# Thinking about the things we're used to

**Published by:** [Brandon Donnelly](https://brandondonnelly.com/)
**Published on:** 2024-01-03
**Categories:** change, gregg-lintern, housing, housing-supply, seth-godin, status-quo-bias, toronto-housing, toronto-star, victoria-gibson
**URL:** https://brandondonnelly.com/thinking-about-the-things-were-used-to

## Content

This is a powerful perspective: We evolved to be wary of change. Our attention is limited, new things can be a threat and the status quo feels comfortable. As a result, we spend a lot of time and energy being afraid (and arguing about) the upcoming changes in our lives, but almost no time at all thinking about the things we’re used to. As an example of this tension, check out this "exit interview" with Toronto's former chief city planner, Gregg Lintern. The underlying theme is change and why it's desperately needed. But of course, that's not easy. The interviewer, Victoria Gibson, mentions this survey stat: nearly half (47%) of all Torontonians think the city is building too little housing, and yet only about a quarter (27%) think their area could handle more. We need this, but not here. Probably because we're used to the way things are. But if you read the interview, you'll see that the answer, or at least one answer, is to make the conversation personal, and ultimately think critically about, you know, the things we're used to. Change starts with not giving the benefit of the doubt to the status quo.

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