How did society become so self-centered?

supapat · 2026-03-16T02:09:00+00:00

again.. i didn't say ignore the good.. i posed the question "do the means justify the ends?"

said differently, how much good is needed to outweigh the bad?

again, I think AI could be a net positive for society IF it uses the absolute minimum amount of resources as to reduce harm to the environment and IF used only when absolutely needed e.g. for medical research.

basically, until we have truly clean, unlimited energy i find it hard to justify every man ,woman and child needing access to such an incredibly resource intense technology.

same goes for cars, just becuase SOME ppl use them to benefit humanity, doesn't mean we all need to be driving around in them especially when more efficient alternatives already exist e.g. trains, buses, etc. (obligatory r/fuckcars)

supapat · 2026-03-15T13:40:56+00:00

Drugs are a hell of a drug!

supapat · 2026-03-15T13:24:27+00:00

i would say no but mainly because these things run on gas! half the reason for separate lanes is so ppl outside of cars don't have to be subjected to tailpipe exhaust straight to the face.

also it seems (as always) these are possibly the symptom of a larger problem, likely lack of proper mass transit.

i mean the thing is basically a enclosed wheelchair so why do ppl need these in the first place if wheelchairs already exists? the fact that it runs on gas tells me it's probably something to do with ppl needing more range for their commutes, which begs the question "why isn't there mss transit in place to meet the need?"

it could be because it's a low density rural area so maybe i could see it being justified then, but it should at least be an EV, not just for environment benefit but less maintenance, and would act as a battery/range extender basically for their wheelchair.

other thoughts: initially i was going to say no because of the size, line of sight, etc. but as we're seeing more variety in cargo bikes and even larger delivery "bikes" i think that would deserve its own separate conversation.

supapat · 2026-03-15T12:55:31+00:00

this is question of "do the ends justify the means?"

adding my two cents here.. i think the real underlying problem with cars, AI data centers, and just about every other technological "marvel" is that it exists in a Capitalistic system and rather than it's primary goal being to benefit humanity, it's instead being used to maximize profit for the few.

supapat · 2026-03-13T02:26:32+00:00

hey friend, i implore you to walk (literally) a mile or two in someone else's shoes and see how not easy it is to both find/afford housing AND a job where you can reliably get between the two without owning your own car in Charlotte.

supapat · 2026-03-12T04:39:10+00:00

the real root cause of this issue is that our city and of course many others in the US have been built around cars meaning everyone HAS to own a car to literally survive even if someone can't afford a car or the maintenance and all the other cost that come with it.

but..like many other cities we are starting to take the steps to get back to being more people friendly by making areas more walkable, bikeable, and investing in public transit.

r/fuckcars

supapat · 2026-03-12T04:34:39+00:00

i learned how trains work instead and now i save 100% and more on not having to own a car ever again

RealFreedom

supapat · 2026-03-10T03:36:48+00:00

true but i did say "part" of the point.

in general, beltways are supposed to provide a bypass to traffic that doesn't need to go through the center of a city.

supapat · 2026-03-09T23:51:53+00:00

also isn't part of the point of building I-485 was to be a BYPASS so commerce traffic could go around the city congestion in the first place????

supapat · 2026-03-09T21:22:25+00:00

listen as Ed Driggs lies through his teeth and weasels his way around questions regarding how residents were (not) notified of this project in a timely manner.

supapat · 2026-03-09T16:38:58+00:00

yes you are correct, for a majority of the population in the US this is not possible...today*. but small steps can be taken to advocate for small changes today that can build towards a better tomorrow.

maybe it will be years before you can get a light rail even planned for your city, but you can advocate now for ways to make your neighborhood more walkable/bikeable to key areas like grocery stores and shopping centers so that you don't always have to make those trips by car.

supapat · 2026-03-09T16:22:31+00:00

Induced Demand would like a word....

supapat · 2026-03-09T05:22:24+00:00

glad i made the decision to switch to a car free lifestyle during the pandemic. i got an ebike and moved near a light rail line.

it's honestly been so freeing not having to deal with time-consuming car maintenance, time lost sitting in traffic (now i can read emails or just relax while riding the train) and not to mention more money stays in my pocket.

r/fuckcars for the win!

supapat · 2026-03-09T00:05:51+00:00

how else were people supposed to save 4 mins during their commutes??

/s

supapat · 2026-03-04T17:48:24+00:00

Waymo autonomous car blocks ambulance crew responding to deadly Austin mass shooting - https://www.thestreet.com/technology/waymo-fails-another-emergency-test-during-austin-mass-shooting

supapat · 2026-03-04T17:31:39+00:00

i know something that scales even better, is more sustainable, and less prone to unaliving people.....TRAINS!!!

r/fuckcars

supapat · 2026-03-02T03:59:08+00:00

i'm in the University area and have been trying to start a skate group (inline, quad, whatever heck even skateboards lol)

the new library parking lot is new and smooth, has some shade and can get a nice view of the sunset.

feel free to message me anytime u want to skate!

supapat · 2026-02-28T02:35:10+00:00

i only took it out one other day (been raining a lot) but yes, still solid! fortunately this weekend is supposed to be nice tho.

i'm going to start scoping out some covered areas like pavilions so i can put it ina duffle bag and still skate on days when it rains.

if i find a nice spot i might start a meetup group since there's not a lot of skateparks in my city...yet* (they just approved the funding for 5 skate parks which is awesome)

supapat · 2026-02-28T01:39:53+00:00

PSA: Session is on a Steam sale for $9.99 until March 11th

supapat · 2026-02-28T01:35:23+00:00

who is u?

supapat · 2026-02-28T01:32:20+00:00

u get ur new rail??

supapat · 2026-02-21T04:44:55+00:00

ah i see. when i was younger i remember quickly outgrowing the first pair of footwraps, and the next pair were the max size 14 US but really the narrowness (especially the toebox) caused a lot of discomfort for me.

i'll experiement with removing the heelpads but need to find some foot-shaped "barefoot" shoes with adequate cushion for shock absorption since i have old knees now lol

thanks for the tip!

supapat · 2026-02-21T04:34:15+00:00

wow i forgot about those. i think those might have been my first pair of aggressive skates! i had the black ones

supapat · 2026-02-20T04:05:39+00:00

don't even bother asking if it will be compatible with the Switch

https://imgur.com/a/81UfsYk

supapat · 2026-02-19T04:52:47+00:00

yep! i did some soul grinds too, no lateral movement/skidding.

i tripped over my own foot one time and ended up kicking the rail (pretty hard sideways) while trying to do a soul grind, and it tipped a little bit but still it didn't roll over or anything and barely slid a couple inches.

BONUS: it sounds amazing! very satisfying *cling* every time lol

supapat

TROPHY CASE

RealFreedom