Image transcript:
The “we are not the same” meme template, but here it says, “You want dense, walkable, transit-oriented cities because you love the vibrancy and convenience of urban life. I want dense, walkable, transit-oriented cities because I don’t want endless suburbs to encroach on the peace and tranquility of rural life. We are natural allies.”
People are telling you your mind is different. It’s not. I enjoy visiting cities because I enjoy seeing and experiencing that. But I wouldn’t want to live there. It’s like you step outside your door and you are constantly seen, so you must act appropriately. You can’t fully relax that way.
I enjoy backpacking because of the solitude and closeness with nature. I enjoy more rural housing (not crazy rural… maybe an acre per home) for that same reason. I also don’t want to worry I’m bothering the neighbors inside my own home if I walk too loudly, or am watching a movie.
Lemmy loves compact cities and I see the arguments, but maybe you’d have had to grow up in one to really appreciate it.
I’m glad somebody gets it. Seeing and hearing other people and being seen and heard by them is uncomfortable for me.
Though an acre per house is still way, way, way too urban for me. My favorite home was over a mile down a dirt road and so far from anyone I didn’t see any other houses.
That felt safe.
Wait but this doesn’t necessarily mean you disagree with the post? You can still be a pastralist and support dense cities as a way to preserve rural areas which is what the post implies…
Totally. But there’s lots of urbanists out there who think I’m crazy for not wanting to see other people.