Now this is ballsy racing

Motorcycle racing -- the street bike kind -- has become a favorite of mine. The racing is close, the technology is over-the-top incredible and the danger is real.

Proof of that danger can be seen every year on the Isle of Man in Great Britain, home of the so-called Tourist Trophy race. Since the race started in 1907, 228 people -- yep, that's no typo -- have died at the race.

The course is long, with each lap a shade under 38 miles long, with 200 "bends" and an elevation change from sea level to 1,300 feet. And this is no closed course; the racing runs through neighborhoods, towns and on public roads.

If that weren't amazing enough, get this: The AVERAGE speed for the Super Bike record holder over the course of that 38 miles is 130 mph!

These videos are long but worth at least one viewing just to see how some folks live on the wild side.

The psychology of car buying

I spend a lot of time reading about psychology and sociology, both because I'm interested and also because it's important to my career. I need to understand how my customers think and why they might want -- or not want -- our products.

I'm also a music fanatic, so I was intrigued by this NPR blog post titled, "Does the music you listen to reflect your intelligence." The post led with an observation from the book "Spent," in which author Geoffrey Miller says:

"Driving an Acura, Infiniti, Subaru or Volkswagen is a sign of high intelligence. Driving a Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford or Hummer is a sign of low intelligence."

Click to read more ...

Who should be in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame?

My thoughts on who's been left out of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Actually I just realized I left off Cheap Trick in that post. How could I have missed them?