I saw this video this morning, and while it’s not about travel or filmmaking, I did realize something very interesting that applies to both. Your perception of the world is misleading you.

You don’t have to watch the video, but it’s pretty remarkable what this guy builds. An electric Hot Rod, the first I’ve ever heard of. What really struck me was when he talked about what kind of noise the engine makes.

None. It’s silent.

He says it worried him. Hot Rods have to be loud, the engine noise is as much a defining factor as is the speed or style of a Hot Rod. This car is silent. How could it be a Hot Rod then?

This made me think about perception. As animals, we learn the world around us, perceive it a certain way, and accept it as truth. We do so to make it easier, and faster, to navigate our world, effectively using less energy to do so, which is the goal for all life on earth, can I do this with less energy waisted. We recognise food, faces, places, and they become knowledge so we don’t have to waste resources discovering them over and over again.

This kinda sucks when you apply it to art or travel.

I love the fact that this Hot Rod doesn’t make a noise. It still is a Hot Rod, but not as you expect it. That’s what makes it interesting, wonderful, and creative. If we constantly expect the same thing out of something, then we will never have anything novel. It’s this loss of perception that created something novel, and that is wonderful. Go to countries and challenge your perception of a foreign culture. I guarantee any preconceived idea you have of a place you’ve never been to will be wrong on some level, for better or worse. This will broaden your mind, and amaze you.

The same goes for filmmaking. How many Super Hero films are there? How many are exactly the same? Change the dynamic, change the conversation, change the perception of what a Super Hero is and you will create something rather interesting. Spiderverse, Glass, Hancock. It goes for any genre, just imagine how it could be the same, but different, and blow people’s minds.

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About:

Roberto Serrini is a professional filmmaker who records his adventures in word, photography and film. He is a staff writer for Get Lost Magazine, a senior contributor to Trip Advisor, as well as a drone operator. His work can be seen at www.robertoserrini.com where he can be contacted as well. The Vintage Camera Quest is an adventure through vintage cameras.
Follow him @serrini

 

Taking old cars and making them better is a part of American culture: the hot rod. In this episode of State of Repair, Jim Belosic takes a 1981 Honda Accord and makes it electric… and very fast.