this post was submitted on 20 May 2026
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[–] M137@lemmy.today 19 points 1 day ago

This is very American, in a bad way (I guess there's no good way that can be). There are so many ways you can clear your mind and driving around is easily one of the worst. It costs you money, you have a negative effect on the environment, you can easily hurt both your and others etc. It's so fucking dumb.

[–] DupaCycki@lemmy.world 38 points 1 day ago (1 children)

When the therapist tells you to go on walks, but you're American.

[–] FatVegan@leminal.space 3 points 1 day ago

You should go outside more.

Sits in a car, drives to a mall. Now what?

[–] xav@programming.dev 24 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Burning fuel just to "clear your mind" ?

Fuck you.

[–] NottaLottaOcelot@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 day ago

Going for a drive was a legit family outing 40 years ago. I don’t think personal carbon emissions were on the average mind in the 80s, as we all thought the problem would be solved with electrifying things over the next 20 years. It was a time of more trust in the government’s role in doing good - we watched CFCs get banned due to a hole in the ozone layer. I don’t think anyone expected the world’s solution to the fossil fuel problem was to bury our heads in the sand while we circle the drain.

[–] Dyskolos@lemmy.zip 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yeah why not? Why have a fun car to only go shopping with it? If you deem that a "legitimate interest".

I'm pretty sure you too are fucking nature up in some way or another. Got kids? Pets? Eat meat? Import bananas? Live in society? Then kindly shut up Mr. Goody mc2shoes.

If living in the forest with bare minimal ecological footprint? Sorry, I am dirt. I look up to you but am too weak to follow.

[–] sydd@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

Something to focus on here is how minimal an impact it makes compared to pollution by corporations.

[–] Napster153@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Why doesn't she just exploit the shit out of her thoughts with high rent? Is she stupid?

Oh wait, they removed the Education Department in advanced for this.

[–] tensorpudding@lemmy.world 87 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Walking is much healthier if you can.

[–] Malyca@lemmy.zip 2 points 13 hours ago

You're talking about 'Muricans here

[–] Ceruleum@lemmy.wtf 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Just don't cross the stroad.

[–] Fmstrat@lemmy.world 2 points 21 hours ago

Crossing a stroad isn't too bad. Turning on or off one, however...

[–] danhab99@programming.dev 33 points 2 days ago (6 children)

I heard of a phenomenon where babies fall asleep in cars so people used to drive around their cars to put their babies to sleep.

I know a baby's night's sleep is priceless but how much does it actually price for?

[–] thejml@sh.itjust.works 13 points 2 days ago

When I was a parent of a child that fit that age group, I'd have easily spent $5-10 some nights... exhaustion is real.

My kid didn't really fall asleep THAT easy though.

[–] arrow74@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If you drive a reasonable mileage car of about 25-30 mpg then a quick 30 minute drive should cost about a gallon of gas. Should be enough to get the baby to sleep. So would a new parent pay $5ish to sleep? If they have the money absolutely.

Of course once you start getting into the stupidly large vehicles that are 12 mpg the math starts to shift

[–] Hadriscus@jlai.lu 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That's so weird to wrap my head around, over here we use a reversed ratio for mileage: number of liters per 100km. So the lower the number, the better the mileage

[–] Damage@feddit.it 1 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

It wasn't always so, the first fuel consumption gauges I had on my vehicles were in km/l, which is a much better metric. L/100km is a dirty trick invented by car manufacturers in my opinion.

[–] Drusas@fedia.io 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Apparently my sister would often scream all night until she was taken for a car ride. We were poor, too, so gas was precious even back then. Remember--our cars got under 20mpg. It added up quickly.

[–] wieson@feddit.org 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

20mpg is 11,7 l/100km which is double that of a "normal" car

[–] waz@feddit.uk 2 points 2 days ago

I assume that’s a US mpg to L/100km it looks more generous than my average 12.7L/100 on a VR6 VAG engine, it’s doing about 22 UK mpg. (35UK/30US on the motorway/highway)

[–] VieuxQueb@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I was one of those babies, my mom would call my dad (divorced) to drive me around the block to make me fall asleep. I did not get my license until I was 45, the first time I took a drive just for fun, I instantly felt the calmness envelope me. It's like all my troubles were staying quiet suddenly. I have AuDHD and the motion and concentration on outside stuff has such a calming effect it's crazy. If I could I would spend my days driving around. Unfortunately driving jobs don't pay well.

[–] Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

Long haul truck drivers can make good money, especially if you own the truck.

[–] wieson@feddit.org 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I think it's the even roar aka white noise

[–] sexy_peach@feddit.org 6 points 2 days ago

Unpredictable rocking motion as well

I was given a small cradle that vibrated and made a similar sort of white noise.

It was wonderful.

[–] roserose56@lemmy.zip 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Feet don't exist, you cant walk or something.

[–] Damaskox@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Not that I have experience in driving a car, but I'd guess walking would be as efficient for clearing head, if not even better.

[–] bridgeburner@lemmy.world 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Can't do that in the US, all they have are roads for cars

[–] Damaskox@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Well that's sad.

I bought myself a really good bicycle and now bike around instead. I get to burn calories at the same time as I clear my mind.

[–] OldGrayDog@fedinsfw.app 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] BorgDrone@feddit.nl 4 points 1 day ago

This. Instead of looking at asphalt and sucking in fumes, I ride my bike into one of the several nature reserves a few minutes from my house. Nothing but fresh air and the sound of birds singing.

[–] HalfSalesman@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Get into a forever video game. Those are great for clearing your mind.

You might end up spending just as much money if it has microtransactions but at least you wont be directly hurting the environment.