4 ms·

> That's just not true, and I'm a bit tired of the tendency online to blame "big bad boogeyman conspiracy" whenever it's convenient. > Yes, the auto and relate

> That's just not true, and I'm a bit tired of the tendency online to blame "big bad boogeyman conspiracy" whenever it's convenient. > Yes, the auto and related industries have had huge impact on the design of our cities that now seems really unfortunate. But I don't think it was some big, evil master plan. I think I understand your perspective, but why does it have to be an evil master plan? Large corporations aim to make more money for shareholders. If a car/oil corporation can advance a car-oriented agenda through lobbying, PR campaigns, etc, then that's the obvious choice and they'll do it. Clearly it's not an evil plan, it's just business. And now, those same companies are massively enriched and in the position to lobby and create PR campaigns even more effectively to protect their profits. Again, it's just business. The whole frustration of the poster you replied to was that these companies are powerful, influential in politics, and are able to stifle the political will to make changes that improve cities by de-emphasizing cars. This isn't to say that there's a boogeyman, a conspiracy of people pulling the strings. It's just to say that corporations advocate for profit above public good or public health. So yes, of course there's no conspiracy. But also, these companies are not only directly responsible for the (perhaps unintended) adverse affects of cars on cities' public transit, but also are doubly responsible for the influence they exert every day on the political system to keep the status quo.

mcv 3y ago
> Clearly it's not an evil plan, it's just business. Exactly. Also consider that Exxon knew in 1978 about the risk of global warming, they briefly considered warning society about it, realised that would cut into their profit, and instead decided on a big misinformation campaign to discredit the idea of global warming. To them, that's just business. They're not sitting there twirling their mustaches and laughing diabolically, they're sitting there looking at their spreadsheets. And it's undeniable that the US government has had very close ties with the oil industry over the decades. Wars have been started and governments have been overthrown over oil. I don't normally like big conspiracy talk, but I think it's naive to think that the oil industry is innocent of some of the problems the US is facing. I think they're one of the major driving forces behind several major problems. All just to maximise profits.

mcv 3y ago

> Clearly it's not an evil plan, it's just business. Exactly. Also consider that Exxon knew in 1978 about the risk of global warming, they briefly considered warning society about it, realised that would cut into their profit, and instead decided on a big misinformation campaign to discredit the idea of global warming. To them, that's just business. They're not sitting there twirling their mustaches and laughing diabolically, they're sitting there looking at their spreadsheets. And it's undeniable that the US government has had very close ties with the oil industry over the decades. Wars have been started and governments have been overthrown over oil. I don't normally like big conspiracy talk, but I think it's naive to think that the oil industry is innocent of some of the problems the US is facing. I think they're one of the major driving forces behind several major problems. All just to maximise profits.