Fear of Progress: The Quest To End Autonomous Driving

Culture & Politics Podcasts

Fear of Progress: The Quest To End Autonomous Driving

February 12, 2026

1 min read

Podcast Audio:

In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Robertas Bakula and Mike Mazza discuss the opposition to autonomous vehicles.

Topics include:

Why some people oppose autonomous vehicles;
The safety of autonomous vehicles;
Economic costs of automobile Accidents;
Fear of displacing jobs;
The “common man” argument;
Divine right of stagnation.

Resources:

Nathaniel Branden’s essay “Divine Right of Stagnation” in The Virtue of Selfishness

This episode was recorded on January 12, 2026, and posted on February 12, 2026. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here.

Image credits: Waymo: Mario Tama / Staff / via Getty Images; Hawley: Chip Somodevilla / Staff / via Getty Images

Do you have a comment or question?

Share this article:

NI Staff

VIEW ALL ARTICLES

Copyright © 1985 – 2025 The Ayn Rand Institute (ARI). Reproduction of content and images in whole or in part is prohibited. All rights reserved. ARI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. based in the United States. Contributions to ARI in the United States are tax-exempt to the extent provided by law. Objectivist Conferences (OCON), Ayn Rand Conference (AynRandCon), ARU and the Ayn Rand Institute eStore are operated by ARI. Payments to OCON, AynRandCon, ARU or the Ayn Rand Institute eStore do not qualify as tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. AYN RAND, AYN RAND INSTITUTE, ARI and the AYN RAND device are trademarks of the Ayn Rand Institute. registered in the United States and other jurisdictions where applicable. All rights reserved.