[lbo-talk] more on fuel economy

[John Thornton]

>
> On 20 Jul, 2007, at 10:45 AM, Wojtek Sokolowski wrote:
>   
>>  SUVs are asshole mobiles and it is a
>> shame to even be seen in one.  
>> Based on my casual and unscientific observations, SUV drivers are more
>> likely to be assholes than drivers of other types of vehicles. <...>
>>     
>
>
> Well, you may be right... I own a mini-SUV (Toyota RAV4), I do live  
> in New Jersey, and I have been told multiple times that I am an  
> asshole [sic], typically by pedestrians walking past me during anti- 
> war marches, etc.
>
> 	--ravi
Market research shows that SUV drivers are more selfish than drivers who 
choose other vehicles. They volunteer less time than buyers of other 
vehicles, have higher levels of irrational fears, and are more 
anti-social. Research shows SUV owners are more willing to put others at 
risk to insure their own safety. Not that most people are not willing to 
do this to some extent only that SUV buyers are noticeably more willing 
to do this than others. The SUV appeals to persons who desire a menacing 
looking vehicle that they want other drivers to feel menaced by. They 
are more self-absorbed and self-centered and lack confidence in their 
own driving skills hence the desire to compensate for lack of perceived 
skill by putting themselves in an armored shell. They are also chosen by 
married persons who wish to appear unattached to others and do not wish 
to admit to strangers they are parents for fear of not appearing 
attractive to members of the opposite sex. SUV owners have a stronger 
desire to have others fear them and a stronger desire to control the 
behaviour of others. They are willing to accept the trade-off of greatly 
endangering others to achieve extremely small improvements in personal 
safety. Advertisements use phrases like "Now with added intimidation" 
and "Let nature worry about you for a change" for a very good reason. 
Such slogans resonate with selfish assholes and they buy SUV's.

One huge caveat here is necessary. I assigned Bradshers book to my 
Community College students. Many came away feeling justified flipping 
off and becoming hostile towards ALL SUV drivers they saw. I took great 
pains to point out that while these trends are very real they do not 
explain EVERY SUV buyer. Just because there is an 85% chance the dude in 
the SUV next to you is an asshole doesn't mean he is one. I pointed out 
that "The Kitchen", the food service portion of our only homeless 
shelter, is run by Sister Lorraine and Father Dougherty who both drive 
SUV's. They needed large vehicles to pick up food donations and shuttle 
people with no cars to doctor visits and such. They would have preferred 
minivans but the new SUV's were donated so they use them. My next door 
neighbor on the other hand has two SUV's one for him and one for his 
wife and they are just selfish pricks. They have actually parked in 
front of my driveway on more than one occasion and when confronted about 
it actually replied they "didn't think I was going anywhere any time 
soon". Since they could not possibly know my schedule what they really 
meant was I don't give a fuck what you need I wanted to park there 
rather than 10 feet further up the street because I am a selfish shithead.

John Thornton