On helicopters and power

It’s easy to be obsessed with helicopters. Any dramatic chase scene features a helicopter hovering god-like above the fleeing anti-hero (on the run while looking sympathetically damaged and ruggedly handsome, of course). It’s not worth forking out for a new mega-yacht unless it comes with a conspicuous landing pad. Pulitzer quality reportage is filmed by an embedded photojournalist chasing enemy choppers cruising over blown-out buildings and rubble.

Helicopters represent obsession itself: the obsession of power, of adventure, of wealth, of domination, of justice. If you want to understand people, look at helicopters.