Cars & Community

I just recently met up with a good friend at a local coffee shop. He was visiting from out of state. After hanging out, we chatted a little with the store owner, who was working at a table beside us.

The owner had driven up in his six cylinder Alfa Romeo. Now, I’m not a car person by any stretch, but I do remember learning a little about them at a car show I’d once attended and I knew it was a notable luxury car.

My friend asked him about the car and we got a nice little story of how he’d set goals and saved up for the car he’d wanted, even talking it over with his kids beforehand. He expressed how much more enjoyable driving was now and how he enjoyed having a unique vehicle.

He wrapped up his tale of automotive bliss by sharing a time when he’d been invited to go on a road trip with a group of people who also owned cars of similar or higher class. I guess the way these things go, you can drive a lot faster in a group with less risk of getting pulled over. Who knew.

Now, you’re probably familiar with the stereotype of the wealthy car owner who knows very little about the vehicle they own or how to drive it well.

Apparently, there were a few such people on this trip and the store owner recognized their type immediately. He said every time he saw someone behaving strangely on the road, he’d slow down so as not to encourage further reckless driving, especially on the winding mountain roads where one poor decision could lead to a serious accident.

While I always enjoy hearing about people, their hobbies, and why they enjoy them, the story got me thinking about community. When we’re working (or playing) together, we not only have more fun, but can also take smarter risks toward our goals. Not that I’m condoning excessive speeding mind you.

Besides that, we can keep one another in check—recognizing when someone is being reckless and helping steer them back on the road to safety (driving puns, I know).

This is just as true in creative communities.

I’ve stayed involved with a few different game design groups and I know that, without a doubt, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now without their support. And supporting others has also significantly helped me develop my own skills.

With the COVID pandemic, there have been many new challenges to establishing and maintaining community, but there are also many new avenues in which to do this.

Community can be hard, and it certainly requires a great deal of patience and forgiveness. Even so, staying committed to one can not only be incredibly healthy, it can lead you to produce some of your best work.

After all, what is creativity without an audience to share it with?