Automobiles Were The Worst Invention Of The 20th Century

People often debate what’s the greatest invention of the 20th Century, but I rarely hear debate the worst. So, I’d like to start a dialogue about the worst in an attempt to prevent a recurrence in this century.

Before we begin this discussion, let’s clarify some of the words in the title. By invention, I mean something man-made. I also don’t mean something that was built with the purpose of causing harm like a nuclear bomb or HIV/AIDS (for those who believe it was created by scientists). Further, I know automobiles were created in the late 19th Century and were mass produced in the 20th Century. Now let’s dive in.

We all know automobiles are the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the CDC, “in a one-year period, the cost of medical care productivity losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle crashes exceeded $80 billion.”

Even if you deny the existence of global warming, you cannot deny automobile emissions are a type of pollution. In addition, widening roads has a materially adverse effect on our biological ecosystem. The gas that is used to fuel automobiles has the been a cause of war for the past few decades. And let’s not even get started on how parking lots and decks are a waste of space and time. The background image is a picture I took in Downtown San Francisco of a giant Lyft advertisement running down the side of parking deck that reads “Had it up to here with parking?”

In addition to being costly to society, automobiles are costly to individuals. Between paying for the note (if you have one), gas, insurance, ad valorem taxes, tires, repairs, parking, and tickets, it becomes a huge drain on the wallet.

So what benefits outweigh those costs? I can only think of one: the ability to travel medium distances. Walking, biking, and riding in a cab or on public transportation were made for short distances and airplanes were made for long distances. The problem is people starting using automobiles for traveling medium distances daily instead of the occasional out-of-town trip. In fact, the term suburb has existing since the 14th Century, but commute (“to travel regularly to and from a place and especially between where you live and where you work”) did not even exist until 1954.

Significantly, automobile commutes destroy communities. People were meant to live in close proximity to one another and to rely on one another. No one has ever met a friend, date, or business contact while driving to work. However, there’s always a chance to meet someone when you walk, cab, or train to work.

I live in San Francisco, so I completely understand why people would want to leave the city for more space and to save money. The problem is, many people have used automobiles as a means of getting away from people in the city. San Francisco is only 7 x 7 miles, so you can only stay so sheltered.

Obviously, communities of like-minded individuals will naturally form (i.e. a Chinese or gay-friendly district) inside or outside of a city. However, automobiles reward people who choose to live away from other people, but reap the benefits of the city. Unless a toll is in place, the only downside to living far away is the expense of gas and time spent in traffic (which becomes more bearable with talk radio).

I was raised in an affluent Black suburb of Atlanta where everyone (literally) looked like me in my neighborhood, church, and schools. That’s why I chose to live in Midtown Atlanta and walk to work as an adult. That and living in San Francisco have been two of the greatest things to ever happen to my perspective. Living in a city is a guaranteed way to open up your eyes to the world. I’ve seen and done some weird stuff.

For instance, yesterday morning, I attended a pre-work rave called Daybreaker from 7:30 am to 9: 30 am. They also have parties in New York and will soon be in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. It’s not a coincidence that these are some of the most walkable cities in the nation.

I don’t own a car and yet have had no problem getting around town, to Oakland, and even Palo Alto on public transportation. On the one time when I went to Sonoma, I just rented a Mini Cooper on RelayRides and walked a few blocks to the owner’s home to get the keys. My experience begs the question, why would anyone own a car unless they use it for a commercial purpose such as ridesharing or renting?

Fortunately, the suburban exodus is changing course. Unfortunately, this return is known as gentrification, which pushes out individuals who stuck it out in cities. So basically, many people got screwed both ways.

Automakers also are starting to acknowledge their mistakes by pushing alternative fuel vehicles and investing in autonomous vehicle technology. I am a huge advocate for autonomous vehicles because they save lives, time, reduce traffic congestion, provide greater access to disabled and elderly individuals, and promote decentralized ownership of vehicles. Not only do I own stock in Mobileye, I presented before the Georgia State House Study Committee on Autonomous Vehicles in September.

Interpersonal relationships have been on the decline in the past decade and a half. But if society has learned anything from the billion-dollar valuations of Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, and Nextdoor and forthcoming Etsy IPO, it’s that people still need each other.