#it gives off hot topic hipster in the early 2010s (derogatory)

[wittyno]

There is so much wrong with this thread.

1) it uses the terms North America, US, and Canada interchangeably. Those aren’t the same things. Canada and US are two countries in North America, which is a continent. Not only do the US and Canada have different cultures, languages, and climates. What about Mexico? Last time I checked Mexico was in North America. Which has its own set of cultures, languages, and climates. I wonder why Mexico was left out of this Twitter thread? Mexico City is one of the most congested cities in the world.

2) this doomerism disguised as “reality” is so annoying. Not only because it is wrong and it is. People have come together and fought for change throughout history. Things will change. You have to work for them. It will take time, especially if the place is bigger than the head of a pin.

3) this person knows a generation is defined as 20 years right? Especially with the rate of technological evolution you really think you can predict what a whole continent will look like in 20 years.

4) just because it takes time doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. People dedicating themselves to change is never useless or futile. You say you want progress but when there is progress you sniff at it and say “it’s not enough”. It’s a so frustrating because that’s not how the majority of change works.

5) you think a continent of almost 600 million people is at all comparable to Netherlands which has 17.5 million people is at all the same? It’s so many more people. For comparison Texas has 29.5 million people. It’s also so much bigger. Im not saying investing in public transport is bad. It’s good. I love public transport. We should invest in public transport, but this holier-than-thou approach is just so stupid.

6) this “this is reality get used to it” reminds me of a specific kind of pessimism. It’s this “everything sucks so why try” mentality. It’s childish but it tries so hard to be adult. It’s an abdication of responsibility. It misunderstands how change works on such a fundamental level. I’m not saying I haven’t felt that way before and I sometimes still do. But I know that nihilism and doomerism aren’t the correct response.

7) I know a common critique of this way of thinking is that it’s not feasible for a lot of people, which is true but let’s say a person had the time, money, and energy to move. Even had a job lined up and housing figured out. You’re asking them to leave behind their friends, their family, and their community. Not to mention keeping in touch with those people takes a lot more effort. Depending on where in North America that time difference can be 9 hours. That’s a whole work day. The only option you are giving a vast number of people is: move. The amount of privilege that drips from “I did it so you can/must too” is too much.

8) Can you imagine if everyone in just one US state / Canadian territory / Mexican state moves to the Netherlands? The effects would be insane. Even Wyoming (the least populated US state) with its 581k people would probably put a strain on the Dutch government. Side note really but I know what your immigration policy looks like and it’s not pretty.

Here, this is starting drama in urbanist circles, I am bored take it and do what you will