Americans fear losing control if they're forced to ride in autonomous vehicles. These same Americans fly in airplanes every day that largely are flown by computers, and impressively efficient ones at that.

In this quote, Adam Lashinsky points out the contradiction between Americans' fear of autonomous vehicles and their routine use of airplanes, which are largely controlled by computers. He highlights the irony that while many people are uncomfortable with the idea of self-driving cars, they regularly place their lives in the hands of highly automated systems when flying, systems that are both effective and efficient. Lashinsky suggests that this fear of losing control in autonomous vehicles might stem from psychological factors rather than logical reasoning.

Lashinsky draws attention to the fact that airplanes have been equipped with autopilot systems for decades, and most of the flight process is already automated. Despite this, the average person doesn't typically fear flying, even though, in many cases, the plane is controlled by computers for much of the journey. This comparison aims to show how human perception of technology can be inconsistent and influenced more by the novelty and perceived risk of new technology, such as autonomous vehicles, than by the actual safety and reliability of the systems involved.

The quote also reflects a broader point about how humans perceive control and trust in technology. While many people have come to trust and rely on automated systems in other aspects of life, such as flying, the idea of autonomy in personal transportation triggers discomfort and resistance. This reflects the psychological challenges that come with adopting new technology, particularly when it involves significant changes to personal safety and mobility.

Ultimately, Lashinsky's words emphasize the need to examine the ways in which people assess risk and trust in technology. By comparing autonomous vehicles with airplanes, he suggests that automation is already deeply integrated into our lives, and that the resistance to autonomous cars may be more about perception than about the actual capabilities of the technology.