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January 30, 2007
How did we survive the invention of the wheel?
After watching this video I had a vision. Two cavemen are sitting near the opening of their cave, the jungle before them, the scattered remains of their recent kill at their feet. One of the cavemen is chiseling away at a large rock with a smaller one. He's only recently begun using a "tool" but he appreciates how quickly it knocks away pieces of the larger rock, allowing him to turn it into something that he has envisioned ever since witnessing an avalanche in the valley below. He taps and taps.
The other caveman approaches, hesitant, and points at the large rock. "What the hell is that?"
"It's something I'm making. It's called 'a wheel.'"
"Wheel. What the hell do you do with it?"
"It rolls. See? Like this." The first caveman pushes on one side of the wheel and sends it rolling for eight or nine feet. "See?" The caveman envisions attaching branches to the wheel. He envisions pulling the kill closer to the cave making it easier to feed the young. He envisions helping the tribe grow stronger.
The second caveman nods. "Yeah. Yeah, I get it. You know what would be cool?"
The first caveman puffs out his chest, proud that his partner appreciates what he has built. "What?"
"Why don't we take it to the top of that hill, and you tie me to it. Then roll me down the hill. God, what a rush."
Posted by sferrell at January 30, 2007 11:21 AM
