¼bler-Ross Model. Here, I will reveal those stages, but with the explicit disclosure that these stages can only be truly understood by intense personal exposure:
- Excitement: The first stage is Excitement, in which our passion for our profession is amplified beyond average daily thrill levels. It is also in this stage that our imagination has the greatest impact on distorting the reality of the undertaking before us, altering our mentality toward an almost enthralled state of denial out of which even our closest allies may not be able to break us.
- Realization: The next stage is Realization, whereby, often after dismantling core components of the machine, we begin to comprehend the depth of the shit into which weāve dug ourselves. This stage is characterized by a dawning comprehension of the magnitude of work before us, which prompts serious questioning not only of our ability to properly determine periods of time necessary to complete said task, but also sparks internal debates about our own mechanical aptitude.
- Cursing: Though ostensibly self-evident, this stage is more complex than it may initially seem. The Cursing stage is clearly delineated by sharp, expressive verbiage that may be offensive to some, but may and or may not be accompanied by brief moments of physical expression of frustration or anger. It is important to note that cursing (or āswearingā) is a natural extension of self, being a reflexive interaction between mind, emotion, and voice, and as such should be accepted as healthy expression of GearHead distress. In fact, some of a GearHeadās most inventive moments are within this stage, when new invectives are spontaneously birthed into lexicon. That said, any point at which this stage negatively impacts humans or machines is beyond acceptable behavior, may be indicative of underlying trauma, and should be addressed in the soonest, safest, manner.
- Bargaining: Usually manifesting after considerable time has elapsed since the beginning of the task, and often in the face of looming deadlines, Bargaining is characterized by pleas to the offending component or machine (or both) to cease their obviously-intentional defiance, and simply cooperate as intended by engineering science. As such, it is not unusual for GearHeads to anthropomorphically approach machine components, or the machines themselves (even tools), in order to have a serious heart-to-heart discussion about the unacceptable behavior with hopes that said unit will change their damn mind. Unknown to many, it is within this stage of Grief that GearHeads often witness violations of the laws of physics, which explain both the hardship at hand, and many aspects of life that previously had no practical justification. Thus, it is argued that it is in this stage that GearHeads have the most profound insights about life, the universe, and everything.
- Triumph: Wow, what a feeling! Imagine the deep-rooted positive feeling of accomplishment that blossoms once a complex, risky task has been completed! GearHeads typically rejoice in this stage because the physical and psychoemotional demands required have been surmounted, and the task has been completed. Now, it is important to state that the experience of Triumph may vary depending on a variety of factors, not the least of which is the quality of the completed task itself. Regardless, this stage is notable for the joyous effusion that seems to permeate the GearHeadās behavior, even sometimes including apologies for the hurtful comments previously spewed on the problematic component or machine.
Similar to the KĆ¼bler-Ross Model, GearHeads need not experience all of these stages, nor in any order, as they processes the nerve-wracking task to which theyāve dedicated a portion of their lives. Each of these stages hold a significant benefit for the GearHead, which may ultimately lead them to the sixth stage of Meaning. Often occurring shortly after the task is completed, and sometimes lasting for days afterward, this stage is characterized by intensive contemplative insight. Here, the GearHead re-considers all aspects of the install, recalling key moments on which success hinged, and they often remind themselves of their aptitude. This stage may also include humble-bragging to allies about their recent triumphs. Thus, family and friends should be forewarned that simply listening, nodding along in mild comprehension, and general social support, are crucial factors in helping any GearHead understand and adapt to their Stages of Grief.
Sponsored
