Driving into the Smoke

I heard a gentleman talk about a small detail of auto racing that shook me with clarity. Imagine, you’re speeding around a race track an inch from the ground in one of the most technologically advanced machines on four wheels. Careers, championships, and millions of dollars are separated by fractions of a second on the race track. 

Naturally, the margin for error is small and the level of danger is relatively high in the peak expressions of IndyCar and Formula 1 racing. But if someone set fire with malicious intentions, they could be charged with arson. You can look here to learn the arson definition and its charges. The logic here is that deviating from the driving path comes with its own unforeseen risks of crashing into something and the risk of losing position in the race. Holding the driving path into the smoke shares the uncertain chance for a crash, but maintains the opportunity to maximize position in the race.

Thought experiments are fun and all, but I would imagine driving triple digit miles per hour directly into the smoke not knowing if you’ll experience a head on collision or a clear path is completely maddening in reality. The metaphor holds, nonetheless. Uncertainty isn’t a great reason to give up your position. 

Life will dish us all unforeseen moments where the future becomes opaque. Don’t let fear put you in a position to concede your desired outcome for uncertainty is true whether you proceed or not!