Cars.
I would be surprised to see if the person next (or nearest) to you had the same thoughts as you when reading that characteristic word. Why? They’re essentially the same thing, right? Each car has a set of wheels, a motor, and seats. Ideally, they take you from here to there with hopefully much less effort than say walking or biking. Why, then, do some think of grease, oil, and pollution while others think of a smooth, open road? And even deeper yet, why do some think of the industrial revolution hinted with nostalgia?
It comes down to experience. Almost everyone can tell you an eventful story in their life that involves a car. Some might tell stories that only involve cars (sorry ladies). The idea is that cars affect people; sometimes for good and sometimes for bad.
Being personally fanatical with the automotive industry, I could talk about cars all day every day. This love stems from my experience with the first car I ever purchased. It was a 1986 Honda Prelude Si. It wasn’t fast, it wasn’t comfortable, and it didn’t even work when I first bought it. Still, after I got it running, the satisfaction of driving it down the street will be something I will never forget. By the way, I’m the smooth, open road type.
Nonetheless, cars are our friends, enemies, tools, and hobbies. They affect the way we think about ourselves and the way others think about us. It’s time to get ready. The era of the truly smart car is just around the corner (I’m not talking about Mercedes two-seater-death-trap). Google has already made the first self-aware vehicle that drives itself. Things such as park-assist, brake-assist, and blind-spot radars are becoming standard. Someone has even made a car that doubles as a plane. I’m not here to envision the future, I just think the car is one remarkable and versatile invention.