This is what we do, but why? What is it exactly that we hate so much about traveling?

Personally, I hate traffic jams, cancelled trains, flight delays. But I love spending time hiking, cycling, or driving through the empty country at my own pace. More so if I get to spend time with friends and family, for sure.

If the goal of your trip is to hike then fine, hike. But if you’re visiting family that you only see for a few days out of a year you want to maximize that time with them.

If they live far ways, you might consider visiting them only once in two years, spending twice as long. During the pandemic, may people were force to do this and found other ways to stay in touch, like Zoom. (I wouldn't claim that the perfect solution, or good at all. Just something to consider.)

So instead of seeing them 20 more times before they die you see them 10 more times. Better make every second count.

> This is what we do, but why?

Because fast travel is... fast?

> What is it exactly that we hate so much about traveling?

Most of slow travel is extremely boring.

> But I love spending time hiking, cycling, or driving through the empty country at my own pace.

I enjoy those things, too, but I don't want to spend a week traveling somewhere when we have the means to travel there in under a day, for example.

Edit: besides, cheap fast travel allows you to spread people to more places, and not require them to bunch up in a few overpopulated cities.

Exactly. Its almost like decentralized systems are more efficient.