C'mon Now, Alissa

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
05/26/2016 at 17:46 • Filed to: ban cars, safety

I hate seeing everyone on Jalopnik simply jump down the throat of Alissa Walker. Ok, so she thinks the very invention which we hold nearest and dearest is a horrible thing and would like to see it banned in some capacity or another. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, I’m not going to waste my breath name-calling someone with whom I disagree (if that was how I chose to use my time, Alissa would be so far down the list of people that I’d need one of those mine elevators). I am also not surprised that, as she admits that she does not drive and has not for years, she might not be familiar with some of the finer points of driving. Still, in a piece about driver-pedestrian safety, it is alarming that the difference between driving 45mph and 35mph is what !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

would be a nearly imperceptible speed reduction from the driver’s perspective ...

I may not be able to close my eyes and simply feel the exact speed at which my car is driving, but I for one can definitely tell the difference between driving at 45mph and at 35mph. The claim itself is not that concerning, but it does lead me to wonder what else Ms. Walker doesn’t quite understand about driving. It’s not a huge problem because she doesn’t drive, but it demonstrates a lack of understanding of the behavior she’s trying to combat. I wouldn’t try to get college football banned if I thought a 50 yard field goal and a 60 yard field goal were basically the same. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t; I have no idea. I’d want to understand it more first.

TL;DR I took a reasonably well-written article about a very important safety issue and focused on one line I didn’t like, partly due to the author’s stance on cars. Sorry, Alissa.

DISCUSSION (40)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 17:53

“Author’s stance”

Didn’t know she type to own such a vehicle!

Kinja'd!!!

DrJohannVegas > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 17:54

This is some even-tempered Kinja.

#bansm70

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > DrJohannVegas
05/26/2016 at 17:55

FUCK YOU!!!

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 17:56

Yea, that line added a bit of sourness to that article that was otherwise absent.

Of all of her “ban cars” articles, this one actually made the most sense. I mean, it was pretty much common sense in the first place: “less speed equals less death”

I do applaud her for only putting speed in the realm of pedestrian deaths, because as most of us know speeds isn’t exactly what kills when it comes to total motor vehicle deaths.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 17:57

In regards to the whole “20 is plenty” bit, in downtown centres with high pedestrian traffic and high congestion, 20 actually is plenty.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 17:57

100% this, and it’s clear from the comments that a lot of people share your opinion. I commented this on the article, but took a while to be recommended/ungreyed:

I absolutely agree that in areas with lots of cyclists and pedestrians (like city centers), speeds limits should be set at 20mph/30kmh, but stating that the difference between 45 and 35 mph (a speed reduction of nearly 25%) is nearly imperceptible to the driver, is ridiculous, antagonizes drivers and is as such not really helpful to the cause.

I’m actually a proponent of largely car-free city cores (historical, tourist, shopping districts), but I wouldn’t take it that far in an Alissa Walker article, knowing the throwback from FP commenters you can expect.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Flyboy is FAA certified insane
05/26/2016 at 17:58

Agreed on all points.

CRider > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 17:59

No! The infidel must die!

Kinja'd!!!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
05/26/2016 at 18:00

Definitely. I don’t know that 25 is way too fast either, but for pack centers 20 is sufficient.

I was at a business park yesterday with a speed limit of 5. My car exceeds that on flat ground without me touching the gas. That’s walking speed.

AfromanGTO > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 18:02

If you hit and injure a person with a car they can sue you, but they can’t sue you if they are dead. Plus the insuarance companies don’t have to pay as much for a death than an injury. It is sad, but my insuarance broker friends tell me this all of the time.

Future next gen S2000 owner > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 18:04

It is much better to see her name, any article mentioning cars, people, driving, cities, mobilization, uber, puppies, engines, pollution, the elderly, unicorns, bigfoots bigfeet samquatches sasquatches, and motoring and avoid that article at all costs.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 18:05

Yeah, 5 is ridiculous.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Future next gen S2000 owner
05/26/2016 at 18:06

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHahahahahhahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH

AHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

HammerheadFistpunch > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 18:08

having spent the last week for at least 5 hours a day between the speeds of 35 and 45...and I tell you there is a large difference.

Svend > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 18:10

I’ve not had any issues with Alissa per sai and I may read some of her work before clicking away as is my perogative as a reading to her’s as a writer but I can’t get my head round why write about banning cars on what is essentially a car based site. That would be like me going to a car cleaning forum and saying ‘don’t clean your car, there’s no point, your only wasting time and money’. I don’t go onto Jezebel when they are doing a piece on make overs and say ‘why use all that make up, it’s a waste of money’.

Or is the idea that we end up getting annoyed by something which then generates more comments and more clicks.

((wait, I think I’ve answerred my own question))

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > HammerheadFistpunch
05/26/2016 at 18:16

DrJohannVegas > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 18:19

Heh. There ya go!

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > AfromanGTO
05/26/2016 at 18:19

Taken to the extreme in China: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_…

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Svend
05/26/2016 at 18:20

Or is the idea that we end up getting annoyed by something which then generates more comments and more clicks.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/26/2016 at 18:24

That is fucking terrifying.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 18:30

It didn’t seem possible, but it somehow kept getting worse throughout the article. The acquitting of those drivers is appalling.

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
05/26/2016 at 18:31

in SF financial district at rush hour... 20 is 10 to many...

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > Svend
05/26/2016 at 18:32

honestly, sometimes i think shes just playing devils advocate so kinja has some commenter activity...

debate bait

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/26/2016 at 18:34

shes should have said “average driver”.

because i feel like, if you are reading jalopnik, and oppo, you are already in the “above average driver” percentile....

Decay buys too many beaters > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 18:36

Did I miss today’s walkathon?

*I did!, still not getting a click though, since she never replies to ANY comments she is not worth my time.

BigBlock440 > Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud
05/26/2016 at 18:43

Doesn’t matter, even to the below average driver it would be very perceptible.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud
05/26/2016 at 18:46

The average driver might have difficulties sensing the difference between 75 and 85 mph, but I’d say that if you don’t notice the difference between 35 and 45 mph, you might be better off riding the bus or getting some more driver training, to prevent hurting someone.

just-a-scratch > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/26/2016 at 18:51

That's shocking. That article seems so extreme, I am obligated not to take it at face value. This is something I just have trouble believing. What other evidence is out there about this?

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > just-a-scratch
05/26/2016 at 18:58

Did some further digging and according to Snopes it’s unproven: http://www.snopes.com/chinese-driver…

I really hope it’s exaggerated, would be horrifying if true.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 19:07

Alissa Walker, World’s Greenest Troll.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > just-a-scratch
05/26/2016 at 19:09

On the other hand you’ve got videos like the ones linked in this article: http://chinadivide.com/2010/chinese-d… (but, as is mentioned there, in the one that clearly shows the incident, no intent is clear)

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/26/2016 at 19:20

I dunno, ive ridden with plenty of non car people, and non enthusiasts who are oblivious to such things...

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > BigBlock440
05/26/2016 at 19:21

ive ridden with some pretty oblivious people, you would be surprised

Matt Nichelson > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 19:27

On a side note, omg that ‘56 Caddy Superior is amazing!!!!

NJAnon > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 19:28

Wait, she is sending out articles on driving while not having driven herself for years? How does she transport around to do errands and stuff that is farther than 10miles away from her house?

Is she just shock clicks for Gizmodo?

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud
05/26/2016 at 19:28

Might be because your speed limits are more apart? Over here (Belgium), we’ve got 50 kmh in town and mostly 70 out of it (120 on motorways), which almost corresponds to 35-45, so most people here are very aware of both speeds.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > NJAnon
05/26/2016 at 19:43

1. Her husband has a car, and she lives in a big city with lots of public transit (SanFran or something I think). She has answered that question many times no doubt but I can’t remember what she said.

2. Eh, depends who you ask. That’s definitely part of it, though. She has some good points, but her overlying theme that cars make everything terrible and are purely bad and we should get rid of them...well, let’s just say I’m not ready to side with that.

NJAnon > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/26/2016 at 20:04

Well, I’m not going to do the “calling the kettle black” on her. I’ll say that if she is so adamant in her articles then do so without the “all or nothing” tone.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Future next gen S2000 owner
05/26/2016 at 20:29

Has she not heard of a speed limit?

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/27/2016 at 12:11

I think it has a lot to do with the way cars are made today.

The greenhouses are smaller, the cars are quieter, more comfortable, have better stereos, and block out more road noise. Newer cars kind of desensitise you from the feeling of the road, as compared to older cars...