President Biden test drives F-150 Lightning: "This sucker's quick!"

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

This is so American. Instead of encouraging city/infrastructure planning and lifestyle changes, the government is promoting coal-powered behemoths that maybe 1% of the population has a legitimate use for.

The entire point of the Lightning is that it's an electric truck.

It will be powered by coal for the time being if it's driven in Ohio.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

Apparently the expected MSRP starts at over $70k and will extend well into the six-figure range. This is a luxury vehicle and one targeted at the commuting-but-compensating demographic.

I just want them to restore the Ford Ranger to something close to its former shape and size.

Market research shows that consumers want to drive trucks that look like angry, aggressive hornets because they are insecure and have low T levels, unlike the Gary Coopers of the past who preferred sleek and stylish early 90s Ford Rangers to get to their job site.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

One reason why we are doomed to a pretty miserable climate future is that Americans cling to a lifestyle defined by crummy bling, like gigantic TVs or huge boats or Escalades or obscene lawns, instead of seeking the stability and security of a dependable welfare state and well-funded public services. Americans would find that walkable cities, short commutes and smaller portion sizes would make them feel better but they insist that lard should be injected in their veins and drive 30 feet to pick up their mail out of sheer laziness. This lifestyle is associated with massive health problems but people cling to it anyways.

Usually I try to avoid judging people overly much based on their consumer preferences but there is something uncanny to me about the combination of gigantic Monster Trucks, gigantic boats and the gigantic fat slobs who drive them.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

I would go further and say that the massive shift away from transit and towards motor vehicles in the wake of the pandemic will be very consequential going forward, as will be the shift away from working in-person at an office towards working remotely in a large dwelling. Teleworking will not reduce energy consumption because cramped office spaces are much more energy efficient than a McMansion.

In many ways, the world is headed in the wrong direction even as renewables become more efficient. Massively funding EVs rather than hopelessly tilting at social engineering schemes that Americans despise is the best response but it would be better if Americans could bring themselves to live differently.

For the record, I do not agree with Carter austerity. I think we can have lives of abundance without the top 50% engorging ourselves with shiny trinkets. More labor should be devoted to basic needs and comforts of working class, not to the opulent pleasure palaces of red-faced affluent retirees and related creatures.