Futuristic electric car merging with nature, powered by clean energy.

Driving the Future: How Rethinking Our Relationship with Cars Can Lead to a Sustainable Tomorrow

Soraya Malik in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the material rhetoric of mobility and technology for a more persuasive and eco-friendly transportation future."

We live in an age defined by movement. Cars have become more than just vehicles; they're extensions of our identities and reflections of our desires. But have we ever stopped to consider the subtle ways our cars persuade us? How the materials, design, and technology woven into their very fabric shape our perceptions and behaviors?

Ehren Helmut Pflugfelder, in his book 'Communicating Mobility and Technology: A Material Rhetoric for Persuasive Transportation,' argues that to truly grasp the persuasive power of transportation – particularly automobiles – we must acknowledge our own role in shaping the narratives that define how we see the world. Mobility, he posits, is inherently rhetorical. We are influenced not only by the tangible aspects of cars but also by the intricate web of connections involving other people and things.

This isn't just about finding new energy sources; it’s about understanding the theoretical framework of how mobility persuades humans. By diving deep into the material rhetoric of transportation, we can uncover new possibilities for creating a more sustainable and human-centered approach to the future of driving.

The Kinesthetic Rhetoric of Cars: It's All About the Movement

Futuristic electric car merging with nature, powered by clean energy.

Pflugfelder introduces the concept of “kinesthetic rhetoric,” drawing inspiration from Aristotle and Latour. Kinesthetic rhetoric describes 'persuasive movement'. Beyond simply getting from point A to point B, our cars engage us in a constant dance of persuasion. Each interaction, each sensation, shapes our experience and reinforces our connection to the vehicle.

Consider the interconnected actors in this narrative: drivers, passengers, even the speed bumps on the road. All contribute to the story of our journey. Pflugfelder emphasizes that the Greek concept of kinesis, often defined as material movement with limits, is too narrow. Movement is constant, even when at rest, encompassing all beings and objects. This broader understanding of kinesis highlights the difficulty in defining boundaries and limits within our mobile experiences.

Here are some examples of kinesthetic rhetoric in action:

The feel of the steering wheel in your hands, offering a sense of control and connection.
The sound of the engine, providing a reassuring hum or a thrilling roar.
The sensation of acceleration, triggering a rush of excitement and freedom.
The overall design of the car, communicating status, style, and personality.

It’s not just kinesis that’s rhetorical, but also the agency of the materials involved, the assemblage of inertia and materials that form persuasive acts. In essence, every element of the car, from its tires to its dashboard, contributes to its persuasive power.

Driving Change Through Understanding

Pflugfelder’s work offers a valuable framework for understanding the complex relationship between humans and automobiles. By acknowledging the persuasive influence of materiality and embracing the power of kinesthetic rhetoric, we can pave the way for innovative transportation solutions that are both sustainable and human-centered. It’s time to shift gears and drive towards a future where our vehicles not only get us from place to place, but also inspire us to create a better world.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What does Ehren Helmut Pflugfelder mean when he says that mobility is rhetorical?

According to Ehren Helmut Pflugfelder, mobility is rhetorical because we are constantly being influenced by the tangible aspects of cars and the intricate web of connections involving other people and things. This perspective emphasizes that our understanding of transportation extends beyond mere functionality to include the persuasive narratives that shape our perceptions and behaviors, ultimately influencing how we see the world.

What is 'kinesthetic rhetoric' and how does it apply to our relationship with cars?

Kinesthetic rhetoric refers to the persuasive power of movement inherent in our interactions with cars and other modes of transportation. This concept extends beyond simply getting from point A to point B. It involves the constant dance of persuasion created through sensory experiences, like the feel of the steering wheel or the sound of the engine. These sensations shape our experience and reinforce our connection to the vehicle, highlighting how mobility persuades humans.

How does Pflugfelder expand the traditional understanding of 'kinesis' and why is this significant?

Kinesis, originating from the Greek concept of material movement with limits, is expanded to include constant movement, encompassing all beings and objects, even when at rest. This broader understanding emphasizes the difficulty in defining boundaries and limits within our mobile experiences. It suggests that movement is not just physical displacement but a continuous state of interaction and influence.

What is meant by the 'material rhetoric of transportation,' and how does it influence our perceptions of cars?

The material rhetoric of transportation acknowledges that every element of a car, from its tires to its dashboard, contributes to its persuasive power. It considers how the materials, design, and technology woven into the fabric of cars shape our perceptions and behaviors. This framework helps us understand the complex relationship between humans and automobiles by recognizing the persuasive influence of materiality.

How can understanding the concepts of material and kinesthetic rhetoric help in creating more sustainable transportation solutions?

By understanding material and kinesthetic rhetoric, we can develop transportation solutions that are both sustainable and human-centered. This approach encourages innovative design that considers the persuasive influence of mobility, promoting a shift towards vehicles that not only transport us but also inspire us to create a better world. Understanding the interplay between movement, materials, and perception is crucial for shaping a more sustainable and human-centered future of driving. Considering the rhetorical impact of these changes can make a difference.