Michelle McKelvey - Media Observations: Cars

   Cars serve as a catalyzing medium force in defining us in society. Their interior components and exterior features shape our perceptions of people. Overall, cars can be a driving force in our perceptions of people. They serve as a forceful medium through the interior and exterior. Bumper stickers convey personal beliefs, the type of car defines level of affluence, and the interior defines their lifestyle. However, through the readings from O'Donnell & Lewis, we see these assertions can lead to false stereotypes and broad generalizations about individuals.
   The type of car can communicate a persons level of affluence. The initial reaction is very different when one sees someone driving in a Ferrari versus a Kia: a Ferrari alludes to wealth, while a Kia alludes to a less affluent driver. It can also convey interests: if a person is driving a Prius, they are inherently environmentally conscious, verus a driver who is sporting a Hummer, who hypothetically, is not environmentally attune. In addition, is one is driving a vintage vehicle, they value car character over function.  On a micro level, at Babson College, many are defined by the car they drive. Conversations are flooded with "Did you see that Bentley in the parking lot?" or "Can you BELIEVE he drives an Escalade? I didn't know he was wealthy...".On a macro level, when we drive on the highway and see a BMW or Porsche, we automatically categorize the driver as wealthy.
   Cars can define our lives. For example, when my car is neat, my life is organized. On the contrary, when my car is filled with papers, coffee cups, tanning lotion, and clothes, it shows my life is hectic. If one sees softball bats in the trunk, chances are the person is an athlete. One can learn realms about an individuals lives by looking through the drivers personal artifacts in a car. It also communicates our personal preferences: when one turns on the car, the radio automatically blasts music. If it's on a rap station, the person prefers rap music--as opposed to a CD with club music, which means the person likes house music.
   Bumper stickers convey our personal beliefs. When driving, bumper stickers serve as a sub-medium to communicate their views pertaining to politics, academia, or general personality characteristics. If one has a bumper sticker stating, "I Love George Bush", we make the assumption they are a Republican. If we see a bumper sticker with stating "Proud Honor Student", we assume they are intelligent. If we see a sticker stating, "Texas A&M University", we assume they (or one of their family members) attend that university. Bumper stickers open the door to the general public and openly display minuscule pieces of your personal beliefs.
   However, there are obviously cases where these are false accusations. Following Croteau and Hoynes logic, this mechanical representation does not necessarily reflect the economic interests, personal beliefs, or level of affluence. This medium can yield stereotypes and can paint a broad misrepresentation of a persons greater lifestyle. In addition, I would argue these are negative mediums, and serve as an easy channel for categorizing individuals and compartmentalizing the masses into mechanical boxes.