Brevity by Dan Thompson for January 21, 2025

he just needs to shift his priorities

He’s stuck in granny gear

Great screen saver

I learned to drive on a car with a three speed column shift. The first car I owned had a four speed stick shift. There are not very many new vehicles you can buy today that have manual transmissions.

Not very many people today can drive them. I have heard them referred to as a millennial theft deterrent. The funny thing is that if you learn to drive a manual you never forget. It’s just like riding a bicycle. I went about 15 years without driving a vehicle with a manual transmission and then drove a truck with a manual. The first time I got in it I drove it with no problem.

That’s why I loved my truck, I knew that it would never be stolen. It had a manual transmission, or as I called it, a free theft prevention device.

If you are Millennials or Gen Z-er or later, you are probably looking at the term “Manual Transmission” with your head cocked like the RCA Dog.

I very much enjoyed driving a stick shift, but gave it up a long, long time ago.

How many manuals does he need to transmit?

You don’t get stick days automatically.

Don’t worry, he always comes through in the clutch.

Like you, I learned on a stick; 49 Dodge pickup 4 speed. 3-on-a-tree was easy. 20+ years ago qualified to drive 10 speed school bus. I love using/having a manual transmission but, as you say, they are hard to come by these days, even in used vehicles. And you are so correct: Like riding a bike, you really don’t ever forget.

Tell him to stick it. :)

a stick day is standard procedure…