even Toyota. . .

even Toyota has succumbed, lemming-like, to the massive, long-term trend toward fierceness in headlights. interestingly, there have finally been some good looking tail lights on cars recently. but even as head lights get more sophisticated in their elements (individual bulbs disaggregated, as in the land rover headlights), the overall "tone" and shape of these lights is to mimic angry, glaring eyes, projecting aggressiveness. the overall sameness, even with small variations, is tiresome. somehow efficiency and competence, the cultural values most prized in our economy, are seen as inevitably ruthless. there are some counter currents, toward boxiness -- the scion, honda element, the new jeep four door, which imitates land rover's high roof.