I think the superiority of the Netherlands when it comes to cycling is pretty clear, and has been for a long time. What bothers me about this superiority is the perceived need to point it out on a fairly regular basis.
It's very easy to look at one's fortunate circumstances and wonder why others can't replicate them, so why the constant incredulousness around how the Netherlands stands as an example that should be followed?
Perhaps shrinking every nation to the size and geographical structure of the Netherlands would help. Other nations could also raze their suburbs and reconstruct into quaint little villages with great respect for cyclists.
I find part of the entertainment value of sport to be the cat-and-mouse between two factions: journalists and competitors, and cheaters. No matter how much we deny it, this spectacle is the "meta-race" that gives these events real human drama.
It strikes me that most professions have extremes.
There are developers, then there are developers.
There are mechanics, then there are mechanics.
etc.
There some mechanics I know who are absolutely top-notch - they know their stuff, and have had a passion for it for years. Others I run in to at repair shops are really just... they have a job. That's it. They may stay, or move on to something else later, but they're just average.
And I see that in a lot of developers (probably moreso, as I have a more critical eye for that).
But I think it's probably that way in almost every profession - some are truly passionate, brilliant, dedicated, etc. And some folks just treat it as a job.
I sort of agree, as long as you flexibly include metal machining & welding in the skillset of your archetypal mechanic. Solving mechanical problems by fabbing stuff from nothing. That's pure wizardry to most folks.
Boris Vian was an engineer working for the AFNOR (french normalization body), which he found boring out of his mind. The first draft of L'Écume des Jours was written of AFNOR engineering graph paper.
Looks like one'd describe him as an insurance adjuster:
> Kafka was rapidly promoted and his duties included processing and investigating compensation claims, writing reports, and handling appeals from businessmen who thought their firms had been placed in too high a risk category, which cost them more in insurance premiums.[41] He would compile and compose the annual report on the insurance institute for the several years he worked there.
And of course, Wallace Stevens was an insurance lawyer.
Stopped reading as soon as he shifted from a description of his horrific symptoms, to bragging about his intelligence and creativity. The dichotomy wasn't endearing, but I got it.
It's very easy to look at one's fortunate circumstances and wonder why others can't replicate them, so why the constant incredulousness around how the Netherlands stands as an example that should be followed?
Perhaps shrinking every nation to the size and geographical structure of the Netherlands would help. Other nations could also raze their suburbs and reconstruct into quaint little villages with great respect for cyclists.