Mass/Public transit does this already... you can talk to people or you can put on headphones and wait till you get to work.

Or try searching for "ridesharing" via craigslist or google. This is already happening all around you, Einstien.

But that doesn't sell cars, car parts, car insurance or gas. So hammering the message "independence/freedom" of personal transportation will continue, now with its new spin, "hey $4/gallon gas isn't so bad". The "only *those people* ride the bus" fear mongering will also continue.