No one can dispute that there’s increased efficiency when multiple commuters travel in the same vehicle, rather than individually. But public transportation reduces an individual’s freedom, since you give up the ability to travel exactly where and when you choose.
Public transportation in the United States may always be unpopular for just that reason – it reduces autonomy, something that U.S. citizens hold dear as a basic form of individual freedom. So it seems that in order for travel without automobiles to really become widespread in the U.S., people would almost have to be able to “beam” themselves around as on the Star Trek television series, a development which seems extremely far off or impossible.
Indeed, while public transportation remains a vital commodity for lower-income workers and those others in areas where it remains convenient, it seems that the average commuter of the future will probably prefer more independent means of travel.
(CONTINUE READING)
About Me
- Tom Owens
- I'm interested in nature, technology, and the human interface between the two. I see anthropocentrism (often combined with ethnocentrism and/or excessive religious fervor) as probably the most damaging human mindset, at least environmentally-speaking. A great goal of mine is to inspire a love of nature in people. I believe we will all benefit if everyone can create a bond with other organisms and feel the connectedness of all life on our planet. We all have to realize that humans are not separate from the rest of nature.
No comments:
Post a Comment