I see all sorts of problems with the "western" (as if the Americas much less Europe and the US and/or Africa could be painted with that broad a brush) consumer

I see all sorts of problems with the "western" (as if the Americas much less Europe and the US and/or Africa could be painted with that broad a brush) consumer economics led growth. I also see problems with "eastern" (as if China and India, Japan/Malaysia/Indonesia etc are all very similar) production led growth (eg mercantilism). The imbalances caused by the combination of these have led to have not only increased inequality (especially local), lowered efficiency (increased total waste and consumption), but also risk to actual global stability. Perhaps questions about this should not be posed? Your statement, "reading GP's comment in good faith, per the HN guidelines, suggests we need better transit, more walkable cities, and the ability to move people and their purchases without taking 3 tons of steel along for the ride", is to be found nowhere in the one sentence comment I responded to. I find the commentary on my reading of the comment and karma farming odd, the conflation of China with India strange, and the acceptance (glorification?) of authoritarianism bizarre. How are cars western when the people who build and drive them not? Why is that not also a personal decision? Why shouldn't authoritarianism be criticized? Please justify why only democracies should "reform" themselves with something greater than personal decisions/votes. Why do people in all parts of the world not have both responsibility and agency? Why is self aware analysis of commentary for me (and the author of the original post) and not for thee. We can do better. We includes everyone in this conversation. Please reflect on that. Try going somewhere in HK new territories (outside the city), in Japan outside Tokyo, or in Shanghai from the Pudong airport. I have and without cars and maybe busses they are miserable. LAX sucks, and it's better.