My thoughts on the debate over cars...
People get too emotional and show too much confirmation bias to have a factual, intelligent discussion about cars. Following Fighter Bob Lutz's remarks yesterday, the class got into it about the turn-around at GM. The class almost immediately lost all foundation in reality and spiraled into the media circus of 'domestics suck.' It seemed that everyone knew their new Toyota Camry was better than the Impala but didn't know why. When pressed, none had any experience with the Buick Lucerne Mr. Lutz is so proud of, yet all snickered at the possibility of purchasing one. Nobody would admit to having been in the new Impala - which I drove and is excellent - but many were proud to share their high-quality experience with German cars. When you talk cars, people who don't know anything about them are suddenly auto buffs, manufacturing experts, and vehicle dynamicists. Why don't you consider an Impala? 'It's front wheel drive.' Why is that a problem? 'I want rear wheel drive.' Why? 'I don't know. I just do.' Perfect. You may be part of the crisis of public perception we just spoke about.
After class I went to Textron's presentation and was wowed by the spread and the chance to see one of UMHS's Bell 430's pull in and land on Pad #2. These little birds cover all of the mitten and most of Ohio, meaning if you are burned in Petoskey they come get you and have you in ER in Ann Arbor in just over 100 minutes... amazing, but the thing that gets you first and foremost is that these are small machines. I asked about bariatrics in the helicopter, and the response was "we have up to 500 lb capacity for patients but only a 58" belt." They are starting to have to leave flight nurses on the ground at accidents because their passengers are taking up too much of the useful load.
There's a different helicopter circling Ross, which can only mean that we're going to be on the news again for the big announcement yesterday. There's a buzz around the halls but no real difference on campus apart from the Dean's office sponsoring and serving an ice cream social this afternoon.
Thursday, September 21, 2006