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@politicsofcars.bsky.social

120 followers 140 following 730 posts

Car culture dominating society is social murder. Posts are mostly about the US, sometimes focused on parenting.

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · Aug 18

What we collectively have done wrong, such that I can readily imagine how a good loving parent in our society could leave their child unattended in a vehicle. This should be inconceivable. In other words, we should have a society where it is inconceivable.

politicsofcars.beehiiv.com/p/hot-car-de...

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 8h

I didn't find all of his works but I appreciated them, as far as they went. Thanks for sharing that one.

Hot take TMIAHM's subplot of the futility of earth sending money to the moon without capacity to send goods was more innovative than Modern Monetary Theory (remember when that was big)

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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 22h

work trips this week from c’ville to DC to Baltimore to Providence back to DC and then home. the bike is how i am getting from station to hotel to wherever i need to be

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 22h

look back and see how much easier it is to get around when unable to drive or as a caregiver, if driving has become vanishingly rare

we could turn so many lanes into multiuse paths! and the buses, or even drivers going to the hospital in an emergency, wouldn't get stuck behind so many drivers

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 1d

It is a lot! But Fit is smaller/cheaper MSRP than new vehicle average, monthly payments depend on individual circumstances (trade in, credit score, etc), and depending when you bought interest rates have gone up. It's wild how much Americans individually spend on cars even after all the subsidies.

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 1d

Speaking of, America has 1.3x as much auto debt as AI debt ($1.6T v $1.2T). Will we cross the streams?

www.lendingtree.com/auto/debt-st...

Average Car Payment and Auto Loan Statistics: 2025

The average car payment for new vehicles was $749 per month in the second quarter of 2025, up 1.9% from Q2 2024.

www.lendingtree.com

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 1d

the other daylighting - removing windows from cars when drivers have made them too dark

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 1d

Sometimes those drivers, who can see out, forget that they've installed their dangerous tint and can vaguely be seen moving their arms behind the wheel trying to communicate something.

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 1d

Boycotting one corporation after another isn't nothing, but by itself it doesn't build towards much.

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 1d

Driving is a strong example. So many Americans online can see other institutions which systematically harm marginalized groups and identify the responsible participants, but shrug off car culture and any obligation for drivers like themselves to drive less or drive safer.

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 1d

Yeah, in general we as a society need a robust ability to introspect about how we influence others. Too many people assume they are good so therefore their choices are good, bad people make bad choices, and anybody who gets to do something they can't *even without harming others* is selfish.

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 1d

I'm so sorry about your friend. She deserved better from our society.

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 1d

That bench could have injured a driver crashing into pedestrians on that sidewalk!

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

It doesn't have to be international. Moving from some place very car dependent to less car dependent in the same metro area is also good. For most people that's more constructive than staying for the sake of doing activism. Whatever it is, you can probably do it elsewhere. 2/2

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

many people gave grief to njb for moving instead of driving a car somewhere in North America and doing "activism", but when somebody random does nothing to reduce their crash risk that gets excused because car dependency needs a systemic solution

exit is a generally valid individual choice 1/2

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

yeah that's true, but people who own homes on the land where it would be most socially productive to build car light multiunit housing would have massive financial wins if that were allowed. They want large lots and car dependency to keep poorer people far away. Already rich, don't need more gains.

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

I have many wordy thoughts about kids and cars, thank you for the feedback that I've distilled them for once

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

there were drivers parked on the sidewalk outside of our school yesterday and police around ignoring them, as kids walked between the stationary vehicles and the speeding ones on the street

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

I'd be shocked if seat belts were a dominant factor but seems relevant.

I don't have a good explanation but I think if old men weren't such a high status group (on account of both characteristics) there'd be more publicity, research, and/or action.

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

What does "The Danvers Police responded to the situation" mean? Did they even seize the weapon?

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

The only thing more vulnerable than a child while they are being hit by a driver in a three ton metal box, is a driver's ego if anybody questions their automotive rights.

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

Bizarre degree of confidence. Can you ask if they have personal experience touching multiple pedestrians with their car?

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

yeah that's probably a factor, this can't tell us how much it explains or why they're traveling by car more often

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politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

I can't prove it, only tried articulating my reasoning.

Also, I don't have a good explanation for the peak in old age. I don't think the social norms you've mentioned explain that in particular, but I don't have an alternative.

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

Yeah it's complicated to get from the statistic to understanding reality on many dimensions, I agree there's some of what you describe. Only disagree about that being the biggest source of inaccuracy.

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

If an 80 year old man kills himself in a motor vehicle crash, that'll be accessibly recorded as dying in a motor vehicle crash. If the same driver kills a child walking across the street, the child's death will be recorded but the age of the driver would be hard to aggregate.