#note 3: i couldnt find room for this but i think the concept of loitering and walkability go hand in hand

[unluckystreak]

Thinking about how in the USA (and other largely car-dependent places) it’s such a thing in the culture for teenagers to “have their first real taste of independence” when they get a license. I don’t know how to articulate this well but ... I feel like traveling, like literally just HAVING THE ABILITY to go somewhere, is so fundamental to humans in so many ways. Like developmentally, emotionally, physically, socially, it’s important to simply even just have the option. I just really fucking hate that without access to a car, you’re nearly entirely stationary unless someone else forces or permits you to exist somewhere else. It’s extremely ironic to me that cars are touted to youth as the great marker of independence and individualism. To me, there’s nothing more independent or individualist than not being FORCED TO RELY on someone or something else to simply move from one place to another. At a young age where are certainly old enough to be in public by yourself, you do not become independent by having your license and driving -- you are only shifting your dependencies.

#note 1: i know there are other places in the world that are car-dependent #i have lived in the USA all my life and have travelled outside of the USA only once over ten years ago #i do not feel qualified to speak on other car-dependent places that i am not familiar to #i would just like to acknowledge that i know car-dependency is not necessarily americanly inherent #note 2: i am aware not everyone gets their license as a teen #i was one #first at 22 and then again at 24 #note 3: i couldnt find room for this but i think the concept of loitering and walkability go hand in hand #americans only find it acceptable to be sitting if you pay for it #like dining or watching a movie #americans only find it acceptable to be standing when you are being paid for it #note 4a: developmentally. like learning how to plan your time and make plans in general #developing a sense of responsibility and learning how to manage tasks #note 4b: emotionally. happiness and natural contentedness with having agency or literally just fucking being outside #yes i know being outside doest cure depression it depends on the person i know i know thats a different discussion #i have depression i know i KNOW #note 4c: physically. i understand that walking is generally good for you but this is not applicable to all humans ever (fucking duh) #though minor i have problems with my left ankle and walking can be inconvenient for me #i am not arguing that cars are bad i am arguing that car DEPENDENCY is bad and am merely stating that benefits to walking do exist #note 4d: socially. as in basic manners or being in proximity to other people or learning how to be considerate of others etc #again i am aware its not that simple for everyone #i myself have intense social anxiety and am ND with various troubles with social interaction #note 5: not being able to drive creates a large absence of important aspects of ones life that we dont even know are there #i would love a psychological analysis or study on such a topic bc i think it would shine light on just ... a lot of shit #note 6: my argument is NOT that cars cant provide the aforementioned #my argument is that cars should not be the ONLY way to obtain them #i also feel that walking driving and taking public transit all provide different learning experiences fulfillment needs and conveniences #every time i make a post expressing my opinion on something i feel like i have to write a million disclaimers / amendments / clarifications #bc i just feel like chronically online people will assume that because you didnt address something #you are either purposefully neglecting the topic for convenience or are incredible ignorant and arrogant