Comment by justboxing | Hacker News Reader

Comment by justboxing | Hacker News Reader

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> Countless people have wondered, amateurs and professionals alike, why so many people commute even when jobs and housing are available in proximity,

Can be explained by this.

> Moreover, the use of motorized transport is no longer optional. Since the introduction of motorized transport the arrangement of our cities has changed in such a way that the majority of people no longer live within walking distance of their place of employment, shopping areas and recreational opportunities, so that they HAVE TO depend on the automobile for transportation. Or else they must use public transportation, in which case they have even less control over their own movement than when driving a car.

Source: [1995] Prof. Teddy in https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/unab...

The important insight it's possible this wasn't by accident or natural, there is a belief that it was intentional[0].

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_streetcar_consp...

Wow! I did not know about this. What a bunch of criminals! That picture of the street cars stacked up, waiting for domolition in 1952, is really sad.

Getting rides with Lyft or Uber give me even more control over my own movement than driving a car. I get a built-in chauffeur and valet (no time or money spent parking), plus I don't need to pay for maintenance costs or spend time refuelling. Why would waste time and money driving?

Well, you're paying for someone else's maintenance and fuel costs, their time, and the company's profit. Plus, spending your time waiting for the ride to show up every time you need it.

Maybe that makes sense for your situation. It doesn't for mine, even beyond the social awkwardness I feel in using services like that.

I am with you 100% - however what keeps me driving is my distrust of other people's driving skills. I know my city's roads very well and I trust myself to pay more attention than a random uber driver.

It may be an irrational fear but that's what keeps me from full time ubering.

Most of society must still drive.

I can also skip all traffic jams on my motorcycle. When I see a traffic jam, I get excited.

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