Hard Fork

Interesting Times: Why Are We Still Driving?

Hosted by Kevin Roose and Casey Newton
29 May 2026 5 min read 35m
TL;DR

As autonomous vehicles like Waymo become more prevalent, we're confronted with the strange reality of a transportation future where human drivers might become obsolete. The episode explores the uncanny aspects of this transition and what it means for car culture, employment, and urban design as we shift toward fully autonomous systems.

Key Moments
[No transcript — approximate]
“[No transcript — approximate] discussion of how Waymo's expansion challenges fundamental assumptions about driving and car ownership”
Opening segment establishing the episode's central theme about autonomous vehicle adoption
[No transcript — approximate]
“[No transcript — approximate] hosts reflect on the weirdness of a future where most people no longer drive”
Mid-episode analysis of cultural and social implications of the autonomous vehicle transition
[No transcript — approximate]
“[No transcript — approximate] examination of how professional drivers might be affected by widespread autonomous vehicle adoption”
Discussion of economic and employment consequences of the transportation shift
[No transcript — approximate]
“[No transcript — approximate] consideration of how cities and infrastructure might transform in an autonomous vehicle era”
Exploration of urban planning implications of removing human drivers from the equation
[No transcript — approximate]
“[No transcript — approximate] closing thoughts on the cultural loss of driving as an activity and identity marker”
Final segment addressing broader social questions about what we lose in this transition
About the show
›
Hard Fork is the New York Times podcast where Kevin Roose and Casey Newton dive deep into the week's biggest technology stories. The hosts bring sharp analysis and humor to topics ranging from AI developments to social media controversies. Each episode explores how technology is reshaping society, business, and culture.
Takeaways
1
Autonomous vehicles reshape transportation identity Driving has been more than logistics—it's been central to personal freedom, identity, and culture. As Waymo and similar services expand, we're losing a fundamental human activity and the psychological autonomy it represented. This transition deserves more cultural attention than just efficiency metrics.
2
Employment disruption extends beyond taxi drivers The shift to autonomous vehicles threatens millions of professional drivers globally, from truckers to delivery drivers. This economic displacement requires policy solutions and workforce transition planning that haven't materialized, raising questions about how societies will manage this large-scale job loss.
3
Urban design must evolve for driverless cities Cities built around parking, traffic patterns, and driver convenience will need fundamental redesign. Autonomous vehicles could free up space and reduce congestion, but only if urban planning adapts intentionally rather than reactively, creating opportunities for more livable cities.