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Is this likely to happen in our lifetime? As far as I know it's reasonable from a technology perspective, but I'm imagining this being a profoundly divisive pol
by longerthoughts 8y ago
Is this likely to happen in our lifetime? As far as I know it's reasonable from a technology perspective, but I'm imagining this being a profoundly divisive political issue where politicians stall meaningful legislation for decades in the name of liberty (at least in the US). I'm basically imagining a watered down version of the debate over firearm ownership without the obstacle of a constitutional amendment. Maybe I'm projecting present circumstances onto the future a bit too much.
- krapp 8y agoI can imagine it possibly happening on a small scale limited to urban areas in the near future, possibly as an attempt to manage congestion, and I can see trucking being automated (at least on highways with some human intervention) and taxis, but I don't see the public accepting a total transition until the technology has proven trustworthy and seems so obviously more safe than the alternative. That could happen, but if it did, it would probably require a generational shift in public perspective.
- longerthoughts 8y ago> I don't see the public accepting a total transition until the technology has proven trustworthy and seems so obviously more safe than the alternative. This would definitely be the minimum requirement, but it would be consistent with history (cigarettes, firearms, climate change, etc.) for people to deny any safety advantages or simply not be persuaded by them long after research suggests safety benefits.
- jaxtellerSoA 8y agoThere is no amount of "safety" that would make automated driverless pods an acceptable alternative to manually driven vehicles.
- longerthoughts 8y agoAcceptable in what regard? Are you arguing that they can never be safer or just that nothing could compel you to convert personally?