Cain
Straussian
ETA: I don't know why the link isn't embedding, but if Google can't make the Internet work, then it casts suspicions on their self-driving car. It's probably user-error on my part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSDWoAhvLU
If twenty years ago you told people they could browse the Internet from their cell, they'd say "I don't have a cellular phone, and what's the Internet?"
Yesterday, I sat waiting on a light that was forever red. There was hardly any traffic, and all I wanted to do was make a left-turn. If everything was interconnected, they could rig light systems so that cars traveling down the main rode would slow down, giving me just enough time to turn while the oncoming vehicles simply slow down. No stop and go, which is good for the car and the environment. How's that for efficiency? Indeed, we wouldn't even need traffic lights.
Does anyone have any objections to self-driving cars? I think the sooner they become mandatory, the better. It might lead to more utilitarian vehicles: acceleration, top speed, outer body probably become less important. Functional design means cars are not as big or heavy (but who knows, maybe people outfit their "rides" with barbecues and big screen tvs).
Predictions:
I'd guess that people would be more likely to rent cars. Unless you live in Bumble-****, Idaho, it's inefficient for us to drive to work, leave it parked for eight hours, then drive back. A fleet of vehicles frees up space, and if they're professionally owned, then they're probably also better maintained.
People would get where they want faster, and there'd be fewer accidents. I remember once reading an article that said when it comes to lane closures, people like to get over before the last possible moment because it's dickish to wait. But you get the best results when you go at the end. It also said that traffic conditions on one choke point in Boston(?) was such that if you reduced the number of cars by only 1%, flow improves 18%.
Pros:
Self-driving cars might reduce crime by making it more difficult to rob places, and escape. Joy-ride car theft would go down.
You could do other things while in your car, though most people will probably just text and take selfies.
Alleviates traffic from rubbernecking.
The costs of goods and services would decline since we move people out of transportation.
Eliminate parking space queens.
Empowers the disabled and elderly.
Potential Cons:
Big Brother.
Stalking pretty blonde girls in Santa Barbara (it becomes more difficult).
Renegades. People who nevertheless insist on driving their own cars.
Accidents. They'll still happen. When people lose the sense of control, or even the illusion of control, it makes the episode all the more terrifying.
Hackers/terrorists.
Lazy young men will have to find another way to raise their social status.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSDWoAhvLU
If twenty years ago you told people they could browse the Internet from their cell, they'd say "I don't have a cellular phone, and what's the Internet?"
Yesterday, I sat waiting on a light that was forever red. There was hardly any traffic, and all I wanted to do was make a left-turn. If everything was interconnected, they could rig light systems so that cars traveling down the main rode would slow down, giving me just enough time to turn while the oncoming vehicles simply slow down. No stop and go, which is good for the car and the environment. How's that for efficiency? Indeed, we wouldn't even need traffic lights.
Does anyone have any objections to self-driving cars? I think the sooner they become mandatory, the better. It might lead to more utilitarian vehicles: acceleration, top speed, outer body probably become less important. Functional design means cars are not as big or heavy (but who knows, maybe people outfit their "rides" with barbecues and big screen tvs).
Predictions:
I'd guess that people would be more likely to rent cars. Unless you live in Bumble-****, Idaho, it's inefficient for us to drive to work, leave it parked for eight hours, then drive back. A fleet of vehicles frees up space, and if they're professionally owned, then they're probably also better maintained.
People would get where they want faster, and there'd be fewer accidents. I remember once reading an article that said when it comes to lane closures, people like to get over before the last possible moment because it's dickish to wait. But you get the best results when you go at the end. It also said that traffic conditions on one choke point in Boston(?) was such that if you reduced the number of cars by only 1%, flow improves 18%.
Pros:
Self-driving cars might reduce crime by making it more difficult to rob places, and escape. Joy-ride car theft would go down.
You could do other things while in your car, though most people will probably just text and take selfies.
Alleviates traffic from rubbernecking.
The costs of goods and services would decline since we move people out of transportation.
Eliminate parking space queens.
Empowers the disabled and elderly.
Potential Cons:
Big Brother.
Stalking pretty blonde girls in Santa Barbara (it becomes more difficult).
Renegades. People who nevertheless insist on driving their own cars.
Accidents. They'll still happen. When people lose the sense of control, or even the illusion of control, it makes the episode all the more terrifying.
Hackers/terrorists.
Lazy young men will have to find another way to raise their social status.
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