Can't you just use the same logic to make the opposite point? "In particular, people who commute using public transit are happy to read anything which external

Can't you just use the same logic to make the opposite point? "In particular, people who commute using public transit are happy to read anything which externalizes and validates their views about the viability of single-occupancy vehicles." In general, it's not constructive to make arguments based on questioning the motivations of people you disagree with. I try to always assume rationality and good faith on the part of everyone, even when they appear to be brainwashed or just plain crazy from a distance. Trying to figure out why people might be irrationally disagreeing with you is a lot less useful than trying to figure out why people are rationally disagreeing with you, even when they are being irrational (because aren't we all, in one way or another?).