Waste no more
Delray Beach, FL, December 2009
I'll come right out and admit it: I'm a bit of a car freak, so it was with more than a little interest that I watched the entire industry go through one of the most convulsive chapters in its history over the past couple of years. If we can say that the recession was a nasty kick in the teeth to the broader economy, it's similarly safe to conclude that it was that and worse in the car sector.
By the time the dust settled, entire brands like Pontiac, Saturn, Mercury and Hummer were no more. Saab's brush with near-death was staved off by a last-minute buyout that may or may not save the storied Swedish icon.
Which brings us to Hummer. I never understood why this brand existed. Well, maybe I did: To provide unreliable, i
nefficient examples of conspicuous consumption to those primarily male buyers who felt a compelling need to compensate for, ah, other shortcomings in their lives and in themselves.I get that a capitalist-based market thrives on providing choice, but this particular choice always struck me as representative of the worst that humankind can offer. I know most of its drivers can afford to feed their 10 mpg pigs-on-wheels, but that doesn't mean I'm happy that we've arrived at a point in our history when thumbing our nose so obnoxiously at the planet - and each other - is so pervasive. With that in mind, I'm not sorry to see Hummers go.
Still, the photographer in me enjoyed capturing this somewhat dusty example on a sunny Florida day. You can still find aesthetic goodness in something that makes no sense.
Your turn: This week's Thematic Photographic theme is reflective. So shoot into any reflective surface and share it on your blog. That's it! Well, that and then come back here to share the link to your entry. And then go visit others to spread the Thematic Photographic word. How does this thing work? Glad you asked. Go here for rules, and here for all TP entries.
I totally agree about the Hummer. The theme may be reflective, but I think you've shown that you can find something good in anything! Perhaps a double theme?
ReplyDeletei agree on the hummer too, dislike this vehicle very much, great picture though.
ReplyDeletehere are mine
my favorite reflective shot
ReplyDeleteI agree about the hummer too.... too bad the ones still on the road can't go too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the majority on the Hummer.
ReplyDeleteHere is my selections for this theme.
http://fredamans.blogspot.com/2010/09/thematic-photographic-reflective.html
P.S. I made the button for this theme, but you own the theme, so you are welcome to the button. It is yours.
If you really want to make a Hummer owner upset - ask them how it handles off road.
ReplyDeleteCan someone tell me how to include a link to my thematic photographic on the post a comment section ?
Hi! Great theme. I will try to catch some fresh reflections, but in the meantime I'll show you some I posted a little while ago. Hope that's ok :) Oh, and your pics are awesome! :D http://zestoflemons.blogspot.com/2010/09/mille-bolle-blu.html
ReplyDeleteShiny cars are cool, but I'll take the water anytime.
ReplyDeleteA Walk Across the Giant - Reflections
I think the car "thing" is more a male "thing". My son and I took a trip to Europe and what did he take pics of ... all the COOL cars. LOL
ReplyDeleteHere's my reflective
http://vickijf.blogspot.com/2010/09/thematic-photographic-114-reflective.html
Congrats on making the front page of Blogger - great blog!
ReplyDeleteToo much Hummer = bad!
ReplyDeleteCool photo, love that it's a palm tree reflected, like it's got it in it's sights, the whole eco war right there:)
ReplyDeleteWe don't see that many Hummers on the roads here in Ireland, thank goodness, but I did see the most ridiculous stretched Hummer in baby pink!! Pretending to be cute?!
mine is a real cutie
http://janies-rainy-day.blogspot.com/2010/09/darling-duckling.html
Cars?
ReplyDeleteI know you can do better.
http://aestheticandmovies.blogspot.com
boring! Step it up next time! www.randomdancing1.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteDon't have a clue how to link in a comment - shrugs - anyways, here's mine
ReplyDeletehttp://functionalkaos.blogspot.com/2010/09/thematic-photographic-114-reflective.html
Here is my offering to the theme... http://dreamsandreality-jj.blogspot.com/2010/09/reflection.html
ReplyDeleteIt is also vehicle related but in a different way.
J.J.
My Refective Photographs
ReplyDeletehi, checking mine in here
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your little piece of the internet highway and I plan on u-turning as soon as I post this comment from a proud, female Hummer owner. The Hummer is no less a piece of American history. After LIVING through more than a dozen IED, granade, and small arms fire attacks in an Army "Hummer" while stationed in Iraq, I purchased my first Hummer as soon as I made it back to the land of the free and the home of the brave. Just as your photographs may tell a small part of a story, my Hummer means so much more to me than being a gas-guzzling beauty on or off road. By the way, my pimpin' H3 gets more like 19 HWY and is more economical that most other SUVs on the highway. The only people that don't like the Hummer are the people that don't drive the Hummer. Probably the same citizens that have never served their country a day in their lives. I hope you enjoy the freedom of speech while you sit on the sidelines in the game of life. I will continue to contribute to our great nation while you are at home bitching about fuel economy. Deuces.
ReplyDeleteNew to your blog, and just took a picture yesterday that fits your assignment for this week. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteReflections
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo I tried to show how to put a link into a comment, but it ended up just showing up as a link. We'll try this again.
ReplyDeletePlease replace () with <> to make it actually work.
(a href="PASTE URL HERE")TYPE IN WHAT YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEE HERE(/a)
Hope that helps
Just want to clarify something for Amy Muse: The H2 and your beloved H3 are about as much a part of American History as the Chevy Suburban and the Chevy Colorado. They have little more in common with the original Humvee you drove in battle than my Subaru.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of respect for people in the armed forces, the original Humvee and it's civilian counterpart, the H1. On the other hand your H3 and the H2 are nothing more than faux wannabe reskinned Chevys.
"Probably the same people that have never served their country a day in their lives." Yeah, you're right. All I do is sit on my butt, collect welfare and drive my Subaru.
found you through blogs of note. read through five posts. this one caught my attention because 10 mpg cars were the norm when I was growing up in the Sixties. Of course, gas was around 30 cents a gallon. Hummers are annoying and their demise is overdue. they should never have been born. I sound like I'm speaking of the devil. you're right about the conspicuous consumption and male buyers. Gov Schwarznegger had over 20 models at one time. hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure yet what the point of this contest is, as I don't see any place where the entries are shared/judged, etc.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my buddy Max directed me over here, so I've posted a couple of my "reflective" pictures. I have no clue how to link in a comment, either, and Max's directions make no sense to me, so you'll have to copy and paste this:
http://apaperbackwriter.blogspot.com/2010/09/written-incs-thematic-photography.html
Amy Muse: Um, OK. Let me know how the next war works out for ya. And the next. And the next. Because attitudes like yours explain why the U.S. will never have the gumption to get real when it comes to energy self-sufficiency.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, though, the planet will eventually let you know when you've gone too far. Freedom, after all, is defined in many ways.
To quote you: "The only people that don't like the Hummer are the people that don't drive the Hummer."
Right. The vehicle was such a success that the brand is now defunct.
"Probably the same citizens that have never served their country a day in their lives."
You have no idea where I've served and how. The difference: I don't wave the flag and my sacrifice as an excuse to pillage the planet. One has precious little to do with the other.
FWIW, Iraq had nothing to do with preserving freedom. Thousands of brave men and women died because George Jr. had to close the book on what his daddy couldn't finish. What a sad, sick waste of life on all sides.
http://www.facebook.com/ktneeley#!/photo.php?pid=13793562&id=722580292&ref=fbx_album&fbid=10150224304500293
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/ktneeley#!/photo.php?pid=9049763&id=722580292&ref=fbx_album&fbid=276385895292
ReplyDeleteCarmi -
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't have a photo to submit for this week's challenge, I appreciate it nonetheless. It forced me to bring my camera along on my errands, and to look at things differently. I did take some snaps that will surely fit a future theme, although not this one.
Keep it up!
another!
ReplyDeleteTook me a while to find something I hadn't already used that suited the theme. But I figure better late...
ReplyDeleteThe Hummer. Uh, yeah. WTF was that all about anyway? At least my pig of a pickup truck serves a useful purpose.
I never understood why Hummer was a brand either. Instead of wasting money in that failed brand GM should have been revamping their line-up a long time ago. Also, why did they kill Pontiac. So sad to see a great brand get axed the way it did. Who will make the affordable performance cars? SMH
ReplyDeleteLate to the party but have been "reflecting" on what to post. Then I remembered this.
ReplyDeleteAnd a very, very Happy Birthday to your lovely daughter and beautiful wife!
My reflective submission
ReplyDeletewow this is all a bit heavy, i usually join in for a bit of lite hearted photo taking.
ReplyDeleteHere is Mine
Despite the warmongering and car worship going on here at the moment I want to tell you I admire your blog! And I’m participating in Thematic Photographic for the first time this week. It’s an awesome idea. Re: crazy hummer lady? I couldn’t agree with your rebuttal more.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine:
http://everydayjuju.blogspot.com/2010/09/photo-project.html
I agree with you on the Hummer. On the contest, I shot into a mirror and saw myself. I'm out!
ReplyDelete