The announcement that Chris Liddell is moving from Microsoft to head up General Motors is interesting. With a computer guy building cars, we might have to learn new driving routines. If cars are made like computers, we'll have to press the 'Start' button to shut the engine off. For no apparent reason the car will crash and the airbag will ask, "Are you sure?'' before deploying.
When the lines on the road are repainted we'll have to buy a new car and learn to drive again because the controls won't operate the same as our old car. Instead of oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights there will be one big "boink" and a notice that says, "This car has performed an illegal function." We'll have to pull over to the side of the road, shut off the engine, close the windows, restart it, and reopen the windows before continuing our trip.
But the worst consequence of all might be when we have a problem with our car. Instead of taking it to friendly Mr. Goodwrench for repair, we'll have to call "customer service" in India for instructions by someone with a heavy accent on how to fix it ourselves.
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