Humans learn to trust or distrust a source based on our experience with that particular source or others similar to them.

In early to mid 2020, covid vaccine commentary was headlining every news show and publication. Many political leaders reminded audiences that they did not trust the message if it was delivered by Donald Trump. Two prominent examples:

“If the public health professionals, if Dr. Fauci, if the doctors tell us we should take it, I’ll be the first in line to take it, absolutely. But if Donald Trump tells us we should take it, I’m not taking it.”

Kamala Harris, Vice Presidential Candidate on CNN

"Frankly, I'm not going to trust the federal government's opinion and I wouldn't recommend it to New Yorkers based on the federal government's opinion.”

Andrew Cuomo, Former New York Governor in official press release

Now, in 2023, something that began as a great idea—bicycle urbanism, basically—has been distorted into a nightmarish future of total government control. There is a growing number of people who are convinced 15-minute cities are a conspiracy to control and restrict movement, rather than create and expand mobility freedom.

Residents of Oxford, England are not happy about their City Council’s plan to implement a 15-minute city plan that includes “filters” to restrict movement. The plan includes a process for residents to apply for up to a certain number of car trips per year. After that, they have to ask permission for additional trips for a fee. Travel would be monitored and enforced by cameras.