Pedal to the Metal

I found Auto Mania both fascinating and tremendously boring. I certainly learned more than I ever wanted to know about the history, development, marketing, production, etc. of the automobile. Conversely, this book provided me with a novel perspective on an object that I've simply accepted as a part of our cultural landscape. The automobile is, of course, much more than cultural scenery; it has been integral in the formation of that landscape.
Honestly, I was bored to tears by all the sales figures, mechanical jargon, and traditional economics (which don't account for the real cost of economic activities in terms of environmental and ecological destruction and impacts on health). Also, I found the discussion of the environmental impacts of the auto-industry extremely orthodox, to the point of being bland. The only statement McCarthy made that struck me as novel was his assessment of zero-impact vehicles, where he concludes that our own two feet are the only true zero-impact vehicles (p. 252).
However, McCarthy presents some rather fascinating psychological connections between car consumption and cultural change (deterioration-?) in the 20th century. The Industrial Revolution has undeniably accelerated history, fostering the rapid change on which our powerful economy is built. People, however, fear change because it creates uncertainty. Uncertainty means insecurity and this creates anxiety. Where do people turn in an industrial society for comfort? In place of the institutions and relationships that individuals have traditionally relied upon for affirmation, Americans have turned to status symbols to affirm to themselves and others that they are happy and in control. Ironically, the very machine they turn to for comfort has been the major instigator in creating this change-driven culture, and is at fault for much of the isolation, alienation and depression that plague Americans today. Fascinating!
I admire McCarthy skill at weaving together, in such a comprehensive book, the convoluted intricacies of the auto industry. Auto Mania is the tale of the consumer's love affair with the car and it clearly illustrates how the fickle, emotionally charged American consumer, eager to give the "right" impression, yearning to "fit-in", clamoring for the newest item, and for self affirmation, has shaped the largest driving (haha) factor behind the Great Experiment. It all seems rather pitiful.