>hypothetical was really close to being real back before the 1970s or so. Our perceptions differ then because when I drove an old Plymouth without seat belts,

>hypothetical was really close to being real back before the 1970s or so. Our perceptions differ then because when I drove an old Plymouth without seat belts, I didn't drive it as gingerly as driving a modern car today with a birthday cake in the front seat. A literal steel spike into the heart would make me more cautious than worrying about a birthday cake slamming into the dashboard. The Plymouth's steering column never gave me the feeling of impending death but a literal spike would. I think that sharp point on the end as a constant reminder really matters for the thought experiment.