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I always snicker at these "built for cars" screeds, as though the "cars" are empty self-serving machines that are fulfilling their own needs. Every car has at

I always snicker at these "built for cars" screeds, as though the "cars" are empty self-serving machines that are fulfilling their own needs. Every car has at least one person in it. That person is going shopping, going to work, socializing, etc., or servicing the needs of others - my plumber's van is essential so that he can fix my plumbing. So no, places are not "built for cars" - they are built to satisfy human needs, and it turns out that cars are an excellent way to do that.

deleted 4y ago
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giraffe_lady 4y ago
Just because it's a person doing necessary things doesn't make the structures themselves noble. If you stand before it and actually look, the scale of a single suburban four-lane intersection is just mind-boggling. The resources put into just one of these in terms of time, money, human effort, skill and ingenuity inspires awe but also disgust. People would shop and socialize without this. Is there really nothing better, more effective for these goals, we could have found to spend such tremendous skill and wealth on? I am ashamed of us if this is the best we can come up with.
welshwelsh 4y ago
Most cars have only one person in it, despite taking up as much space as 10 people. Most cars are parked for most of the day, which is a complete waste of space. Stores need huge parking lots, which are usually mostly empty, to accommodate the busiest times. Cars are a horrible way of fulfilling human needs. Going shopping? The corner store next to your apartment should have everything you need for daily life. Work? It's 2022, most people can work from home. Socializing? If it involves alcohol, you better not be driving. A plumber's van is the only valid use case for a car you listed. City streets should be restricted to commercial vehicles and public transportation only.
- yeeyeeyee 4y ago
  Ok, get a motorcycle then.

deleted 4y ago

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giraffe_lady 4y ago

Just because it's a person doing necessary things doesn't make the structures themselves noble. If you stand before it and actually look, the scale of a single suburban four-lane intersection is just mind-boggling. The resources put into just one of these in terms of time, money, human effort, skill and ingenuity inspires awe but also disgust. People would shop and socialize without this. Is there really nothing better, more effective for these goals, we could have found to spend such tremendous skill and wealth on? I am ashamed of us if this is the best we can come up with.

welshwelsh 4y ago

Most cars have only one person in it, despite taking up as much space as 10 people. Most cars are parked for most of the day, which is a complete waste of space. Stores need huge parking lots, which are usually mostly empty, to accommodate the busiest times. Cars are a horrible way of fulfilling human needs. Going shopping? The corner store next to your apartment should have everything you need for daily life. Work? It's 2022, most people can work from home. Socializing? If it involves alcohol, you better not be driving. A plumber's van is the only valid use case for a car you listed. City streets should be restricted to commercial vehicles and public transportation only.

yeeyeeyee 4y ago
Ok, get a motorcycle then.