[udkl]

> there’s no way we’d stop navigation on Google maps, find an off ramp, make a left turn through busy traffic, then search for a parking spot… just to casually browse for stuff

That's probably why the concept of malls is popular in the US. Get to a single shopping destination and walk around the complex for variety.

[asdff]

It's like, you hollow out your town making it as efficient as possible to leave rather than spend any amount of time. So then you have to build this artificial downtown where you actually can have that interaction space, because you destroyed your original interaction spaces. Only the more insidious problem with this is how malls suddenly control the entrants. Notice how most malls are filled with major chains who can actually afford the rent on these sprawling retail spaces rather than small owner-operated businesses like what used to make up these interaction spaces around the main street or square in these small towns. Plus you can't exactly add a shop to this mall. It's one giant hulking thing. Whereas back in the day, if you lived near the town and wanted to open a shop, you might have built one yourself in the setback in front of your house.