Addiction to speed is a part of it. I think being trapped in a car actually creates a lot of psychological issues. Another one that doesn’t get mentioned enough IMO is claustrophobia. All these psychological issues are probably big contributors to road rage.
One aspect i never see talked about is that you literally feel like you’re going slower in a car, a big part of which is because the outer parts of your field of view are blocked so you only see the things that are moving relatively slower:
Very true, and it has a much stronger effect when there’s nothing around you. When you’re in a large Asian/European city with tall buildings and narrow roads, everything feels closer so a small amount of speed feels like a lot. On massive American roads where everything is spread out (like the one in the photo), a lot of speed doesn’t feel like very much.
I think the stronger effect is the opposite. When humans use tools with fluency, they temporarily become part of the body plan. You feel it when a hammer or a sling become “part of your body,” and it feels good. A person in a big vehicle doesn’t feel claustrophobic, they feel like a giant metal juggernaut.
Addiction to speed is a part of it. I think being trapped in a car actually creates a lot of psychological issues. Another one that doesn’t get mentioned enough IMO is claustrophobia. All these psychological issues are probably big contributors to road rage.
One aspect i never see talked about is that you literally feel like you’re going slower in a car, a big part of which is because the outer parts of your field of view are blocked so you only see the things that are moving relatively slower:
Very true, and it has a much stronger effect when there’s nothing around you. When you’re in a large Asian/European city with tall buildings and narrow roads, everything feels closer so a small amount of speed feels like a lot. On massive American roads where everything is spread out (like the one in the photo), a lot of speed doesn’t feel like very much.
I think the stronger effect is the opposite. When humans use tools with fluency, they temporarily become part of the body plan. You feel it when a hammer or a sling become “part of your body,” and it feels good. A person in a big vehicle doesn’t feel claustrophobic, they feel like a giant metal juggernaut.
Car gave people power, the larger it is, the greater the power felt. It is a great way to see if people will addicted to power and abuse it.