I don’t suppose that Jim Morrison and his cohorts ever envisioned AI or self driving vehicles when they penned Roadhouse Blues.
I had a terrifying experience recently. Patrice and I drove down to Southern California for my niece’s doctoral graduation from UCLA. I had not been down to LA in more than 18 months, and it had been almost five years before that. We stayed with my brother and sister in-law at their home in beautiful Old Agoura. I’ll spare you the details of the incredible traffic, general congestion, homelessness and drug abuse in the streets that we encountered before reaching their lovely sanctuary.
Today’s story begins as my brother asked me to move his car while he moved the pickup truck in their driveway. I hopped in only to realize that it was a Tesla. No key or visible ignition, just a small wheel, and a computer screen. I had no idea how to start the car. I just had to sit there until he had moved the truck and returned to me. By then, my mom and Patrice had gotten into the car. The computer screen asked for a “phone key”; but, because I thought I’d be driving, my phone was put away and I had no key or code anyway.
My brother hopped in the passenger seat and proceeded to tell me how to start the car. I protested driving but he insisted. I put a foot on the brake pedal and touched what appeared to be a turn signal indicator and the computer screen came to life and the car started. After several nonsensical instructions, which included not touching the wheel, we began to move. My brother Joe told me to touch the word navigation on the screen and then his daughter’s name under that. He then indicated that the car would steer and I need not touch the wheel. My reactions took hold when we began to move and I indeed grabbed the steering wheel, only to have all of the guidance systems in the vehicle stop working. We had to start again. I’d already driven nine hours from northern Nevada so I was in no mood for another foray onto California’s freeway system, but that is exactly where the car took us. Along the two mile path there, we traveled along the narrow country road including a one way bridge that my brother lives on. I nearly had a stroke when our car proceeded without stopping toward an oncoming pickup truck on the other side of the bridge. We got to the end of his road and before I realized what was happening, we started onto the 101 freeway. I think Patrice might have laughed as I apparently exclaimed “oh God, no”.
The car piloted us through fast, close traffic at speeds of more than 70 mph for a three mile terror fest to my niece’s home. The car had been programmed to drive to her condominium complex; but alas, I reflexively disengaged the auto pilot at least twice by touching the steering wheel or failing to respond to the onboard computer which commanded me to respond to its instructions for confirmation that I was still present. By the time the car parked itself, I was sweating and my pulse rate was off the charts. I got out of the car and Patrice looped her arm through mine, but then put her arm around me when she realized that I was trembling.
Joe’s impromptu Tesla driving lesson had shaken me. I had only been inside an electric car once before and I think it had been a hybrid that from my passenger position, seemed like a normal vehicle.
I honestly had no idea aside from reading about the testing of driverless taxis, that there were self driving vehicles on the road. The experience completely unnerved me, both physically and psychologically. Patrice later told me that I was stunned and silent for most of an hour after the ride.
I’m not sure how much of the discomfort and disbelief I experienced can be chalked up to living a life in ranching in a rural environment, or my age, or being previously disinterested in a technology that seemed inapplicable to my business and lifestyle. I’m curious by nature and I’d like to think I’m well informed, so I was absolutely blindsided when I learned in real time that a self-driving car was actually on the road and I was in it.
My brother told me that his commute is now the most relaxing hour of his work day now that he has his new Tesla. He admitted that he listens to music, talks on the phone and generally tunes out the bumper to bumper traffic. I asked how he got used to not reacting to the cars and conditions around him. His answer chilled me to the bone, “I don’t have to look outside”.
So what is my take away? I’m terrified by how easily people are relinquishing their sovereignty and autonomy to idiot ideologies and machines. I think being willing to drive the insane LA freeway system without looking outside is the height of poor judgment, and I don’t care what the computer models or statistics say. I loved getting to see my family, but the experience made me want to NEVER visit the land of smog and cyborg cars again. I really believe that it fundamentally changed me and simply reinforced what I already knew…I’ll be a gas or diesel girl till I die, and if they take those options away from me, a horse is looking pretty darn good.
Kris Stewart is a rancher in Paradise Valley, Nevada.