The Shape of Things

5/21/2007

Posted by BJ
The author of a recent AP article likens the shape of the island the article references to that of a “spark plug”.

Now, I happen to know what shape a spark plug is (as I’ve changed a few in my day) but I’m pretty sure Jon wouldn’t (and I’m guessing he wouldn’t know they need to be changed or, God forbid (I can see him trembling to think of such a thing), has actually ever changed one himself. :)

As I read this I couldn’t help but wonder what percentage of the people reading that article would know what a spark plug is shaped like (without doing a quick search on the web!)

I think this is something we need to consider when we use comparisons or analogies in our responses. To work, the basis of comparison used has to be something to which we’re confident the majority of the readers/reviewers can easily relate.

2 Comments

Jon

3/26/2016 05:22:43 am

A spark plug? It looks something like a twenty pound note, doesn’t it?

I mean, every time I take my car to the garage and they say it needs a new spark plug, that’s what I hand over and it seems to fit just perfectly to fix the engine…

Yep, BJ, you’re right. I have *no* idea whatsoever!

BJ Lownie

3/26/2016 05:22:59 am

I think it’s safe to say you didn’t need to add that you don’t have any idea what a spark plug is Jon as you give this away at the start.

First, while you might be able to purchase a single spark plug and still get a couple of pence back from a 20 pound note, spark plugs are not usually purchased individually. They are purchased as 4, 6, 8 for your typical vehicles, corresponding to the number of clyinders – V8, 6 (as in the ‘Flathead’ 6 which some of us old timers will remember), 4 cylinders as your beloved Colt Jon (that’s his car, not a gun for you NRA types). There’s even a couple of 2’s – as in the Criteron CV-2. Or it could even be 10 or 12 if it’s a real high end car (think Viper, Aston Martin, etc.)

Second, to get your plugs changed you’d have to add another zero (at least!) to that 20 and that’s if we’re only talking about a 4 cylinder.

But then, maybe your garage just takes the plug out, cleans it (yes Jon, they can be cleaned) and takes your 20 for the trouble.
And as you might say sir, “Robert is your father’s brother’.

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BJ Lownie and Jon Williams are the co-founders of Strategic Proposals.

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