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Rokeby · 08-26-2012, 07:03 PM

I think that what the article refers to is...

"The demise of the traditional ICE powered car as we know it as the vehicle of choice in the USA."

About a century ago, the then only practicable means of popular transportation, the horse (and buggy/wagon), was being displaced by the upstart auto-mobile/horseless carriage.

Today, for the first time in about 100 years there are now readily available choices; hybrids, EVs, and just maybe in 10 years or so, hydrogen and or fuel cell vehicles. (Properly, discussions on the latter two should get a separate thread.) I think some form of personal transportation will be around for quite some years to come. But over time fewer and fewer will be solely ICE powered, and the computer controlled propulsion in the rest will be very difficult for average folks to modify, whether for racing or other reasons.

As generally older folks, we tend to see our vehicles as means of transportation needed to support our lifestyle -- many choices here.

But thinking back to younger days, a vehicle was also a tool for communication. It took you to where other folks were. You could ride around with a limited number of friends gabbing about stuff. It fostered one-on-one communication of the intimate kind. ("four on the floor!")

I'm not at all surprised that the traditional "car" with what can now be seen as time-based deeep emotional attachments it is being replaced in these communicatiions by electronic devices. Today, direct person-to-person/selected group comms:
* are much less expensive (think current high teen age unemployment)
* can involve other like-interested folks from around the globe
* doesn't require licensing
* can occur 'round the clock
* are instantaneous

If you're so inclined, what's not to like?

As for racing...
There are folks who are still fascinated by horse-related activities. Some even race horses, "The Sport of Kings," presumably due its expense. Its anacronistic, way out of the main stream, has little or no significance beyond racetrack centerfield shenanigans for almost everyone.

I can anticipate that in time ICE based motorsport will go the same way. Maybe it will be called "The Sport of Internet Moguls." With luck there will still be local racing for regular folk who have strong emotional attachments to the way it was "when I was young, back in the day."

"Wake up Grandpa! The lunar rover drag racing is about to start."
" Huh? I was resting my eyes...
You call that racing? I hate those things, they don't make any noise.
Why, have I told you about the time that me and some friends... "

08-26-2012, 07:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
Rokeby Gen II Prianista Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ballamer, Merlin Posts: 453 Thanks: 201 Thanked 146 Times in 89 Posts	I think that what the article refers to is... "The demise of the traditional ICE powered car as we know it as the vehicle of choice in the USA." About a century ago, the then only practicable means of popular transportation, the horse (and buggy/wagon), was being displaced by the upstart auto-mobile/horseless carriage. Today, for the first time in about 100 years there are now readily available choices; hybrids, EVs, and just maybe in 10 years or so, hydrogen and or fuel cell vehicles. (Properly, discussions on the latter two should get a separate thread.) I think some form of personal transportation will be around for quite some years to come. But over time fewer and fewer will be solely ICE powered, and the computer controlled propulsion in the rest will be very difficult for average folks to modify, whether for racing or other reasons. As generally older folks, we tend to see our vehicles as means of transportation needed to support our lifestyle -- many choices here. But thinking back to younger days, a vehicle was also a tool for communication. It took you to where other folks were. You could ride around with a limited number of friends gabbing about stuff. It fostered one-on-one communication of the intimate kind. ("four on the floor!") I'm not at all surprised that the traditional "car" with what can now be seen as time-based deeep emotional attachments it is being replaced in these communicatiions by electronic devices. Today, direct person-to-person/selected group comms: * are much less expensive (think current high teen age unemployment) * can involve other like-interested folks from around the globe * doesn't require licensing * can occur 'round the clock * are instantaneous If you're so inclined, what's not to like? As for racing... There are folks who are still fascinated by horse-related activities. Some even race horses, "The Sport of Kings," presumably due its expense. Its anacronistic, way out of the main stream, has little or no significance beyond racetrack centerfield shenanigans for almost everyone. I can anticipate that in time ICE based motorsport will go the same way. Maybe it will be called "The Sport of Internet Moguls." With luck there will still be local racing for regular folk who have strong emotional attachments to the way it was "when I was young, back in the day." "Wake up Grandpa! The lunar rover drag racing is about to start." " Huh? I was resting my eyes... You call that racing? I hate those things, they don't make any noise. Why, have I told you about the time that me and some friends... " Last edited by Rokeby; 08-26-2012 at 07:18 PM..