New York Times Unveils "Groundbreaking" Solution To Housing Crisis
Next up: The Times reveals water is wet!
The New York Times dropped a “groundbreaking” housing crisis solution, and Reddit immediately clocked it as the most obvious thing imaginable: roommates. Not “tiny homes” or some futuristic zoning hack, just people sharing space, like that’s some brand-new invention that showed up on a Tuesday. One person pointed out the situation has been happening forever, strangers have been sharing apartments for years, and another joked about how the UK treats solo renting as something you only seriously consider with a partner.
And then the real chaos hit, because one Kansas city voted to ban roommates, which made everything feel way less simple than the article wanted it to be.
Let’s dig into the details
Reddit.comLiving With Strangers
Reddit.comHere’s how the Reddit community reacted to the story:
Why is everyone having that look?
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That’s when Reddit started side-eyeing the “living with strangers” angle, like, yes, we know roommates exist, we just also know they come with drama.
Critiquing Solutions to Social Issues
The response to proposed solutions for the housing crisis reflects a broader psychological tendency to resist change, especially when solutions seem overly simplistic. Research in social psychology indicates that individuals often prefer familiar approaches, even if they are ineffective, over new and potentially transformative solutions.
This resistance can stem from cognitive biases, such as the status quo bias, which leads people to favor existing conditions and resist change. Understanding these biases is crucial when evaluating innovative solutions.
Maybe the author should consider doing a piece on how to curb price hikes in the housing industry
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"A city in Kansas voted unanimously to ban roommates." — You can’t rent with another person(s) unless you are related
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"The more people who are living in the same home, the greater the odds of them becoming toxic to each other."
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The thread then pivoted from “this isn’t new” to “why are people acting shocked,” especially after commenters dragged the author for treating shared apartments like a plot twist.
This situation highlights the importance of critical thinking when evaluating proposed solutions to societal problems.
Strangers have been living together in shared apartments for a long time
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"In the UK, people aren't even considering renting on their own unless with a partner."
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It seems the author has just discovered what a roommate is
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Things got extra spicy when someone quoted the Kansas ban, because banning roommates makes the whole “solution” feel like it was written for a different universe.
The media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of societal issues, including the housing crisis.
With the rising cost of housing, this Redditor has opted for a very interesting approach
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MTV made a whole show about this
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By the end, even the references to shows and longstanding UK rental habits made it clear the NYT story landed less like progress and more like a delayed recap.
The piece by the New York Times certainly triggered some interesting reactions from the Reddit community. The author must have thought they discovered something new, but commenters were on hand to remind them that "roommates" have existed for a long time.
One Redditor also pointed out that it would have been ideal for the author to challenge the high cost of housing rather than tell people to gather more strangers to share the cost.
It was also interesting to note that some individuals are opposed to the idea of strangers living together, which explains their efforts to get it banned entirely. From their point of view, only relatives should rent together.
We’d love to get your thoughts on this story. Join the conversation in the comments below.
The New York Times' recent article on the housing crisis offers a provocative suggestion that echoes an age-old remedy: sharing living spaces with strangers. This idea, while humorous to some, reflects a deeper societal challenge. It underscores the need for critical engagement with such proposals. As the article highlights, the rising costs of housing have prompted discussions that demand our attention. By fostering awareness of these issues and encouraging open dialogue, we can better navigate the complexities of the housing crisis. An informed public is crucial for pushing forward innovative solutions that truly address the needs of our communities.
The only thing truly groundbreaking here is how fast Reddit turned “roommates” into a whole culture war.
Still arguing over rent fairness? Read about splitting rent unequally based on roommates income.
