Abstract
This paper examines material culture on a broad level, then if focuses on cars, showing how they can be perceived as status symbols. According to the paper, the car is shown to be a status symbol, representing both wealth/economic means and masculinity. It is also a very important part of identity formation.

From the Paper
"Material culture is intimately connected with human communications, cultures and social lives. Material culture is defined as, The artifacts and physical objects created or used by members of a culture, to be disguised from what goes on in the minds of the people (Tepperman and Rosenberg 397). This means that just about every physical object that we come into contact with is a part of our material culture. Important aspects of our material culture would include buildings, clothing, cars, books, movies and even..."

Tags:cars, status, synbols

Abstract
This essay explores the social symbolism that is involved with cars and argues that cars are used by many individuals as status symbols. More specifically, the paper asserts that cars are used to convey a wide range of information about the identity and position in society of the person driving the car. The paper maintains that cars are not just vehicles, they are status symbols. They actually represent two different things. On a very general level they represent economic wealth. On a second level they represent masculinity, power and vitality. The writer concludes that cars, like many aspects of material culture, are used to create identities.

From the Paper
"What this means is that we often use products to create identities for ourselves. For example, someone wishing to be thought of as a sports fanatic will buy clothing based on sports teams. This means that consumer products become symbols for who we think we are or at the very least who we want people to think we are.
"The question that must be asked at this point is how do cars fit into this symbolic framework? Cars require a large number of resources to operate. A whole range of lifestyles and industries have developed that are directly connected to cars. Probably one of the most important developments has been the creation of suburbs."

Tags:material, possession, consumerism, products

Abstract
In this paper, the author argues that the purchasing of oversized sport utility vehicles, or OSUVs, is all about the drivers ego. The author discusses the recent development of giant cars and the reasons people purchase them arguing that size is irrelevant, and that it's the feeling of superiority that drives customers to purchase them. In short, the paper is a look at cars as status symbols.

From the Paper
"In the 1950's some prognosticators of the future felt that by the year 2000 the popular form of transportation would be flying cars. Well, the 20th century is drawing to a close and it is not the flying car that is replacing the automobile but rather a giant car-truck hybrid, the oversized sport utility vehicle, or OSUV for short. Consumers are currently purchasing these vehicles, namely the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Chevrolet Suburban, in unprecedented numbers for a variety of reasons. In fact, since the introduction of the Expedition and the Navigator several years ago, the sales of these vehicles have risen 150%. However, it is my belief that the true cause of the explosion in OSUV popularity is neither convenience nor practical use, but rather as a means of providing an ego boost and to furnish a false sense of superiority for the driver."

Tags:jeep, sport, utility, wasteful, gigantic, big, status, superior

Abstract
The paper discusses how specific areas or neighborhoods of urban space contain signs which can be interpreted so that the reality and quality of life become clear without the aid of statistics. The paper asserts that the topic of signs of status is complex and worthy of sociological study because, while poverty is easily identified, status operates in a convoluted manner. The paper explains that status is not necessarily revealed in an impressive home and several expensive cars since these may be obscured by a wall; status is indeed a symbol and is manifested in private horizontal space and subtle touches that indicate personal ownership and control over that space. The paper then describes how a walk past Regent Park in summer reveals high visibility of adults and children as well as something of personal lives in laundry drying on balconies where space is vertical and is highly limited.

Tags:status, symbols, gentrification

Abstract
The paper discusses how every day, many human beings have to do the tedious and sometimes difficult task of driving, and it is well known that this leads to high stress levels, and actually ages people if they do too much of this. Moreover, the paper argues that people are not perfect, and so sometimes they crash their cars, due to human error, because they are tired, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medications. The paper's proposal is that we invent cars that drive themselves.

From the Paper
'Every day, many human beings have to do the tedious and sometimes difficult task of driving. It is well known that this leads to high stress levels, and actually ages people if they do too much of this. Moreover, people are not perfect, and so sometimes they crash their cars, due to human error. Other times, they crash them because they are tired, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medications. My proposal is that we invent cars that drive themselves. In this way, we can relieve people of some stress. We can also ensure fewer accidents, because in fact machines do not become intoxicated, or in any other way impair their own..."

Tags:cars, invent, think

Abstract
This paper cites evidence and statistics supporting the banning of smoking in cars with child passengers. Many countries and many U.S states have now enacted legislation that bans smoking in cars when there are child passengers. The paper concludes by stating that even though some people resent governmental intrusion on their "privacy" children's health and safety needs to take precedence.

From the Paper
"We have all heard that second-hand smoke may be just as dangerous as the problems with smokers. So, it would make good sense to make sure that one's children are protected from second hand smoke. And that means, no smoking in cars where children are passengers. There is scientific proof that children are harmed by adults smoking in cars in which they are passengers. Some countries, and some U.S. states are already taking steps to ban such smoking. "There is plenty of evidence to show passive smoke is particularly harmful to children. It noted that Colorado's smoking ban in cars carrying children was based on evidence..."

Tags:second hand smoke, legislation, cars

Abstract
This paper is on the prospects for the hydrogen powered car, noting the stakeholders involved, some of what they want, and how likely it is that the car will be produced in the near future. The paper indicates that the primary problem may be getting the fuel to the consumer in an economical way, given that the ultimate stakeholder is the consumer, who will be asked to buy these cars and who will want to have a car that performs as well as possible and to be able to refuel easily and economically.

From the Paper
"Hydrogen-powered cars operate on energy produced by the mixing of hydrogen and oxygen, with the only by-product being water. Stacy (2003) notes that General Motors is to provide $44 million to build a fleet of 40 hydrogen-fueled cars for use in New York, Washington, Michigan, and California, with another $44 million in matching funds to be provided by the U.S. Dept. of Energy. In addition, Shell Hydrogen LLC is to create five refueling stations in New York, Washington, California, and along the east coast, and this is seen as a major step in the development of hydrogen-fueled cars, given that automakers are reluctant to develop hydrogen cars both because of the cost and because of the current lack of refueling stations (Stacy, 2003, para. 1)."

Tags:hydrogen, powered, cars

Abstract
This paper discusses how mass production of cars started at the beginning of the 20th century and grew rapidly and how, since that time, our world has changed virtually beyond recognition. It discusses the changes that this particular technological advance has caused, focusing on changes in mode of production, changes in family life and ecological effects.

Tags:cars, change, technology

Abstract
This paper examines examples of various tokens, which represented as pre-writing symbols. The author points out what tokens indicate about early civilizations. The paper relates the emergence of new systems of record keeping.

From the Paper
"Numerous scholars have presented evidence indicating that tokens often made of clay and presented in various significant sizes markings and shapes were used to keep accounts of financial and other transactions or accounts of grain jars of oil or units of land. These tokens, which appeared in such cultures as that of the Sumerians and other Near Eastern peoples, represented a first step toward the development of a written language as well as a system of numerical record-keeping of ..."

Tags:tokens, pre-writing, symbols, accounting

Abstract
An examination of how advertising campaigns change their focus when promoting individual vehicles over fleets of cars. It shows how individual vehicles are pushed to be seen as status symbols and how one's peers will be envious, while buyers of fleets are looking for mechanical reliability and technical quality.

From the Paper
"In marketing for individual consumers as opposed to business consumers for fleet sales. It is important that the marketer focuses on several key points. First, marketers must look at the desirability factor. Consumers more often than not, look view automobiles as a status symbol. They want a vehicle that will help them reach a certain status or raise their image in the face of their peers. Traditionally, marketers focus in on how an automobile will help raise the status quo and how others will envy the consumer who decides to buy a particular model. Images of the automobile are sleek, stunning, sexy, fast, and lavish. Even so-called family vehicles are made over to look hip in the automobile industry. The highly demanded sports utility vehicle, which was not intended as a family vehicle at all, has taken the position that the old station wagon held. In fact, in order to keep up with the trend of reaching younger wealthier consumers who are willing to shell out more money for vehicles than some older consumers, automobile makers are creating several new models that will appeal to the younger buyer who would prefer luxury vehicles (Halliday). Consumers are buying lower-end vehicles, but marketers would rather focus on the small segment of consumers with rather expensive taste. This is of the utmost of importance in a tight economy."

Tags:car, advertising, promotion, client, focus, economy, consumer, mechanical, status