This is capitalism. First they monopolize our infrastructure to force us into dependency, then jack up the cost of their created need, driving out and demonizing all alternatives. Not naturally but through power, influence, and countless billions in lobbies.
Eventually cars will be something that will be impossible to own and only available as a subscription service. Car makers are already locking off features that require monthly fees even if you own the car outright.
Cars will be just like books, music, movies, software, tech devices, etc that we pay never ending subscription fees to access. Do we think that modern capitalism would ever allow the creation of libraries, free bus service, or any service that is an accessible shared community service when it can be monetized? After cars, homes will be next, the billionaires will crush home ownership and replace it with perpetual rental.
I'm a 25 year veteran visual communications designer, Adobe Certified Expert, and Adobe Applications Instructor, and only use alternative software on my own computers because after buying out the industry Adobe decided that "you can't own our software anymore" while I was running their $2,000 suite.
It’s insane. I know the BS through my college age daughter.
In the 90s & 00s software companies gave away their software to students in hope of cultivating future customers. Now that they’ve monopolized the industry my daughter, as a cash strapped student, has to pay monthly subscription fees for required software just to complete her coursework. That’s all on top of ETextbook rentals, ever rising tuition fees, and a student technology access fee.
We’ll be renting oxygen eventually.
Ned Yeung
The Wookie