Interlude: Dark Ages America Part-7

Continued from Part-6.

10. The topic of Car Culture is discussed in Berman's book as well. He views the American Car Culture, not as a nation deprived of the possibility of other modes of transportation, but rather as the continuation of the Frontier Mentality (except possibly in Alaska). The physical frontier was closed, but the gaps could still be filled in. This situation is the result no (collective) inner frontier. American's are not known for introspection. This condition is reinforced by a fear of change.

I do wonder if something like an aggressive space program would have channeled such mass expansionist instincts along a different path. We'll never know. At this point, the cities and much of rural America would need to be leveled and rebuilt. It can never be willingly abandoned and will inevitably fall.

I would have to add his thesis does help explain the miserable people I have had to deal with while working on this nation's highways. Highway workers hate and fear (with good reason) the motoring public. Many work with the assumption that everyone behind the wheel is insane, inattentive or just plain stupid--often a combination. As a benefit, one will certainly live longer by such lack of trust. As most people spend some time on the road, although possibly not to this extreme, this sort of justified paranoia must eats away at society. One learns to hate from the road. The stink of failure smells like exhaust. Cars suck all life away.

Next.