[pesto]

The issues raised here go way beyond ecology, energy, etc. (and the embarrassing idea that more innovation goes on at a hip cafe than a conference room lunch from McDonald's).

It is typical for the urban/suburban preference to be cyclical. It is also typical for people to react to hard-times by denying the value of material goods. When the baby boom was hitting and there were way to many people for the existing well-paying jobs, the hippie-zen-commune mentality exploded. A few years later when the economy was strong and jobs available, many of the same folks cut their hair and became deal makers and entrepreneurs with BMW's and 2nd homes.

With the economy weak again, you can expect people to say they just want a little apartment and an iphone and they'll be happy. The issue now is when will the economy turn around. If it doesn't, then we really are looking at a future trapped in our one-room apartments without cars or energy. Basically a return to the 19th century but with phones and video replacing reading and musical skills.