“Drivers are able to maintain awareness and engagement even when life is boring. They don’t need applause for every little thing – they can get joy from petting a dog of hanging out with their kid and that’s enough. This kind of person can do cross-country drives… Parkers, on the other hand … need a discrete task that seems impossible, something that takes every bit of focus and for which they might receive applause. ‘Bravo’, someone might say after they fit the car into an especially tight spot. ‘Amazing’. The rest of the time they’re bored and fundamentally kind of…. disappointed. A Parker can’t drive across the country. But Parkers are good in emergencies… They like to save the day.”

So, are you a Driver or a Parker? When I read this description (it’s key in setting up the premise of Miranda July’s novel, All Fours), I initially thought that I was a Driver. But then I got to the bit about Parkers and emergencies, and realised that that was me. Also, I’m really good at parallel parking (not tooting my own horn, just a fact). Continue reading →