I'm writing an essay about the Humanity of the car

"71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors" (adamprotter) 07/24/2014 at 13:53 • Filed to: None

0

14

What personalities and traits do you see in cars. Do you view them as non-human extensions of yourself and members of the family and are you emotionally invested in them. Why does this Miata make me sad inside? If you have any idea whatsoever, just spit it out, it's not wrong!

Brian Silvestro > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 13:55

8

I've been waiting to use this for so long

For Sweden > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 13:56

8

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > Brian Silvestro 07/24/2014 at 13:57

1

That made my day measurably better, thanks!

Lekker > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 14:01

4

That is a very VERY cool topic. I personally believe they become the extension of ourselves, and basically represent a part of who we are. The human aspect of a car is the feeling you get when you're introduced to it, the first time you sit in it, the smell, how the seats feel, the shifter, the steering wheel. They have different personalities, some are chipper, happy, some others are serious, goal-driven and to the point, making no fuss in the process. Heck how long have we been naming cars; they become our friends and allies. They make us smile, after spending 45 minutes washing, cleaning, detailing every nut and gap. Checking the oil like you would make sure your loved ones don't have fever. They are friends. Family. Loved ones. You can't give up on them. No matter how much of a pain they are, or unpractical, or inefficient, because you know no matter what you do, no matter how much you get mad at it, it will be there for you. It will listen to you sob after a bad day at work, and reward you with thousands of cyclic explosions and converted into Torque, CO2 and noise. That noise that you wish you could record, and play in your sleep. Or the bone-chilling fear when you have a feeling something bad has happened to it.

Sorry.. lol got carried away. I love cars :D

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > Lekker 07/24/2014 at 14:04

0

Thanks!

Sn210 > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 14:04

0

if you treat them with respect, they will respect you back

If they are sick, they need to be nursed back to health.

They need to be fed and bathed regularly

They're more fun topless

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 14:27

1

Look up "pareidolia". Then contrast that with other types of anthropomorphism arising from performance characteristics, quirks (i.e. unreliability, design aesthetics, etc.), and what "crowd" it hangs out with, either owners or peer cars.

In other words, you have the car's face, its sleekness or the opposite, what given people driving it imputes to it, and personality via joy or aggression in exhaust note, murderous psychopathy (Porsche handling), high levels of seriousness (formal styling and heavy around the corners)...

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 14:33

1

I think I'd say there's two levels to it. I get invested in my vehicles to the point I'm worried something bad has happened and look forward to using them again (yes I even feel this way about my bicycle). Then there's those who anthropomorphise (that may or may not be spelled badly wrong) the car. I see them as two seperate things since I feel the investment but never see actually emotion from the machine but there are those who feel both too.

cazzyodo > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 14:37

1

This could be useful...my love of an old truck.

My attitude contrasts greatly with that of my father's in regards to vehicles. He views them as tools, nothing to get attached to. Use them, wear them down, move on.

I, however, see them as more. It is an extension of myself because my consideration (besides fun, practical, value, etc) includes "does it FIT me." Is it appropriate for me? Can I see myself in this?

How many times do we ask that last question when looking at vehicles during an autoshow or meet-ups? I asked myself that question for an entire year and I think I missed the target a bit.

As an extension of ourselves think about this:

When you're angry, do you rev the engine a little bit more?

When you're happy, do you cruise and turn in with a little more pep?

When you're sad, do you just kinda...go?

When you're excited, does everything seem to be brighter, faster, crisper?

Your car is your exoskeleton for the road. For people who know you they could probably figure out your mood and temperament just by driving behind you for a half mile. I was following a friend somewhere the other day and he got PISSED at some guy for driving under the speed limit. How did I know? When a second lane showed up he hastily swerved into it and blasted away.

Finally: I miss my truck!

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > cazzyodo 07/24/2014 at 15:01

0

Thank you!

cazzyodo > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 15:17

0

Hope it helps.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > cazzyodo 07/24/2014 at 15:37

0

It's helpful to see other perspectives and different phrasing of the same thoughts. It's also nice to see that others feel the same way and that I'm not crazy (or alone in my craziness). My lot of my friends see cars as inanimate objects designed only to get you from A to B and would be happier if we all had electric self driving pods removed form the outside world. Seeing this here on OPPO makes me feel significantly less insane while writing this stuff down on paper.

cazzyodo > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 15:59

0

I have an ongoing dialogue with a friend over the purpose of a vehicle. He has an hour long drive to and from work every day...this involves sitting in traffic for extended periods of time.

He's been entertaining the option of getting a new car (currently has his family's Civic...well it's his but bought by his family). He loves the idea of an autonomous vehicle so he could sleep for another hour or do work in traffic. He sees that as an option in the not-so-distant future so for now he wants European luxury.

At $30k. So the A3, CLA or ATS (an option I introduced). None of these options seem right for him and I have told him that. I kept putting in his head that outside of that commute, is the vehicle worth it? Is it worth having a luxury car maintenance bill on the lowest possible level vehicle there?

Sure, I created doubt, but the goal was to get him thinking about what he really wanted. It's worked and while I do not think anything will come of it any time soon (we have gone to an annual autoshow the past two years) I do think his perspective of what a car means to him has, not changed, but risen from a slumber.

Buick Mackane > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 07/24/2014 at 19:47

1

The Alfa Romeo is saying "You better get out of my way"