Are You Technologically Savvy Enough to Own a Car?
According to a February article printed in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), there is a growing concern over whether or not drivers will be able to keep up with the technological advance of modern machinery: specifically, their cars:
Features such as electronic throttle controls, computer-controlled braking, push-button “keyless” ignition systems, new transmission designs and gas-electric hybrids present challenges to drivers who are accustomed to the well-known conventions that guided the designs of the analog cars of yesteryear. [source]
I consider myself to be pretty technologically savvy-or at least I did. That all changed when my father bought a brand new Nissan Maxima (fully loaded) last year from the dealership. I was home visiting my parents and my father’s car was blocking mine in in our driveway, so rather than switch the cars around to run a simple errand, I asked to borrow his car. I’ll never forget what he said next: “Sure, you can borrow it…Do you know how to open the door and turn the car on?”
What?
What planet did I live on that I wouldn’t be able to figure out how to open a car door and start a car once inside? I gave my father a sarcastic look and naturally responded, “Of course, I know how- and if I have trouble [insert sarcasm here], then I’m sure I will figure it out.”
Fast forward to fifteen minutes later.
I had finally figured out how to get into the car, but now I was trying to figure out how to turn the stupid car on. It turns out that my father’s car uses a key fob mechanism that you have to have on your person at all times. When you want to get into the car, all you have to do is press a button on the door handle while pulling on the door handle to automatically unlock the door. But once inside of his car, there were no words for it.. I found myself staring in awe at what could only be described as the motherboard for the Starship Enterprise. There were so many buttons everywhere, that I didn’t even dare touch anything except for the button (which I had to press once) to start the ignition. It certainly made me re-think whether or not I was technologically savvy enough to ever own a new car again…
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