ST:  What do you believe is the significance of the automobile in American culture?

MB:  It's a huge subject, and I try to make some sense of it in my book. Automobiles are so integral to American culture that the carnage they produce is overlooked, like a dirty little secret. Every month, twice as many people are killed on the roads in America as were killed in September 11th. But that enormous death toll is just totally ignored, and regarded as a by-product of progress, civilization, movement: the kinds of things that make America great.

ST:  What was exciting about your own car crash experience that you discuss your book, Car Crash Culture ? What did you learn about yourself from that experience?

MB:  It was exciting because I felt no pain. I must have been in shock, but I remember thinking that I'd never been in a car accident before, and I wanted to enjoy and savor every moment. It was as though I wasn't exactly in my body. I'm sure it was a side-effect of shock, but it felt like a transcendental experience. I learned that accidents can cause as much pleasure as pain.