They Shoot Horses, Dont They?

They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? No, they don’t. The advent of the automobile around 1895 did not engender a huge equine genocide. We use horses today: for work, for recreation, for crowd control, for sport. Hence, the internal combustion engine is not disappearing in your lifetime, despite stupid political statements such as the recent “all cars must achieve 65 miles-per-gallon by 2031.” (Let’s also pass a resolution that there needs to be world peace by November. That should take care of that, right?) I listen to Vivaldi, Sinatra, Lady Gaga, Billy Joel. In my business, I accept credit cards, checks, and wire transfers. I choose not to use Venmo or PayPal because their service is dreadful. It’s hilarious to listen to the pseudo-snobs who prelatically inform me that they haven’t used checks in ages. And they only use Tik Tok via Instagram, and insist on a text before receiving a phone call. I imagine in their spare time, they’re shooting horses. I can drive an automatic transmission and a seven-speed manual (which is why I can leave my Corvette unlocked with the keys in it because no one is skilled enough today to steal it and drive it off).  We need to live with many choices; newer ones don’t necessarily replace older ones completely, and the situation, the moment, and our behavioral predispositions often determine what’s best, not normative pressure. An electronic car future for everyone? Look out for my horse!!