i really think there is something to that, at least partially. pickups used to be utilitarian, remember? flat seats, no power steering, 3 on the tree?
then, one day, they all of a sudden started become as fancy as cars, and we were being told by advertising companies that we NEEDED this.......that bigger is better, and fancier, and besides, then you don't have to worry about all those bothersome mileage requirements, since trucks don't qualify anyhow. we (in general, not anyone in particular) have equated cars/trucks with our image, far more than just a way to get from point A to point B. i see it being pushed as a reflection of ourselves.
if we were all realists, we would drive something small to work, and not care.....but it's not in human nature to work that way, in my opinion. thus, there are drivers that are totally convinced they need 4000 pounds of steel surrounding them just to haul their butts to work.
also, based on the feedback on the MSNBC news forum following the posting of the hypermiling interview i was involved in.......i see a lot of folks out there that are just plain selfish and nasty.....we are in the way of their god-given right to speed......they are late, so get out of their way......several said that were they to see one of "us" on the road, they would run us right off it. is this what human nature has become? i think partly because it's an anonymous comment and they don't have to face the results in person, but isn't that also what seems to happen behind the wheel? you are in a huge metal box where frequently the other people on the road can't see you, allowing you the freedom to behave as you wish. i wonder if some of the posters who bragged about tailgating us with their F350s would also shove someone out of line in the supermarket because they were in a hurry, and the person in front of them was walking too slow?
is this what we have come to? 'fraid so.
just my humble opinion
