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I think you're missing the point. Cars represent freedom the same way a semitransparent American flag flapping in the wind superimposed over a bald eagle repre

I think you're missing the point. Cars represent freedom the same way a semitransparent American flag flapping in the wind superimposed over a bald eagle represents freedom, not the way a library card, bus pass, and a health insurance plan that lets you see out of network providers with a low deductable represent freedom. It's a symbol, not a practical increase in your ability to do stuff without constraint. In many areas, guns are the same way. They're a symbol that represents freedom and independence to a lot of people. When we formulate arguments in our worldviews and express these arguments to people with vastly different worldviews, it's worse than saying nothing. We sound crazy, out of touch, or malicious.

almost_usual 7y ago
Cars are most definitely a freedom. If I own a car I can literally get up and drive anywhere I want whenever I want. If I live in the middle of nowhere and it takes the police half an hour to get to my home and I don’t own a weapon I can become victimized easily. I have a better chance of defending myself and my family if I own a firearm. If I live in a city and have never fought someone or practiced self defense I have a much higher likelihood of being victimized. I have less freedom. You don’t understand your limits to your freedom until someone is taking it from you. In that moment only you can defend it. The cops aren’t there, no one else is going to help you, it’s only you.
pdonis 7y ago
> Cars represent freedom the same way a semitransparent American flag flapping in the wind superimposed over a bald eagle represents freedom...They're a symbol Um, what? A symbol wouldn't get me places I need to go.
imgabe 7y ago
No. It is a mistake to think this is a metaphor. I grew up in a rural area. Until I left for college, I couldn't go visit my friends or really do anything without my parents driving me or loaning me a car. Cars in a very literal way represented freedom. Now I live in a city and via walking and public transportation I can get to literally any other major city in the world. That's freedom.

almost_usual 7y ago

Cars are most definitely a freedom. If I own a car I can literally get up and drive anywhere I want whenever I want. If I live in the middle of nowhere and it takes the police half an hour to get to my home and I don’t own a weapon I can become victimized easily. I have a better chance of defending myself and my family if I own a firearm. If I live in a city and have never fought someone or practiced self defense I have a much higher likelihood of being victimized. I have less freedom. You don’t understand your limits to your freedom until someone is taking it from you. In that moment only you can defend it. The cops aren’t there, no one else is going to help you, it’s only you.

pdonis 7y ago

> Cars represent freedom the same way a semitransparent American flag flapping in the wind superimposed over a bald eagle represents freedom...They're a symbol Um, what? A symbol wouldn't get me places I need to go.

imgabe 7y ago

No. It is a mistake to think this is a metaphor. I grew up in a rural area. Until I left for college, I couldn't go visit my friends or really do anything without my parents driving me or loaning me a car. Cars in a very literal way represented freedom. Now I live in a city and via walking and public transportation I can get to literally any other major city in the world. That's freedom.