Enjoy some visual release this hypnotic, deeply detailed, multi-media article, which has been out for a while now. It feels more of a fit as part of a new Radiohead album or hallucinogenic aid than the NY Times format its fit within. It's one of my favorite pieces from the NYTimes and my first introduction to Mark Vanhoenacker and his book, Skyfaring. And it's back again, on my proverbial radar due to a piece Mark rote for vox.com.
As most modern businesspeople, we fly a lot. Lately, Thurman and I spend the majority of our time on international vs. domestic flights. Which, when afforded a business seat is an experience (hopefully) at the convergence of luxury, entertainment and pure wonder. If you question my promise of wonder, it might be time to check in with Louis CK's spot-on take on air travel. But as Louis knows, and we've all experienced, whether in steerage or first class, we often experience just a slightly better version of bad, for a much longer period of time.
But no matter the carrier or food or level of in-flight service, flying still can be — and should be — an opportunity to grab a bit of amazement and import it into your world. Flights begin in a familiar city and continue over vast ocean. Arrival is at a different time, date, place...like circumventing time itself. If you're lucky, you can be anonymous — completely unknown for hours — diving beneath the radar and into a totally new world. For me, the possibilities are tantalizing.
So when I came across Mark's piece on Vox, I was nicely reminded of how we can each celebrate not just flight, but our daily tasks. His job. He loves it. He finds grandeur, wonder, and marvels at flying an airplane each day. Let that infect you! His depiction underlines the great preparation and privilege of flight. The gift we receive by being part of a technological innovation so commonplace yet so breathtaking.