Ellie Kennedy - Technology and Captialism in American Culture
After graduating in 2023, I took a few months to travel around Europe before moving from California to Chicago to start my career in software consulting. My work focuses on more than just implementing technology; I use my interdisciplinary background to diagnose and solve a variety of complex business problems for companies across the country. By digging into the root cause—be it a communication issue, a flawed process, or a poor user experience—I am able to design and implement more comprehensive technology solutions across all industries. I am currently working on a major project for a multinational retail company.
Area of Concentration Courses
Gender and Women's Studies 139 - Why Work? Gender and Labor Under Capitalism
American Studies 102 - Wall Street/Main Street
Sociology 121 - Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Social and Cultural Context
Letters and Science C180U - Wealth and Poverty
Sociology 166 - Society and Technology
Thesis
Like a Phoenix: The Rise of the Electric Car as the Poster Child of Environmental Sustainability
While the modern electric car is often celebrated as a technological innovation, its history dates back to the early 20th century, when it was a high-priced status symbol before consumer preferences shifted toward valuing freedom and mobility offered by gasoline-powered cars. This thesis, “Like a Phoenix: The Rise of the Electric Car as the Poster Child of Environmental Sustainability,” argues that while advancements in battery technology have contributed to its resurgence, cultural forces, specifically California’s emission policies and strategic marketing campaigns by companies like Tesla and traditional automakers, have been more critical in establishing the electric car as a symbol of sustainability and making it desirable to the broader public.
This shift has created a socio-technical imaginary where electric vehicle owners are perceived as “good citizens” for their environmentally friendly choice. However, this narrative often overvalues technological progress and overlooks critical future challenges. Specifically, this paper highlights two key problems: the lack of adequate recycling infrastructure for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and the ethical and environmental issues associated with the unsustainable sourcing of raw materials. A comprehensive understanding of the electric car’s role in American culture requires acknowledging both the narrative promoting its widespread adoption and the potential long-term consequences of this technological revolution.
