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> I swim because I enjoy it, not because I'm trying to get somewhere fast. I run because I enjoy it, not because I’m trying to get somewhere fast. But I also b
by gklitz 2y ago
> I swim because I enjoy it, not because I'm trying to get somewhere fast.
I run because I enjoy it, not because I’m trying to get somewhere fast. But I also bike because I enjoy it, not because I’m trying to get somewhere fast.
You seem to assume that because this thing is faster, it must automatically be less enjoyable. That’s not the case for bikes, why should it be the case here? In my opinion it sounds fun, and would probably be enjoyable.
- uncertainrhymes 2y agoThat's a fair point. My (untested) assumption would be that it would be cumbersome and weird, and I wouldn't be 'swimming'. If I were to guess at their motivations, it might be 'what could make me go faster in the water and also be enjoyable'? I'd try it out of curiosity, sure, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't last beyond the novelty for me.
- DrammBA 2y agoBiking is definitely cumbersome and weird at the beginning, and it wouldn't be considered "running" by any stretch of the imagination.
- matt-attack 2y agoA bike is just a way for runners to cheat.
- giraffe_lady 2y agoFixed gear bikes are the most fun so it kinda is true of bikes.
- kiba 2y agoRunning does make pedestrian locomotion more tolerable. Save me some money versus using electric scooters though I think electric scooters are still faster.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- jerlam 2y agoMaybe not necessarily "faster" but there is an idea that adding any kind of technology should be avoided for recreational activities. For example, you can mountain bike with a fully-suspended e-bike, or you can struggle with a hardtail or even a road bike. Different kinds of fun, but in the former you'll wonder if it's the technology doing all the work.
- mhink 2y agoI don't think this argument holds water (pun intended), though, since this device is completely human-powered.
- Johnny555 2y agothere is an idea that adding any kind of technology should be avoided for recreational activities How do you draw the line at "any kind of technology"? Isn't the bike itself "technology"? How about pneumatic tires? Or computer designed tread for optimal traction? Is a bike suspension too much technology? How about electric assist that can help you up a hill but won't propel the bike without you pedaling along with it?
- jerlam 2y agoDraw the line wherever you want, this isn't some kind of absolute theory of anything. Just that adding stuff to maximize your output isn't necessary to have fun.
- nordsieck 2y ago> there is an idea that adding any kind of technology should be avoided for recreational activities. That's a pretty weird idea. Skis, snowboards, or snowshoes make traveling on snow, especially downhill, much more fun. Bicycling, rollerblading, skateboarding (basically using anything with wheels) is very commonly considered more fun than running. Most people who swim in cold water prefer using a wet suit rather than toughing it out. And it's pretty fun to use a boat, surfboard, or scuba gear rather than be stuck swimming without any aids.
- shkkmo 2y ago
- password54321 2y ago>You seem to assume that because this thing is faster, it must automatically be less enjoyable. The problem in this case is that the device is doing part of the swimming for you.
- zardo 2y agoI don't understand how this is different than the running-bicycling example. How does this swim for you but a bicycle doesn't run for you?
- hackable_sand 2y agoWait until they hear about wheelchair basketball.
- password54321 2y agoI remember reading Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman and how he described back then how the world is full of dumb smart-alec and I get reminded how that still holds true.
- hackable_sand 2y agoYuuuup. No need to waste the good ammo when you have cheap, dumb, and reliable.
- matsemann 2y agoBut if you wanted to swim fast you could just use flippers, and be much more agile.
- gklitz 2y agoSure, and if you want to run fast you can just use rollerblades instead of a bicycle and be be “more agile”. So what? Doesn’t mean bikes aren’t worth anything.
- matsemann 2y agoIf you rollerblade or bike, you're no longer running. But with this underwater bicycle they are still swimming, just more awkwardly. So this isn't a new form of transportation.