We live in an age when the most unobjectionable and necessary ideas for progress can give rise to paranoia and fear. If the most innocuous, unoriginal possible idea can fuel paranoia, how can we hope to have a sensible discussion about the future of our places?
You’re 100% right to be baffled. Where I live we’ve seen extreme push back against the concept. The anti-vaxxers from the pandemic have latched onto the message in my area, and are saying that it will create ghetto’s where it makes governments more able to enforce lock downs and restrict our freedoms. I don’t see how they connected those dots together. It’s actually crazy.
The first time I ever heard of 15-minute cities was through conspircy theories (I like learning about them) and you’re right that it is actually crazy. It’s the exact same anti-vaxx crowd, who also believe 5G is harmful and similar “theories”, lead by right-wing pundits and grifters whipping up outrage over nothing.