Originally Posted by
College3.0
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While superficial.... as a former user(abuser?) I can recognize people's addiction to social media as at least *some* desire for relationship. Even if incredibly superficial, engaging in it seems to imply a desire for connection. In other words.... at least it's the right idea and my heart wants to give people credit for that.
I see automobiles as much more subtle. Much more enabling toward self-isolation and relationship aversion. Possibly because there is still a little stigma associated with social media shut-ins, yet NO stigma associated with abuse of automobiles (in the relational sense).
In fact.... there's rather a stigma if you *don't* own an auto wouldn't you agree? Ever gotten a dirty look or been treated like a space cadet because you choose to bike instead of drive? There is TONS of stigma for driving in a way that is respectful of others. At or below the speed limit? Actually stopping at the stop signs? Give bikes or pedestrians the right of way?.... I get tailgated, honked at, stink eyed and flipped off all the time for doing those things.
Prevailing attitudes are (and what I used to believe and practice years ago) that as a 'Merican, your auto and the roads are for you and your needs and your pleasures, damn everyone else. If you act contrary to this, there is stigma against you. This is what I mean.... far more subtle, the social pressure to be Pro-auto makes it far more cammoflaged a trap.
Believe me, it's a hard sell to convince anyone that their car is a primary factor in why their lives suck. Lots of people know their life sucks, but haven't a clue why. I only try to share my experiences with people I love because I know how lonely and frustrating it is to have a life that sucks.
I don't know if it is a trap. But maybe I see people as more aware than some do. I see people as having made the choice because they wanted to, they budgeted it and see an advantage that they don't have without it. They can live where they want and not be limited in the direction they have to find work, education for their kids, Work in one direction and school in another. I get your point about the stigma but to most of the people I know I am the bicycle guy. Then they also know I have access to a car if I so choose.
I also agree it will be hard to convince anyone that the car they wanted so much they took out a loan for caused their life to suck as you say. Just as an private observation my sister drove a mass transit bus till she retired. She never took the bus to work even when she could. And one of the most common things she said she had heard from her customers was, "As soon as I can get a car I will never ride the bus again.
Now it quite possibly could be the unwillingness to try and connect with others in a complicated dance of social interaction. But I wonder how much of that is fear of getting close to people who want to hurt or take from you. That being money, goods or simply taking advantage of others. The media may exacerbate these feelings when we see people killing each other in Baltimore, Chicago, Pittsburg, Cleveland and yes LA almost every night. And who shoots most of them? Neighbors, or at least that is who is being reported as doing the killings. So yes a car may give you some feeling of separation or even protection. But like your original statement I don't think cars are the cause but rather what people see as the solution to those complicated social interactions. As one poster put it earlier we tend to live in places we see as more socially acceptable or at least strive to move to such places. As you posted it is Natural.