automobile

If I didn't need one, I wouldn't own one. It's good thing and a bad thing at the same time.

Without the Automobile I would probably still be Living in Nashville, where I was born. Without the Automobile and its cousin the Motorcycle, I probably would not have Visited or even Seen the 20 some odd states that I have been to. Very significant invention.

The automobile (along with mass production, making it affordable) provided as much (or more) mobility and personal independence than any other invention. Virtually all of our lives and the routines that comprise them would be greatly altered if we didn't have our automobiles.

One of our basic freedoms is our ability to go where we want, when we want. Our society would be completely redifined if we lost the this ability. We just have to come up with more environmentally friendly cars.

What kind of question is this? Hard to believe people still buy into the environment bullshit about cars.

Uh without vehicles we are pretty much fucked unless we force animals to do all the work and I'll be fucking damned if I go back to those days!

That is my business

the worlds to far under, for a few vehicles to be a significant problem.

Necessary machine that also fascinating as well. In a large nation without public transport as a major infrastructural design - the automobile is necessary. But it loses a star for being designed to fall apart after a certain time and being in cahoots with the oil industry - (the most progressive thinkers in the world- not.)

I guess one can say that it has been somewhat beneficial to society, albeit something we all may take for granted (hence four stars rather than five). We have definitely been spoiled, and some people sadly would not know what to do without one. People more than 100 years ago did just fine without them, having horses, wagons, and their own two feet. And it couldn't hurt anybody, if at all possible, to take advantage of the nice sunny weather, and try the feet out once in a while. Good exercise, too!

Not everyone can afford a hybrid

Do you suggest another way of getting around? Go back to riding horses maybe? Then the animal rights people would start complaining lol.

I personally don't drive, I don't have a license, but it is not practical for people not to drive. People need cars, to get to work, to go to the store, etc. I live way out in the country, the closest gas station is probably 5 minutes away, and the Wal-Mart is about 20 minutes or so away, as are any other stores. It would not be possible for me and my family to not have a car. Now, if you live in the city, I could see taking public transit or walking, but for most people in rural or suburban areas, it is just not realistic.

there are too many fat people...in europe, people walk more

Great, but look at all the dead in traffic accidents and pollution-clean fuel automobiles that drive by AI is the future though.

We need more affordable fuel-effecient automobiles and vehycles that rely on alternative fuel sources.

I believe as long as you use it correctly, practice safe driving skills, car pool when possible, combine trips, it can be the best effective way to travel.

POLUTION, GARA

It's sort of necessary in a modern economy.

well helps me get around, i like um

We could find a better way to fuel them. The technology is there...

but you have to learn to drive it and just because you learned - doesn't mean you're good at it.

While the auto revolutionized how we travel and see america...The pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels is out of control....

I gotta have my car

I think it has made us lazy but I wouldn't want to live without one

bad for the planet

In its current incarnation, hurts somewhat more than it helps. The freedom of movement it conveys and the convenience for rural and suburban drivers are probably its saving graces. But the ridiculous status attached to certain brands is mind-boggling. That's probably the least of my complaints compared to traffic, waste, and energy issues. Shouldn't we have had battery-operated cars, like, eighty years ago?

WELL LETS JUST LOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENEDTO THE WORLD THE LAST CENTURY..

gets me to where i need to go.

Its a long damn walk to the grocery store from where I live and it gets damn cold here in the winter!!! My family would starve if I had to walk that far int he cold to get food!! No really they would! lol

People need to be more conscious of themselves and the world around them... if proper public trans was organized people would still be able to get where they need to be and perhaps exercise a little more, however in areas spread out or low density populations, they are a necessity for transit... the burden on the pocketbook and the environment is just too much...

Are you half retarded, of course they're important.

I love car's and I know that without them we would all be walking wich is healthier but It would be nice if they came out with some faster and cooler electric cars or something to help the world go green.

Gotta get around

all in the application .....gave us the mobile society we have today

It helps people travel to their employment or school. People don't have waste the majority of their time walking to places. They could at their destination within minutes of leaving their home.

The honest truth, we need them. until we have another way of getting around it just going to have to be the way it is.

Walking sucks...

pollution

It sure beats walking, especially if you have a long distance to go. But I must admit, walking, if you are physically able, is a lot better for you. With the gas prices the way they are, I fully expect to see a lot more walking. But overall, I'd say the automobile has been very helpful to society.

SMOG IS HORRIBLE

A mixed bag if there ever was one. As a car (and motorcycle) nut, I/m loath to admit the social destruction wrought by the private automobile and the subsequent demise of rail transportation.  But, facts are facts and we wouldn't be so alienated from one another if we had to interact while moving from one place to another.

As long as emissions are regulated and not neglected.

Of course it helps with getting us from point A to point B,but on the other hand it would help if people were more responsible with it.

Hello how would people get there groceries and get to work, school, vacation, ummmm, church without a car..........

Can't really live without it.

name someone that doesn't look forward to getting their license...that's actually mentally stable that is.

Some of these questions are simply stupid.

You can cross a couple states in a car in the time it used to take a farm family to ride to town in a horse drawn wagon. I call that change.

The amount of surface area of habitable parts of the world now covered by asphalt is a testament to how much the automobile has changed things.