Well that didn't take long...
- Thread starter lukep
- Start date
Not sure if serious, or slight sarcasm/exaggeration not detected?
But yes, I can't figure out why a good portion of people living in the United States believe the way they do and it frustrates me to no end (and it tends to frustrate a lot of other "intelligent" people in my opinion and life experiences)...especially when we have thousands of real life examples of HUGE successes in other developed countries.
Americans tend to shy away from anything "long term benefit"-related in my opinion, and it is a shame (IMO we'll pay for this shortsightedness in a variety of ways, well our children's children will for sure). Yes, I am an American living in the same great state as you it appears, one of the last few good ones overall imo! Instant gratification and "screw you folks, i got mine already im gooood" attitudes are definetly HEAVILY present in this country...along with a multitude of other what I would describe as "typically ignorant and narrowminded" views regarding humanity/the value of life as a whole.
also, these same types of people tend to dislike when people point out America's flaws. To me, this is the most "patriotic" thing you can do (when done respectfully of course)...it means you want your country to be better....you want your country to be the "best it can be". but that is just "liberal" thinking right?
Ya, a bullet train crash is pretty fricking scary.
Trust china to get that one wrong.
Have Japan's bullet trains ever crashed?
Trust china to get that one wrong.
Have Japan's bullet trains ever crashed?
In a way I apologize. It's been a long day.
But really I get tired of the overall elitism that I hear so often from others. This elitism that points at people and uses redneck slurs to make a point. It reminds me of Obama and his "bitter clingers" comment. It also reminds me of what I used to think when I was fully indoctrinated by my liberal political science professors.
I believe in the economics of things. If people wanted rail they would ride it. Yes, I know, bullet trains. From where to where? SF to LA? Flying is $39 and in spite of what everyone else says I flew over Christmas and they waved me past the scanners - shoes and all.
They say rail is advocated by the people. That is because they are not asked - would you rather have more current freeway lanes from your home to work that you use everyday or high speed rail to San Francisco that you will use twice a year? Now there's a question, and we know the answer.
You discuss long term solutions but I firmly believe that the large urban center model of urban economics is dated. It is the same plan that has been in place since 2,000 BC. It is no longer necessary. So then why would everyone need to get into a particular large destination?
I have been told on this board before that large cities are not the necessary destinations but if not large cities then where? Yosemite? Bullet trains move mass amounts of people into concentrated centers over long distances. Or mass amounts of people to distribution hubs within those large cities. But just as I wonder why we spend hundreds of millions on new libraries for cash strapped schools why are we building infrastructure to cities that are doomed to deteriorate?
Tell me why we should need high speed rail. What is the purpose? Why is everyone going to that singular destination? Are there any train systems that are making enough money to justify their existence? I am tired of intellectual elitists telling me I need to subsidies rail systems or I need to subsidize green power or whatever. If it needs a subsidy, maybe it is not worth doing?
Solar is another example. China solar manufacturers are gearing down their factories because of recent European cuts in tax incentives and subsidies for installation. So global demand for solar is dependent on tax subsidies? Does any of this crap work?
Sorry for the mini rant. But the intellectuals are cramming crap down our throats that we do not want - and making us pay for it to boot.
^ Like was pointed out in another thread on here, population grows exponentially. Also, people still tend to move more from rural to urban areas, instead of vice versa.
Your theory makes sense, but for whatever reason, new companies would still rather set up their headquarters in NYC than in upstate NY.
This is for USA :
The trend has continued into the 2000s.
Rural America in the 2000s: Population | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural
There are exceptions such as Detroit, but overall, urban areas are still on pace for big increases in population.
Your theory makes sense, but for whatever reason, new companies would still rather set up their headquarters in NYC than in upstate NY.
This is for USA :
The trend has continued into the 2000s.
Rural America in the 2000s: Population | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural
There are exceptions such as Detroit, but overall, urban areas are still on pace for big increases in population.
To clarify for the painfully stupid: 35 lives means plenty to me. 35 lives lost in China means squat to China. If you weren't aware China doesn't give a fuck about the lives of their average citizen, go fucking read something on the topic.