LCD = Lowest Common Denominator. Chili's, Olive Garden, Applebee's, TGIF, CheeseCake Factory,... wait, I'm getting nauseous... OK.
I, for one, am quite happy you've painted your room. Pattern or stripes?
Most cultures really enjoy herd mentality, while declaring their individuality. Tattoos, fashion, hairstyles and music are all examples of the myth of the individual. Whenever something is well outside what is currently accepted within any society, it's usually attacked or marginalized. Evolutionary trends are gradually included and then embraced, and so it goes. Sociologists have descibed the phenomena in many cultures; some force change, some change by neccessity. In the modern world, change is largely driven by the profit motive.
Which brings us back to automotive design.
It's interesting, products like Swatch are one approach to providing a sense of individuality for the consumer in a standard mass-produced product. Changeable skins on electronic gadgets are another. Auto makers have all toyed with the concept, but perhaps soon we'll see it in broader production as younger consumers already embrace the idea. To some degree, this is what body kit manufacturers provide, but I can imagine auto makers creating standardized platforms that many different producers of shells or skins can then offer to the public. In the manner that coachbuilders of the past built on a client's chassis. But cheaply and quickly exchanged at one's whim, in fact.
Individuality in body design provided to the masses... for very utilitarian and not-so-individual vehicles.
I also envision a time when platforms and running gear are more or less standardized, a neccessity for practical fleets of electric vehicles. Battery packages will need to be the same simply so energy companies can maintain control of resources. Drive 400 miles, stop for "fuel" and change the package... and away down the road.
In just a few decades there will likely be far more automobile fashion faux pas than one can imagine.
Last edited by csl177; 08-22-2009 at 08:31 PM.
Never own more cars than you can keep charged batteries in...