Motor Mania

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I think this pertains to autism because driving, specifically the unspoken rules that are assumed, seems to me to be some form of social construction that I do not seem to be capable of grasping. I saw this cartoon when I was a kid and I have come to realize there is more fact than fantasy here. I also think it really stands the test of time and still applies to modern times 65+ years later. I think the one thing that the cartoon got wrong though is classifying this behavior as "mania". I think that this behavior is so pervasive in our society that it is no longer a mania; it seems to be more of a belief system. However, even educated people, well aware of the process by which beliefs form, still strongly cling to their beliefs, and act on those beliefs even against their own self-interest. And when the beliefs and actions of one group, drivers, negatively affect another group, pedestrians, there is clear evidence of something wrong. It may be prejudice, discrimination, and civil rights violations. It may be just be me being paranoid. I think given the evidence I have presented rules out paranoia, however.

Motor Mania is a cartoon made by Walt Disney Productions in 1950. The first cartoon shows goofy as the pleasant, friendly, and good-natured "Mr. Walker". Goofy then undergoes a change in personality to the violent "Mr. Wheeler" when he gets behind the wheel of his car. As Mr. Walker, he's good-natured, while as Mr. Wheeler, he is very mean. Upon reaching his destination in town and leaving his automobile, he reverts to the mild-mannered Mr. Walker, whereupon he is the victim of other motorists' unsafe (and sometimes even predatory) driving habits. However, once he returns to his car, he becomes Mr. Wheeler again, seeking to impose his own will upon traffic.

This looks a lot like road rage and more of an education video. That still goes on today which is why I was advised to never tease the drivers and to just let them pass. Back then Disney wasn't aimed at kids like it is now so I have noticed more stuff in their old cartoons than I did when I was little. Supposedly it also had racism. Even the DMV manuals tell you how to handle road rage and how to deal with drivers who are trying to pass you on the road even if they are breaking the speed limit. They don't want more accidents on the road so the more people just ignore it, the less accidents there will be. This video tells me road rage has always been around just as long as there have always been cars on the road. I wonder if wagon rage existed then