Gregor.us

Stream of consciousness reply:

American individualism, Manifest Destiny, our nostalgic fusion of wealth with our post-WWII Eisenhower Interstate System & love affair with the automobile all conspire against the efficiency and pragmatism of rail. Rail is mass transit, which means Americans will have to surrender that autonomy to a certain extent.

Further, these psychological underpinnings are hard-wired to a pioneering populace (or at least one who collectively views itself as such).

The drop in the bucket represented by your above reference is the back break fire which is started to counter the inferno. Opinions and habits are changed not by wholesale overhaul of a system, but by consistent, successful incremental changes.

FWIW, I agree with you. I gotta get to work.

Best,
M.

Cheers. And yes, the problem of how to turn around a large object is of endless fascination to me. And I agree therefore that these massive systems are often effectively addressed by introducing change agents at the margin. However, systems which are *more* physical often need a bigger kick. And electronic systems can be altered very effectively by something more viral.

I would need to see a half-trillion spent on electrified transport, with some of the military budget and personnel devoted to the project, to know that we were serious. Plus new powergen from solar and wind to boost supply.

I would also like to see a freeze on all spending for roads and highways.

The entire automobile system has tried to send us a message: it's viability crumbles as oil rises. So we need to listen to that message,.

Best,

G

Again, another stream of consciousness reply:

Changing the momentum of any large body is a combination of peripheral motivators and internal pivot points upon which the direction of the mass may turn.

I'm no economist, but using the basic premise of physics and inertia, the change agents at the margin to which you refer are analogous to border collies shepherding a flock. In order to affect systemic change, however, there must be internal agents who have the potential energy reserves/capacity available to withstand the energy transfer from one state of being to another.

Whether these agents are markets, individuals, industries? I do not know. But I do know that momentums shifts only occur when critical mass has been achieved and the flow of energy changes directions.

More streaming: as regards wholesale change v incremental: I think of bringing down a skyscraper. Wrecking balls have limited use; whereas, strategically placed charges (pressure points) are capable of efficiently changing the state of the building. Again, not an economist, but identifying key stress points in shifting any system is paramount to achieving same.

I also agree that our DOD budget is disproportionate and that redistribution of some of those monies could be better spent on infrastructure which would ultimately benefit our economy and security in a more tangible way.

Thanks for making me think.

Best,
M.

One encouraging internal pivot point is that much of the historical, aggregate collection of US railway beds is still pretty much intact. We see this in places like Boston, where the decision to add back rail does not have the public review process hurdle or rock-blasting, landscape clearing hurdle to contend with. At least the beds and rights-of-way are still there.

G

Hello Gregor,
I did not make this up but cannot remember where I read it. What would you think about an idea that modifies/transitions the Interstate Highway System into a new Electrified Transport (rail), Smart Grid (electric), Fiber Optic (Internet) circulatory system for the United States.

I picture taking the inside shoulders and one lane on each side for a project like this. I know in the Chicago area they have stretched many of the highways and tolls to four lanes in the last year so it seems possible physically.

Any insights or links to such an idea that you are aware of? I am very curious to read more. What we are doing now is not the answer.

Cheers,
Ross

I do beleive that the primary driver of allocations in the stimulus package is to forestall economic slump and provide more jobs. opening up areas might serve more of this than the rail road spending

A long time ago, I read on SeekingAlpha ( I think) that if teh government spent the same on rails as on airlines, we would have a premier rail service. I just Google'd but could not find the article. If I recall, we spend about 5% on rails as we do on airlines. For some reason, our government favors air service aneabets them running a negative, while expecting rails to compete. In particular, this mal-affects Amtrack ..... jegan

I am not sure if a stimulus plan is the way... Then again my political knowledge is not the best. DISQUS seems to be working great here. Ping me if you are still having issues.

Giannii
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A combination package of improvements to the electrical grid, renewable energy infrastructure, broadband networks and railroad infrastructure, sharing right-of-way whenever possible, might be more palatable to the Congress and the country.

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