The World Economic Forum’s statement that people will “own nothing and be happy” is now mainstream news. It’s the idea that we won’t have anything because the powers that be want to make a world where private ownership becomes a thing of the past.
But I’m not so sure this world they envision for us all will ever come to pass. After all, why would you go to the expense and inconvenience of renting a car (which someone presumably owns) when you can just buy one and get cheap transport as standard?
Here are some of the reasons I love my car and won’t give it up:
It’s A Memory Machine
I don’t know about you, but my car is something of a memory machine. So many important life events occurred either inside it or using it.
I’m sure you can relate. Perhaps you used your car to go to the hospital to have a child or went somewhere unique on vacation. It wouldn’t be the same if you had a subscription to Uber’s fleet or robot vehicles.
It’s A Bubble Of Freedom
Then there’s the fact that vehicles are a bubble of freedom in an increasingly controlled world. Most humans feel like they live in a zoo. But getting out in a motor vehicle reminds you that the globe is a gigantic place, and nothing is stopping you from exploring it in all its glory.
Compared to public transport, owning a car is a joy. You don’t have to wait in the cold at the bus stop, and you can avoid squeezing into tight seats next to people with personal hygiene issues.
It’s Reliable
There’s also the argument that cars are reliable. Now, I know that some aren’t. But for the most part, the motor vehicles we buy today just work and can drive hundreds of thousands of miles before conking out.
Skoda approved used is a good example. These vehicles (and others like them) are engineered to such a high standard that there’s no need to replace them. You can simply swap out defective parts for new ones, keeping them in service for decades.
It’s Special
But perhaps the ultimate reason I don’t want to get rid of my car and live like the World Economic Forum wants me to is because it is a special experience. While it might sound strange, getting into a car feels different from virtually any other form of transport, even the first-class cabin on an international flight.
My car, like many, has a certain personality I love. I don’t want to change to a subscription service where a soulless autonomous vehicle collects me from my home and takes me to the store. I want to do it myself.
I also don’t want to give up the fact that I own the vehicle. It isn’t the property of some vast corporation that can be taken away from me at any time.
So there you have it: why I’m not going to be giving up my car any time soon.
