Detroit, Cars and Climate Change with Autoextremist Peter DeLorenzo in conversation with philosopher Andrea Hiott

06/12/24 • 55 min

In this episode of Forever Motoring, host and philosopher Andrea Hiott welcomes Peter De Lorenzo, famously known as the Auto Extremist. Peter is recognized for his influential and candid blog, running since 1999, which has significantly impacted automotive journalism. They discuss Peter's upbringing in Detroit during the golden age of the automobile industry, his deep-rooted love for cars, his experiences with the notable figures of GM, and his insightful column on what its like to live in Detroit and the recent restoration of Michigan Central Station. Peter shares his thoughts on the evolution of the automobile industry, the challenges it faces, and his belief in the enduring spirit of true believers in the automotive world. Tune in for a compelling conversation about the intersection of passion, technology, and the future of motoring. Peter describes the future as needing a kaleidoscope of power for our vehicles.
Please join our new Patreon and support a community that loves its vehicles and its earth.

00:00 Introduction to Peter DeLorenzo

01:21 Peter's Early Life and Love for Cars

04:11 The Golden Age of Detroit

09:06 Planned Obsolescence and Detroit's Contradictions

16:32 The Resilience of Detroit

18:04 The True Believers of the Auto Industry

19:59 The Impact of World War II on Detroit

23:39 The Evolution of Auto Extremist

25:44 The Inertia of Social Media and Information Overload

26:40 The True Believers and the Love for Automobiles

27:49 The Freedom and Experience of Driving

29:46 The Impact of Technology on Travel and Presence

35:32 Environmental Challenges and the Future of Mobility

40:45 The Role of True Believers in Driving Change

43:27 The Birth and Impact of Auto Extremist

48:40 Reflections on a Career and Legacy

53:55 Forever Motoring: A Vision for the Future

#detroit #autoindustry #driving
The Autoextemist
On Detroit, the column we discuss.
"We’re a state of mind that’s filled with countless contradictions, and our great history is offset by some lurid realities.
We’ve contributed much to the American fabric, yet we have a historical propensity to make things brutally tough on our day-to-day well-being.
We’ve brought this country a sound like no other and a gritty, gutty context that’s second to none, yet we’ve created countless problems for ourselves, most all of them self-inflicted.
We created the “Arsenal of Democracy” when our country needed it most, yet we allowed a movement based on fairness to become a disease based on entitlement and rancor.
We’ve contributed much to this nation's progress and standing, yet we can’t seem to get out of our own way at times, which is infuriating and debilitating.
But thankfully, the story never really ends for Detroit. At least not yet anyway. We’re still standing, warts and glaring faults and all. And you can forget the recent glory stories about our renaissance because we don’t really need ‘em to validate us.
We know who we are. And we know that the perception isn’t often favorable. And we get that. But still there’s an exuberance and spirit here that no interloper of a CEO can ever capture.
It’s a Detroit thing, or if you must, a Dee-troit thing, as Bob Seger so aptly put it. And we’re proud of what that means.
And that’s the High-Octane Truth for this week."

00:00 Introduction to Peter DeLorenzo

01:21 Peter's Early Life and Love for Cars

04:11 The Golden Age of Detroit

09:06 Planned Obsolescence and Detroit's Contradictions

16:32 The Resilience of Detroit

18:04 The True Believers of the Auto Industry

19:59 The Impact of World War II on Detroit

23:39 The Evolution of Auto Extremist

25:44 The Inertia of Social Media and Information Overload

26:40 The True Believers and the Love for Automobiles

27:49 The Freedom and Experience of Driving

29:46 The Impact of Technology on Travel and Presence

35:32 Environmental Challenges and the Future of Mobility

40:45 The Role of True Believers in Driving Change

43:27 The Birth and Impact of Auto Extremist

48:40 Reflections on a Career and Legacy

53:55 Forever Motoring: A Vision for the Future

Previous Episode

Fossil Fuel Funding & Disinformation with philosophers Craig Callender and Andrea Hiott

Craig is Tata Chancellor's Professor of Philosophy and a Founding Faculty and Co-Director of the Institute for Practical Ethics at the University of California San Diego. He is also part of the Campus Climate Change Committee, which has seen some historic enactment relative to the university and environmental policies. Here he and Andrea discuss disinformation and ethical responsibility within the realms of academia and corporations, particularly as related to the automotive industry, exploring the broader implications for environmental sustainability and change.
Even as both speakers talk of the importance of vehicles in their own lives and the cars they have loved over the years, the conversation takes a long look at the automotive sector, from its ethical quandaries to the potential of its innovations like electric vehicles, highlighting the delicate balance between economic objectives, environmental stewardship, and the drive towards 'ecological motoring.' Through these discussions, the script paints a multidimensional picture of the quest for integrity and sustainability in an age fraught with challenges.
Craig outlines the historical challenges of academic freedom versus corporate influence, exemplified by the similarity in various scandals such as those involving the tobacco industry and Volkswagen’s Dieselgate, to discuss the intricate dance between personal accountability and the necessity for structural evolution. The narrative underscores the importance of transparency, the impact of social norms, and the proactive role of education in fostering a sustainable future.
Please join our new Patreon and support a community that loves its vehicles and its earth.
Craig’s website
Craig's Google Scholar

More great talks and interviews with Craig

Fossil Fuel Money Article

When is it okay to ban research funding?
More resources:

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-11-07/medicine-rules-conflict-of-interest-climate-change

https://www.amazon.com/Doubt-Their-Product-Industrys-Threatens/dp/019530067X

00:00 Tackling Disinformation in Academic Research
01:41 A Personal Journey Through Motoring Memories
03:11 The Environmental Awakening of a Late Adopter
06:50 Exploring the Philosophy of Motoring and Movement
20:10 The Impact of Fossil Fuel Funding on University Research
24:57 The Complex Web of Industry Influence and Climate Change
28:57 Navigating the Ethical Landscape of Academic Funding
39:17 Reflecting on Personal Responsibility in the Climate Crisis
40:50 Reflecting on Social Norms and Tobacco Strategy
42:01 The Shift in Academic Funding and Social Acceptance
43:04 Exploring the Impact of Fossil Fuel Funding on Academia
43:52 The Power of Social Norms in Changing Behaviors
44:28 Government's Role vs. Social Movements in Public Health
48:44 The Complex Relationship Between Individual and Collective Responsibility
51:23 The Challenge of Structural Changes for Environmental Ethics
56:56 The Role of Transparency and Ethics in Environmental Change
01:03:17 Academic Freedom and the Infl

Next Episode

More Trojan Horses: Designer (Rivian, Arc Boats) and Artist Luke Mack

Could we have planned relevance instead of planned obsolescence in auto design? Will sustainable transportation come through a Trojan Horse? What does speed look like in design? Does the human spirit push the boundaries of propulsion?
Join philosopher Andrea Hiott as she delves into a captivating conversation with Luke Mack, a visionary designer, and artist. Luke helped design the R1T for Rivian and now works for Arc Boats. Discover Luke's journey from Michigan to Seoul, Korea, influenced by his father's automotive design career at General Motors. Unveil the philosophy behind 'forever motoring' as embracing discomfort and positioning "Trojan Horses" in art and design so as to awaken new perspective. From car design at Rivian and Chrysler to electric boats at Arc, Luke discusses the balance of freedom and constraints in design, and how new electric technologies are reshaping traditional industries. Also, get a glimpse into Luke's artistic ventures and how they reflect his thought process and vision for the future of movement. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on the intersection of art, design, and sustainable motoring. #ecologicalmotoring #electricvehicles #rivian #arc
Luke Mack's Art: https://www.lukejmack.com/
Luke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-mack...
00:00 Introduction to Forever Motoring
00:59 Guest Introduction and Early Life
01:31 Experiences in South Korea
01:56 Influence of Father's Career
04:55 Artistic Approach to Car Design
11:01 Balancing Art and Design
15:51 Career Path and Education
20:44 Early Career and Internships
22:30 Joining Rivian and Electric Vehicles
29:34 Discovering the Future of Electric Vehicles
29:53 Design Freedom with Electric Vehicles
30:33 The Design Process at Rivian
33:32 Transition to California and Its Impact
Rivian
Arc Boats

Future Motoring - Detroit, Cars and Climate Change with Autoextremist Peter DeLorenzo in conversation with philosopher Andrea Hiott

Transcript

Peter and the Autoextremist: a kaleidoscope of power for our vehicles.

Andrea Hiott: [00:00:00] Hello, everyone. Welcome back to Forever Motoring. I'm so glad you're here. Today we have Peter de Lorenzo, who you probably know as the auto extremist. From his very popular blog, which has been running since 1999. A real historical archive at this point. And it is incredibly popular and influential. It's really changed the way journalism is done.

As we talk about a bi