__________ is/are overrated.

[Max Rockatansky]

My issue with the prevalence of I-70 road media is two fold.  One content road creators who are freeway centric tend to overlook a lot of the corridors listed above.  Secondly a lot of road content creators come off as "samey"  hyping Glenwood Canyon to degree that they do.

I think a lot of it is because more people will give attention to something with familiarity or because the subject already gets a lot of discussion. Naturally, Interstates or something happening in a Big City Metro gets more attention than a bunch of two-lanes out in rural South Dakota. (I only mention that because I've posted about both on social media in the past year, and I'm not very active in doing so.)

Glenwood Canyon's I-70 is "pilgrimage worthy" for similar reasons that Breezewood, Interstate 238, or Route 66 are over-discussed in our hobby. But that really doesn't take anything away from Glenwood Canyon versus the opportunity to take Highway 82 instead. b
Rather, because it's unexpected that a critical point in the Interstate System has a lot of fascinating beauty surrounding it. It still means that a very low percentage of the overall system can be regarded in such a manner.

Some are fine with just simplistic meme-posting about potholes, route/bridge renaming, or how much more terrible their traffic is compared to another city, because it gets quick likes and the comments rarely get better from there.

An observation I've had about road media sites is they kind of want the same thing and not much variation.  That tends to be things like you stated in your reply with very little deviation. I've noticed with what I do on Gribblenation unless I do a popular corridor (example the totally bore that is I-238) it doesn't get much interest in purely Roadgeek type groups.  I have noticed that regional and historical groups are far more into things like the example you have with the CO 82.  In our case on Gribblenation I would argue that we tend to cater towards the more historical aspect anyways.  That historic/back road angle is a significant reason I don't post our stuff on major Roadgeek pages too often, very few care.  The fact that Adam's Buc-ee's critique got a ton of views on Roadgeek pages might be telling in what the mainstream road community actually is. 

[jakeroot]

Some are fine with just simplistic meme-posting about potholes, route/bridge renaming, or how much more terrible their traffic is compared to another city, because it gets quick likes and the comments rarely get better from there.

That would be something I find pretty irritating: the incessant need to assume *your* city somehow has the worst potholes, the worst traffic, the worst drivers, etc. Pretty much every city has junky drivers; pretty much every city has potholes here and there; pretty much every city has stretches of bad traffic. Are some cities objectively/subjectively worse? For sure, but I always have to roll my eyes when I see some kind of meme about bad traffic, and it's like I-70 through Indy -- like, is it really that bad, or do you simply have no concept of what really constitutes bad traffic?

[skluth]

Louisville

I'm having fun with this thread.

How can it be overrated if it's almost never talked about outside of Kentucky?

Basketball...baseball bats...It's pretty broadly spoken of outside of KY.

About the only time I think of Louisville is the weekend of the Kentucky Derby, an event I haven't seen even on TV in a couple decades. The other times are when it makes the news like after the Breonna Taylor killing. I don't know how it can be overrated when I rarely think of it at all and the only thing I like about Louisville is there's a Dee Snider Freeway which is sadly not named for the Twisted Sister frontman.

[Max Rockatansky]

Some are fine with just simplistic meme-posting about potholes, route/bridge renaming, or how much more terrible their traffic is compared to another city, because it gets quick likes and the comments rarely get better from there.

That would be something I find pretty irritating: the incessant need to assume *your* city somehow has the worst potholes, the worst traffic, the worst drivers, etc. Pretty much every city has junky drivers; pretty much every city has potholes here and there; pretty much every city has stretches of bad traffic. Are some cities objectively/subjectively worse? For sure, but I always have to roll my eyes when I see some kind of meme about bad traffic, and it's like I-70 through Indy -- like, is it really that bad, or do you simply have no concept of what really constitutes bad traffic?

This meme for Florida Interstates had no business being shared as much as it was and living as long as it did. 

https://www.facebook.com/550983030/posts/pfbid02fuzkuNSZH9hSMSUyrVuKRHE5qFHbaa9BhsV9hJ4kB7kHpPKb87j9seiJNWxGUP76l/?d=n

One of the most interesting aspects I've found about moving as much I have in my adult life is how much my frame reference has widened.  Florida by far had the most boring tamest and probably flattest roadway network of any state I lived in.

[skluth]

Three Interstate corridors come to mind that subjectively I think beat Glenwood Canyon for scenery:

-  I-70 in the San Rafael Swell.  This segment also has the distinction of really being the only road through corridor as well. 
-  I-H3 is incredibly pretty and an engineering marvel unto itself with thing all those viaducts.
-  I-15 in the Virgin River Gorge is one of the few scenic corridors that exceeds the US Route before it. 

I also love I-70 through De Beque Canyon.  As I mentioned, though, it's awfully close to Glenwood Canyon.

I think a lot of people are dissing Glenwood Canyon to be iconoclastic. Glenwood Canyon is awesome. Are there other great routes? Yes. Personally, I prefer I-15 through the Virgin River Canyon. But that doesn't diminish the awesomeness of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. It's like saying Peyton Manning wasn't all that great because Tom Brady. Just appreciate the beauty and the engineering feat of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon; both aspects are amazing and worthy of the accolades. The way people here are talking, I may just post that Glenwood Canyon is underrated on that thread because AA Roads roadgeeks don't appreciate it.

[Max Rockatansky]

Three Interstate corridors come to mind that subjectively I think beat Glenwood Canyon for scenery:

-  I-70 in the San Rafael Swell.  This segment also has the distinction of really being the only road through corridor as well. 
-  I-H3 is incredibly pretty and an engineering marvel unto itself with thing all those viaducts.
-  I-15 in the Virgin River Gorge is one of the few scenic corridors that exceeds the US Route before it. 

I also love I-70 through De Beque Canyon.  As I mentioned, though, it's awfully close to Glenwood Canyon.

I think a lot of people are dissing Glenwood Canyon to be iconoclastic. Glenwood Canyon is awesome. Are there other great routes? Yes. Personally, I prefer I-15 through the Virgin River Canyon. But that doesn't diminish the awesomeness of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. It's like saying Peyton Manning wasn't all that great because Tom Brady. Just appreciate the beauty and the engineering feat of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon; both aspects are amazing and worthy of the accolades. The way people here are talking, I may just post that Glenwood Canyon is underrated on that thread because AA Roads roadgeeks don't appreciate it.

Trail Ridge is overrated too if adds a sense of evenness.  It was overrun so much by annoying tourists that the NPS ended up implementing a timed entry system.  Although I would be lying if I ever said that I would prefer Glenwood Canyon over Trail Ridge. 

[formulanone]

Some are fine with just simplistic meme-posting about potholes, route/bridge renaming, or how much more terrible their traffic is compared to another city, because it gets quick likes and the comments rarely get better from there.

That would be something I find pretty irritating: the incessant need to assume *your* city somehow has the worst potholes, the worst traffic, the worst drivers, etc. Pretty much every city has junky drivers; pretty much every city has potholes here and there; pretty much every city has stretches of bad traffic. Are some cities objectively/subjectively worse? For sure, but I always have to roll my eyes when I see some kind of meme about bad traffic, and it's like I-70 through Indy -- like, is it really that bad, or do you simply have no concept of what really constitutes bad traffic?

To be fair, if you mostly just kick up dust in your own area, then that's what you know. To be fair, places like Phoenix and Miami don't have many potholes.

The average {driver in one area} isn't going to know much about {other place 800 miles away} traffic woes, but they can go on about their own highway issues. Maybe we do, but it's fair to say that 98-99% probably don't have personal experience with it (with the exception of places like New York City, LA, et al).

[kphoger]

Clothes are overrated.

[abefroman329]

there's a Dee Snider Freeway which is sadly not named for the Twisted Sister frontman.

That's a heck of a coincidence.

[hbelkins]

Beaches are overrated.

[kphoger]

Most breakfast cereal is overrated.  Most of them, even if I fill up the bowl to the top, leave me hungry again well before lunchtime rolls around.  There are only a few kinds that manage to actually leave me satisfied.

[Scott5114]

Most breakfast cereal is overrated.  Most of them, even if I fill up the bowl to the top, leave me hungry again well before lunchtime rolls around.  There are only a few kinds that manage to actually leave me satisfied.

I actually tend to treat breakfast cereal as a snack, to be munched on like potato chips or whatever. Instead of putting it in a bowl with milk, I just eat it by hand and then have the milk in a glass.

Beaches are overrated.

Oceans, however, are underrated.

[webny99]

Clothes are overrated.

Well at the very least, spending a ton of money on "name brand" clothes that are the same or only marginally better quality is overrated.

[webny99]

Beaches are overrated.

It depends. Like a lot of things, certainly so if it's incredibly crowded, but quite the opposite at sunrise or sunset when you can have the whole thing mostly to yourself.

[gonealookin]

Beaches are overrated.

Since I moved to a snowy-winter environment I have been doing about three week-long beach vacations per year and have loved them all, errrrr well most of them anyway.  A good book and a cooler full of soda and beer whisk so many cares away.

Edit to add:  I guess the one I wasn't that impressed with in the last few years was Honolulu/Waikiki.  And that was at the depths of the Covid-19 issues when it was probably as empty as it would ever be.  Hawaii has so many beautiful beaches on Maui and the Big Island, but I just didn't care much for Waikiki's urban environment.

[TheGrassGuy]

1. Dating, especially before college.

High school dating is a complete waste of time, money, and effort that could be better directed towards academics, extracurriculars, or community service. Statistically speaking, most high-school romances don't even last very long anyway; those idealized "we met in high school and went to prom together and now we're happily married with children" tales don't represent the average Joe's experience. Middle school dating is even more so. For any of you who are still in grade school and are reading this, try to hang out with friends instead, even if those friends include people of the opposite gender. Those are more durable and won't be as heated as romantic relationships.

2. Traveling to Europe, a lot of the time.

Europe might seem like a magical wonderland and all, but there are many parts about it that they don't tell you about up front. No air-conditioning in hotels, poverty, scams/tourist traps, political unrest, etc. This is probably especially true for London, Paris, and Rome. I can anticipate that this one's probably going to end up really controversial arguments, but honestly, I just don't get the appeal of a lot of the attractions there, at least not in the same way I do with those found in countries like China or Japan. And northern Europe doesn't even have good cuisine. I have limited time in my lifespan, and I'd like to spend it on experiences that I'm actually likely to find worthwhile.

3. Living in New York City.

Honestly, living in big cities anywhere. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure this one is self-explanatory. At least in the United States; I might actually be willing to live in somewhere like Shanghai... before the massive lockdown, anyway.

4. California (living, and possibly even visiting).

This one also warrants little explanation, and refers as much to the wildfire-ravaged national parks in the east as to the polluted metropolises near the coast.

5. Honestly, living in sunny states (e.g. AZ, NM, FL, and possibly even TX) in general.

It can't just be me who doesn't like the heat, right?

[Max Rockatansky]

Interestingly the estimates for the overall acres burned annually before European settlement in California is typically thought to be between 4.4 million to 12 million.  Apparently though recent climate data shows a drying trend in wooded areas that has been worse in the past:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2020/09/10/why-environmental-alarmism-makes-forest-fires-worse/?sh=6ad480673712#:~:text=For%20the%20last%20half%20of%20the%2020th%20Century%2C,in%20California%20annually%20before%20the%20arrival%20of%20Europeans.

2,569,009 acres last year wasn't really enjoyable but the worst in terms of my allergies was when Paradise burned.  I don't know what was in those homes but it got bad enough that the smoke was causing nosebleeds eventually.

Heat and cold are interesting because you can to some extent climatize yourself to both.  Everyone thinks I'm nuts running my AC at 87F or not all during the summer in Fresno.  It sucks at first but eventually you do get used to it with exposure.  I recall the same phenomenon also being true when we really didn't have modern central air in Michigan and the house was a perpetual 50-55F in Michigan with one fire place burn every evening.

Dating didn't really get better until I was about 21-23 and started to have adult levels of self confidence.  Lacking self assurance really sucks when you are trying to date people. 

[Rothman]

1. Dating, especially before college.

High school dating is a complete waste of time, money, and effort that could be better directed towards academics, extracurriculars, or community service. Statistically speaking, most high-school romances don't even last very long anyway; those idealized "we met in high school and went to prom together and now we're happily married with children" tales don't represent the average Joe's experience. Middle school dating is even more so. For any of you who are still in grade school and are reading this, try to hang out with friends instead, even if those friends include people of the opposite gender. Those are more durable and won't be as heated as romantic relationships.

2. Traveling to Europe, a lot of the time.

Europe might seem like a magical wonderland and all, but there are many parts about it that they don't tell you about up front. No air-conditioning in hotels, poverty, scams/tourist traps, political unrest, etc. This is probably especially true for London, Paris, and Rome. I can anticipate that this one's probably going to end up really controversial arguments, but honestly, I just don't get the appeal of a lot of the attractions there, at least not in the same way I do with those found in countries like China or Japan. And northern Europe doesn't even have good cuisine. I have limited time in my lifespan, and I'd like to spend it on experiences that I'm actually likely to find worthwhile.

3. Living in New York City.

Honestly, living in big cities anywhere. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure this one is self-explanatory. At least in the United States; I might actually be willing to live in somewhere like Shanghai... before the massive lockdown, anyway.

4. California.

This one also warrants little explanation, and refers as much to the wildfire-ravaged national parks in the east as to the polluted metropolises near the coast.

1. My unpopular opinion is that everyone should go through dumping someone (not being dumped) at least once before marriage.  Lots of people out there in misery after a while trapped in the "my partner is my only soulmate out there, no matter how terrible they are" mentality.  Dating in high school can get you out of that idea.

2.  I've enjoyed my times visiting Europe.  Poverty and scams certainly aren't constrained to Europe...

3.  Depends.  My daughter lived in Brooklyn for a while and loved it.  But, for others, sure, it's the loneliest and most expensive place in the country.

4.  Meh, too harsh on it.  Definitely has its drawbacks, but I loved my time living in San Francisco.  Seems more properly rated for most people (i.e., those that aren't still in the 1960s mentality of a paradise of beaches, blondes and Disney), especially given the news out of there going back almost 30 years.

[kphoger]

Clothes are overrated.

Well at the very least, spending a ton of money on "name brand" clothes that are the same or only marginally better quality is overrated.

Sorry, I should clarify.  Wearing clothes is overrated.

Honestly, we'd be fine half the year without them.

[hotdogPi]

Clothes are overrated.

Well at the very least, spending a ton of money on "name brand" clothes that are the same or only marginally better quality is overrated.

Sorry, I should clarify.  Wearing clothes is overrated.

Honestly, we'd be fine half the year without them.

Not wearing clothes everywhere makes it easier to cut skin by scraping an object. Depending on where you are, sunburn could also be an issue.

[kphoger]

Depending on where you are, sunburn could also be an issue.

My forearms seem to do just fine.

[kurumi]

"We Built This City" is slightly overrated on so many "Worst Songs Ever" lists.

"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," by the same artist, is even worse. That power chord at the key change...

[abefroman329]

"We Built This City" is slightly overrated on so many "Worst Songs Ever" lists.

"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," by the same artist, is even worse. That power chord at the key change...

I agree - I think WBTC gets more hate because it's supposed to be an anti-corporate song, but it's performed by a band that was at peak corporate at the time.

[TheGrassGuy]

1. Dating, especially before college.

High school dating is a complete waste of time, money, and effort that could be better directed towards academics, extracurriculars, or community service. Statistically speaking, most high-school romances don't even last very long anyway; those idealized "we met in high school and went to prom together and now we're happily married with children" tales don't represent the average Joe's experience. Middle school dating is even more so. For any of you who are still in grade school and are reading this, try to hang out with friends instead, even if those friends include people of the opposite gender. Those are more durable and won't be as heated as romantic relationships.

2. Traveling to Europe, a lot of the time.

Europe might seem like a magical wonderland and all, but there are many parts about it that they don't tell you about up front. No air-conditioning in hotels, poverty, scams/tourist traps, political unrest, etc. This is probably especially true for London, Paris, and Rome. I can anticipate that this one's probably going to end up really controversial arguments, but honestly, I just don't get the appeal of a lot of the attractions there, at least not in the same way I do with those found in countries like China or Japan. And northern Europe doesn't even have good cuisine. I have limited time in my lifespan, and I'd like to spend it on experiences that I'm actually likely to find worthwhile.

3. Living in New York City.

Honestly, living in big cities anywhere. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure this one is self-explanatory. At least in the United States; I might actually be willing to live in somewhere like Shanghai... before the massive lockdown, anyway.

4. California (living, and possibly even visiting).

This one also warrants little explanation, and refers as much to the wildfire-ravaged national parks in the east as to the polluted metropolises near the coast.

5. Honestly, living in sunny states (e.g. AZ, NM, FL, and possibly even TX) in general.

It can't just be me who doesn't like the heat, right?

6. The season of spring.

Allergies.

7. The season of summer.

Again, it can't just be me who doesn't like the heat, right?

8. Drinking alcohol.

I'm going to sound like a lot of members' mothers right here, but I honestly don't see the appeal of drinking merrily and getting wasted. It's not a healthy habit at all. Heck, even caffeine might fall under this category. (I swear I'm not Mormon!)

[kphoger]

"We Built This City" is slightly overrated on so many "Worst Songs Ever" lists.

When I read this, that song was literally playing on my computer right then.  I'm partway through a "BILLBOARD - TOP 100 HITS OF 1985 - PART 1/4" playlist.

8. Drinking alcohol.

I'm going to sound like a lot of members' mothers right here, but I honestly don't see the appeal of drinking merrily and getting wasted. It's not a healthy habit at all. Heck, even caffeine might fall under this category. (I swear I'm not Mormon!)

Those are two very different things.

I've never understood the appeal of getting wasted either.  Even just a headache the next morning is bad enough to keep me within my limit.  And acting like a complete fool of myself is not something that appeals to me.

But having just one or two drinks is a very pleasant thing.  It relaxes me, it makes me more chatty (for better or worse), and–when consumed with a bit of charcuterie or some olives and cheese–can give me a brief moment of feeling "fancy".