• inlandempire@jlai.lu
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    3 days ago

    Id argue also because the country is “young” in that the US did not have to evolve from an existing medieval infrastructure, but I’m not a historian and this is just my intuition lol

    • grue@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      Your intuition is completely wrong about that. The US had an extensive system of railways and has since demolished a huge percentage of them.

      American cities also used to have things like walkable towns and streetcar networks, which were destroyed in the '60s and '70s in favor of parking lots. America wasn’t built for the car; it was demolished for it.

      Case in point, downtown Houston:

      1940s:

      1980s:

        • grue@lemmy.world
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          3 days ago

          I didn’t mean to imply that tall buildings were torn down, and the analysis doesn’t refute the point that a whole bunch of (non-tall) buildings were torn down.

          I simply couldn’t find better matching images, posting from my phone in the few minutes I had to spare.

          • tetris11@feddit.uk
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            2 days ago

            I’d recommend not using the images at all, the Vox train map was powerful enough

        • grue@lemmy.world
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          3 days ago

          The obvious point of your comment was to imply that there’s an excuse for the US’ car-centricity, and there just isn’t.

          • inlandempire@jlai.lu
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            3 days ago

            I’m providing a self perceived explanation, not an excuse, please let’s just leave it at that because I dont appreciate your tone and this kind of strawman

            • acockworkorange@mander.xyz
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              3 days ago

              “I refuse to update my world view based on the facts you provided, and the fact you provided them makes you mean.”

              • inlandempire@jlai.lu
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                3 days ago

                I’m sorry is that aimed at me? What’s with the aggression? The user above edited their post with more info AFTER that interaction.

                I was only saying that the US (and Northern America in general) being built upon (stolen) land that had not been urbanized before like for example Europe could also be a reason why the transportation infrastructure is so dehumanizing, you don’t see blocks and urban grids like the US in Europe (except for rebuilt and new cities) because of the landscape and the fact that there were buildings since medieval times.

                I’m not trying to have a worldview, or justify / being an activist for the car infrastructure, I’m just participating in the conversation and sharing my thoughts, and getting piled upon by random users?

                • pedz@lemmy.ca
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                  3 days ago

                  You are clearly stating that you are not an historian and this is just your intuition. People give you information and facts contrary to your intuition, and you accuse them of being mean and agressive.

                  No. It’s not a reason. It could, but it’s not. They are telling you. Sorry.

                  • inlandempire@jlai.lu
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                    3 days ago

                    I did NOT say facts are mean, and I’m NOT accusing anyone of being aggressive for disagreeing with me. I’m trying to participate in the conversation and add one factor among many, not “the reason” and not a justification for how things turned out. It can be wrong, incomplete, an oversimplification, but I don’t think the tone of the responses I’ve gotten are warranted, has social media become so toxic that this is glossed over?

                    “Your intuition is completely wrong” is dismissive, “The obvious point of your comment was to imply…” guesses my motive instead of engaging with the point (again the context they added was provided as an edit AFTER this initial confrontation), the sarcastic paraphrase is just scornful, “You accuse them of being mean and aggressive” I don’t and I keep trying to deescalate?

                    I think we’re talking past each other at this point, so I’m good leaving it here.

            • grue@lemmy.world
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              3 days ago

              You were perpetuating harmful misinformation. You are not entitled to demand it not be refuted.

              • inlandempire@jlai.lu
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                2 days ago

                I never asked not to be refuted. I asked not to have my intent reframed and to not be talked to dismissively. If something I said was wrong, I’m more than happy to be corrected, I’m glad you and pedz added more context. You labeling it as “completely wrong” and "harmful misinformation” (what kind of escalation is this??), and attributing motives to me is the part I’m pushing back on. I’m done engaging here. PLEASE.