Ankles Quote by P. J. O'Rourke
“We're told cars are wasteful. Wasteful of what? Oil did a lot of good sitting in the ground for millions of years. We're told cars should be replaced with mass transportation. But it's hard to reach the drive through window at McDonald's from a speeding train. And we're told cars cause pollution. A hundred years ago city streets were ankle deep in horse excrement. What kind of pollution do you want? Would you rather die of cancer at eighty or typhoid fever at nine?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Car Conundrum”, 1995
Cars are criticized for waste, yet historical pollution and practicality show complexity in environmental choices.
In simple terms: Cars have pros and cons; blame is simplistic.
Key Takeaway
Weigh benefits against environmental impact.
Themes
environment
transportation
history
Mood
satirical
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- personal travel decisions
- environmental education
Key Concepts
sustainability
urban planning
Questions to Reflect On
- What trade‑offs are you willing to accept?
- How can we improve transport sustainably?
A Different Perspective
Transitioning to alternatives is challenging.
