The New York Times tells me that car-pooling was a big deal in the 1970s.  A quarter of the commuting population participated in some sort of ride-share situation back then.  It was promoted as a potential solution to traffic congestion in metro areas throughout the country.

Unfortunately, no one was actually doing it BECAUSE they were hoping to do their small part to ease traffic congestion.  I mean, the only thing worse than being stuck in traffic, is being stuck in traffic having an awkward conversation with some guy from accounting who just happens to live two streets over from you.

The reason people car-pooled was out of necessity.  They couldn’t afford cars.  Or at least a SECOND car.

But then more women got jobs, cars got cheaper, cities decentralized and work hours became more erratic.  Forget any benefit that social media tools could potentially have on making car pool organization a breeze in the present day.  We’re comfortably neck-deep in the age of driving alone.  Car ownership is up 60% since 1980, while the population has only grown 30%.  Why?  Cause we can afford it.

Even those of us who move back to the city, citing environmental concerns and quality of life, often refuse to give up the second car, let alone the first.  It’s just too convenient.