Ivan Illich also wrote about the inherent efficiency of walking as a means of transportation. After all, it is the oldest and most widespread method of getting around, and was used (along with seafaring) by ancient humans to populate the farthest reaches of the planet. Illich, who himself traveled Asia and South America largely on foot, cited the high thermodynamic efficiency of human walking as a means of transportation.
While extremely slow (outside of urban environments, where it may often be the fastest and easiest mode of travel for relatively short distances, due to hassles with traffic and parking) and lacking in the protection and cargo-carrying capacity of a motor vehicle, walking nonetheless brings the traveler closer to his or her surrounding environment than any other means of transportation, and of course allows travel over virtually any type of terrain (even water, if you include swimming).
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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.
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