Gumption trap

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The term "gumption trap" was coined by Robert M. Pirsig in chapter 26 of his first book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (1974). Gumption trap is defined as:

"Throughout the process of fixing the machine things always come up, low quality things, from a dusted knuckle to an accidentally ruined 'irreplaceable' assembly. These drain off gumption, destroy enthusiasm and leave you so discouraged you want to forget the whole business."

The "chautauqua" then goes on to list different types of gumption traps and examples of each.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumption_trap"
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