4 ms·

I live in a major city where I can walk or take public transportation anywhere I need to go. 90% of the people I share this city with are capable of doing the

I live in a major city where I can walk or take public transportation anywhere I need to go. 90% of the people I share this city with are capable of doing the same thing, and it would be transformed in the process from an incomprehensible hellscape of noise and concrete into something reflecting any kind of human agency. That this doesn't happen is not even because people are weak, stupid, selfish, feckless, and lazy, but because they are expected and incentivized to act that way. The article is a reminder that we don't need to.

beebeepka 3y ago
Oh, I see. The vast majority is only acting like this because they are expected to do so. But here's the thing: you and I are also expected to be like that, yet I don't even have a license. Inconsiderate assholes act like they do because they are not being punished. It is as simple as that. Kind of the opposite of your incentive narrative.
- blacksmith_tb 3y ago
  Hmm, I commute by bike, but I think the people in their cars are being 'punished' in the sense that they were sold on the idea that having a car would make them free somehow, and now they're stuck in a traffic jam. In the US we allowed lots of city centers to decay and built suburbs, all far flung enough to require driving (since decent public transit would be tantamount to socialism, apparently). So it's a disaster of our own making., really.
  - beebeepka 3y ago
    Well, I live in Bulgaria which is nothing like the US. Country wasn't built for cars at all, especially the cities. Urban sprawl is nonexistent hete. And yet, there are more cars than people. The air is barely breathable, sidewalks are used for parking lots. It's been like that for decades and getting worse. Our public transportation is quite good. Cars and cars culture made life here horrible but the masses want more cars.

4 ms·

I live in a major city where I can walk or take public transportation anywhere I need to go. 90% of the people I share this city with are capable of doing the

by Ritecrax 3y ago

beebeepka 3y ago
Oh, I see. The vast majority is only acting like this because they are expected to do so. But here's the thing: you and I are also expected to be like that, yet I don't even have a license. Inconsiderate assholes act like they do because they are not being punished. It is as simple as that. Kind of the opposite of your incentive narrative.
- blacksmith_tb 3y ago
  Hmm, I commute by bike, but I think the people in their cars are being 'punished' in the sense that they were sold on the idea that having a car would make them free somehow, and now they're stuck in a traffic jam. In the US we allowed lots of city centers to decay and built suburbs, all far flung enough to require driving (since decent public transit would be tantamount to socialism, apparently). So it's a disaster of our own making., really.
  - beebeepka 3y ago
    Well, I live in Bulgaria which is nothing like the US. Country wasn't built for cars at all, especially the cities. Urban sprawl is nonexistent hete. And yet, there are more cars than people. The air is barely breathable, sidewalks are used for parking lots. It's been like that for decades and getting worse. Our public transportation is quite good. Cars and cars culture made life here horrible but the masses want more cars.