I was recently motivated, by a friend’s blog, to start writing again. How good it feels! My original blog from 10+ years ago was running old software which was easily hacked. Rather than repair it, I moved this site. Perhaps someday, I’ll bring over some of my old blog entries.
What is Blinker Click? Well, when cars were first invented and signal lights added, relays were used to actuate the lights themselves. But these were special relays which had a piece of connecting metal that both heated up as current flowed through it and also bent with heat. This caused it to slowly bend away from the other terminal as it heated, eventually bending away enough that it disconnected the circuit, causing both the signal light to go off and the metal to begin cooling. Once it cooled enough, it bent back and made contact with the terminal, causing the signal light to go on and the metal to heat and bend. This process caused the signal light to blink and continued until driver turned off the signal light. In addition, it made that “click click click click” sound we are all so familiar with when our signal (blinker) is on.
I enjoy the idea of cycle that occurs automatically, creating benefit. This is in many ways all tools and technology, especially including the Internet, and specifically software. (I was a software engineer for many years).
However, the real appeal of Blinker Click for me is the human side of it. Let me explain. As technology advanced, there was no need to use a piece of metal that heated an bent. Instead an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip could do the work cheaper, more reliably, and more safely. But, when cars were made with signal lights that didn’t “click,” people revolted! We were so conditioned to need the sound of the clicking to know our blinker was on and actually working, that we demanded the “click” be returned. Some cars actually used a speaker replicating the clicking sound. Others put back the mechanical blinkers.
So, there is real irony in this, for me. While technology marches on, the human capacity for change remains the limiting factor.
My goal for this blog is to compassionately challenge human thinking and other limiting factors, in order to advance the lives of as many individuals as possible by maximizing their potential.
I welcome all comments, replies, confirmation, support, arguments, concerns, and opposing views. In no way do I ever intend to preach or profess via this blog. But instead, I hope to spark thought on topics which are traditionally accepted as fact, but can really improve your life.
Kind regards!
Blinker Click 