Breakthrough: Car Culture

Based on a reading of this blog and the comments from readers, it seems reasonable to assume that this conversation is dominated by a modern cosmopolitan culture. It is a culture of self-identified progressives living a post-material existence; in fact the closer one approaches zero-impact-person the better. More specifically the merit of a particular technology or policy is often evaluated on a per-unit-of-carbon basis. Yes, there are divergent and impassioned views over any specific technology, policy or definition of "the problem," but the discursive space and basic units of evaluation (carbon, dollars, votes) are quite consistent; this is Culture.

It is these underlying cultural considerations that make the big issues of our time so fascinating. Consider the piece With First Car New Life in China. It is a fascinating exploration into the values and cultural that drive automobile ownership. The family profiled in this piece did not view the automobile as creating foreign dependence or exasperating global warming. Rather, it is viewed as a means of increasing ones chances of having grandchildren and improving business dealings.

Culture and values matter. For the majority on the planet who do not reduce their existence to quantifiable emissions measures, tackling global warming will require a trajectory of innovation that is compatible with social aspirations. The good news from this piece is that the Chinese are becoming much more discerning about the quality of the cars they buy. Good, because it suggests a desire for "better" not necessarily "more." Ideally, values will evolve to where the better-buy will also be the clean-buy so culture and climate may coexist, but recognize they will be buying.

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