I'm Alissa Walker, Nickelback Fan, Ask Me Anything

"Alissa Walker" (alissawalker) 02/19/2016 at 14:30 • Filed to: Now picklebacks on the other hand

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Patrick gave me the keys to Oppo so I could answer your questions. You can read more about me !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Here’s proof that I’m !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Excited to answer your questions!

Update 5:05 pm : That was awesome, thank you so much for having me. I have to go back to blogging but I’ll keep answering your questions if you post them here. Also please send me story ideas!

I leave you with this, happy Friday:

Andrew Liszewski > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:37

9

Is it true you’re also an advocate of stifling flavor innovations in Peeps technologies that creates jobs, and delicious alternatives to the classic yellow variety?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:38

2

Cars owned? Or what you want to own?

EL_ULY > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:39

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Hello, I grew up (still am) lower/middle class.... how can we ...anything! involving our businesses and jobs without automobiles? Especially in my city .

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:39

9

does Patrick hate us?

PorkchoPlissken > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:40

0

Puddle of Mud? Buckcherry?

Patrick George > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 02/19/2016 at 14:40

24

Patrick loves you THE BEST!

BrtStlnd > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:40

13

“Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”

Patrick George > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:41

5

Tell them about all the cars your husband owns/owned!

Stapleface > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:41

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Much has been made of your opinion that cars should no longer exist. What’s the alternative mode of transportation then? Most of the people in the US don’t live in a place where there is any sort of reliable public transportation. How would the majority of Americans (or anyone really) get to work? Cars are a necessity for a lot of people. Sure, you can clean up the internal combustion engine, but I don’t think you can take personal transportation away. At least until we have something else that is viable in its place.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:42

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What’s that? I can’t hear you.

Brian, The Life of > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:42

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What’s your (hot)take on future trends in autodom like autonomous cars and the potential for the car sharing model?

Spaceball-Two > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:43

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Are you for or against Avril?

Leon711 > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:43

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I do hope people’s differing views do not get in the way of being respectful, you have ruffled some feathers round these parts.

Jcarr > EL_ULY 02/19/2016 at 14:44

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This^

BrtStlnd > Patrick George 02/19/2016 at 14:44

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“He’s got a really cool Toyota Solara convertible. It’s real sporty with lots of pickup! It’s red.”

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/19/2016 at 14:45

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Haha...your avatar is just perfect

Fred Smith > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:45

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Okay, I get not hating Nickelback. It’s an unpopular stance on the internet, sure, but they’re fine. There’s people all over the world that don’t hate late U2 and Coldplay, why can’t we grant equally-uninspiring Nickelback a similar stance? I even get listening to a few Nickelback songs. I’ll admit, I didn’t hate Photograph the first time I heard it! I associate it with people laughing at it now, sure, but I still don’t hate it. I kind of enjoy Photograph, is what I’m saying.

But... Nickelback fan? That’s a lot of enthusiasm for Nickelback. That’s like being a fan of the Orlando Magic without having ever been to Orlando. You really have to go out of your way to find yourself at that conclusion.

Alissa Walker > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 02/19/2016 at 14:46

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Cars owned by me, in order:

1993 Ford Probe | Teal

1993 Ford Explorer | Hunter Green, Eddie Bauer™ Edition

2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport | Silver

1988 Saab 900 Turbo | Black

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Patrick George 02/19/2016 at 14:46

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I love you Patrick, but this would seem to defy the “no s#!t stirring” rule of OPPO. I’m all for open dialogue between people with disparate opinions, though. Guess we’ll see how this goes - ha!

Why an OPPO post and not Jalopnik? Do you trust us that much more? =)

MessO'Espresso is a noodle-bodied sloth > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:46

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Do you feel shame at being a Nickelback fan?

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:46

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Nah i’m good

yamahog > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:47

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*reading title* making a burner with her name? that’s not cool, people

*clicks name*

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BrtStlnd 02/19/2016 at 14:47

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Grounded to the ground!

DrJohannVegas > Fred Smith 02/19/2016 at 14:47

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Or be Canadian.

>ducks (or chickens, since they are the same thing, apparently)

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:47

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I’d like to think that opponauts are a pretty tolerant and friendly crew. However, a few people here think that you may be the antithesis of what OppositeLock stands for. So can you clarify your position on automobiles from an ethical standpoint? The automobile, as a cultural and social tool, has a very complex relationship with people and the environment. While many of us here agree that something should be done about automotive emissions as a source of pollution, the car also has become a necessity of modern life.

For example, I live approximately 8 miles from the nearest point of mass transit. I lived without a car in Charlotte, NC, for about seven years. One of the greatest factors in social mobility is physical mobility. A reliable car can make the difference between poverty and middle-class comfort.

As I said, it’s a complex issue. The issue in your latest article seems to be one of distracted driving than anything else. So, I guess, what is your ethical stance on the automobile as a tool of human culture?

Brian, The Life of > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/19/2016 at 14:47

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Maybe he’s just testing to see how grown up you are?

BrtStlnd > Fred Smith 02/19/2016 at 14:48

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I think you’ve missed something here, sonny.

DrJohannVegas > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/19/2016 at 14:48

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I don’t see this as shit-stirring. If anything, all of the breathless posts about the OPs other articles are just as bad. This is author-meets-critics, a classic way of building dialogue, which IS what Oppo is about. (If y’all can be adults about it.)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:48

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The SAAB is popular in these parts due partially to its quirks. Neat old cars.

Reece-Current Stinger GT owner > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:48

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Why is it that you never respond to the comments on your articles? Also do you choose your titles just to spark controversy on purpose or is it what you genuinely feel?

Alissa Walker > Andrew Liszewski 02/19/2016 at 14:49

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True. Peeps created for any occasion other than Easter are almost as awful as cars.

cazzyodo > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:49

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First, I’m blissfully unaware of who you are but what I gather is your views run contrary to, well, Jalop and Oppo-inions. Soooooooo....gauntlet throwdown.

Describe your ideal car.

Rules:
- has to have 4 wheels
- has to have non-human propulsion (dog sleds are acceptable answers)
- has to have seating for at least 2 average sized, fully appendaged people
- has to be able to transport my groceries (minimum 4 large paper bags)
- has to be conceptually feasible given today’s existing standards and technology

Go.

Ike > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:49

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Did Patrick put you up to this because he know we are to nice to trash you to your face?

Also I missed most of the reason why people are up set with you. But as a driver in a major metropolitan area (DC which is the only place with worst traffic then LA) who has to deal with Jay walkers, distracted bikers, aggressive bikers, idiots who let there dogs run into the streets with out leashes, people with headphones in both ears who walk in front of ambulances, etc I think we need more pedestrian education then we need more driver training.

I'm curious though, do you think that biker/ pedestrian education or more driver/automotive education is a better way to save lives? ( no saying both are important cause Ofcourse they are)

DrJohannVegas > Patrick George 02/19/2016 at 14:49

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Wut.

Patrick George > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/19/2016 at 14:49

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You’re big boys and girls. You can handle a smart, informed dialogue with someone.

crown victor victoria > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:50

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I’ll leave this here as a reminder to all Oppo members:

This should go without saying, but please remember to abide by the few simple rules of the Oppo community when commenting here, or anywhere else within Opposite Lock.

Have fun and be safe.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:50

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Thank you for not smashing anything we cared about in that GIF, because that would have not been nice.

Brian, The Life of > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:50

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LOL! I think I just heard some of our more apoplectic Oppos heads explode.

McMike > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:51

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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Patrick George 02/19/2016 at 14:51

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I think so (and hope so).

Bob Sorokanich > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:51

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Bruh is this gonna be some good-ass Kinja or what?

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:53

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Just a general note, we’re a bit less tolerant toward admonition of others users in this Kinja

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/tag/rules-of-t…

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Reece-Current Stinger GT owner 02/19/2016 at 14:53

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Oddly this seems to include this ama.

Biased Plies > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:53

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Not that I care much for minivans but the chosen gif is a bit insidious, don’t you think?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:54

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Why?

Takuro Spirit > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:54

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What color is the number B?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/19/2016 at 14:55

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I thought that the only rule now is to be excellent to each other.

Reece-Current Stinger GT owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 02/19/2016 at 14:55

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I wasn’t going to say it but unfortunately yeah.

DrScientist > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:55

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doesn’t your own surname preclude you from ever escaping that carless hell?

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Fred Smith 02/19/2016 at 14:56

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A wild Oppo Owner appears!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > McMike 02/19/2016 at 14:56

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[slow clap]

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:56

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You are currently on land and have a last name of walker. If you captained a ship would you change your last name to skipper?

Chuck Finley > McMike 02/19/2016 at 14:56

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Or at least that’s the only possibility for a win-win situation. Sadly?

Xyl0c41n3 > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:57

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As one of Oppo’s few female authors, I’d like to offer you a warm welcome. Also, lololol. This is awesome. You’ve got ovaries, I’ll give you that. Can’t wait to see how this goes.

Ok... questions...

Fiesta sedan or Sebring convertible?

Automatic or manual?

Favorite pizza toppings and crust?

How do you take your eggs?

Are tacos the greatest food on the planet? (Who are we kidding? Of course they are!)

Rally chicken or rally duck?

Which of these Oppo logos should I order from Dusty Venture’s current open sticker order?

Two wheels good or two wheels bad?

Do you think the criticism you’ve received thus far, much of it ad hominem in nature, has been worse because you are a woman, or are the types of comments you receive akin to criticisms your male colleagues receive?

Aside from brilliantly posting on a forum where many members seem determined to just blindly hate you, how else do you deal with criticism as a female automotive journalist? And can you provide any examples of how you’ve seen car culture change (if it has) to be more welcoming to women and other “non-traditional” enthusiasts?

Also, thank you for posting!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/19/2016 at 14:57

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No, this isn’t shit-stirring, this is “Don’t say shit on the internet you wouldn’t say to someone’s face” being brought to hand. Here’s her face. Who stands by their guns?

BrtStlnd > McMike 02/19/2016 at 14:57

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Excellent.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > DrJohannVegas 02/19/2016 at 14:57

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You should apologize for that

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:57

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I will refer you to one of my prior cogitations.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-ve-reached-t…

BrtStlnd > Xyl0c41n3 02/19/2016 at 14:58

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I don’t know if she considers herself an automotive journalist...

DrJohannVegas > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 02/19/2016 at 14:58

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Soh-rry.

Jcarr > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:58

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This post:

Wacko > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:59

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Not to be that Guy, but the keys to oppo are not patrick’s to lend out.

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:59

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Crush all the cars, or just automatic Fiesta sedans?

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > McMike 02/19/2016 at 14:59

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#COTD

Xyl0c41n3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/19/2016 at 14:59

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It’s shit-stirring to give a Jalopnik author posting privileges on Oppo? How? Every other Jalop author has privileges here. And I seem to recall Oppo having issues with other female Jalop authors, too. That’s definitely not “being excellent.”

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:59

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I, an owner of a completely no emission controlled muscle car, defended your stance on Delhi’s smog issue today.

I would really like people to understand that cars don’t fit every situation and we may be able to drive cars like my above mentioned muscle car but then again we’re able to BREATHE outside without damaging our lungs and our kids can grow up with properly developed lungs.

It sounds like you’re advocating for cleaner and more mass transit.

All I can say is that Delhi needs to focus pretty hard on their 2 stroke motorcycles which are way more polluting to cars.

I also think that the 18% decrease in particulates in 15 days is pretty amazing. Thats more than a percentage point a day.

Why do you call that a tiny decrease?

Alissa Walker > Brian, The Life of 02/19/2016 at 14:59

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I’ve written a lot about this and I firmly believe that all cars should be autonomous and shared, more like public transit. Realistically there is no reason to own a car if the make, model, size, etc. car of your choice can come to you any time. If you don’t want to share it with someone else on the way to your destination, that’s fine, you pay more. At the same time public transit can use autonomous technology to function more like on-demand transportation does now.

This is not because I hate cars or driving but because we seriously have to get at least half of the cars off streets in the next few decades or our homes will be ruined and the planet will implode. The only way to do that is to end the era of private ownership. If you love cars you can go to a car amusement park and drive an old gas-powered clunker for fun.

Was that hot enough?

LodestarRunner > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 14:59

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All cars with known problems. I’d hate cars too.

Chariotoflove > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:00

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Hello, Ms. Walker, and welcome. Would you please describe how you think cities like Dallas, where I live, could be weaned off of automotive transportation? Cities like ours are spread out. We have been adding lots of light rail, and we have a bus system. I would love to use the rail for my commute, but it would take me longer to drive to the nearest station from my home than I does just to drive to work. DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) has been deploying long-term plans to extend the rail to the neighboring towns, and I think that is a good idea to reduce congestion. But, I despair of ever getting the capital necessary to bring such a spread out urban area to a place where cars are not necessary for most transportation. Please share your thoughts.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 02/19/2016 at 15:01

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Plot twist

\clicks on gawker-kinja were slow today

Reece-Current Stinger GT owner > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:01

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“And the planet will implode” Hard hitting, fact driven journalism. Thanks Gizmodo.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:01

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You are very brave...

Leon711 > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:01

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Secret jalop. One of us.

One of us.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/19/2016 at 15:01

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if the gif was of a miata being crushed, then it would be ‘shit stirring’

Xyl0c41n3 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/19/2016 at 15:02

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YUP! Now that she’s here essentially telling people “say that shit to my face” people are getting all up in arms about shit stirring. If you don’t want to get called out on your shit, then don’t be a shit.

Oppos can criticize her stances all we/they want, but at least Alissa backs up her assertions with the facts that informed them. Many Oppos may draw different conclusions when presented with the same information, but that’s no reason to call her a dumbass or any of the other insults she links to up top.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > DrJohannVegas 02/19/2016 at 15:02

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:)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > cazzyodo 02/19/2016 at 15:02

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FUCK YOUR RULES ON WHEELS! VOLKSWAGEN GX3 FOR LIIIIIIFFFFFEEEEE!!!!

PushToStart > Xyl0c41n3 02/19/2016 at 15:02

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She’s not a Jalop author, she’s the author of numerous anti-car posts. It has nothing to do with her being a female either, so idk why you would bring that up either... haha

I think he was making a lighthearted comment anyway, no need to get alarmed

Xyl0c41n3 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 02/19/2016 at 15:03

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Seeing a Porsche comment is like finding an Easter egg in a game. It makes me giddy. :)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:03

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Why do you hate America, though?

BrtStlnd > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:03

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Will you at least concede that this model you envision would not function the same way in rural areas as it would in large metropolitan areas?

Xyl0c41n3 > Brian, The Life of 02/19/2016 at 15:03

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Imagine that! A critic of automobiles having a certified Jalop card. Whodathunkit?

Wacko > Patrick George 02/19/2016 at 15:04

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You Front pagers are overstepping your boundaries.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/19/2016 at 15:04

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Did canada just try and offend someone?

Was waiting for “Sorry” at the bottom haha

EL_ULY > PorkchoPlissken 02/19/2016 at 15:04

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Muddle of Pud!

cazzyodo > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/19/2016 at 15:04

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I should say no limit on wheels and see if that elicits a response, then.

not for canada - australian in disguise > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/19/2016 at 15:04

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Sorry for not saying sorry. I’ll get to that. Sorry again.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Xyl0c41n3 02/19/2016 at 15:05

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Alissa’s Gizmodo, not Jalopnik. Gender has absolutely zero to do with this. If a man had written all of the BAN CARS articles and then come on OPPO with a car-smashing GIF, I would have written the exact same thing.

The post sure seems like it’s the author trying to pick a fight. If not, I hope there’s good discussion and everyone’s respectful.

Brian, The Life of > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:05

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Mighty fine, thanks! What about recreational cars/vehicles for off-road and trackday useage? Given that these are a small subset, do you have the same level of concern? As for road cars, do you feel a spint towards electric would mitigate the global disaster?

Nibbles > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:06

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As automobile trends start to head toward minimal (or zero) emissions, electric drivetrains and fully autonomous vehicles (see Tesla , Volvo , Google , etc) I ask you: Is it the automobile itself that you’d like to see sunsetted, or is it the internal combustion engine and human element?

By the way I test drove a Tesla (P90D with Ludicrous Mode) with 7.1 firmware and gave the autopilot a good solid test. It was frightening at first but after a few minutes of Denver metro driving - and seeing how well it reacted to a large truck making a less-than-legal move in my direction, I learned to let go and accept our new robot driving overlords.

Finally, please find my response to your distraction article here . If you’re willing, please respond in kind - not only to the article itself, but its presentation.

Xyl0c41n3 > PushToStart 02/19/2016 at 15:06

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Her posts are featured regularly enough there and she’s a paid Gawker Media employee. It’s close enough.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/19/2016 at 15:06

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Those are the first two rules, and the overarching rule.

djmt1 > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:06

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Why are there so many cars in London? We have pretty much every form of mass transit, a communal bike sharing scheme and a tax on cars entering certain areas of the city yet car ownership rises year on year.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 02/19/2016 at 15:06

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I did thank her for not crushing anything we cared about.

DoYouEvenShift > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:07

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How do you feel about guns?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/19/2016 at 15:07

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You know how people say pretty please with a cherry on top?

For Canada I imagine it’s very sorry with maple syrup on top!

Nibbles > Xyl0c41n3 02/19/2016 at 15:08

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Please take note that my only response to Alissa’s articles is an article of my own placing the blame on neither of the sensationalized parties. Oh, and my question posted here requesting clarification on a key point.

Jcarr > Xyl0c41n3 02/19/2016 at 15:08

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I think this is the first one I’ve ever seen in my 2.5 years around this place.

Gonna get a t-shirt made:

Porsche comment 2016 - I was there.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:08

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Are you a real person, or an alter-ego of Hardigree that was mistakenly uploaded to Kinja during one of Nick Denton’s experiments, and serves as bait for us car lovers? A Yin to our Yang, if you will.

Shoop > Alissa Walker 02/19/2016 at 15:09

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wewlad