Namaste and welcome my friends, family, and fellow knowledge seekers to another posting for the Quiet Mouse Strikes Back.
The modern industrial world is filled with conveniences of innovation, but one of the most important, second only to the invention of the computer/Internet, is the automobile.
The automobile has been, for many, many people a symbol of freedom and vitality. Whereas once citizens were limited by their ability, or rather lack of ability to travel. As little as 100 years ago, the average American only traveled in an approximated 30 miles radius from his or her home town. Now, the automobile has ushered in a new age of prosperity and access to goods shipped in from other countries. Travel for the average middle-class American family has been made more affordable as well. What once took months to cross our nation, now by car can be shaved down to mere days. Folks often commute with their vehicles from rural areas to urban cities for gainful employment, which of course means more money to buy and invest in your transportation. Seems like a win/win to me, for the most part.
Moving forward with the times, technology has continued to grow at an exponential rate, but the auto industry has failed to keep up with that pace. Fossil fuel combustion engines are antiquated relics of a bygone era, out of touch with the modern needs of a society with its eyes firmly fixed on environmental impact of the petrochemical industry. Electric cars aren't a long term or viable solution either as coal is burned elsewhere to power the same energy need. Bio fuels are getting more advanced all the time, but still aren't available enough on a wide market to make a large environmental impact. We will no doubt hear continued debates on global warming and no doubt will see higher gas prices at the pump due to increased demand from consumers.
Having an automobile is more expensive than it once was. After auto loan payment, fuel, and insurance, it is easily 5-600 dollars or more just for the convenience of this vehicle.
Still, with all that being said, owning and driving an auto vehicle has been a symbol of status, freedom, and vitality for the better part of 100 years and is the much sought after prize for all teenagers and young adults. It's a means of showing an extension of self that is as customizeable and unique as the individual behind the wheel.
There is a sense of power as soon as you enter the driver's seat and turn the key to hear the soft purr of the engine. It can indeed by a magical experience, at least until you get stuck in rush hour traffic, then it's more like a road rage thing, lol.
With concern to environmental impact, we all should think about commuting more, riding mass transit more, and of course, walking more.
Stay safe out there. Drive defensive. Have a nice summer. This has been the one and only Quiet Mouse.
The modern industrial world is filled with conveniences of innovation, but one of the most important, second only to the invention of the computer/Internet, is the automobile.
The automobile has been, for many, many people a symbol of freedom and vitality. Whereas once citizens were limited by their ability, or rather lack of ability to travel. As little as 100 years ago, the average American only traveled in an approximated 30 miles radius from his or her home town. Now, the automobile has ushered in a new age of prosperity and access to goods shipped in from other countries. Travel for the average middle-class American family has been made more affordable as well. What once took months to cross our nation, now by car can be shaved down to mere days. Folks often commute with their vehicles from rural areas to urban cities for gainful employment, which of course means more money to buy and invest in your transportation. Seems like a win/win to me, for the most part.
Moving forward with the times, technology has continued to grow at an exponential rate, but the auto industry has failed to keep up with that pace. Fossil fuel combustion engines are antiquated relics of a bygone era, out of touch with the modern needs of a society with its eyes firmly fixed on environmental impact of the petrochemical industry. Electric cars aren't a long term or viable solution either as coal is burned elsewhere to power the same energy need. Bio fuels are getting more advanced all the time, but still aren't available enough on a wide market to make a large environmental impact. We will no doubt hear continued debates on global warming and no doubt will see higher gas prices at the pump due to increased demand from consumers.
Having an automobile is more expensive than it once was. After auto loan payment, fuel, and insurance, it is easily 5-600 dollars or more just for the convenience of this vehicle.
Still, with all that being said, owning and driving an auto vehicle has been a symbol of status, freedom, and vitality for the better part of 100 years and is the much sought after prize for all teenagers and young adults. It's a means of showing an extension of self that is as customizeable and unique as the individual behind the wheel.
There is a sense of power as soon as you enter the driver's seat and turn the key to hear the soft purr of the engine. It can indeed by a magical experience, at least until you get stuck in rush hour traffic, then it's more like a road rage thing, lol.
With concern to environmental impact, we all should think about commuting more, riding mass transit more, and of course, walking more.
Stay safe out there. Drive defensive. Have a nice summer. This has been the one and only Quiet Mouse.
