Could the U.S. be next? Well, that’s a stretch, considering that many of our cities don’t have adequate public transportation.
But in Japan, as an article today suggests, many Japanese under 35 are shunning cars in favor of public transport, along with good old fashioned walking.
Why? Cost, primarily. That and many Japanese “see cars as nothing more than a tool, much like a vacuum cleaner, not a reflection of their identity, tastes or income level,” the article notes.
That’s interesting and something I’ve pondered before. Why is it that we rig up our cars with rims and sound systems and not our vacuum cleaners? Why are we so attached to our cars and worry about what we look like in them?
They are, as the above quote mentions, merely tools; in this case tools that are used to navigate from point to point.
But the car is, by default more than just a tool, considering that many Americans spend hours each week commuting back and forth from work. The Hoover on the other hand may only get a workout twice a week. The same goes for lawn mowers and other house “tools.”
Besides, I just can’t see myself pulling up to sonic on a riding vacuum cleaner.
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