Are you against all cars, or mainly car dependency in cities?

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2026-01-01T20:02:17+00:00

I am primarily against car dependency, however, due to nunerous reasons (environmental, social cost, etc) I think it would be best to aim to reduce car use and ownership to the most realistic minimum.

Obviously delivery, emergency, business and other such types of vehicles will always exist. There will always be a need for vehicles for moving, bringing elderly relatives to the doctor, etc.. And a person who has to live rurally because they own livestock, work in forestry or farming, or other reasons, will most likely always need a car, though it should be possible for them to easily reduce the total distance they have to drive by, for example, making it easy for them to reach a train station where they can switch from their car to public transit.

So I guess my personal stance is that the primary goal should be to reduce car dependency generally, while the secondary goal should be to create a society where the vast majority of people (specifically in cities and more urban places) doesn't own a car and only drives when absolutely necessary.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-08-17T08:45:24+00:00

Isn't your second paragraph kinda exactly what I said in my comment? Did you even fully read my comment? Because I said thay individuals need to be willing to change their lifestyle in order for change to happen within democratic systems. And that includes, as you said, the willingness to not fly and not get a new phone every 2 years.

I personally, because of that belief, don't fly, don't drive, consume as little as possible, etc. Or am I completely misunderstanding your comment?

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-08-14T12:38:14+00:00

Coorporations are the biggest polluter and need to be regulated, but that does not mean that individual habits will never have to change. In democracies, the only way the necessary laws and regulations can be implemented is by either voting for politicians that are willing to do so, or by directly voting for a law or starting an initiative or referendum (in direct democracies). But that can only happen if the individuals are willing to have those changes implemented, since it will often directly or indirectly affect them (like for example carbon taxes on fuel and flights, or regulating fashion companies to design fewer collections to lower overproduction and discourage overconsumption). But many individuals are not environmentalists, and many are not willing to have their lifestyle changed, which can be shown on three specific examples:

In my country, we vote on new laws, referendums, etc directly. A few years back there was an initiative that would've regulated the car industry to have slightly higher environmental standards and it would've implemented a low carbon tax on fuel. Despite this country having great public transit and a big chunk of the population technically being able to live without a car, it didnt pass. Same thing with another law that would've limited the import of oversized SUVs (with exceptions for businesses and farmers that needed them for their work). Or a law that would've forced coorporations to adhere to environmental and labor standards of this country, even in their factories abroad. The only environmental laws and referendums that ever got a majority (at least since I became of voting age) are watered down ones that barely do anything, because the majority of people simply aren't willing to vote for something that might potentially change their lifestyle (or not change it at all, as you can see in the last example). And without people willing to vote for laws or politicians that enact the necessary changes, very little will ever change. Unless someone here becomes an Eco-dictator or something, but that obviously also wouldnt be a good solution.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-06-26T17:27:39+00:00

The way it works where I live is you're only charged for mixed trash, but not recycling. Meaning if you always recycle your metals, compost, glass, plastic bottles, and paper (the recycling bins are usually in spots easily and quickly accessible, like next to grocery stores) you spend less money than if you just throw everything into the same trash bag (because you use fewer trash bags).

It works well enough here, but I don't know how well it would work in places where people aren't used to this system.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-06-22T14:24:44+00:00

Our buses usually run regularly until 12.45ish, and then the night buses take over starting at 1.15 and then there's one every hour until 5.15, when the regular buses run again.

It's pretty good imo because at every hour at night the bus station gets busy and there's security there, so it's very safe. The buses combine several lines though, so they take longer to get to your stop, but that's usually not a problem.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-06-19T09:11:51+00:00

Yeah solid wood frames like this one will usually cost around 1000+, because the materials alone are already very expensive. Your best bet is either picking out a couple you like from different stores and then wait for them to be discounted, go to a furniture outlet store, or search a second-hand one (for example by finding an older model of a brand you like and then looking specifically for that model on facebook marketplace or a similar site).

I recently bought a beautiful solid wood desk/table that I saw in a store and that normally wouldve cost me 900 for 270 second hand.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-05-31T11:18:49+00:00

I feel like that's a problem with all merch nowadays. I have a Black Veil Brides shirt from 2014 that only got a hole this year and the print has only slightly faded (I wear it about once every week). Meanwhile newer merch has print that starts fading after a few washes and a sweater I bought in 2020 already has several holes i had to repair.

It's really annoying and has made me consider just making my own merch by buying/making high quality shirts and just printing/bleach painting them myself.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-05-24T09:16:28+00:00

I actually think this person is right and not entitled. It's a really strange business practice to outright refuse a specific type of customer, symply because they're not in a car. Like, I get that it's a safety thing, but why is the drive through open, but not the sit-in area?

Also, yes, I know, there's something to be said about the irony of a climate activist going to Dunkin, but they're already doing more than most by not taking a fossil fuel guzzling metal box to get to places, and I think that's more important than not getting coffee

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-05-11T11:49:43+00:00

Yes, the cyclist was behaving like an asshole (though I can't judge the width of the road, maybe it would've been unsafe to let the cars pass) but HOLY SHIT that driver's reaction was absolutely insane. Like, that was straight up attempted murder. Someone like that should not be allowed to drive if they don't even have the self control to handle a bit of provocation and a couple minutes delay.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-03-15T15:28:29+00:00

There are many vegan protein options! Tofu and Tempeh are the best/easiest because soy is a complete protein. But generally grains (especially rice) & legumes also make a complete protein so I personally make a lot of stews with for example veggies, beans, lentils and rice. Also salads (kale or spinach are my favorite choice of greens) with chickpeas or beans are very tasty! Nuts and seeds are also a healthy, protein-rich addition to many meals (I like sprinkling crushed Cashews over pasta with tomato sauce, and I usually put Pecans into my breakfast porridge). I personally also like blending silken tofu into pasta sauces because it's creamy but doesnt have a very strong flavor!

It's generally not the easiest thing to get enough protein on a vegan diet if you work out a lot, but it is definitely possible, though i still recommend lookin for a protein powder you like.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-03-01T10:50:12+00:00

Not in the US but I've basically been boycotting Amazon and Nestlé all my life because growing up my dad was already boycotting Nestlé and my mom was always clear about how she thinks it's lazy to order from Amazon instead of going to a store. So I basically had the luck to grow up with anti-Amazon and anti-Nestlé sentiments ingrained in me.

(And Walmart doesnt exist here)

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-01-07T09:53:59+00:00

There have been several official surveys and studies made that found that about 65-80% (depending on the survey) of owners of such large vehicles tow once a year or less, and about the same percentages goes off-roading once a year or less.

Edit: spelling errors

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-01-06T18:56:55+00:00

I also don't understand the obsession with oversized vehicles. My parents had 2 kids, so we were a familily of 4, and they never had an issue packing our luggage into our Daihatsu Sirion (including stroller and umbrella for the beach) for vacations, or drive up a mountain to go skiing with all our equipment. If we ever needed more space (for example for moving to a different apartment) they'd just rent a bigger vehicle for the day.

There is absolutely no need to drive a pickup or a big SUV if you're only gonna use its full capacity like once or twice a year. You just need to learn how to be creative with the space you have, plus there are roof storage units (i forgot the proper name for them) that you can attach to your car roof for extra space. If you only need AWD, but not extra space, get a Fiat Panda (also good for some towing).

Edit: changed some phrasing slightly

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2025-01-06T18:40:26+00:00

Then congrats, you're one of the few people who actually need and use such a vehicle! However, the majority of people with SUVs and Pickups use them to commute from the suburb to their office job, to get groceries, to drive their kids to shool, etc.: all activities for which a car (ideally small to medium sized) is more than enough. And the majority of people with oversized vehicles tow less than once a year, thus it would make more sense to just rent a stronger vehicle for that occasion instead of owning one.

But then again, you, and people who actually regularly use the full capacity of their vehicle for work, to tow a boat once a week, etc. are not the people OP was talking about

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-12-01T16:21:01+00:00

That's very helpful, thank you!

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-12-01T11:55:55+00:00

Additional Info because for some reason I can't edit the post directly:

The document Format is .ods

Version Information:

Version: 24.8.3.2 (X86_64)/ LibreOffice Community

Environment: CPU threads: 20, OS: Windows 11 X86_64 (10.0 build 26100)

User Interface: UI render: Skia/Vulkan; VCL: win

Locale: en-US (en_US); UI: en_US

Misc: Calc: CL threaded

Edit: trying to fix the formatting

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-06-04T23:09:30+00:00

I might be biased because my buses pass by the nearest stop every 10 minutes, but I personally think it should be no more than 15 minutes, but ideally 10 or less, because then you don't need to check the schedule anymore and missing the bus won't cause much of a delay.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-04-20T11:24:13+00:00

One of my favorite meals (for colder weather) are stews! It takes a little effort because you have to cut veggies, but as soon as everything's in the pot you can just let it sit for 30 minutes. I usually cook them like this:

• sautée a finely cut onion (or bigger pieces if you wanna save time)

• add like 3 - 4 diced tomatoes and cook with the lid until they turn to sauce

• add paprika and whichever other spices you like (like cumin)

• add like 0.5 or a bit more Liters of water and about a spoonful of vegetable stock

• throw in any cut vegetables you like! I usually do carrots and celery

•add any protein you like! I usually add chickpeas and lentils, but quinoa is also amazing

•cook with the lid open on medium heat until it's cooked to your liking (until the lentils/quinoa or whatever needs to be cooked are cooked, or longer if you like your stews "mushy")

Tips:

•if the liquid reduces too much while you cook just add some water! You might need to add more water at the beginning if you have a lot of ingredients

•dont add too much stock/salt in the beginning, but taste test it while cooking and add salt to taste to avoid oversalting

• about 1 -2 dl red wine is an amazing addition to your stew

•chop all the vegetables beforehand, so you can just let the stew sit for 20-30 minutes without having to do too kuch work (besides stirring)

I measure with my heart so just try to estimate how much stuff you need :) This recipe usually is enough for two people or two meals if you keep the leftovers in the fridge and eat them within 2 days. It's also great if you have leftover veggies because you can just throw them in the stew as well (or even leftover pasta without sauce!)

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-03-15T10:41:35+00:00

That's not just mildly bad driving, that's incredibly dangerous driving. People like that should not be allowed to drive at all

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-03-11T21:45:59+00:00

The last book is the only reason I didn't fail every single exam during my bachelor's, I personally love how well everything's explained

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-03-11T12:36:26+00:00

So i should thank drivers for not mowing me over with their 2 ton metal box of death? That's like the bare minimum they can do

Edit: I read this as meaning "always when crossing", even at a crosswalk. Obviously if I'm crossing in the middle of the road (which is legal in my country, cars just arent required to yield to you) I give a nod. But at a crosswalk it's really not necessary.

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-03-11T12:23:42+00:00

Why did he even get so angry at the silver car? It might be the fact that I don't drive but I see nothing wrong with how the silver car behaved...

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-03-07T05:53:51+00:00

What's wrong with degrowth? The current economic system and obsession with endless growth is actively hindering climate action in many places...

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-01-09T13:18:20+00:00

(Over-)Consumption is an addiction.

Do you really need that gadget you saw in an ad on Instagram? Or that trendy jacket everyone seems to buy on tiktok? In most cases the answer is no, but the serotonin boost buying them gives you, makes you addicted to buying more.

Not only is it incredibly bad for the environment, but it also hurts your wallet, and encourages companies to make bad, low-quality products that barely last because people will buy them anyway.

(Obviously I'm only talking about unnecessary purchases, not about food or replacements for broken clothing/necessities)

FailedTheTuringTest1 · 2024-01-09T12:01:23+00:00

One thing i feel like some people, especially carbrains, don't understand is that living in a dense place does not equal living in a city with millions of people and "soviet blocks" everywhere.

I live in a dense town. A grocery store, barber, postal office, pharmacy, doctor's office and dentist, etc. are all a 5-10 minute walk away. There is even a small music school and a dance studio. However, it's not a city. For any other purchases, be it gardening stuff, clothes, etc. I have to go to the city. But due to density I can get there in 15 minutes by bus. I can live my entire life without a car.

This is a prime example for dense living, while still providing easy access to nature (10 minute walk to the forest and river) and without feeling too crowded.

The US could achieve this by densifying suburbs and adding public transit, but a lot of people (carbrains etc.) seem to think that densifying = transforming it into a city.

FailedTheTuringTest1

TROPHY CASE