Considering Econo-Tech Culture, culture should guide economic and technological changes; however, it appears as though fantasy guides people's decisions.
Having a driver license, though only driving occasionally, I think about what kind of car meets my needs. Not driving as much lately, in the past owning a car was a necessity to go to and from work and school. Now I barely drive, after testing a hybrid the battery lost charge because of non-use. I only need a car to tote groceries from the store and entertain the idea travel.
Though a unique situation it makes sense to get a smaller car that runs on gasoline. It can sit around for a few days without losing charge. At one time I idealized Smart Cars. They release the least amount of exhaust and get the best gas mileage. Several people in my neighborhood bought one. They were popular and then disappeared almost completely. Smart Cars are more popular in Europe, why?
At first I thought it was the fantasy of larger vehicles and a sense of belonging. Larger cars make it possible to haul large loads and Utility Vehicles became a symbol of success. However, coupes with a large enough engine can haul boats and trailers. Being sensible in relation to the environment and free from conforming to opinion is a significant symbol of success.
Thinking about Big Rigs, they are limited to highways. Driving next to a larger truck is intimidating. The smallest car I would ever consider owning is a small to mid-sized coupe. Logically, it is slightly larger than what I need; however, psychologically it offers enough protection to be comfortable and be visible to larger trucks.
It would be nice if most consumers in the United States preferred smaller cars. Realistically, it would cost less for me to occasionally rent a car than pay insurance, taxes and registration in comparison to how often I use a car. Realistically, people commuting to work every day only need seats themselves and family. For those odd times they need to move furniture, it costs less to rent a moving van than the cost of gasoline to tote extra space every day.
These logical types of premises of cost: analyzing usage and finding comparable solutions does not seem to factor into decisions as much as comfort and being able to use the vehicle for the fantasy purpose.
Despite noticing all of this, there might be an element to not being completely reliant on current information to decide future outcomes. GM received bailout money from the government under the Constitutional Infant Industry Clause when most thought they should have gone bankrupt. GM was developing a hybrid and electrical engine. Now they are testing a hydrogen engine.
Previously hybrid technology was under the sole copyright of a Japanese company. Anyone wanting to produce a hybrid had to negotiate contracts with Toyota. Now the world has more options and the United States has the potential to breakeven and profit from GM bailouts.
It would be a meaningful advancement if people began to consider what they really need compared to what they really want. Even with this in mind, it appears there is room between the starkness of pure logic and fickleness of fantasy in order to have everything important.
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