The Honey Trap

A permanent love affair between man and his automobile has been going on for more than a century. A love affair based on the promise of independence and freedom incarnated by the car. The paradox of this affair is the increasing loss of freedom and independence caused by the fast growing number of a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Michael F. Wagner
Format: Article
Language:Danish
Published: Aalborg University Open Publishing 2015-10-01
Series:Akademisk Kvarter
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.aau.dk/index.php/ak/article/view/2761
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author Michael F. Wagner
author_facet Michael F. Wagner
author_sort Michael F. Wagner
collection DOAJ
description A permanent love affair between man and his automobile has been going on for more than a century. A love affair based on the promise of independence and freedom incarnated by the car. The paradox of this affair is the increasing loss of freedom and independence caused by the fast growing number of automobiles on the roads every year and the inherent traffic congestion that follows. The article traces this erotic relationship between man and car from the beginning 1920ies to the latest climax in 2012 with the refusal of a congestion zone (betalingsring) in Copenhagen to relieve the traffic congestion in the commuter traffic. The emotional relationship between man and car has triumphed once again over the rational considerations in society. Everybody is still stuck for hours in traffic jams every day, sitting caught in this honey trap the drivers preserved their freedom and autonomy at all costs. Come hell or high water.
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spelling doaj.art-f7088004419f4d7fab5b180941d333ed2024-04-02T02:29:55ZdanAalborg University Open PublishingAkademisk Kvarter1904-00082015-10-011110.5278/ojs.academicquarter.v0i11.2761The Honey TrapMichael F. WagnerA permanent love affair between man and his automobile has been going on for more than a century. A love affair based on the promise of independence and freedom incarnated by the car. The paradox of this affair is the increasing loss of freedom and independence caused by the fast growing number of automobiles on the roads every year and the inherent traffic congestion that follows. The article traces this erotic relationship between man and car from the beginning 1920ies to the latest climax in 2012 with the refusal of a congestion zone (betalingsring) in Copenhagen to relieve the traffic congestion in the commuter traffic. The emotional relationship between man and car has triumphed once again over the rational considerations in society. Everybody is still stuck for hours in traffic jams every day, sitting caught in this honey trap the drivers preserved their freedom and autonomy at all costs. Come hell or high water. https://journals.aau.dk/index.php/ak/article/view/2761Automobilism; Leisure; Mass Consumption; Mobility; Freedom; Car Romanticism; Traffic Congestion
spellingShingle Michael F. Wagner
The Honey Trap
Akademisk Kvarter
Automobilism; Leisure; Mass Consumption; Mobility; Freedom; Car Romanticism; Traffic Congestion
title The Honey Trap
title_full The Honey Trap
title_fullStr The Honey Trap
title_full_unstemmed The Honey Trap
title_short The Honey Trap
title_sort honey trap
topic Automobilism; Leisure; Mass Consumption; Mobility; Freedom; Car Romanticism; Traffic Congestion
url https://journals.aau.dk/index.php/ak/article/view/2761
work_keys_str_mv AT michaelfwagner thehoneytrap
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