Today our site was featured in an article by the Detroit News, describing the online following of the Chevy Volt’s development as being cult-like.The report includes some quotes by me about the site and the car, and my reason for doing this. Also mentioned are some comments from GM spokespersons and an acknowledgment that GM was indeed hoping for internet buzz about the car- and they got it!
If one looks at the definition of cult, there are two main constructs. The first gives it religious connotation (not us). The second describes it as a group showing great veneration towards something.
As an analogy, would you describe a desire for freedom, that this countries forefather’s sought as a cult?
Here we are people engaged in discussion and observation about a car that represents a profoundly fundamental paradigm shift in human transportation, representing the first step to a future without fossil fuel.
There are many reasons why this is important. Does that make us cult-like? You decide. And welcome to any new Detroit News readers!
Source (The Detroit News)
[UPDATE: picture of Jim Jones replaced..sorry to anyone offended]
[UPDATE 2: picture of Hare Krishnas removed..again sorry to anyone offended]
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 at 9:58 am and is filed under Public Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Dec 26th, 2007 (11:22 am)The good thing about this cult, is that it scares the other carmakers.
Especially the German carmakers haven’t show any vision on the future.
Lucas
Dec 26th, 2007 (11:32 am)[quote comment="22016"]The good thing about this cult, is that it scares the other carmakers.
Especially the German carmakers haven’t show any vision on the future.
Lucas[/quote]
Agreed lkruijsw however the Opel Flextreme if made by a GM branch is nevertheless a german car.
Happy 2008 to you.
Dec 26th, 2007 (11:40 am)Cult…idiot reporter. Why not discuss the news, which is the technological advancement of GM’s Volt. It’s a game-changer that may wean us off of oil, which in my opinion, is the single most important issue facing our country today.
Idiot reporter, making hype news, instead of reporting news. Maybe it will incite others to investigate the Volt and do the homework themselves because God knows, the media won’t do their job!
Dec 26th, 2007 (12:09 pm)I shall write them a stern letter of outrage, Master.
Dec 26th, 2007 (12:11 pm)I was thinking about Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes.
Did they show any vision on the future?
Lyle? Can you dive in that question?
Dec 26th, 2007 (12:25 pm)Did anyone notice that in the article farther down the page on Toyota striving for #1 in sales next year that they will be mass producing a Li Ion battery?? This says from Toyota execs, a reversal of what they have said before about PHEV’s not being what the market wants. Interesting…
Dec 26th, 2007 (12:27 pm)Here is the article link:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071226/AUTO01/712260358
Note this section:
According to the AP, Toyota executives said Tuesday that the automaker was preparing to start mass-producing lithium-ion batteries for low-emission vehicles.
Lithium-ion batteries, widely used in laptops and other gadgets, are smaller yet more powerful than nickel-metal hydride batteries now used in gas-electric hybrids, such as Toyota’s Prius.
Lithium-ion batteries will not be used in the Prius, but in a plug-in hybrid, which would recharge from a regular home socket and travel longer as an electric vehicle than the Prius, the executives said.
Toyota has started tests on its plug-in hybrid, but has not shown a model using the new battery.
Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto, who oversees technology, said Toyota’s lithium-ion battery had reached the development stage where it was almost ready for mass production.
Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe reiterated the automaker’s plan to offer hybrid versions of all its models sometime after 2020.
As part of a greener strategy for both its products and production, Toyota said it would use solar energy and wind power to cut global-warming emissions at what it has designated as five “sustainable plants,” including an assembly plant it is building in Mississippi.
Dec 26th, 2007 (12:28 pm)Maybe the German companies don’t seem to be taking the long view, but what about Volvo? I’ve read about the ReCharge, but I don’t have a sense for whether it is auto show flash, or if and when it will actually be produced.
Anyone out there know more?
Dec 26th, 2007 (12:33 pm)If wanting to accomplish all of the following via the Volt makes me part of a cult, then I guess I am in one. Pass the Kool-Aid please.
1)Reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
2)Keeping billions of dollars in our economy each year that would have otherwise been sent to countries we buy oil from.
3)Increasing American jobs through increased demand for electricity (an energy source America has in abundance).
4)Reducing terrorism that is more than partly funded by oil revenue.
5)Reducing the number of future oil-related wars.
6)Reducing transportation costs for everyone.
7)Reducing the amount of carbon going into the atmosphere and therefore slowing global warming.
http://www.thecaseforpluginhybrids.com
Dec 26th, 2007 (12:37 pm)I thought yesterdays article was stupid, like a bad april fools joke being told on christmas day.
I found the Kool-Aid reference along with the picture of Jim Jones disturbing.
If gm-volt.com is a cult, then Bob Lutz is the High Priestess.
Dec 26th, 2007 (1:09 pm)I read gm-volt.com regularly so I guess I’d qualify as one of the cult members. Most of the article provides some positive insight to readers unfamiliar with the Volt although leave it to the media to try & sensationalize. For one thing, I now realize just how much effort Lyle puts into this. Thanks so much for keeping us up to date, Lyle. It is just wonderful to see how much interest there is out there.
Dec 26th, 2007 (1:13 pm)Let’s wear the “cult” label as a “badge of honor”!
Dec 26th, 2007 (1:14 pm)When will the Kool Aid be served?
Dec 26th, 2007 (1:21 pm)Lyle said: “Also mentioned are some comments from GM spokespersons and an acknowledgment that GM was indeed hoping for internet buzz about the car- and they got it!
Perhaps others can take a clue from this. Develop a truly revolutionary product and they too can generate an internet buzz!
Dec 26th, 2007 (1:32 pm)[quote comment="22039"]If wanting to accomplish all of the following…[/quote]
Not including CLEAN AIR as one of the goals makes me question their motives.
SMOG emissions problem too.
Reducing CARBON emissions can actually increase pollution, depending on the technology used. Diesel is a prime example of that. Even though MPG are improved, the SMOG emissions are actually made worse. So cleaner should be stated as a goal too.
Dec 26th, 2007 (2:01 pm)Dear lord, don’t get so worked up. It’s a turn of phrase. Apple is always described as having a “cult-like” following too but does that mean they’re all going to buy new sneakers and jump on a UFO?
Dec 26th, 2007 (2:01 pm)I appreciate this site too. It helps with my brain plasticity, since Lyle exposes us to new info all the time.
Dec 26th, 2007 (2:05 pm)Whenever a society encounters a transformational idea, it’s inevitable that some people are going to be ahead of the curve, and there’s a mutual social attraction amongst these individuals.
The word “cult” is a pejorative whose denotative precision has been gradually washed away by overuse, much like “fascism”. To the extent that technology increases our ability to build communities based on niche interests, the proliferation of cultism is a natural result of societal advance.
Organized religions are cults. Most grew out of a more primitive era where the supply of social communities was so limited and inflexible that people would pay good money for the comfort of believing the same things as other people. Today we have just as many people who are willing to pay good money to stand out, to rise above, or to make a difference.
In fact, marketing experts broadly categorize consumers according to the dominant subconscious motivation that drives their purchasing behaviors: conformers, aspirers, competitors, and reformers. The latter, by the way, is the smallest yet fastest-growing market in much of the world, which has important implications for “green” products.
I believe that, ultimately, society is much more sensitive to the diversity of beliefs, interests, and/or behaviors than the particular qualities thereof. When people claim that morality is declining, what they really mean is that the range of social behaviors is expanding, that people are becoming less similar to one another.
In this sense, it’s not just the oil companies, automakers, and/or other corporate stakeholders who have a reason to feel threatened by this community, but also society at-large, much of which is still somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of plugging in their car.
We’re a group of individuals that shares a relatively uncommon interest. In the prevailing vernacular, that alone makes us a cult.
Dec 26th, 2007 (2:09 pm)For the most part, we’re enthusiasts. There is too much open-eyed skepticism and technical knowledge here to make this a cult site.
I don’t know if it’s true in this case, but many reporters are so empty and jaded, that they are envious and threatened by sincere, informed enthusiasm. They’d rather dismiss it as cultist than own up to how vacuous they are.
Dec 26th, 2007 (2:51 pm)[quote comment="22057"]Whenever a society encounters a transformational idea, it’s inevitable that some people are going to be ahead of the curve, and there’s a mutual social attraction amongst these individuals.
[/quote]
Yeah I can agree with this. We will be the early adopters of this technology and will help to blaze the trail into the future. There are often bumps along uncharted paths and having a community like this will no doubt help us to overcome any issues that are presented to us when we have our Volts.
john #15 – Yeah I can agree with that, but I think it is also already understood that a small PHEV will produce a _lot_ less smog-causing emissions than say a Tahoe or other SUV. Also, would you considering buying a PHEV Prius?
Dec 26th, 2007 (3:01 pm)The Jim Jones picture is not in the best taste………..
But I like Black Cherry and Grape Kool-Aid!
Reporters as so sad. Why don’t they spend just a little bit of time getting some accurate iformation, before writing their little stories.
Dec 26th, 2007 (3:27 pm)Wow. People definately react to the word “cult”. I guess that reporter knew what he was doing. Lots of buzz on that one…
I’ve been very active on this site for months, and there IS something different here. Not exactly a cult, but a lot of enthusiam. People bash each other, but it’s usually constructive and in good fun.
Lyle, thanks for creating this wonderful site!
Dec 26th, 2007 (3:36 pm)Sorry if the picture offends anyone…
Unfortunately it’s just become a symbolic icon for the concept of a cult.
Dec 26th, 2007 (3:36 pm)[quote comment="22060"]Yeah I can agree with that, but I think it is also already understood that a small PHEV will produce a _lot_ less smog-causing emissions than say a Tahoe or other SUV. Also, would you considering buying a PHEV Prius?[/quote]
Avoid cross-class comparisons, they harm credibility. Stick to vehicles of equal size & purpose to identify actual improvement.
As for buying a plug-in Prius, that’s way too vague of a question. For the current aftermarket price, no way. For a wide-market-acceptance-factory-pricing of $3,000 to $5,000 above the non-plug, yes!
Same issue/concern with Volt. It should target the middle. Pricing too high will prevent mainstream volume. We want genuine market change, not just a niche.
Dec 26th, 2007 (3:38 pm)Here’s a generalized summary…
Niche = Cult
Mainstream = Tomorrow
Dec 26th, 2007 (3:51 pm)[quote comment="22067"]Same issue/concern with Volt. It should target the middle. Pricing too high will prevent mainstream volume. We want genuine market change, not just a niche.[/quote]
I couldn’t agree more that we want to see a complete conversion of the market, a sea change. Sure the Volt, at $30k, will run considerably more than an ICE-based vehicle of similar size, but we have to start somewhere.
My father got an iPod for Christmas this year. It has 4x the capcity of mine, has a color screen, and it can play video. My 4-year-old iPod has a mono-color screen and it cost more than his 2007 model did. PHEVs/E-REVs will be no different.
Dec 26th, 2007 (3:52 pm)Cults consist of tree believers all, but there are plenty of naysayers posting around here. Now if your worship will excuse me….I have to face GM headquarters and perform my daily prayer chants.
Dec 26th, 2007 (4:06 pm)If this “cult” believes in reducing energy dependence and helping the environment, count me in!
And, one other thing, I remember reading somewhere that Paul Harvey has always called his radio program “Paul Harvey News and Comment” because he recoganized that all news media are biased — he was just being transparent about it. I think Lyle is the same say — he makes it very clear that he is an advocate of the Volt and what it stands for. That is fine with me!
Dec 26th, 2007 (5:53 pm)The phrase “drink the kool-aid” went over my head. I always though kool-aid was bad because of the sugar and dyes…never associated it with the mass suicide.
No Kool-aid for me. Too sad to even make light of it.
Dec 26th, 2007 (6:25 pm)[quote comment="22070"]Kent Beuchert Said:
Cults consist of tree believers….[/quote]
I’m with you Kent, I don’t believe in trees either.
Dec 26th, 2007 (8:59 pm)Glad to see you changed the pic that accompanied this article Lyle, thank you. The Kool-Aid refernece was enough; seeing that pic of Jim Jones was just a little over the top.
Thanks again.
Dec 26th, 2007 (9:08 pm)Maybe we should go with a Simpsons reference instead… “Nana nana nana nana Nana nana nana nana LEADER!”
Dec 26th, 2007 (9:50 pm)Can I have my kool-aid with ice master! Lyle, keep up the good work. We are all indebted to you for showing us the light.
Dec 26th, 2007 (10:38 pm)Lyle,
I was not offended by the Jim Jones picture and remark. But I am offended by some reporter calling us a cult following because we support the Volt and what it stands for.
Dec 26th, 2007 (10:44 pm)It’s pretty typical of reporters to grab terms that get attention and create mis-perceptions. I’ve been on the interviewee side of reporters and they often misconstrue, misquote and generally get facts screwed up or bent. Not all of them, but my experience has shown they do. That said, we are devotees and a well-read bunch….I’m sure there are auto manufacturers out there right now wishing they were getting this kind of attention, which they aren’t.
Dec 27th, 2007 (12:58 am)So, I guess instead of “Jonestown”, we’ll have a “Lyletown”. Let’s please not go to South America this time, okay? LOL.
Dec 27th, 2007 (9:38 am)Depicting Hare Krishna devotees as a “cult” is wrong. The Hindu religion of Krishna dates back 5,000 years. Perhaps you should spend a little time learning what a cult is before displaying a picture like that.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/cults.htm
Dec 27th, 2007 (11:37 am)Hey, where’s Jimmy? The picture didn’t offend me, I thoght it was pretty funny. Also, it’s not a bad thing to remember old Jim, especially as the political circus ramps up.
Besides, you could apply it to many other “cultish” organizations if you think about it.
GM management comes to mind. Or how about Prius owners? They get accused of it all the time, and it doesn’t seem to bother them.
Dec 27th, 2007 (1:02 pm)OK.. I give up. No picture on this post.
Dec 27th, 2007 (1:28 pm)Lyle:
How about this for a picture?
http://ipl.pipnet.com/eggs/koolaid-large.jpg
Jan 7th, 2008 (3:17 pm)to keep it short: yes i beleive the production of the Volt has led to some cult-like activities(no offense. i mean im an EV freak to end all EV freaks)