 | Someone very wise once told me, "You become a man only when you can produce more than you consume." So often we use consumption as a measure of manhood—how many beers you drink, how many women you score, how many guns you own—but all that measures is how well somebody can pursue pleasure. Is aggressive self-indulgence really manhood? |
Looking at what a man produces is a simple but powerful way to judge all aspects of him. In work, play, love, and life, does he make more than he takes; does he give more than he gets? A child lives solely off the labor of others, but as he grows he learns that he must provide for himself. The challenge, however; is to move past merely living hand to mouth, to the point that he can help others as well. Manhood is using your surplus of money, time, happiness, and ability to improves the lives of those around you. A boy sees work as a means to make money; a man sees work as a means to assist others.
The same rule should apply to trucks. So many trucks seem to exist solely for [conspicuous] consumption. We all know the stereotypical truck with a dual cab, dual wheels, dual chrome smokestacks, and a bed that is completely empty, save for a some Mountain Dew bottles. These are the kind of trucks that purposefully leave stoplights in a cloud of black smoke and harass Prius drivers on the highway. Thankfully, they're often adorned with warning signs, like Confederate flags and stickers of little boys urinating on the logos of other truck brands, which help other drivers identify and avoid them.
While not as ostensibly obnoxious, the luxury truck is just as useless. With four doors and a four foot bed, these trucks were designed specifically to avoid work. Aside from the occasional fishing boat or trailer of dirt bikes, they rarely tow anything. You're more likely to find them at a Wal-Mart than a work site. On the inside, you'll find an interior with supple leather, thick carpet, and fancy trim, none of which is meant for mud, blood, and sweat. Sure, it has the powertrain to do serious work, but that might hurt its trade-in value.
As with people, the most productive trucks tend to be unassuming. Vinyl seats, rubber floor mats, and limited features are a plus; complex accessories are just another thing to break. Size can also be deceiving. My father had a 1996 Toyota Tacoma that turned out to be one of the most productive vehicles I've ever seen.
The same rule should apply to trucks. So many trucks seem to exist solely for [conspicuous] consumption. We all know the stereotypical truck with a dual cab, dual wheels, dual chrome smokestacks, and a bed that is completely empty, save for a some Mountain Dew bottles. These are the kind of trucks that purposefully leave stoplights in a cloud of black smoke and harass Prius drivers on the highway. Thankfully, they're often adorned with warning signs, like Confederate flags and stickers of little boys urinating on the logos of other truck brands, which help other drivers identify and avoid them.
While not as ostensibly obnoxious, the luxury truck is just as useless. With four doors and a four foot bed, these trucks were designed specifically to avoid work. Aside from the occasional fishing boat or trailer of dirt bikes, they rarely tow anything. You're more likely to find them at a Wal-Mart than a work site. On the inside, you'll find an interior with supple leather, thick carpet, and fancy trim, none of which is meant for mud, blood, and sweat. Sure, it has the powertrain to do serious work, but that might hurt its trade-in value.
As with people, the most productive trucks tend to be unassuming. Vinyl seats, rubber floor mats, and limited features are a plus; complex accessories are just another thing to break. Size can also be deceiving. My father had a 1996 Toyota Tacoma that turned out to be one of the most productive vehicles I've ever seen.
His 1996 Toyota Tacoma the day before he traded it in. Who says man's best friend has to be a dog?
This modest 4 cylinder, 5 speed pickup pulled wagons of corn through muddy fields, hauled hay bales through half a foot of snow, and towed fertilizer buggies across miles of back country roads. Some might look down on a truck that only makes 142 horsepower, but that little Toyota probably did more work in a week than some of these "Heavy Duty" pickup trucks do in a year. He finally sold it after 14 years and bought a new 4 cylinder, 5 speed Tacoma.
Now, I realize I am not an expert on trucks or manhood, so I don't expect everyone out there to agree with me. But I think modesty, thrift, and productivity are qualities with universal appeal, whether in vehicles or people. Recently I had the chance to drive a 1986 Ford F-250 diesel, and it showed me just how far trucks have come in the last 30 years. Judging by the comments people left on the video, I'm not the only one who wishes we had more trucks like it:
Now, I realize I am not an expert on trucks or manhood, so I don't expect everyone out there to agree with me. But I think modesty, thrift, and productivity are qualities with universal appeal, whether in vehicles or people. Recently I had the chance to drive a 1986 Ford F-250 diesel, and it showed me just how far trucks have come in the last 30 years. Judging by the comments people left on the video, I'm not the only one who wishes we had more trucks like it:
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