WHAT IF PEOPLE BOUGHT CARS LIKE THEY BOUGHT COMPUTERS?
General Motors doesn't have a "help line" for people who don't know how to drive, because people don't buy cars like they buy computers -- but imagine if they did . . .
   HELPLINE: "General Motors Helpline, how can I help you?"  CUSTOMER: "I got in my car and closed the door, and nothing happened!"  HELPLINE: "Did you put the key in the ignition slot and turn it?"  CUSTOMER: "What's an ignition?"  HELPLINE: "It's a starter motor that draws current from your battery and turns over the engine."  CUSTOMER: "Ignition? Motor? Battery? Engine? How come I have to know all of these technical terms just to use my car?" 
  HELPLINE: "General Motors Helpline, how can I help you?"  CUSTOMER: "My car ran fine for a week, and now it won't go anywhere!"  HELPLINE: "Is the gas tank empty?"  CUSTOMER: "Huh? How do I know?"  HELPLINE: "There's a little gauge on the front panel, with a needle, and markings from 'E' to 'F.' Where is the needle pointing?"  CUSTOMER: "It's pointing to 'E.' What does that mean?"  HELPLINE: "It means that you have to visit a gasoline vendor, and purchase some more gasoline. You can install it yourself, or pay the vendor to install it for you."  CUSTOMER: "What!? I paid $12,000 for this car! Now you tell me that I have to keep buying more components? I want a car that comes with everything built in!"
   HELPLINE: "General Motors Helpline, how can I help you?"  CUSTOMER: "Hi! I just bought my first car, and I chose your car because it has automatic transmission, cruise control, power steering, power brakes, and power door locks."  HELPLINE: "Thanks for buying our car. How can I help you?"  CUSTOMER: "How do I work it?"  HELPLINE: "Do you know how to drive?"  CUSTOMER: "Do I know how to what?"  HELPLINE: "Do you know how to drive?"  CUSTOMER: "I'm not a technical person! I just want to go places in my car!"   
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