Private cars has in many cases been a disaster for most cities. I got so fed up driving 20 km an hour for 20 years to pick up four kids in kindergarten, that I eventually sold the car smd started bicycling. I still get stressed out just by sitting in some of those cars. Autonomous cars is at best a distraction. Cars makes cities spread out across too larhe areas.
The author is conflating the "fun of driving" with the necessity of driving 20km every morning and evening to get to work.<p>Many people who don't really enjoy cars are now caught in a car-centered society where they have no choice but to drive to go anywhere.<p>Even those who enjoy driving should not be allowed to have too much fun and take risks on public roads. If you want to have fun driving, get your car of choice and go to a car circuit. Do not endanger others driving recklessly on scenic roads. It's just irresponsible.
I think future generations will learn from history books about how the auto industry managed to elevate a transportation tool to a desirable status symbol, self-identity proxy, or even a cult for many. I think it's really impressive.<p>What's even more intriguing is that these days, when we know about climate change and pollution, people still don't see cars as tools. When you look at it from the outside, buying 1.5 tons of rusting steel just to transport your ass (that's 2 tons in the US, I guess because of heavier asses?) from point A to point B should not be tied to your perception of self-worth and your social status. And yet.<p>A related thought: I think placing the exhaust in the back and down at the bottom was a master stroke. The driver doesn't see or smell the pollution. I think a very effective measure to make people realize the pollution issues would be to require that the exhaust be placed in front, pointing upwards, and require adding a non-toxic colorant so that you can see the fumes.
> Mine was close to the last generation of car nuts.<p>Surely not! Certainly the car is no longer the poster child for societal progress, but there is no shortage of car enthusiasts.
Real title should be 'My Life in Car Ads'. Reading this, or maybe the illustrations, reminded me of William Gibson 'The Gernsback Continuum'.