comparison shopping

[isomorphisms]

A neighbour put up a sign in the lobby asking if anyone was willing to rent him a parking spot. I don't have a car, so I figured I'd take advantage of the chance for what basically amounts to free money. I called the neighbour, who told me that he'd already gotten another offer. Oh well, I thought - but then he asked where my spot was, and said

Comments

[daproofpimp]

I have had friends offer to drive me 100 meters. I think it's a state of mind.

[isomorphisms]

Come to think of it, my parents have done that. The neighbour is probably from the suburbs.

[clipdude]

Part of the problem is that suburbs are sometimes designed to make even short walks dangerous or impractical. My fiancée lives in a suburb of Chicago, and there is a large big-box store about 600 m away. However, to get to this store on foot requires crossing a large parking lot with absolutely no pedestrian infrastructure. (For example, the roads leading in and out of the parking lot have no sidewalks.) Living in such settings makes people think of driving as a default transportation choice, even for short distances.

[isomorphisms]

Oh, yeah, and I remember a brief visit to Phoenix, where a trip from A to B (< 1 km) was impossible without getting on a freeway. Madness.

[gaffetheorist]

My theory: dude's building a Batman-style tunnel so that he can walk into a closet and slide down directly into his car. Location matters for that kind of engineering project.

[isomorphisms]

Your ideas are intriguing, and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[madcaptenor]

Maybe one of the spots is in the shade? Or not near the dumpster?

[isomorphisms]

Parking lot is underground. Dumpster is outside.