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To extend the metaphor a bit further, Terry is the material being “tested.” During tensile testing, the sample material is restrained on both ends and held securely in place. Once the test begins and the machine starts pulling, a strong material will look like nothing is happening. It appears to be resisting the forces. But as the machine steadily exerts an increasing amount of force, little by little, the material starts to yield.

Terry at one point says to the cops “You’ve got me in a tight spot.” His eyes/face/body language strain to remain passive, calm, nonviolent as he gets pulled apart. He’s strong, he resists, but eventually reaches a yield point.

Watching his journey is much more entertaining than a tensile test.

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Sep 13Liked by Kyle Smith

I love the engineering analogy! I taught a materials testing lab as a TA in my senior year of my Civil Engineering degree. Thanks for reminding me of the fun we had discovering principles of tension, compression, torsion, stress and strain as applied to various common building materials. I never thought of the application to human nature, but I like the idea of having a ductile personality if it means slow to anger.

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Sep 13Liked by Kyle Smith

I loved this one. I also like the not so subtle scene where Terry is wearing a Hornet’s Nest shirt… of course, foreshadowing the retribution. I’m all for a morally gray character but I truly loved how this one ended.

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Now it all makes sense. Ripped guy on a bicycle. You finally were seeing YOURSELF on screen.

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