Didn't want to hijack the thread that "Curious" is doing for his/her Innovation Management class, but this statement by one of the responders made me really curious (no pun intended) <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Subversive @ Oct 12 2007, 08:51 AM) [snapback]524569[/snapback]</div> Firstly, I don't watch TV all that much and thus have no clue what the "South Park episode" is all about. Nevertheless, I'm surprised that this stereotype still exists, and would like to know why. It would be great if Subversive could explain what "vain" and "shallow" mean to him/her (Webster's would do), his/her definition of "hybrid-worshippers", and what "most" means (in a statistical context).
I would suggest the use of the words "vain" and "shallow" and "worshipper" all could be used to drop a stereotype on those people who buy big SUVs simply because they don't want to be seen driving mini-vans. Forget that the mini-van would be more efficient, less expensive and carry more people and cargo, and just go with the image you want to create for yourselves. Does that work? For those who actually need an SUV: Yes, I know that not all minivans can pull large boats and campers.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Oct 12 2007, 05:19 PM) [snapback]524834[/snapback]</div> Well, one could play devil's advocate in this and come up with all sorts of blows... 1. People buy a Prius to save gas, but spend lots of money on gadgets and unnecessary replacement of components for it (EBH, accessories, super-duper wax, rectangular metal pieces, LEDs, etc) - increase unnecessary consumption of goods, contribute to further pollution and depletion of natural resources of planet by buying said gadgets 2. Buy a Prius to decrease fuel consumption, but increase use of electricity to primp/clean/beautify/warm the car 3. People buy a Prius and use it for any trip each and every time, even though walking, cycling or taking public transport are viable alternatives, which are more ecologically sound (a Prius still uses gasoline) 4. Finally, if you buy a Prius to reduce emissions from fossil fuels, you better be doing everything else you can possibly do to reduce your pollution and consumption of natural resources in all other aspects of your life, because to do anything less is just "vain", "shallow" and "hypocritical". By the way, the above are only meant to offer possible explanations of the "vain" and "shallow" accusation - no specific targets have been identified!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboJones @ Oct 12 2007, 05:17 PM) [snapback]524868[/snapback]</div> One of my best buddies (who was involved in the electric vehicle world 25+ years ago) has a heart-warming quote of his own: "As an environmentalist, I am a hypocrite." No doubt about it. If you live in and participate even only to a small degree in consumer culture America, then your concerns about the environment and your actions to benefit the environment are going to be countered by many of your day-to-day actions. Still, better to do somethings than nothings. By the way, my buddy's hero is a guy who lives completely off the grid in Montana. Only four or five solar panels and a windmill provide all the power he needs. Water comes from rain and snowmelt and is held in pickle barrels. He recycles his grey water for his garden. Still, he has to drive a car to get to work, and he buys bottled water for drinking. I don't think I'm going to criticize the last two actions given my profligate lifestyle.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboJones @ Oct 12 2007, 07:17 PM) [snapback]524868[/snapback]</div> Which is BAAAAALLLLLOOOOONNNNNEEEEEYYYYYY!!!!!! This is the con job they are trying to pull. THINK GLOBAL - ACT LOCAL! Whatever you can do , do.
Hi All, Me personally, I try not to make generalizations. I am educated and should know better. But every day I drive to work, and back, I keep getting slapped in the face again and again with this generalization "Every SUV driver out there is Vain (has to be the first to red light, cannot accept the demoting of one car length), Shallow (has to have the big vehicle for commutting, even if its causing gas prices to go up)". So when did buying a Prius become Vain and Shallow, when that is what selling SUV's has been about for the last decade? Feed their Reptile Brain, as the french marketing guy calls it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Oct 12 2007, 02:19 PM) [snapback]524834[/snapback]</div> South Park is basically a cartoon (most likely geared towards adults given the content.. think of it as a step up from Family Guy in terms of language and topics). I do not know... but let's just say, the SUVers finally know how the rest of the world looks upon them :lol:
It's projection at its finest. People feel insecure about the wasteful excess in their lives, and they don't want to have to look in the mirror. They want to put their fingers in their ears ad say "la la la." Some other people buy a product that seems to highlight a conscious choice to "make a difference," and the insecure people feel more insecure, project their insecurities, and then lash out. We can't get away from the fact that buying a Prius really is, at least partly, a statement that each and every buyer is making, but I maintain that anyone who calls a Prius owner "smug" had better examine their motivation a little further.
Love my Prius - but the South Park episode was one of the funniest things I have ever seen... clearly it was based in San Francisco and everyone was smelling their own farts! My friends and I still reference that episode every now and again.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Oct 12 2007, 06:53 PM) [snapback]524950[/snapback]</div> That pretty much sums it up
I have a smug moment every time I drive my Prius! Vain, doubt it, I'm an ugly bugger who wears what ever fits. My only pair of jeans is 5 years old, the pants I'm wearing now have chlorine damage, my shirt has a tear in it and I'm wearing $7 reading glasses. Sound vain to you? While I drive a Prius to reduce my consumption of petrol and emissions I also buy electricity from renewable sources and heat water and home with natural gas. All my lights are compact fluros and I reuse my grey water from my washing machine on my lawns which apart from the rain is the only water they get. I earn my living driving a big 6-cylinder car all over the place, not my choice of vehicle and am currently trying to get my employer to buy diesel fleet vehicles. One we are looking at is a 2-litre turbo diesel to replace the 3.6-litres cars. I recycle and shop to minimise packaging. I hardly drive journeys less than 5 kilometres ever and if I was near a bus route that went where I need to go in a reasonable time I'd leave the car home and take the bus. I want my son and grandkids to have a reasonable planet to live on. I'm part of the community I live in and I don't know any other way to live than the way I'm living now but I am trying to do the right thing by the planet.
For people who hadn't watched the southpark episode, here is a link Code: http://allsp.com/l.php?id=e141 I had a good laugh when i watched that. I hadn't owned a prius but i am intending to buy one the moment i know about it (which is about 10 days ago when i just passed my driving and starting to read a bit more into getting a car. My wife wanted something cheaper like a Vios, but i insisted on spending more and getting a prius, even though i have to wait a few months. Whenever the car dealer ask me why i want a prius, my smug look and my reply "I want to drive a Prius to make a statement!" will convince him that i will not take any other cars. Enjoy the southpark episode.
I think much to much time is spent worrying about it. I could care less what anyone thinks. I bought mine because I drive a lot of miles and get paid for mileage. With the Prius twice as much $ stays in my pocket. That's what you are really saving MONEY not the earth.
