This is capitalism. First they monopolize our infrastructure to force us into dependency, then jack up the cost of their created need, driving out and demonizing all alternatives. Not naturally but through power, influence, and countless billions in lobbies.
If car ownership feels impossible, now consider that getting around the city by any means feels impossible. If you're in a car you're stuck in traffic, if you're on a bus you're stuck in traffic, if you're on a bike you're stuck in traffic, and if you're on foot you're not allowed to walk anywhere.
Somehow people have been convinced that the only way to get around all this car traffic is to induce more car traffic, and further demonize other means of transportation and their users. This complete disassociation from reason and logic doesn't come naturally, it was paid for by the auto industry.
@tk And they are tearing out bike lanes for the same justification, as well as opposing rapid transit bus lanes (which currently can't even exist where I live due to this opposition).
Note also that "slowing down cars" doesn't slow down traffic for drivers, or the time to get from point A to B. It just makes traffic more safe and consistent for everyone.
Which is why the Provincial legislations to tear out bike lanes in Canada are being met with Supreme Court challenges for being unconstitutional; because they are intentionally endangering people's lives.
In my lengthy years of advocating for more liveable cities I came across one theme that was repeated over and over by different people in positions that could have made the difference.
Public transportation, walking, cycling are seen as a service for low income people who have no choice. Cars not only give "freedom" from the poor, they are a status symbol. Look at me, look at what I drive.
No matter how many times they were reminded that all those people doing all those alternatives were saving in traffic, pollution and TIME, they couldn't get past the fact that people have been trained to hate those who are perceived to have less.
@AnnieBuddy @ned I'm reminded of a conversation with a neighbour some years ago. I was new in the area and mentioned how convenient it was having the bus to the city centre so nearby. He instantly said "I wouldn't be caught dead on public transport" and that encapsulates how I think most people in cities/societies designed around cars think.
(We have two cars and I drive a lot, but not by choice)
Yes, it is definitely something. I watched the public transportation system die in Ottawa where it was once one of the best systems in North America.
When I tried to get people to pay attention, I got blank looks and why do you care?
Because cars make cities unliveable
The community response is the city or town builds walkable neighborhoods. It tells car manufacturers to GFT
A car free neighborhood is quieter, safer, healthier, less expensive and better for local business.
Corporate operations in a community like a big box store export the money they collect, and they never deliver on their promises of revenue. Their business model is to exploit and destroy local business.
Cars are just one aspect of that process.
Invest in your own community
Eventually cars will be something that will be impossible to own and only available as a subscription service. Car makers are already locking off features that require monthly fees even if you own the car outright.
Cars will be just like books, music, movies, software, tech devices, etc that we pay never ending subscription fees to access. Do we think that modern capitalism would ever allow the creation of libraries, free bus service, or any service that is an accessible shared community service when it can be monetized? After cars, homes will be next, the billionaires will crush home ownership and replace it with perpetual rental.
I'm a 25 year veteran visual communications designer, Adobe Certified Expert, and Adobe Applications Instructor, and only use alternative software on my own computers because after buying out the industry Adobe decided that "you can't own our software anymore" while I was running their $2,000 suite.
It’s insane. I know the BS through my college age daughter.
In the 90s & 00s software companies gave away their software to students in hope of cultivating future customers. Now that they’ve monopolized the industry my daughter, as a cash strapped student, has to pay monthly subscription fees for required software just to complete her coursework. That’s all on top of ETextbook rentals, ever rising tuition fees, and a student technology access fee.
We’ll be renting oxygen eventually.
Ned Yeung
Becca
Neil E. Hodges
Steve Woods
AnnieBuddy
Bennolius 😷⚡
cognitively accessible math
Neil
TeflonTrout 
he/him
GhostOnTheHalfShell
The Wookie
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