BIKE: Re: Sound like a bunch of BS to me!

[Joe Moore]

Dave Wrote;

> I believe Mr. Moore is expressing a deep, maybe even
> genetic, human pre-disposition to seek a buffer
> between self and neighbors, preferably as large as
> possible.  

You have made very generic assumptions based on the general 
statement that I made. You do not have enough information 
regarding the basis and motivations for my comments.
You just generalize about the nature of "many animals" in order 
to write about your perceptions and assumptions you have 
learned at some point in your education/readings concerning
human nature.

> His words remind me of what I observe about
> the nature of many (all?) animals: to establish a home
> base and defend its perimeter from competitors,
> predators and other surprises.  I believe we all have
> this instinct, whether we admit it or not. 
> Fortunately, humans don't try to bite the mail carrier
> when he (mine's a he) enters our space, but dogs do,
> because they're responding to that instinct.  Humans
> are supposed to know better and act rationally.

I am glad that it just "reminds me" rather than stating this as fact.
Otherwise I would think you are a real wacko!

> In the past, humans were either spread out loners or
> congregated in towns and cities, but this was due to
> economic necessity, not preference.  Today, people
> forget we have so many choices that people in the past
> didn't have.  They had to make do.  When people have a
> choice, they sprawl.  Certainly cheap gasoline, cheap
> land and plenty of roads help tip the scale in favor
> of the sprawl choice.  But I believe the ferocity of
> the defense of the sprawl "way of life" reveals the
> deep seated nature of its pull on us.

Blah, blah, blah.  Rhetoric that anybody with half a brain knows 
who has watched documentaries on the Discovery channel, 
or taken any classes on the history of man.

> Some of us on this list might make choices that appear
> to invalidate this claim, by choosing to live in the
> city.  But I would counter that these people (me
> included) still seek the largest house or apartment we
> can find that also satisfies our other priorities,
> such as ecological balance or what have you.

I won't attempt to invalidate your claims.  Your comments are just to
general regarding the complexities of why people do what they do, and 
live where they live in today's society!
 
> Transportation economics have made it feasible to
> sprawl and I believe it will continue until the
> economics change.

Duh! This is part of what millions of people in our nation have worked 
hard to achieve and maintain in our great nation!  You don't think 
that Bush or Kerry want to live in an appartment do you? 
They may own some for concenience or an investment, but take a
look at how they live and get a clue as to how the majority of the 
people in our nation want/are conditioned to, want to live. 

> Check out "The Spirit in the Gene" by Reginald
> Morrison for more on the theory of genetic-based
> behaviors and ecology.

Been there, read part of it in 2000, before losing interest. 
He should have stuck to writing about Australia!

Joe