Driving lesson blues

I have never driven a car in the 26 years of my life. The fastest thing I ever had under my control was an automatic transmission two-wheeler (whose speed records I suspect that I surpassed with the remote-controlled model Mini Cooper I played with recently).
So, when I sat behind the steering wheel of this 3000lb vehicle, which purred softly as I caressed the accelerator pedal, it kinda set me thinking. It was probably a good thing I was in a huge near-empty parking lot.

That moment I ceased to be delimited by a 5'-7" high human body with two walking limbs and eyes that could look only straight ahead. My body became the mind in charge of something larger, heavier, more powerful. Every sudden brake, every gingerly reverse drive, every growl of the engine was the body language of a tentative mind, like a baby learning to walk, or eat for the first time. The apparent 'clumsiness' of a person is not necessarily a bodily problem, but maybe the reflection of a lack of mastery of physical existence by the mind.

Somebody rightly said that technology is an extension of the human body. How human beings use techology, the purpose for which it came into existence, reflects the human desire to control nature with faculties beyond the body. But it is also true, that no matter how perfect the machine, it is only as good as the user. What's more, there comes a point when an individual's use of technology becomes a unique expression of that individual's personality, character and culture. If Beethoven had a car, his way of driving would be as unique as his musical compositions. And I bet Hitler would be driving a Hummer.

Technology not only extends your body, it can subtly change who you are. Think about it. Say you drive for an hour each day. An hour of looking in three directions at once, high-speed decision making ("Oops-I-missed-the-exit-I'll-take-the-next-one-and...."), concentration ("Don't look at that sexy jogger, keep your eyes on the road"), empowerment ("0 to 60 in 5 seconds flat" ).......don't you think you take at least some of that to your daily life outside the car? Is it a surprise that you can multi-task so well? Or feel like honking loudly when life seems to be stagnating?

So you see, it kinda set me thinkin'. Not being a driver may not explain all of what I am today, but it certainly explains some of it. But now that I'm learning, will I be a better person for it? I get the idea that it's a great thing that high-school kids in this country learn how to drive in school, because there's hardly a better way to instill empowerment and responsibility. But then again, why are there so many jerks on the roads?