This essay covers an uncomfortable truth: the extent to which people will spend hard-earned money for a thing that really doesn’t mean much, in the long run. Does it really matter whether someone drives a beat-up 15-year-old car, or a new Challenger R/T?

It does, if you see yourself as being a big virile stud by virtue of “owning” a Dodge Challenger R/T. If you want the bragging rights over your friends, who drive lesser vehicles.

This is a huge problem in America, and it’s a big part of the reason why certain people at the top of the power game are struggling very hard to make sure America has control over oil fields around the Earth.

How much work do you imagine it would take to convince all your friends that their “needs” in the way of motor vehicles are not really needs, but more accurately — WANTS…? Do you think you could convince them of such things? I have tried with some of my friends, and too many of them have created lives for themselves where a motor vehicle is essential — they live far from work, far from where they get their daily or weekly necessities. They have constructed a car- or SUV- or truck-centered life. In so doing they have put a premium on the type of car, truck or SUV they drive, because their life revolves around that thing.

I was a car junkie in the first 4 years after I finished high school. I slowly weaned myself off that gasoline teat because I realized that the sportier, faster cars I liked were ones that got me into trouble — speeding tickets, reckless driving tickets, near-accidents. And the “image” that went along with other vehicles never appealed to me.

But many of my friends and relatives are tied in closely to, wrapped up with, that “image” aspect of motor vehicles.

That’s a tough knot to untie.