Our senior writer attempts to explain why some motoring journalists love Star Wars references.
APART from their special effects, the Star Wars films resonate with audiences because despite being fictional, their themes apply to real life.
Good versus evil, for instance, is one such theme. The unceasing battle between the light side and the dark realm is something everyone can easily relate to.
More familiar to us motoring writers is the concept of using one’s instincts. In Episode IV: A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke Skywalker: “Stretch out with your feelings.”
That phrase describes how we go about our jobs. To us, an automobile is a living being. We listen to its voice, feel its presence and attempt to understand how it responds to our inputs.
As “automotive Jedi”, our lightsabers are our pens and keyboards, while our “force powers” are used to inform, entertain and influence our readers. Being “strong in the force” means being good at writing and driving.
But if a journalist switches from writing about automobiles to working for a car company, he becomes a Sith lord who has fallen to the “dark side”.
Indeed, the dark side is seductive. It offers higher pay, better benefits and greater powers, including allowing or denying test-drives to journalists.
However, there’s still one big advantage to staying on the light side. Since you’re not devoted to a single marque, you can still drive a wide variety of makes and models.
When I began my career with Torque, our associate editor then told me (albeit jokingly) that I was the “chosen one”. I didn’t have to fulfil any prophecies, but was expected to dedicate myself to a higher purpose (this magazine).
It took me almost two years to earn the privilege of filing stories for The Straits Times. Before that, I was told that our consulting editor would periodically ask: “Is he ready?”
Till this day, my editor reminds me to be patient, remember my training and mind my words – a wise saying from reel life that also applies to real life.
Jeremy imagines himself to be a jedi master, but being in the presence of more senior torque teammates makes him feel like a padawan.
