Mobile phone penetration is at 80% in the US. The surveillance potential of mobile phones is bigger than of self driving cars, in my opinion: most mobile phone users have their phone with them every waking minute.

That doesn't mean that your concern is invalid, but it looks like the majority of the population doesn't care that much.

I also see the upsides of self-driving electric cars as more important: fewer traffic victims, less space dedicated to cars, less pollution.

Americans take their freedoms for granted. We Americans haven't experienced war on our soil within living memory. In general, America is safe and individuals have enormous freedom. I worry that the younger among us are ushering in more and more technology, and, as you stated, with that technology will come surveillance and an easier means for corporations and government to inspect, analyze, and control our lives. Hand-waving these concerns is naive and demonstrates a lack of knowledge and understanding of history and just how evil people in positions of power can be.

> with that technology will come surveillance and...

Wrong tense. This has already happened. What 'will come' is more of it.

You're right; I should've said additional surveillance.

Yeah, having a car means I can walk up a mountain no one's gonna über to...

> A car has more function than just going about your daily life. It gives you freedom to go wherever you please as long as there is a road.

Agreed. The way I understand it, a self-driving car will offer you the same freedom - you'll just tell it where to take you instead of driving it yourself.

It will if you own it, but a lot of people here seems to assume that most cars will be short-term rentals.

Just because most cars would be rentals doesn't mean owning a car wouldn't still be possible. And if you want to own a car, you could just own a car.

My city has short-term bike rentals to get around, but plenty of people still own their own bikes.