strategy
With the price of gasoline being what it is, everyone has been lusting after a Toyota Prius lately. Me too. But then I happened on an article in The Nation by Alexander Cockburn, which got me thinking that maybe we should drive the biggest gas-guzzler we can find in order to bring on as fast as possible the Long Emergency, or whatever you want to call the supposed impending crisis.
After all one of the things we say we want is an alternative to the suburban car culture, with it’s WalMarts and fast food and stripmalls. If we all switch to hybrids won’t we just be prolonging a way of life that we don’t really like in the first place? Why not burn up all the oil in order to force the issue?
Or does this make me sound like one of those fundamentalist crazies who are praying for Armageddon? Or maybe like those Republicans who want to cut taxes in order to make government unworkable.
So what do I really want?
October 27th, 2005 @ 9:57 am
I think you are correct in that the crisis will be the only thing that will allow [precipitate/ force] dramatic change in the general habits of US citizens.
I’m not sure I’m in the ‘bring it on’ camp, myself…
but I have always wanted a minivan, so… *shrug* maybe I am, indirectly.
October 27th, 2005 @ 1:35 pm
Having owned about 20 different cars in my lifetime, Volks Beetle to Dodge Van (full size). And now in that wonderful position of not having to lug around Eldest Son and or The Spare, who are grown with their own vehicles, I love my Honda Accord Coupe. The idea was when I bought it, I would never have to travel with more than one person ever again. I have taken one trip with The Spare, Sparess, and Golden Child. But I drove, so I was totally comfortable. The Spare says he doesn’t fit in the backseat. Adequate gas mileage - around 28 mpg.
October 27th, 2005 @ 8:19 pm
Since we won’t be in the market to buy a new vehicle for some time, I’m going to opt for the energy-conscious ’shower with a friend’. That and those ten-dollar fluorescent lightbulbs but definitely not in the bathroom. Have you seen how unflattering that light is? *chuckle*