4 ms·

As a society, we've decided that we want lots of infrastructure including car infrastructure.

dartos 3y ago
Yknow, in the US, I think it was more auto industry lobbying in the 20th century that led us to the whole “stroads” situation we have. People didn’t like having 3 lane roads right in their path to walk to the grocery store. The municipal solution was to ensure everyone needed to drive everywhere.
- some_random 3y ago
  The car infrastructure you were referring to is more than just stroads and mandatory vehicle ownership. I know that's all your favorite youtubers talk about, but there are actually other aspects.
  - dartos 3y ago
    Hey friend, how about instead of writing a comment that does nothing but sound condescending, you add something to the discussion. What “more” are you talking about? I’m very interested in this.
    - some_random 3y ago
      Yeah absolutely, here's some reading to get you started! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_road https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_road
      - dartos 3y ago
        Oh you literally meant that there’s more types of roads. Ok… thanks I guess.
- rickydroll 3y ago
  I highly recommend everyone interested in local land use to attend planning board meetings regularly. Observe the work your planning board is doing, and if you don't like it, find some way to volunteer or actually be part of the planning board. This is the only way to make these changes at the local level.
  - jklinger410 3y ago
    This is why I'm convinced the biggest problem with the 40 hour work week and the capitalist perspective of the American system is actually the lack of time and added stress the system relies on to function. People simply do not want to engage because they either literally don't have time, or are taking that time to prepare for their next shift. An idle society, somewhat more like what the French have (as one example), can be seen as in constant cycles of rebellion. This is the way it should be done. I won't make value judgement on human beings, I will just judge the systems that they must function inside of. And a system that deprives you of time and relaxation is a way to subvert democracy on a very basic level. If we were to repair this issue in the US, it would likely take generations to accomplish.
jklinger410 3y ago
Did we decide that in a vacuum? Like by some kind of super informed vote? Or did a system designed to maximize profits hide the downside, promote the upsides, and convince us to do it, to their financial benefit? And now that it is the norm, are people defending it because they actually agree, or are they just afraid of change and too weak to fight it now that it is normal? I notice bad ideas usually die with a few defenders, whose arguments can be summed up with "it just works for me" in the face of all evidence. Suburbs seem to be one of those concepts.
- midasuni 3y ago
  Nobody in the suburbs seems to be trying to fight it, it’s people who like the high density living and want others to do so too. People can choose now, some like suburban life, some like city life. Maybe this is influenced by media (not many shows with young 20 year olds in suburbia, or families in the city. It’s typically teens - suburbs, 20s singles city, parents suburbs, empty nesters skew more city again. But maybe that reflects what people like.

Yknow, in the US, I think it was more auto industry lobbying in the 20th century that led us to the whole “stroads” situation we have. People didn’t like having 3 lane roads right in their path to walk to the grocery store. The municipal solution was to ensure everyone needed to drive everywhere.

some_random 3y ago
The car infrastructure you were referring to is more than just stroads and mandatory vehicle ownership. I know that's all your favorite youtubers talk about, but there are actually other aspects.
- dartos 3y ago
  Hey friend, how about instead of writing a comment that does nothing but sound condescending, you add something to the discussion. What “more” are you talking about? I’m very interested in this.
  - some_random 3y ago
    Yeah absolutely, here's some reading to get you started! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_road https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_road
    - dartos 3y ago
      Oh you literally meant that there’s more types of roads. Ok… thanks I guess.
rickydroll 3y ago
I highly recommend everyone interested in local land use to attend planning board meetings regularly. Observe the work your planning board is doing, and if you don't like it, find some way to volunteer or actually be part of the planning board. This is the only way to make these changes at the local level.
- jklinger410 3y ago
  This is why I'm convinced the biggest problem with the 40 hour work week and the capitalist perspective of the American system is actually the lack of time and added stress the system relies on to function. People simply do not want to engage because they either literally don't have time, or are taking that time to prepare for their next shift. An idle society, somewhat more like what the French have (as one example), can be seen as in constant cycles of rebellion. This is the way it should be done. I won't make value judgement on human beings, I will just judge the systems that they must function inside of. And a system that deprives you of time and relaxation is a way to subvert democracy on a very basic level. If we were to repair this issue in the US, it would likely take generations to accomplish.

jklinger410 3y ago

Did we decide that in a vacuum? Like by some kind of super informed vote? Or did a system designed to maximize profits hide the downside, promote the upsides, and convince us to do it, to their financial benefit? And now that it is the norm, are people defending it because they actually agree, or are they just afraid of change and too weak to fight it now that it is normal? I notice bad ideas usually die with a few defenders, whose arguments can be summed up with "it just works for me" in the face of all evidence. Suburbs seem to be one of those concepts.

midasuni 3y ago
Nobody in the suburbs seems to be trying to fight it, it’s people who like the high density living and want others to do so too. People can choose now, some like suburban life, some like city life. Maybe this is influenced by media (not many shows with young 20 year olds in suburbia, or families in the city. It’s typically teens - suburbs, 20s singles city, parents suburbs, empty nesters skew more city again. But maybe that reflects what people like.