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WebLinks: Contexts for Exploring Visual and Verbal Texts |
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Chapter 7 - Exploring Design |
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At the sites below, you can read more about the larger significance of car culture and what it says about contemporary American culture. What defines a typical "girl car"? How about a "Republican car"? Do you drive a car that fits your demographic profile? How can people change the symbolism of certain cars?
http://travel2.nytimes.com/mem/travel/article-page.html?res=9C05E1DE103FF932A35757C0A9639C8B63
The New York Times discovered that car choices have strong political overtones. What car you drive may signal your political persuasion, whether you know it or not. The Times found that Volvos, for example, were more common among Democrats, while Porsches were more commonly driven by Republicans.
http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/autoshows/sema2003/ford/trends.html
Courtney Hyan's brand of feminism—eschewing the "typical" girl car and going for something guys traditionally drive—is just one of the trends car companies take into consideration when designing new products. This article lists ten of these trends, which touch on our penchant for retro styles and personalization, as well as our obsession with high-tech gadgets.
Immediately after checking out her new ride, Courtney Hyan called her friends—from her cell phone. Though a brand-new luxury pickup truck is probably only a fantasy for most teens, a cell phone of one's very own is an increasingly common reality. Combine a cell phone, a young driver, and a car—even if it's a beat-up, hand-me-down Honda—and there could be trouble on the road. At least, the Virginia State Senate thinks so, and has passed a bill to ban teen drivers from talking on their cell phones while behind the wheel.
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