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I'm especially interested in hearing from people who have lived in both types of places, as I have.
Personally, I think when you live in a big city it becomes very clear to you that your quality of life is dependent on the people around you. That if there are a lot of homeless/poor people it tends to bring more crime. I also think you see the poverty and you want to do something about it. Whereas when you live in a small town you are insulated from diverse economic situations and it becomes more of a "I don't see any problem around me so it must not be there" kind of situation. What do you think?
Because in cities there are way too many people to know each of them personally. Therefore, the people in the city become a statistic and a resource to be exploited. Conversely, with the lack of land in cities, they see it as precious and needing protection.
In rural areas, communities are more closely knit. Taking from Jim who worked hard to grow his body shop to give money to Bill who sits in front of the library and drinks all day is simply rewarding Bill for his destructive behavior. In contrast, land is plentiful. When you can look out your window and see 10,000 acres of untouched wilderness, building an oil rig on 2 acres doesn't seem so bad.
Those are just a couple examples, but there is definitely different perceptions in city versus country life. My coworkers don't see anything wrong with "taxing the rich," because they can't identify with "rich people." But when President Obama eliminates the Bush tax cuts, their taxes are going to increase, and they will find out what "taxing the rich" really means.
Great thread!
People living in larger cities usually have access to better education and may be exposed to more "worldly" (some may say "liberal") views, which helps them be more tolerant and open minded, IMO.
I should add: I've lived in both areas. There are good/bad points to both.
Personally, I think when you live in a big city it becomes very clear to you that your quality of life is dependent on the people around you. That if there are a lot of homeless/poor people it tends to bring more crime. I also think you see the poverty and you want to do something about it. Whereas when you live in a small town you are insulated from diverse economic situations and it becomes more of a "I don't see any problem around me so it must not be there" kind of situation. What do you think?
Think you nailed it. As a former city person now in a small town 200 miles from a truly diverse city and 100 miles from a somewhat diverse college, I think you sum up reasons for the differences very well.
I can tell you never lived in a city. You don't think neighborhoods in cities have close knit people? I lived in three small towns, and neighborhoods in Philly, Denver, and Pittsburgh. They all had people with values. My neighborhood I live in now is my favorite neighborhood ever.
Your post sounded full of ignorance. I am one of those people who want to save those last remaining acres of wilderness also. I can't drive throughout PA without seeing more and more sprawling junk going up on once untouched land. Republicans will never ever once support smart growth, but this is a argument for a different reason.
Oh ffs. Because I propose something that isn't based on the idea that "Republicans are stupid rednecks and hate black people" I'm "full of ignorance"?
What I said is that the whole population in the country is more integrated than in the city. Yeah, you've got a neighborhood of 1000 people who you know very well in the city. But when there's 3 million people in the city, it is easy to dehumanize the other 2.999 million people.
You're exactly the type of city dweller I'm talking about. "I can't drive throughout PA without seeing more and more sprawling junk going up on once untouched land." You're missing the millions of acres of untouched lands which are not adjacent highways. You have no concept of the amount of pristine wilderness we have in this country. That's because you live in the city, and land is much more precious in the city than in the country.
Great thread!
People living in larger cities usually have access to better education and may be exposed to more "worldly" (some may say "liberal") views, which helps them be more tolerant and open minded, IMO.
I should add: I've lived in both areas. There are good/bad points to both.
Uh, graduation rates in the suburbs are much higher than that than those in the cities. Not sure how you can quantify a "better" education.
In the city people care a lot about their neighborhoods and institutions that government gives them...
Pretty much describes the urban liberal mindset. The thought that government GIVES anything to anyone is abhorrent to folks who live in rural areas and were raised to provide for themselves. It is the difference of dependent and independent.
Independent people are happy to live and let live. Dependent people tend to resent those who don't join the herd.
Rural- Religion, Tradition, news comes from neighbors.
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