When a vehicle drives down the road, all the bumps and changes in road’s structure are absorbed by mechanical devices built to absorb the shocks. Merriam- Webster defines a shock absorber as, “any of several devices for absorbing the energy of sudden impulses or shocks in machinery or structures”. A mechanism that absorbs energy of shocks. What is a shock, again tapping MW, a shock is defined in a few ways as a noun and verb. Here are the nouns that MW covers that I think are of importance:
- a sudden or violent mental or emotional disturbance
- a thick bushy mass (as of hair)
- a pile of sheaves of grain or stalks of corn set up in a field with the butt ends down
In vehicles, we realize that moving forward on mechanical wheels utilizing a non-human powered engine will be bumpy because we cannot completely control the surface we are riding on. From dirt roads to freshly paved highways, bumps, humps, and shocks are inevitable. Want a more comfortable ride – improve your vehicles ability to absorb shocks.
Shock absorbers in vehicles come in many different forms, from rubber engine mounts to hydraulic shocks on each wheel. Even leaf springs are an example of efficient shock absorption. Each mechanisms leverages a system of elements to absorb energy. Leaf spring material and layers, rubber gasket material and thickness, and an encapsulated system containing pistons, valves, and oil under pressure represent how a vehicle can absorb energy. All together, not alone, each device helps reduce the transfer of bumpiness to our bum-bums in the car. They don’t do it alone.
Now, let’s talk definition #2, “a thick bushy mass”, of hair. Yes, my mind went directly to our southern pubic hair. Upon initial review, pubic hair isn’t just lovely genital framing, it has shock absorption qualities as well. Given that our genital areas are sensitive to shock, we’ve developed a small bushy shock absorption system to help lessen the bumping while joyfully humping. Many hairs, not one lone hair, a bush, helping absorb energy and in this case, rhythmically reciprocate energy.
Lastly, “a pile of sheaves of grain or stalks of corn set up in a field with the butt ends down”. It was more difficult to learn about the purpose of piling grain together like this until I came across this article that reflected how and why the Amish did this. From the article,
the corn was picked by hand and corn shocks were made so the corn and stalks could dry out. After any remaining corn was picked, the farmer would use the shocks to feed the livestock. Often the shocks sat out in the fields all year long, and the farmer would use an ax to chop out the stocks he needed.
Farmers would pile their corn together so that they would not blow away, could be easily seen in the winter months, and dry out together. Together, the corn could survive time. They don’t necessarily take on physical shocks like a shock absorber or bushy mass, yet they function similarly in taking on the elements of weather and time.
Shocks are not bad, they are part of life. Actually, shocks are part of an extraordinarily lived life. How we acknowledge, prepare, and roll through them matters. By creating systems to help us smooth out the rough adventurous roads ahead, we enable ourselves to experiences more of life. Shock absorbing systems in our lives as humans include continuous self learning & caring, passionate partnerships, and compassionate community support.
Potholes, u-turns, and flat tires are part of the adventure forward.
Hello, I am Shelton. 