The discussions surrounding autonomous trucking—its effects on drivers and the broader tech conversation dominating the industry—remind me of a lesson I recently learned from another truck driver:
 

"For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."

That lesson applies just as much to tech companies, drivers, and society as it does to individuals. We are rapidly adopting these changes with little to no regulation or public oversight. But Aurora CEO Chris Urmson may be right—this could be the most impactful engineering challenge of our time, and it may bring substantial benefits. The fact that they have objectively proven it’s possible is incredible.

However, success, safety, scalability, and mutual prosperity remain far from guaranteed. The potential for economic devastation—for drivers, their families, communities, and even the environment—is very real. Job loss estimates vary wildly, but one thing is certain: the rate of technological change is accelerating, and so too will its effects on society. This dynamic is bound to be destabilizing and dangerous. Yet despite all that fear, conversations like this give me hope—something that feels increasingly rare these days.

This discussion with truck drivers has been one of the most insightful I've had on the topic. It’s proof that powerful community storytelling challenges both assumptions and stereotypes. And perhaps, conversations like these are finally beginning to pass through the narrow gate. All it takes is a good conversation.