Post in Major Incident at Critical Mass bike rally

Steve Kotvis wrote:
> I apologize for the late response, but I just spent the weekend
> crisscrossing the Boston metro visiting colleges with my son. We traveled
> the whole weekend via the mass transit system, including subways, trains and
> busses.
>
> We felt free to go anywhere we wanted. The modes of transit were frequent.
> They provided us excellent access within the city as well as into
> surrounding towns/suburbs. We even had the chance to stretch our legs and
> have some healthy walks from our stop to our destination. Fortunately the
> weather cooperated, so that did offer a positive experience.
>
> After these past two days, I have to admit it felt strange last night
> returning to my car at the airport and hitting the road. I instantly felt
> isolated. Rather than commuting with strangers who I literally rubbed up
> against and looked at face-to-face, I was now contained inside of my steel
> vessel of a automobile. It was like each individual I now encountered was
> wearing steel clothing with brand labels like Nissan, Ford, Jeep and Audi.
> And I could no longer see the eyes of those I was traveling among.
>
> Automobiles are engineered to provide a sense of privacy and comfort.
> Six-speaker surround sound, plush contoured seating, climate control, cup
> holders and even refrigerators, elaborate electronic dashboard controls, DVD
> players, and practically sound-proof interior environments. These are all
> considered a part of an ultimate driving experience. What they suggest,
> whether or not each and everyone can afford them all, is that the best way
> to travel is in a secluded and controlled environment that nests the driver
> and riders from the harsh and perhaps even dangerous realities of the
> outside. But as I experienced this weekend, the outside is not so harsh when
> you are a part of it.  That's what I meant by psychological engineering.
> ________________________
>
Mark Anderson:
You know it's funny that I had kind of an opposite experience over the
last year.  I worked in downtown Minneapolis most of last fall.  I
either bussed or walked to and from work.  Last winter for several
months I worked in California.  I walked to work every day from my
hotel.  I drove very little for that six month period.

Walking and busing was fun for a change of pace.  But it felt so good to
get behind the wheel again.  I guess I just like to drive machinery --
maybe I should have been a construction worker.  But also it was a
tremendous feeling to have the freedom to go anywhere.  I think there is
no "engineering" at all in this feeling; it's normal for humans to
desire freedom.  It is also normal to desire privacy above the joy of
being with lots of other folks, which Steve seems to enjoy so much.
Every person is different, but it is apparent to me that the vast
majority of people would rather drive than bus, bike, or walk, if they
have the choice.  That's why many cars have such elaborate accessories.
People love their cars, and are willing to spend their hard earned money
on making the experience even better.  I think every culture in the
world has gravitated to cars when they could afford it.  That's because
there is nothing artificial about the attraction of cars -- it's human
nature to want freedom.

And it's not a vice either.  Cars have added greatly to our freedom and
prosperity for the last century.  The United States has the strongest
economy in the World because of its flexibility, and its automobile
culture is a big part of that.   As for freedom:  I suspect the average
American has traveled more than any other nationality in the World
because so many people here have cars.

Of course there are downsides to cars, as is the case for all boons to
society.  But let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater.