Suburban America has become quite accustomed to their way of life. Often rattled by things that deviate from structured normalcy. Whether nature or nurture, the result is a unconsciously self-centric existence. The output of any input is invariably a factor of ‘how will this affect me?’. A quality that has an underlying presence in everything from hobbies and goals to business and politics.
Automobile proliferation, triggered by the need for routine convenience, has lead to the notion that each licensed driver needs their own personal car. A multifaceted shackle, ball and chain, somehow disguised as individual freedom. City dwellers have long known the truth that lies behind the smoke and mirrors. Younger generations too are beginning to carefully filter through the sieve of logic when considering car ownership.
Car ownership comes with a lot of baggage. In addition to the large upfront cost of the vehicle itself, you are signing an unwritten and ever-changing contract that will continually separate you from your money. Insurance, fuel, maintenance, parts, registration, and (in most states) “safety” inspections will relentlessly follow your car around like the burning tail of a comet. We probably shouldn’t forget, parking cost, tolls, penalized traffic violations and artificial tree-themed fragrances.
For those lucky enough, your car also gets its very own bedroom in your house, complete with paved access. This space if often misused as baseline hoarder’s storage. While it is nice to have sheltered access to your car, wouldn’t it be far more efficient to simply not own a car?
Without a personal vehicle to look after you would save money, space, time, worry and hassle. Tesla intends to induce this as a fix to our otherwise broken future. Parking lots will occupy less space and reduce in number. Budgets will be freed up to allow for economic growth.
Once cars become fully autonomous, people in every area of the county will be able free themselves from aforementioned shackles of car ownership. It won’t just be a luxury for city dwellers. Even the most rural residents will have the choice to summon a ride rather than drag their personally owned one with them.
Things like safe, size-appropriate, child seats are a personal area of conflict for my otherwise excitement about this type of future. Some people and professions will likely continue finding a need for personal transportation because their vehicle is their office or mobile workshop, but there is definite potential for an overall shift to reduced personal car ownership. It might be a slow shift due to suburban America’s deep rooted idea of transportation freedom. Perhaps our localized metropolitan culture will expedite this renaissance through example.
