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There are numerous devices for which the typical individual can function well in society without making direct use of them. Skillsaws, 737-MAX airliners, full Linux server distros, and home flourine refining labs among them. Automobiles, after a century-plus of integration and mutual reinforcement of the built infrastructure and virtually all aspects of life, commerce, government, employment, recreation, education, etc., are not amongst these. It is possible, usually within narrow environments and/or with considerable compromise, to survive without owning, using, or access to one. It is exceedingly difficult, and the net household ownership rates within the US and most other Western / Industrialised countries, reveals this. The standards are different. Incidentally: I agree with your premise regarding the unacceptability of manufacuters' apparent self-driving cutout behaviours. No, this is not remotely acceptable. |
Looking at Asia, it's definitely possible not to own a car in Japan, and the ridership numbers for the Tokyo trains show this. Even rural areas have some kind of public transportation, either through trains or local buses.