4 ms·

I have always been under the impression it is because the US wasn't bombed to bits during WWII and didn't basically get to re-think infrastructure.

• Jommi 6y ago
  Maybe now that its getting bombed to bits because of COVID, something good might end up happening?
• riffraff 6y ago
  I am not sure this is true, tho it sounds interesting. Before WW2 there wasn't much infrastructure to begin with, the big highways have been built after. The metro lines from before are still there and the bridges that were built before the war have just been rebuilt in the same places (i.e. were the roads arrived and the river was narrow). Most of the big cities also still have medieval and older city centers, and we're still using roman-era routes for roads.
• issa 6y ago
  Based on things like the Chicago Fire and the SF Quake, it seems (at least anecdotally) clear that massive destruction has a positive effect on infrastructure down the road.
  • pacaro 6y ago
    The Great Fire of London (CE 1666) did this for London too
• zxcvbn4038 6y ago
  In the case of banking you have to realize that US bank accounts here are often completely free, but they will charge you a penalty for anything and everything that is a result of action or inaction on your part (its always your fault). Everything is designed to maximize the chance of your making a mistake so they can charge you a fee.