Saturday, February 9, 2013

Snowstorms, Cars, Stockholm Syndrome

So, Boston got a little snow today. After over 12 years in Boston, this is the first winter where I haven't relied on my car for day-to-day transportation. I can take the bus to the subway to get to school, and even yoga. We also live 1/2 mile from two grocery stores. So this morning I woke up and realized that while yes, my husband and I would clear our cars off and clear our driveway, my existence does not depend on these things right now. That's a pretty good feeling.
Our cars, after the snowstorm
In between shoveling spells, I'm furthering my thesis research, and reading about mindful city planning. I encountered a great blog, Walkable Dallas-Fort Worth. The author notes the following:

"The American love affair with the car...it's an awful lot like Stockholm Syndrome."

It occurs to me today how true that is. People tend to think of cars as their liberation, but on a day like today, it seems that not needing to rely on a car is true freedom. The car and the lack of urban planning that necessitates it is a captive force, not a liberating one. Don't believe what Chevy et. al. might tell you.


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