Comments on: I Might Just Love Expensive Gas http://postgreen.com/2008/05/i-might-just-love-expensive-gas/ Eco-modern homes for the rest of us Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:31:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Nic Darling http://postgreen.com/2008/05/i-might-just-love-expensive-gas/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Nic Darling Thu, 15 May 2008 16:44:44 +0000 http://postgreen.com/2008/05/13/i-might-just-love-expensive-gas/#comment-44 I am urban and carless as well, and this post definitely comes from that position of privilege. As you said Brandon, I feel for those in less flexible positions. However, it seems this sort of lifestyle shift is inevitable, and producing the cause of it artificially may allow us to soften the blow. If we are eventually going to reach the end of our cheap fuel binge, then why not start preparing people for it now? Imagine an end to the suburban sprawl we have been creating since the 50's, the inefficient absurdity of homes that are driving distance from everywhere. Other than benefiting us environmentally, how would it change us culturally? How might the rebirth of entangled, residential and commercial community effect our society? What might localization do to our sense of neighborhood? Hmm . . . I sense another post in the wings. Thanks for stopping in Brandon. The comment is much appreciated. I am urban and carless as well, and this post definitely comes from that position of privilege. As you said Brandon, I feel for those in less flexible positions.

However, it seems this sort of lifestyle shift is inevitable, and producing the cause of it artificially may allow us to soften the blow. If we are eventually going to reach the end of our cheap fuel binge, then why not start preparing people for it now?

Imagine an end to the suburban sprawl we have been creating since the 50′s, the inefficient absurdity of homes that are driving distance from everywhere. Other than benefiting us environmentally, how would it change us culturally? How might the rebirth of entangled, residential and commercial community effect our society? What might localization do to our sense of neighborhood?

Hmm . . . I sense another post in the wings. Thanks for stopping in Brandon. The comment is much appreciated.

]]> By: Brandon http://postgreen.com/2008/05/i-might-just-love-expensive-gas/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Brandon Wed, 14 May 2008 21:37:54 +0000 http://postgreen.com/2008/05/13/i-might-just-love-expensive-gas/#comment-43 Last spring I decided car payments, insurance payments and mostly the rapidly rising cost of gas all suck. They suck even more when you only drive roughly 100 miles a week maximum. So I sold my car and now I ride my bike to work everyday or take the train when the weather isn't very nice. Not only do I save money but I'm in better shape and feel great about not polluting the environment as much. Recently two of the guys I work with started riding their bikes to work as well, one lives out in Willow Grove and the other here in the city. They both cited pretty much the same reasons as me, expensive gas! Plus it'll give them the chance to get in better shape as well. I honestly have no problems with the rising cost of gas. We've been spoiled for too long here in the US with low prices that aren't reflected anywhere else in the world. This will eventually lead to less traffic, less pollution, higher fuel efficiency, less energy dependence, and hopefully a healthier population just to name a few. On another note I do feel terrible though for people that can't easily make the same change I've been able to do. If you don't live in or very near an urban area I don't envision these types of changes being possible for many. Last spring I decided car payments, insurance payments and mostly the rapidly rising cost of gas all suck. They suck even more when you only drive roughly 100 miles a week maximum. So I sold my car and now I ride my bike to work everyday or take the train when the weather isn’t very nice. Not only do I save money but I’m in better shape and feel great about not polluting the environment as much.

Recently two of the guys I work with started riding their bikes to work as well, one lives out in Willow Grove and the other here in the city. They both cited pretty much the same reasons as me, expensive gas! Plus it’ll give them the chance to get in better shape as well.

I honestly have no problems with the rising cost of gas. We’ve been spoiled for too long here in the US with low prices that aren’t reflected anywhere else in the world. This will eventually lead to less traffic, less pollution, higher fuel efficiency, less energy dependence, and hopefully a healthier population just to name a few.

On another note I do feel terrible though for people that can’t easily make the same change I’ve been able to do. If you don’t live in or very near an urban area I don’t envision these types of changes being possible for many.

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