I had to run down to the office this morning to see an emergency patient. On the way I heard an interesting interview on the radio. A psychologist was being interviewed on a book he had written. Of interest was the old idea that “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” According to this academic, research has proved out that claim.
Power can come in many forms. Economic power is a significant one. Lots of research has found that drivers of expensive cars are less inclined to follow traffic laws. Specifically, they have identified that drivers of luxury cars are MUCH less likely to stop for pedestrians at marked cross-walks (as required by law) compared to drivers of cheap cars. The same holds true for cars stopping at stop signs. Luxury car drivers are MUCH less likely to come to a full stop than drivers of cheap cars.
Less we think this is a political issue, the research also finds that drivers of Priuses are just as bad as drivers of Audi’s or BMWs.
I wonder if the same type of entitled behavior translates to the water?
Wifey B: I think there's definitely some truth to that hypothesis, but like most generalizations it's not universal. I think if you were researching you'd go further into one's history, always had power vs acquired. Certainly we know some people feel entitled. We see it in politicians, athletes, and entertainers. Were they always narcissists or is it acquired narcissism. Is it an extension of "the love of money is the root of all evil?" Simple greed and then gives rise to entitlement?
The problem with such assumptions of fact is that then some apply them to everyone in that group. There are plenty of respectful people in all groups and, unfortunately, plenty of jerks in all groups. The real issue is when anyone loses caring and respect for others. If that happens as one gains power, then it's very bad.
I think stopping at stop signs is a bit of a bad example. The deterrent there is the price of a traffic ticket. That price is less significant to someone with money. I do know towns though where all the "soccer moms" have developed quite a reputation with their driving and perhaps entitlement.
I don't have any idea about crosswalks as generally the ones I'm familiar with tie to lights and times to cross or not.
Now back to wakemakers, I've seen them in all types of boats from the cheapest, junkiest, small fishing boats to the largest megayachts. I think trying to pin it on any specific group of boaters is wrong beyond the obvious and that is that sailboats may cause a lot of problems but wakes aren't one of them and boats that can't exceed displacement speed aren't likely to cause huge wakes. None of that is price or value of boat, but simply physical capability. I've been waked bad by dinghies, by RIB's. Put a 25 hp motor on a 10' RIB and put 3 people in the boat and watch them plow and wake. Put a small electric motor on it and they won't wake, simply they aren't capable. I've never been waked by a kayak, but sure had one in the Erie Canal just decide to come out of a side cove and cross right as we approached and we had to pull back to neutral, then hit reverse to avoid either hitting or waking the kayak.
It's really simple. Three factors are capability, knowledge of what one is doing, and respect for others.