Comments on: Does the World Need Tinted Rear Windows? http://drjunker.org/2007/08/16/does-the-world-need-tinted-rear-windows/ On a quest to find optimality in an imperfect world. Fri, 28 May 2010 14:38:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Optimality! » Blog Archive » Future Traffic - Dark Times http://drjunker.org/2007/08/16/does-the-world-need-tinted-rear-windows/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Optimality! » Blog Archive » Future Traffic - Dark Times Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:58:58 +0000 http://drjunker.org/2007/08/16/does-the-world-need-tinted-rear-windows/#comment-21 [...] just have to write another update on my tinted window posts. In the past I talked about SUVs/Pickups/Minivans as well as certain kinds of passenger cars [...] [...] just have to write another update on my tinted window posts. In the past I talked about SUVs/Pickups/Minivans as well as certain kinds of passenger cars [...]

]]> By: Derek http://drjunker.org/2007/08/16/does-the-world-need-tinted-rear-windows/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Derek Sun, 02 Sep 2007 04:27:17 +0000 http://drjunker.org/2007/08/16/does-the-world-need-tinted-rear-windows/#comment-19 I feel that I must comment on the combination of these last two posts. I agree that the proliferation of SUV's is a bit preposterous. I've even found myself thinking that I might one day buy one. Fortunately, I am too poor for such things. My 8-year-old Honda Civic will suffice. Tinted windows, if done well, really don't provide a great obstruction in view to the driver (or anyone inside the vehicle). I am usually annoyed when stuck behind a tinted window, and I agree that the safest way to drive is to scan the road at all distances ahead. This is especially critical in high volume traffic. On the gas-guzzling note, I think that it's very interesting that we as American consumers typically demand the greatest possible performance in our technological devices, yet we only pay lip service to improving fuel efficiency unless gas prices start to skyrocket. Here is some free advice to all the readers of this blog: a more fuel efficient car saves you money on gas AT ANY PRICE. The best part is these cars even tend to cost less than the worst-offending gas guzzlers. In other words, it always makes good economic sense to buy a reasonable auto. The simple fact remains that for many Americans (probably the vast majority), gasoline represents only a small fraction of their total expenditures. Even now, most people don't have to make major life changes to afford fuel - though those times may come. Still, gas is on the minds of everyone with a car. We get used to using our cars about the same amount from week to week, and year to year. We get used to paying a certain amount to do so. When the price jumps, we all are affected, even those with cars like mine - I used to spend less than $15 per week on gas, and now, with similar mileages, I am lucky to pay under $20. Anyway, enough commenting for now. I feel that I must comment on the combination of these last two posts. I agree that the proliferation of SUV’s is a bit preposterous. I’ve even found myself thinking that I might one day buy one. Fortunately, I am too poor for such things. My 8-year-old Honda Civic will suffice. Tinted windows, if done well, really don’t provide a great obstruction in view to the driver (or anyone inside the vehicle). I am usually annoyed when stuck behind a tinted window, and I agree that the safest way to drive is to scan the road at all distances ahead. This is especially critical in high volume traffic.

On the gas-guzzling note, I think that it’s very interesting that we as American consumers typically demand the greatest possible performance in our technological devices, yet we only pay lip service to improving fuel efficiency unless gas prices start to skyrocket. Here is some free advice to all the readers of this blog: a more fuel efficient car saves you money on gas AT ANY PRICE. The best part is these cars even tend to cost less than the worst-offending gas guzzlers. In other words, it always makes good economic sense to buy a reasonable auto.

The simple fact remains that for many Americans (probably the vast majority), gasoline represents only a small fraction of their total expenditures. Even now, most people don’t have to make major life changes to afford fuel – though those times may come. Still, gas is on the minds of everyone with a car. We get used to using our cars about the same amount from week to week, and year to year. We get used to paying a certain amount to do so. When the price jumps, we all are affected, even those with cars like mine – I used to spend less than $15 per week on gas, and now, with similar mileages, I am lucky to pay under $20. Anyway, enough commenting for now.

]]>