[nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Sun Apr 14 19:27:10 UTC 2013

I'm sorry Ashley, but I completely and wholeheartedly disagree with
you. When NTSB executives are saying that autonomous cars are the way
to go, don't you think they deserve some credence? I honestly lost
faith in the NFB car. Sure it was "made for blind people," but you
barely ever saw the thing! If you're going to make a car for the
blind, don't hide it away from the public and then give no explanation
when it essentially disappears. I'm not saying that the Google car
would be perfect. I'm not fooling myself with that idea. But, I think
that the technology is really impressive and, with some modifications,
it will be great for blind people. But hey! If you want to always wait
around for a driver, or a bus, or paratransit, more power to you. It
just seems like this all runs counter to the philosophy that many
people within the NFB preach daily. As for your arguments as to why
blind people shouldn't drive, I think if you read the articles about
the potential of autonomous cars, you'll find most if not all of your
fears more or less assuaged. Just because something SEEMS difficult is
no reason for us blind people to avoid it like the plague. That would
be ridiculous! If I decide not to get this car, it would only be after
I'd tried it out and found it not to my liking. Since the NFB car is
more or less dead, I feel that we as blind people have a
responsibility to get behind the Google car in one way or another.
Isn't that what the NFB always says? That they're there for blind
people when we need something? Well, we need to get around and we're
tired of waiting like kids for our parents to pick us up from soccer
practice! If we're going to be independent, successful individuals,
then we should have the right to get around just like our sighted
colleagues. Separate is not equal in this case. You may never drive
this thing, and you may think it ridiculous, but I highly encourage
people like yourself and Carly to at least consider the point of view
of those of us who want to drive like our brothers and sisters,
mothers and fathers. You may think us self-serving, but doesn't that
make sighted people self-serving? I mean, they can take a bus too! The
issue here is choice. We shouldn't HAVE to take a bus if we don't want
to wait 2 hours. Now, if it's a nice day and you've got time to kill,
hey! Spend 5 hours going to the doctor! But we should have the same
freedom that all sighted people have. With that freedom will come the
realization that blind people can do the same things as sighted
people.
Patrick

On 4/14/13, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I haven't read all this thread much. But from what I read, it seems like you
>
> all believe the car would provide more transit options and you'd buy one if
>
> given a choice.
>
> I know the problems in the bus system; I've seen them and ridden paratransit
>
> and felt its impact of unreliability and lateness.
> That said, I think other methods of travel are more efficient and safe.
> Things like cabs, car pools, getting rides with friends when you want to
> hang out, and hiring a driver would be better.
>
> I do not support blind people driving because we cannot see to override the
>
> car.
> I have to agree with the individual that said that having a car is self
> serving. We are putting other lives at risk.
> We face many obstacles on the rode like other cars wipping in front of us
> when its not their turn; cars inching along not going the speed limit and
> you got to move around them, waiting for pedestrians to walk, rode rage, and
>
> drunk drivers.
> Without vision, we cannot! intervene the computerized car to override it
> when obstacles arise.
> I cannot tell you how many times my parents slammed on the brakes due to
> some driver wipping out in front of them, drivers who unexpectedly turn
> without turning on their turn signal like their supposed to, pedestrians who
>
> are still walking across the street when the orange don't walk signal is on
>
> thus making cars wait, having to swerve around bicyclists, and distracted
> drivers on cell phones.
> All these obstacles create hazards which a human driver with eyes needs to
> see and make a quick judgement and use reflexes to act upon unexpected
> hazards.
>
> So, yeah, when you all can afford a new google car, go right ahead and you
> never know who might be hurt if you even get a license. I just don't want to
>
> be on the road with you.
>
> I think the nfb car sounded safer and it was built for blind people, but we
>
> abandoned that project, probably cause of money.
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kaiti Shelton
> Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 12:08 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
> I don't see it as self-serving either... in my experience with buses I
> have to agree with Sophie here.  Plus, some parts of town that I need
> to go either aren't served by buses, or take a really long time to get
> to which sometimes involves going in the opposite way of the
> destination for a while and then circling back because of Dayton's bus
> system.  (It's organized by buses going north-south and east-west, but
> sometimes when you're at a stop the time of the bus won't tell you if
> the bus is going north or south, or east or west so you have to roll
> with it.  I'd much rather just get into a car and drive than boomerang
> around the city just to get to one place, and then do it again
> returning to school.  And because of this, and the fact that it the
> bus system isn't exactly equivalent to a car, I don't consider it
> self-serving either.  I have no problem in supporting it and other
> programs of public transit for people who can't drive a car, which
> more often are people who are low income, have a suspended license, or
> who are inner-city, or elderly than blind, but if I and other blind
> people can afford a car and want one I don't see anything self-serving
> in that, it's just doing what is most efficient.  I actually think not
> taking advantage of this opportunity on the basis that the less than
> efficient public transit systems work fine and that other people can
> use the money or whatever that would go into buying this car would be
> like saying you'd pass up going to college even though you could
> because other people can be served by your tuition money, and the high
> school diploma would serve you just fine.  It's more efficient, so why
> not do it?
>
> Sophie, I too see it more as an investment in independence.  :)
>
> On 4/14/13, Robert William Kingett <kingettr at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Im buying this damn car the first chance I get. I’d rather be self
>> serving and frivolous and drive to some place within 20 minutes instead
>> of sitting on the bus for three hours, or more, depending on if the
>> driver didn't call my stop and I’d be riding extra long. Here in
>> chicagothat isn't a problem but I used to live in Tallahassee FL where
>> there was no automated system to tell you where you were. So yes, I’d
>> much rather be self serving and save up. Besides, as I have said before
>> in a previous message, this technology is driving along the streets of
>> Nevada. I'm so excited that I'm even grinning and daydreaming about
>> driving along side of a bus, and happy that I'm frivolous enough to pay
>> for a self serving device that will allowfor me to get to the office
>> quicker, or to an interview on time, thus allowing me to have greater
>> chances to pay my taxes so you other non self serving blind people can
>> take the bus. I think it's a neat little circle of irony, don't you
>> think? LOL!
>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> Kaiti
>
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