[nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Mon Apr 15 03:01:04 UTC 2013

I do think that, for the sake of the environment, it would be ideal if
we could perfect public transit in all places, even rural places.
However, I think it would take a tremendous social shift in order for
that to happen and I suspect that no matter how good public transit
is, enough people would still insist on driving their cars that the
system wouldn't get enough ridership to pay for it. So I think that
realistically we will need to support the blind driver projects, but I
would also definitely like to see public transit improved and
streamlined.
Arielle

On 4/14/13, Kaiti Shelton <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com> wrote:
> For me in terms of employment, a car would be a tremendous asset.  It
> wouldn't limit me to staying in one spot to have clients come to me.
> With a car someone in my field of work can be contracted out to do
> home visits or to assist in hospice settings in addition to their job
> at a hospital, school, or other fascility where they can stay and just
> make rounds.  A car presents opportunities to me, and for me and
> others who's careers would benefit from having the ability to drive
> themselves it would be an investment.  In this case, it would
> absolutely pay for itself, even gas because time would be far less
> wasted, and I would get more fulfillment out of it because there would
> be more time spent helping people and doing what I love to do than
> sitting at a bus stop/walking to the next stop/sitting on the bus
> twiddling my thumbs... and we won't even talk about the hassle of when
> the driver screws up and you don't get off where you wanted to.
>
> Employment aside, I'd also like my own car so I don't have to deal
> with cabs.  Once I called a cab on a Sunday night and the dispatcher
> gave me an ETA of 30 to 45 minutes.  The driver showed up 2 hours
> later.  The car smelled of vomit, which I'm assuming was because a
> drunk person was riding before me and the smell still had not been
> fully cleaned out of the fabrics in the car, and I'm pretty sure from
> the feel of the car that he was speeding on the highway.  Not to
> mention that I asked him to take a route through downtown which was
> quicker and a little less expensive, but he took me down the
> expressway regardless... he did not get a good tip from me for that
> one.  And when we were in the car the cab driver kept answering his
> cell phone because I guess he didn't have one of those radios so he
> used the cell... but that coupled with how fast we were going made me
> feel really uncomfortable.  To me the buses I've ridden along with
> that cab experience have turned me away from public transit because
> they're usually shady.  I can use it and would if necessary, but if
> given the choice I would rather save the time and frustration and
> drive myself.  I respect the choice of those who say they would rather
> stick with public transit, but for myself and others a car seems the
> more practical way to go.
>
> On 4/14/13, blackbyrdfly at gmail.com <blackbyrdfly at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Focus less on the barriers, and far, far more on all the alternatives and
>> solutions. Unless you're receiving some serious discounts on public
>> transit
>> and never use a cab, owning an autonomous car will pay for itself over
>> time,
>> even with the need for insurance and fuel. Consider the cost of missed
>> opportunities, not just the cost of transit alone. Also, time is money.
>> Less
>> time walking and waiting means more time to generate revenue. And we
>> should
>> never underestimate the earning potential of self employment, even while
>> we're looking for traditional jobs. I've earned significant income doing
>> electronics retail on eBay with two blind business partners, and one of
>> them
>> now has a software startup of his own that got him off of SSI. It can be
>> done if you want to work for it. It just takes creative problem solving.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Apr 14, 2013, at 6:27 PM, "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Good evening Ashley and everyone,
>>>
>>>    But not if we create the kind of incomes to allow us to perches these
>>> vehicles and a whole lot more. Figure it out!
>>>
>>> Peter Donahue
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 5:29 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>>>
>>>
>>> Aleeha,
>>> Thank you. I don't think we are even close either to having such a car
>>> to
>>> drive in public.
>>> So, really we are arguing among ourselves about something in the distant
>>> future. And, step back and think. Cars cost more money than taking
>>> public
>>> transit and this car will be more than the average car.
>>>
>>> We have so so many barriers in employment now. You will have to save a
>>> lot
>>> for such a car and you can only save money if you got a job.
>>> Getting a job is not easy and made worse in the economy. If you get
>>> interviewed, even under schedule A in the government, you got other
>>> competors against you with more job experience, more computer experience
>>> perhaps. It’s a catch 22; you need more experience for entry level jobs
>>> but
>>> you need a job to cultivate experience.
>>> Yes we can work, but as I'm finding there are a number of barriers with
>>> software accessibility to deal with on the job. Jobs you would not think
>>> are
>>> visual are visual. For instance, many communications jobs require not
>>> only
>>> the writing of pitch letters and press releases, but the compilation of
>>> photos with adobe end design or using graphical layout software such as
>>> microsoft publisher or photoshop to publish pr material. Not to mention
>>> social media wich is semi accessible. Can you say the word captcha? For
>>> real, these are barriers.
>>> I'm really tired of people saying they'll just get employed or that
>>> people
>>> who cannot find work are making excuses. Having a degree does not
>>> gaurantee
>>> you a job. Having excellent references from professors and aquaintances
>>> does
>>> not gaurantee you a job.
>>>
>>> I've been hoping to find at least a part time job to give me experience
>>> before I go to grad school; actually not sure I'll do grad school but if
>>> I
>>> do, I'd sure like to work before grad school. And yes, I had internships
>>> in
>>> the government and one nonprofit. still not enough experience.
>>>
>>> I'd suggest having a job before getting a google car if one even exists
>>> for
>>> the public.
>>> Also, try not to make sweeping generalizations about why people aren't
>>> employed. It could be you one day.
>>>
>>> Ashley
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Aleeha Dudley
>>> Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 3:50 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>>>
>>> Hello all,
>>>     I hesitate to stick my nose into this one, but it seems that this
>>> thread has provoked my own strong opinions, both about the Google car
>>> and about the attitude of some list members.
>>>     First, I will say this. In my opinion, I would drive the Google
>>> car if there was a way to provide a failsafe of sorts that would
>>> activate should a malfunction in the system occur. I do not believe
>>> that we are even close to having these cars in public, let alone to
>>> knocking down the proverbial barrier that exists between the blind and
>>> sighted communities which would allow them to even consider permitting
>>> us to drive on the roads.
>>>     The second part of my message concerns the language some people
>>> are choosing to use on this list, as well as the hostile attitudes
>>> that exist amoung some. If you choose to curse, please take it off
>>> list. I for one am offended by some of the language on this list and
>>> feel that many others are as well. We are supposed to be a community
>>> of blind students assisting one another in our educational pursuits
>>> and issues. With the attitude I have observed, it concerns me that
>>> some students might be afraid to come forward, fearing being shut down
>>> or criticized. As Kaiti has stated before, this list archive is
>>> PUBLIC! That means anyone can find it and read it on the Internet. Not
>>> so concerning until you think about the fact that most employers
>>> looking for a valued employee will do a web search and background
>>> check. This means that they can and will find these posts with these
>>> offensive words and will probably think of you as a less valuable
>>> candidate for the job, or perhaps dismiss your application altogether
>>> if they see such language in your messages. For your own job security,
>>> I suggest this language and negative attitude tone down. Please
>>> consider other list members who may not condone such language or who
>>> may be younger than most of us.
>>> Thank you,
>>> Aleeha
>>>
>>> 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!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/crazy4clarinet104%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Kaiti
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/blindcowgirl1993%40gmail.com
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/pdonahue2%40satx.rr.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/blackbyrdfly%40gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/crazy4clarinet104%40gmail.com
>>
>
>
> --
> Kaiti
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.com
>