Thread by @ianwalker, Okay, I've just seen the term "anti-car" used again, so let's talk [...]

Ian Walker

ianwalker

Okay, I& #39;ve just seen the term "anti-car" used again, so let& #39;s talk about the term and why I& #39;m anti-using-it (THREAD)

Used originally to try and shut down debate, the term has become normalised, to the extent people discussing traffic reduction will often say "Of course, I& #39;m not anti-car! But..."

So what& #39;s the problem? Well, let& #39;s say I suggest excessive urban traffic is a problem and you accuse me of being anti-car. At this point, I could ask you how you feel about, let& #39;s say, knives.

"Are you anti-knife?" I might ask. "Because if so, why don& #39;t you care about all the cooks and chefs? Why do you want to close down the entire catering industry, which cannot possibly operate without knives?"

"I& #39;m not anti-knife," you say. "People who cook clearly need knives."

"So you& #39;re pro-knife?" I ask. "But don& #39;t you realise knives are often used as weapons? Do you support young people being killed in the street?"

And at this point, you& #39;re very likely to say "You& #39;re deliberately over-simplifying things! I& #39;m not pro-knife and I& #39;m not anti-knife - I just think knives should be used responsibly." To which, of course, we all say "EXACTLY".

So let& #39;s drop the term anti-car, shall we?

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