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We loved cars until the '70s or so. Then they became appliances. They turned into motorized cup holders. Most of it has to do with urban sprawl. What began as pleasure ends up in necessity, as so many things do.
P. J. O'Rourke
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Cars shifted from being objects of love and passion to mere necessities over time.

P. J. O'Rourke's quote reflects on the transformation of cars from symbols of freedom and enjoyment to mundane tools required for everyday life, largely due to urban development. The transition symbolizes a broader trend where the joy of many things gets replaced by practical necessity as society evolves.

Themes

CarsUrban SprawlNecessityTransformationPleasure

In practice

Example use cases

Using this quote in a discussion about the evolution of transportation in urban design.

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