[sustran] Is E.B. patronizing, offensive, heavy handed and counter-productive? Re: Driving in Bangalore / India -

[Daryl Oster]

> Original Message From: Eric Britton
> Subject: [sustran] Driving in Bangalore / India - patronizing,
> offensive,heavy handed and counter-productive
> 
> No, not "excellent" at all. Sorry but I do not think this is very funny.
> It does no good and illuminates nothing useful
> 

Eric, the piece is a very good observation of reality, and I agree with you
that while good, it is not excellent.  The piece IS funny, and it is
illuminating, to be useful and therefore "excellent", there must be some
suggestions at possible improvement.  To point out a problem without
suggesting a solution is complaining.  

 
> To the contrary I find it patronizing, offensive, heavy handed and
> counter-productive. (After all we are here for a reason, aren't we? Or is
> it all about guffawing at the feckless 'natives' for their primitive ways?
> Someone help me here.) .

Complaining is a good start, you seem quite good at complaining about cars!
(and you forget they are hear for many good reasons) Your complaint of the
few problems of cars is a good start, AND you also suggest what you believe
to be a "solution".  IMO, the "solution" you suggest (car-free cities) is
"patronizing, offensive, heavy handed, and counter-productive ... <and is>
all about guffawing at the feckless 'natives' for their primitive ways".

 
> I do not think that this alpha, rather puerile and distinctly uncultured
> piece belongs here. I see it as a dinner piece for a group of hearty
> guffawing colonials after their fifth beer.
> 
> (I guess that some of you are not going to invite me to your next white
> man's party, eh?)

To you self incriminating list, we may now add "racist", and "presumptuous".



> 
> Eric Britton (And here I am pleased to give anyone who does not like what
> I say here my full contact information so that you can mail, call or come
> here and look me in the eye and tell me what you think of me and my views.
> I live on the fifth floor, door to the right of the elevator.
> With all good wishes
> Eric Britton

Eric,
One of the things I most respect about you is do not hide your contact
information; that is a mark of integrity often lacking in forums of this
type.  I hope you have the courage there in your fifth floor Paris apartment
to look yourself in the mirror and examine how your words and actions might
appear to the "feckless 'natives'" that you are attempting to cure from
"their primitive ways" from afar by taking away their cars, while you enjoy
yours.

BTW, I thought Alan's comment about the lack of use of mirrors was
brilliant!

My suggestion for improving the "problem" aptly pointed out in the
well-written and honest piece you object to is:

The solutions are education AND strict enforcement of reasoned rules, and
this must be of vehicle users of all types AND pedestrians.  I believe (but
offer no proof) that if ALL traffic on a few representational streets,
alleys, sidewalks, etc. in the city were to be strictly and completely
enforced at ALL times to observe the law, that the users of the orderly
street would quickly learn that it is in their best interests to obey
reasoned rules even where they are not strictly enforced. 

Research shows that to reach a critical mass, it only takes about 1 or 2
percent adoption of a new way that is better for most people.  The problem I
see with your "car free" solution is that it seeks to go against what is in
the best interest of most people -- and this has already been proven, as
what you are really suggesting is to return to the old way of trains,
busses, and bikes that is no longer sustainable against the superior value
of car and airplane transportation.  What puzzles me, and many other
transportation experts is why you object to solutions (like ETT) that offer
greater transportation value than cars and jets, without their problems of
lack of energy and environmental sustainability; AND without the even
greater sustainability problems associated with muscle powered and train
transport.   

Best regards,

Daryl Oster
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