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The slow death of purposeless walking (2014)

bbc.co.uk

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Re: The slow death of purposeless walking (2014)

#161

Post by swah »

MicroBerto wrote: post #153
swah wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree. I'd love to swim in the ocean, if I lived near it. (Of course, devising a way to safely swim alone)

I'm an accomplished ocean swimmer too, but now live in Texas. I will say that ocean swimming is a completely different ballgame, and you need to be far more on your toes. For me, it's not a "thinking man's" sport out there. It's a "get out of this fast and alive" and keep an eye on my line of sight sport. But if you're a swimmer, I do encourage open water swimming if you want a good rush. Exhilarating. Wear a bright…

Are you talking about sharks?

I was thinking about tying myself to a rescue buoy. A bright colored cap is a great idea.

(Actually, swimming in ponds is probably much easier)

Re: The slow death of purposeless walking (2014)

#162

Post by iopq »

Tenhundfeld wrote: post #135
iopq wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's pretty much dead in the suburbs. I only see people with dogs and babies. At this point it gains an aim and ceases being aimless.

I'll accept your point about walking a dog, as it's often functional, i.e., just long enough to let them pee or poop, and the walker is often glued to their phone. But why does strolling a baby or walking with a child necessarily "gain an aim"? I'm asking because much of my walking is with my 2yo daughter, and I'd classify it as aimless walking. We'll just stroll around our neighborhood, taking whatever path strikes…

You can say you're walking your child. I want to see people just walking for relaxation.

Re: The slow death of purposeless walking (2014)

#163

Post by vram22 »

dalke wrote: post #158
vram22 wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>walking across the United States Long back I had read an article or series in National Geographic about an American who did that - walked from coast to coast. Great story.

Probably https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_Across_America : > Walk Across America is a nonfiction travel book first published in 1979. It was the first book written by travel author Peter Jenkins, with support from the National Geographic Society. The book depicts his journey from Alfred, New York to New Orleans, Louisiana. While upon his journey of self-discovery, he surmounted the travails of travel, engaged him…

Cool. I think it is the same person.

Re: The slow death of purposeless walking (2014)

#164

Post by jcadam »

johnchristopher wrote: post #152
jcadam wrote: post #67

Two years ago, I moved from Northern VA to the Florida coast. My house is about 4 blocks from the beach. The wife and I have taken to going on longish walks along the beach after dinner (or even just around the neighborhood on occasion). I'm usually lost in thought, so not much conversation happens, but I enjoy the walks. In NOVA, we lived in a fairly dense townhouse development with significant vehicle traffic and g…

How long is your commute (if you have any) ?

15-20 minutes :)

Re: The slow death of purposeless walking (2014)

#165

Post by vram22 »

dalke wrote: post #158
vram22 wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>walking across the United States Long back I had read an article or series in National Geographic about an American who did that - walked from coast to coast. Great story.

Probably https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_Across_America : > Walk Across America is a nonfiction travel book first published in 1979. It was the first book written by travel author Peter Jenkins, with support from the National Geographic Society. The book depicts his journey from Alfred, New York to New Orleans, Louisiana. While upon his journey of self-discovery, he surmounted the travails of travel, engaged him…

I read that Wikipedia page you linked to, and others linked from it. Interesting stuff. The info about "The Farm" :) (where Jenkins stayed for a while) and "The Publishing Company" run by The Farm made for nice reading about alternative / appropriate tech, etc. People were doing this years ago. I've mentioned this in a few forums, about people like E. F. Schumacher. Done a bit of it myself, like biogas plants, organic gardening, etc.

Re: The slow death of purposeless walking (2014)

#166

Post by awesomerobot »

iopq wrote: post #92
awesomerobot wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The aimless walk seems alive and well in most of the major cities I've been to. Get up before noon and talk a walk and the streets are filled with people strolling along with babies, walking dogs, or just hanging out with someone.

It's pretty much dead in the suburbs. I only see people with dogs and babies. At this point it gains an aim and ceases being aimless.

There's a lot to be said about the poor design of suburbs.
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