Man against Machine
This sight is so common in London, we overlook that people may not realise that this is someone doing The Knowledge - learning to become a London Black Cab driver. This FAQ will tell you a bit about what it takes. Turns out they are better than GPS.
Shot was taken in Lancaster Gate, this week's The Way we See It location.
posted by Ham at 01:04 --
Comments here: 16
Comments on "Man against Machine"
-
Sally said ... (01:31) :
-
GiuCe said ... (03:46) :
-
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said ... (10:07) :
-
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said ... (10:52) :
-
Anonymous said ... (18:49) :
-
Kitten Heels said ... (19:05) :
-
ems said ... (19:30) :
-
Michael Salone said ... (21:06) :
-
Anonymous said ... (21:52) :
-
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said ... (22:13) :
-
Rosario Andrade said ... (10:13) :
-
Ham said ... (13:38) :
-
Bill said ... (03:34) :
-
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said ... (08:44) :
-
Rodney said ... (05:01) :
-
Girl on A Train said ... (09:51) :
post a commentOne of my favourite TV plays ever - The Knowledge, starring Michael Elphick and Nigel Hawthorne! A comedy about the trials and tribulations of doing "The Knowledge"
Many "Knowledge Girls" these days?
he looks no so confortable to drive. Interesting pic :)
I agree he looks neither comfy or safe. The knowledge is quite something to achieve, isn't it, much study and retained information of the streets of London and the best way to get there fast.
Why then do we often get in these black cabs and watch the driver drive down three streets when he could have cut through one and sit in traffic when we know a better route? It's, dare i say, down to that ticking clock. More cash. I respect the effort put into the 'knowledge' but would like to see it put to more fair and appropriate use.
Do they all have to do this on a moped or can they do it by car?
I wonder how much longer the Knowledge will remain now we have SatNav. Do any Balck Cabs have SatNav I wonder?
And yet...I always have to give directions to get to my road!
Love the pencil in his mouth.
Interesting question Nic. Somehow I prefer the knowledge...at least when the satellite goes down and your stuck in a bad part of town ;-)
Let's be honest - he looks constipated! Is that what moped does to you?
btw Ham, on this Thanksgiving Day, I want to thank you for the blogging tutorial.
Hi Ham, I'd like to put the list of DP links at my site, but don't know how. Considering the fiasco i got myself into last night, do you think i should attempt it, and if so how? LOL
Very interesting! He looks very skillful... what is the pencil for?
Sketching? or just to bite in stressful situations?...
Truth is that the knowledge can be better than satnav at the moment. But take a cab driver out of his area - even by a few streets and then they are no better or worse than the rest of us.
The moped thing is best, although tehy could do it on feet, bike or car. The moped allows them to fine tune the bad driving habits they are going to need as cab drivers.
Rosario - lol!
It would be much easier to pass the same exam for Delta :)
Interesting that today, the job of a london cabbie has been deemed to be the most stressful, difficult job in the country!
I love this shot! It reminds me of people in Rome riding their scooters and talking on a cell phone at the same time.
I saw a special on The Knowledge and a cab driver said it was the hardest thing he has ever done but it was well worth it.
My boyfriend once got rather irate at one of these people, as he thought the clipboard attached to the front was a way for him to read/revise/etc while driving...!
I soon put him right....