calling on the anti-car movement to change its message
I already posted this basic idea at the old blog (link in right
sidebar), but I have been thinking more and more about it lately, and
post is a bit more fleshed-out.
Where "we" are the ones trying to convince others to give up their
automobile addictions, it must be admitted that "we" are failing. Our
efforts to educate others about the benefits of the non-car-centric
lifestyle are fruitless simply because everyone already knows. Every
American adult with an IQ of at least 60 knows that personal
automobiles are selfish, excessive, and harmful to the environment,
and those same people know there are numerous options available to
them besides single-occupancy vehicles. All of our clever ads have
done nothing. The only thing that finally got more people on their
bikes lately was gas topping $4/gallon.
When we keep telling people what they already know, we're merely
patronizing them like children, and it should come as no surprise that
they act in kind. It's time we stopped treating people like helpful
infants and instead insist they start acting like responsible adults.
It's time to change our message:
LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME. And before you start your typical
avoid-the-topic blather ("but I don't know how to get to work, I don't
know the bus routes, it's too far to ride a bike... blah blah blah"),
here's a news flash: YOU'RE NOT A BABY ANYMORE, and it's not our job
to change your diaper. Buck up and FIGURE IT OUT.
