I won’t pretend to understand the full nuance of what is no doubt a very complex issue, but as somebody who rides the trains every day, I can say that our public transit is shockingly bad for what is supposed to be the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country in the world. My impression from a few years of daily riding is that our trains are generally disgusting, inefficient, and probably badly mismanaged.

> Ironically, I purchased it at the airport in Rio de Janeiro during an 11 hour layover, when I was returning home to live in the US after spending 6.5 years living abroad.

Damn, this book must have hit hard for you. Sometimes you just find the right thing at the right time. That’s awesome.

The r/books circlejerk is never more obnoxious or banal than when this book gets mentioned. “DAE actually not like the Alchemist?” is pretty much a meme at this point. People take way too much joy pontificating about how the book is “actually not that deep” and ”not as smart as it thinks it is.” I’m guessing these would be better descriptors of the people who pile into these threads than the book itself.

It’s a feel-good fairytale adventure about trusting your destiny and finding some treasure. People almost universally enjoy simple, well-told stories, and that’s exactly what it is. It’s a nice quick read, something to make you reflect a little and feel good for having gone on an adventure. It’s not trying to be the Bible, though you would think so for how much attention it gets on this subreddit.

Do yourself a favor and let yourself enjoy the book. Don’t even look at this subreddit regurgitating the same hackneyed takedown a thousand times over. “WOW, the Alchemist? My thoughts on this overrated ‘novel…’” Oh fuck off, you self-serious knob.

I was on the A the other night when an older woman started slamming her shopping trolly against the doors and screaming at the top of her lungs. The girl next to me looked at me and shook her head, “We gotta get the fuck out of New York.”

Now we can’t even get out of the car!

Comeback of the decade. Though I wonder if these open passageway cars will be a blessing or a curse. Now you can enjoy showtime from three cars away. And no sense in avoiding the empty car with somebody nodding off in a puddle of their own piss and shit—it’s all one car now. “We’re all in this together” will never be more true of the daily subway commute.

This post has Chidi Anagonye energy.

Yeah unfortunately I think the hitch in your plan is that nobody in New York treats anything with respect.

Somewhere there’s a bodega owner looking at his watch and shaking his head.

Lmao I love this attitude. Everyone losing their shit and there’s one comment “Yeah of course he’s a troll great work let’s play some hockey”