“Oh no you don’t; not without an argument, a fight and a lawsuit!” That’s what I’d say if they ever tell me to relinquish my driver’s license. They’d probably claim that I’m a hazard on the road. They’d reason that I could hurt myself and everyone passing, driving or thinking of entering my space. They’d say that they have no choice for the sake and safety of society but to get me of the road.
I’d be grounded: permanently. Condemned to a life at home except for the distance to which I can walk. Or totter. “Oh, Fie,” to quote Shakespeare.” Or as Mercutio said in Romeo and Juliet, “A plague on both your houses.” Shakespeare understood these feelings even though he couldn’t have known that this stage of life was approaching. Nobody had these problems with the horse and cart.
Do they plan to provide any compensation? Will the town provide compromise? Will they offer free Uber service? A pogo stick as an honorarium? A bicycle as payola? No, of course not.
But now that scenario never has to be be played again! We are fast-forwarding to a world that has invented self-driving cars! You’ll be the non-driver in your own driverless car, free to come, go, or stay in your car for as long as you’d like. Never again will there be a need for higher mathematics, figuring out how much of a tip to leave for a taxi cab driver. No more fears of “Road Rage.” No more facing the perils of backing into too small parking spaces.
And it won’t stop there! Maybe some day soon the car industry will re-partner with the computer industry and configure a vehicle for snowy, rainy, foggy days. It will drive you to the supermarket, the drug store or the shoemaker. And whether you’re a baker, butcher or candlestick maker it will park itself and go inside to manage your errands while you relax in the warm, dry car!
Downton Abbey has run it’s course so we can no longer be part of the scenario as footmen, butlers and maids see to it that everyone in the household is properly served. But we can maintain the freedom to move about independently and relish the joy of freedom. The future is bright and active!
MorristownMemos 
Comments on: "GIVE ME YOUR CAR!" (14)
I can picture a scene where our minibus taxis were self-drive. The drivers – now fare-collectors only – would go mad with frustration and reprogram them to break the traffic rules.
Anyway, it is a reassuring thought that when I start forgetting where I was going, the car won’t. Actually, driving on ‘George’ on a familiar route, I have often gone where I usually go rather than where I wanted to go that particular time. The height of frustration on the wrong freeway with few exits!
Those who do that will receive a robotic reprimand. Only a human would think of breaking the traffic rules: especially the one about cutting me off.
Exactly! I saw something on these cars lately and thought something similar -that by the time I’m 90 and maybe can’t drive anymore (ha!), no lo problemo! :0)
Exactly what I thought! Now it doesn’t matter, because we can still maintain our independence by telling the car where to take us. How fabulous is THAT?
😀
You’re right, Bela; keep smiling.
I hired Kato Kalin, he needed a job. . . just kidding. Good Story.
No one job could keep Kato happy, I’m afraid. But thanks for your funny comment and your encouraging review.
It’s going to be very interesting to see where cars go in the next couple decades, that’s for sure. Are flying cars in humankind’s future too? Hmm, planes, drones, cars, birds–the skies could get a tad crowded!
We may populate Mars by then and have plenty of room for those flying objects.
Butlers and maids will be well dressed robots who will help get in and out of your self driving carriage…
At least the robots wouldn’t get their feelings hurt, and there wouldn’t be in-fighting among the robot staff; it might be an improvement over human staffs.
True! So many inventions that hopefully will be better for the environment. Though not sure I’m ready for a computer to take the wheel….
If it’s ever a choice between losing your license or driving with a robot in control you may reconsider.