Cars

In a bid to regain its competitiveness, General Motors is running a marketing program in which it offers cars to "influencers" for week-long test drives in various cities to determine whether the new crop of GM cars has changed people's minds about the quality of their products and then these influencers would presumably positively influence other people's opinions. Don't ask me to explain why or how but for whatever reason, I was given the opportunity to be a test drive a Buick Lacrosse (a.k.a. the Lexus Killer) in the influencer program for a week (Note: I'm not likely to purchase a Lacrosse but I was very impressed with the car overall).  We didn't install an infant car seat in the Lacrosse but I had to give Claire a chance to get in the car (see photo).

Speaking of cars, here's a list of some of the car technology that didn't exist when I turned 16 years old but which has become standard or at least optional on most cars: hybrid power, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, CD players, iPod docks, Bluetooth, GPS navigation, halogen and xenon headlights, run flat tires.

It will be at least 16 years before Claire has a chance to get her driver's license which makes me wonder what cars will be like at that time.  I'm sure the 2025 models will make today's models look prehistoric.  Will there be any U.S. auto companies by then?  My guess is that in 2025, gas-only powered cars will be rare and that cars will be airborne just like on The Jetsons.  I could be wrong on that second guess.

Now for a random funny photo