Gas station Quote by Edward Abbey
““Old foot trails may be neglected, back-country ranger stations left unmanned, and interpretive and protective services inadequately staffed, but the administrators know from long experience that millions for asphalt can always be found; Congress is always willing to appropriate money for more and bigger paved roads, anywhere—particularly if they form loops. Loop drives are extremely popular with the petroleum industry—they bring the motorist right back to the same gas station from which he started.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey, 1968
The quote critiques how authorities prioritize road building over preserving natural trails, driven by industry and political interests.
In simple terms: Officials favor paving roads over protecting trails.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for protecting natural spaces.
Themes
environment
politics
infrastructure
conservation
industry
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
policy
environmental commentary
When to use this quote
- planning hikes
- advocacy
- policy debates
- community education
Key Concepts
public policy
environmental ethics
resource allocation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance access with preservation?
- What alternatives exist to endless road building?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize and ignore necessary infrastructure.
![“On my way out of [Atlantic City] at quarter after seven in the morning, a young pump jockey at the gas station [...] mentioned that another man had lost $20,000 at Trop World a few hours earlier and had to be dragged out of the casino kicking and screaming. I asked if this happened a lot. "Man,"…” quote by James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/601/james-howard-kunstler-2886_another-man_on-my-way-out-of-atlantic-city-at-quarte_118435.jpg)
