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Ask HN: As a person, what can I do to improve a city?

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Re: Ask HN: As a person, what can I do to improve a city?

#321

Post by refurb »

hamilyon2 wrote: post #319
refurb wrote: post #288

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. When you're an educated, middle class white person, it's easy to say "ditch the car! just get a place near transit. makes it easy to ride downtown to your office job". What about the poor people who can't afford to live near transit? Or have jobs nowhere near transit? A car is often a requirement for them. And sure, maybe they can take a bus with a couple transfers, but then their commute goes from 45 mins t…

Clearly, millions of middle-class Japanese people get by perfectly without a car. Eastern Europe and Russia is not as rich, of course, but too could be example of huge territory with millions of people living whole their lives without car ownership.

But America isn't Japan or Eastern Europe.

Sure, redo all the public transit and then you can start asking people to ditch cars. But until then, you're handicapping them.

Re: Ask HN: As a person, what can I do to improve a city?

#322

Post by arnoooooo »

bpt3 wrote: post #38
Eric_WVGG wrote: post #6

Would you mind linking to the list you’re referring to? My off-the-cuff thought was, “join Transportation Alternatives and push for more bike lanes, public transit, etc.”, as I see automobiles as one of the most significant dangers to both urban areas and even the planet. But when I google "ten most dangerous cities," they seem to list places whose danger is more poverty-driven.

Automobiles (and their drivers) kill, maim, or injure significantly fewer people than intentionally aggressive individuals in major cities. For example, in 2017 there were 343 murders in Baltimore [0] (which I knew would be on the list before looking for one) vs. 38 fatalities due to car accidents [1]. Here's an example of a list: https://www.statista.com/statistics/217685/most-dangerous-ci... These lists are based o…

People driving instead of walking or bicycling will be in poorer health, so you'd have to account for that as well, plus the consequences of air pollution, stress from noise, etc.

Re: Ask HN: As a person, what can I do to improve a city?

#324

Post by Jochim »

refurb wrote: post #321
hamilyon2 wrote: post #319

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Clearly, millions of middle-class Japanese people get by perfectly without a car. Eastern Europe and Russia is not as rich, of course, but too could be example of huge territory with millions of people living whole their lives without car ownership.

But America isn't Japan or Eastern Europe. Sure, redo all the public transit and then you can start asking people to ditch cars. But until then, you're handicapping them.

The op that started this didn't suggest people just ditch their cars. He suggested they try to improve their transportation infrastructure to make other modes of transport more of an option.

Re: Ask HN: As a person, what can I do to improve a city?

#326

Post by santa_boy »

Great question. I'm biased that poverty is the root of lots of evil and danger.

Creating opportunities via employment, skills and social peace are my recommended ways of approaching the problem.

I am not sure about the scale you wish for. In my tiny world view, I would be very happy to take classes, skill workshops and collaborate with institutions to help develop employability.

Re: Ask HN: As a person, what can I do to improve a city?

#327

Post by adictator »

PopeDotNinja wrote: post #186
bko wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> When you have a strong network of neighbors and a little bit of cash, you can ramp up investment by cleaning up dirty corners and getting the basic services that a neighborhood is missing. I don't think you need a network to begin cleaning up dirty corners. Just pick up garbage you see on the street when you walk around. It has an immediate impact, is easy and doesn't cost anything. Other people may see it and may…

Just put a Buddha statue on the corner! https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-11-19/how-buddhist-shrine-t...

Iconoclasts would have a field day with that.

Re: Ask HN: As a person, what can I do to improve a city?

#328

Post by spodek »

mistermann wrote: post #311
spodek wrote: post #296

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recently passed day 1,300 of picking up at least one piece of trash per day. It's not my only civic contribution, but it's deeply rewarding. I've also switched from jogging to plogging. Some results: It's gotten me on TV a couple times. It's led to working with my city councilman, whose team recently started organizing group pickups. Someone considering a Senate run contacted me for advice on sustainability. I'm wo…

Any anecdotes from the drug dealer conversations you wouldn't mind sharing? They must have a bit of a unique take on things.

No meaningful anecdotes since we mostly just talk.

Typical topics:

- They ask why I do it

- They tell me how the others are at the ends of their ropes but that I couldn't understand that situation without being there

- They call me good a lot.

- They tell me how others litter but never themselves.

- They tell me I should use gloves (I don't because I'm avoiding creating more trash)

- They tell me how the people who are supposed to clean don't clean that well

- Of course, they ask if I want to buy drugs or at least buy them dinner from a food truck

None of them ask me about my life, my values, etc. No meaningful connections. Just chit-chat. We'll see if things evolve.

Re: Ask HN: As a person, what can I do to improve a city?

#329

Post by spodek »

thadk wrote: post #307
spodek wrote: post #296

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recently passed day 1,300 of picking up at least one piece of trash per day. It's not my only civic contribution, but it's deeply rewarding. I've also switched from jogging to plogging. Some results: It's gotten me on TV a couple times. It's led to working with my city councilman, whose team recently started organizing group pickups. Someone considering a Senate run contacted me for advice on sustainability. I'm wo…

Along similar lines, our open source React Native app at Code for Boston for iOS and Android is in beta testing from the last several years of work: https://github.com/codeforboston/plogalong – if there is interest I think there is some sort of UDID-oriented URL they can send you to load on your phone. Accepting new contributors on Tuesday nights ET.

Glad to see the project but not sure how I would use it. I'm friends with the founder of Litterati, but even that app is too much trouble for me to use. I don't bring a phone when I plog.

Still, I value tracking since it's fun and I think would motivate people. If my experience or practice can help, I'd be happy to.

Re: Ask HN: As a person, what can I do to improve a city?

#330

Post by welcome_dragon »

Vote. If people are in office for years and years with no change, vote them out. They are not helping anyone but themselves. Vote for new people with new ideas. Canvas for those people. Get involved in politics yourself. Encourage others to vote.

Sure, economics (and everything related) are probably a major factor in most of these cities, but in my opinion, politics is a huge factor as well and most likely influences politics.

Many politicians say they are going to fix problems but just throw money at things, hope for the best, and wonder why things aren't better (or play the blame game).

Also, do some beautification and encourage others to do so. Maybe start a grassroots effort to clean up a park, a street, remove graffiti, whatever. Make the world physically a better place.

Vote for lower taxes, especially for small businesses. Let people open a corner store or restaurant but give them a chance to grow.

Just my $0.02

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