The Urbanophile's "State of Chicago" Series

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by williepotatoes

Nope, so long as the American dollar commands the attention of the world, we will be zipping around in the latest aerodynamic contraptions being powered by whatever fuel source is the most economically viable.

I'm just saying the most economically viable may well be public transportation some day, if we don't come up with a cheap alternative fuel source for in time to replace fossil fuels for individual automobiles. And, of course, your qualifier about the American dollar commanding the attention of the world will render the rest of your statement moot some day, too.

[yoyoniner]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

I'm just saying the most economically viable may well be public transportation some day, if we don't come up with a cheap alternative fuel source for in time to replace fossil fuels for individual automobiles. And, of course, your qualifier about the American dollar commanding the attention of the world will render the rest of your statement moot some day, too.

I agree with some of what you say, but as far as cars go I've been hearing this for years but gasoline prices have tripled over the past six and traffic still keeps getting worse. People will switch to home charge electric cars or natural gas powered technology far sooner than they will sell their cars and change their entire life. Which change for the most part is simpler for most people? And are we to assume personal transport is the one technology sector that won't continue to evolve and change? And when, if ever, has this ever been the case? These technologies do, in the end, work exactly the same and cause the same end result as oil based driving (ie, The car still drives), but there just isn't the market for it yet because gasoline is still so cheap.

The new Tesla cars at Old Orchard Mall are a far, far cry from the electric automobiles even just five years ago. And my local gas station in Roscoe Village now has natural gas, which is cheaper than gasoline. Just give me some good, fun cars to use it with and I will be there, and I'm sure many others will be. Personally I would own an electric automobile right now if the range was just a little longer.