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Unfortunately there's already a backlash brewing against "15 minute cities"[1][2]. I wonder how much of this stuff is "organic" and how much is astroturf. [1]
by AlexandrB 3y ago
Unfortunately there's already a backlash brewing against "15 minute cities"[1][2]. I wonder how much of this stuff is "organic" and how much is astroturf.
[1] https://rairfoundation.com/british-protest-15-minute-cities-where-they-will-become-prisoners-of-the-state/ https://rairfoundation.com/british-protest-15-minute-cities-...
[2] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-edmonton-15-minute-city-protests/ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-edmonton-15-m...
- padjo 3y agoI think that backlash is mostly from the “5g is globalist plot to control us” folks. Although given one of those people is running for the Democratic nomination maybe it’s not as safe to ignore them as I think…
- Goronmon 3y agoI think that backlash is mostly from the “5g is globalist plot to control us” folks. I've definitely seen it framed as a "left-wing" plot that the right/Republicans need to fight against. Same thing as the fight against LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, etc.
- ZeroGravitas 3y agoIt's sadly a mainstream right-wing talking point these days. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-02/how-did-the-15-minute-city-get-tangled-up-in-a-far-right-conspiracy https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-02/how-did-t...
- mwbajor 3y agoI live in one of the few 15 minute cities and I hate it. You might as well live in a jail or a zoo. Are you envious of the lions that live in their cages? They have everything they need close by! Water, companionship, food, etc....
- AlexandrB 3y agoCan you elaborate on what's so bad about it? I lived in Toronto for a while and rarely had to drive because most things I needed were ~15 minutes away by subway/walking. It was awesome! It's not like someone is going to put an ankle monitor on you to prevent you from going further for stuff if you want to.
- mwbajor 3y agoCan you elaborate on what you want me to elaborate on? I've been to Toronto, its another "sick town" and nothing I say is going to change your mind if you think living like an ant is "awesome!"
- turnsout 3y agoI truly don't get this perspective. The value of living in a city is proximity to people and amenities. If you value something different, that's totally understandable, but why wouldn't you just move to the country?
- mwbajor 3y agoHeh, they always say "You're free to leave any time you want". When all we have is Maglev trains that go from one walkable city (e.g. jail) to another, how will you move to the country?
- turnsout 3y agoWell, looking around I see nothing but freeways and cars, so I don't think we're in any danger of the utopia you describe
- mwbajor 3y agoYea yea, but you'd change it if you could and then say the same thing that every despot has always said since the beginning of time: "You're free to leave if you want".
- Izkata 3y agoThe backlash is real and is, at least partially, from how they're being implemented: Forceful restrictions instead of increased/local amenities.
- ryukafalz 3y agoIn many cases restrictions and amenities are two sides of the same coin. You often can't add bike infrastructure in cities without taking away something from drivers (travel lanes, parking, etc) because drivers are already given nearly all the space on our streets. Drivers will complain that they're being restricted whenever you take anything away from them. But people often can't get around safely on bikes without doing so; that bike infrastructure for those who would like to bike is a valuable amenity.
- throwuwu 3y agoHere’s a milquetoast take that might be more palatable https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-02/the-downsides-of-a-15-minute-city https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-02/the-downs...