The Car as Protector, and Prosthetic

Asrai Ord explicates Rebecca Solnit's belief that "the car has become a prosthetic… for a conceptually impaired body or a body impaired by the creation of a world that is no longer human in scale."

1 minute read

September 25, 2010, 7:00 AM PDT

By George Haugh


Ord's experience with the car merges comfortably with the typical negative statements about disassociation with "community and the natural world, and increased material consumption." Ord explains that "my vehicle is very good at shielding me from life's daily inconsistencies; like corporate branding, it has eliminated the gritty, blemished points of interest that add romance and artistry to any personal story."

"Instead of using my mind to assimilate and conduct unexpected, interesting stimuli into equally unexpected and provocative thoughts, I wait for lights and sit in traffic."

Ord is convinces that the car stifles access to inspiration and creativity. "In this sense, the vehicle is not just a prosthetic for a conceptually impaired body, but a reason for its development."

Monday, September 13, 2010 in The Planning Pool

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