DISQUS

The Poverty Jet Set: Less Roads the Better

  • Frank · 2 years ago
    Man, really amazing. I'm not exactly an Into the Wild guy, but I like open spaces. Not much left.
  • Curtis Joe Walker · 2 years ago
    The anti-car movement is gaining momentum at last. I'm even planning on dumping my car when I move to Chicago and relying on bike foot and public transit to get things done. When I need a car, I'll rent or borrow one.

    I think that in many cities, having a car is a luxury, but in the rest of the country it is an unfortunate necessity. Pollution aside, cars are dangerous and expensive. They're also a status symbol.

    It's a tricky thing to try and figure out. I try not to judge people for driving their cars, I just try to figure out a way to escape from having to drive my own, you know? As far as cars in national parks.... I think it's important to have good access to things. People who like nature are often old timers that don't get around too well. And families with kids. It's also bad to bring car noises and fumes into nature preserves, but as cars progress they emit fewer and fewer particulates. One park I went to in Croatia had it's own mass transit system, so that people could reach remote areas, but without having any of their own cars in the park. That's a nice compromise, I think.
  • magdalenus · 2 years ago
    Yeah, it's damn near impossible not to have a car, but kudos for tryin' Curtis. It'll be a lot easier in Chi-town, for sure.

    As for National Parks... have you been to Zion yet? With their no-car policy and awesome bus service into the canyon? Awesome.
  • taylor · 2 years ago
    This just came in on Cool Tools today...
    http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001903.php
    I thought of you and your adventurous spirit. Vacation time coming up? No roads!