What crushing traffic cones taught me about problem-solving

So one sunny weekend, I drove down to an empty parking lot at the Emerald Downs Racetrack, and did terrible things to many, many traffic cones.

It's not that I have anything in particular against traffic cones. I just (literally) ran into a non-intuitive principle for solving problems. And this principle can take a while to get used to, hence the traffic cone carnage. But it is also extremely effective practice that can applied to everything from split-second decisions to long-range planning.

I'll tell you all about it after the news.

What’s going on?

• Yes, there was a big election here in the U.S. And yes, the results ask us citizens for a lot of vigilance and involvement with our government officials and their decisions in the upcoming years. And that's when this country is strongest. Let's do the work.
• On a more fun note, Your Parasite and You is an Official Selection in the 21st Annual San Francisco Another Hole in the Head Film Festival this December. It's a lively festival run by some really nice people in what is perhaps the most beautiful city in the world.

If you stare at the tree, you will hit the tree

I was in that racetrack parking lot as part of a defensive driving workshop put on by the driving school my kids attended. (Both of my kids now drive better than me.) Parents and guardians were invited along, and we drove our own cars so we could see how they handled in (safe and controlled) extreme situations. Things like bringing our cars up to speed, then slamming on the brakes to feel what it's like when the ABS kicks in. Swerving out of and back into a lane. All of these on a flat open surface with nothing to hit but traffic cones. And, yeah, we all hit a few.

And then the real carnage began.

They set up the traffic cones to form a Y intersection, with a traffic light at each of the arms of the Y. You entered from the base, heading for the fork, trying to get up to at least 35mph. Then as you got to the fork, they'd turn on one of traffic lights from green to red. And here's the kicker:

Our goal was to steer away from the red light, into the other lane of the Y. Guess what happened?

Yep, we were drawn to that red light, like moths to a moth-shaped candle scented like moths. All of us. Young, old, men, women. Me. Especially me.

And we did this several times. I could see people waiting in their cars for their next turn, faces serious, thinking hard. And I knew what they were all thinking: "Steer away from the light. Steer away from the light..." And, of course, we didn't. The closest I came was the one time I was able to split the difference, and plowed right up the middle. Oh, traffic cones, we barely knew ye...

So what's up with that? Why did we all do the thing we didn't want to do? It was a mystery to me, so I asked a driving expert.

Jack Harrison is head instructor at Dirtfish Driving School in the foothills outside of Seattle. The school teaches rally driving, which involves driving at high speed through winding lanes of dirt, mud, and gravel. Forget traffic cones – Jack trains people not to wrap their cars around trees. He's a knowledgeable, charming guy. And he knew exactly what I was talking about when I mentioned the siren call of the red light.

"It's a concept called 'target fixation," he told me. "Your vision is the most important tool you have as a driver. And the hands and the feet have a tendency to follow the eyes. So if you are looking at something, you are driving at something.

"It's a completely natural thing. As humans, we have survival instincts to turn and look directly at what we're now heading towards. And a good driver will go, 'there it is,' and then immediately pivot, go back to what they were focusing on in the first place."

It makes sense: if you want to avoid hitting a tree, do not look at the tree. Look at the path around the tree. That's pretty important in rally driving. As Jack noted, "anything that isn't 'road' is 'crash'."

I really like this approach. It's very positive: don't fixate on the problem (the tree). Acknowledge it's there, and refocus on your goals (the road). You solve the problem and continue on the path you want.

Fun facts to know and share

TIMELAPSE OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE Does what it says on the tin. Beautiful, inspiring, humbling.

Comment from Kat on gesture-based interfaces on smartphones, tablets, etc. "We abandoned writing utensils for finger painting."

The Top Three Loudest Animals on Earth Oh, pistol shrimps, you continue to delight me.

I wish I had heard this in time for last week's newsletter "How do you know when a joke is a Dad Joke? It's a parent."

GRILLKILT | Grill Apron | Black This is absolutely not a birthday gift hint. I just felt that you needed to know this existed. So you can be, you know, prepared if you encounter one in the wild.

Over to you

What is your "road?" What do you want to keep your eyes on? Remember, we're wired to stare at obstacles. But obstacles are not going to get us where we want to go. Our paths will. May your path be fulfilling and smooth.

Until we talk again, I remain,

Your pal,

Jamie