If it was so important, why was it sent as an email - particularly to an administration known to "lose" the odd million or five? Possibly they didn't want to contribute to a fire risk at the White House. This Admin must have an entire group of interns that shred more than Tony Hawk does.
On the plus side, they probably don't have time to smoke cigars.
Re:The explanation is obvious
on
Terminal Chaos
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· Score: 2, Funny
It will NEVER be cost-effective to install and operate a nationwide high-speed rail service network in the United States.
Because, of course, trains would need to have something better than a vacuum against which to react.
Re:The explanation is obvious
on
Terminal Chaos
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
I have my doubts. Rail systems are expensive, and they don't bring the same value to the table as aircraft do. Namely, time.
That's true for cross-country flights, but the comparison is much less lop-sided for closer cities.
They also don't bring to the table what the automobile does. namely, freedom.
Apples and rutabagas.
Although if rail got the same backing from public funds that autos do... well. (Also, a lot of that "freedom" is as imaginary as car commercials.)
Re:union problem?
on
Terminal Chaos
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
Back in 1980 the main issue in the air traffic controllers' strike was working conditions, not wages and benefits. When Reagan broke the union and fired the air traffic controllers, wasn't that a huge blow to reform?
Seems like it might've been, yup.
They also question how NATCA gets away with constantly stating that the US air traffic control system is the safest in the world, when it is actually behind Europe when it comes to safety metrics (Europe has.032 hull losses per 1 million departures vs..049 in North America). They get away with it because it's a tradition that practically no-one questions. All you have to do is say "The US is the bestest in the world when it comes to [x]" and few people bother checking. (Except "America-haters", of course.)
Re:The explanation is obvious
on
Terminal Chaos
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
If we want service to go back to the 1960s level of service, the costs should at least be as much as it was in 1960s plus inflation and fuel cost increases.
At which point, it'll be cost-effective to install and operate a nation-wide high-speed passenger and light-cargo rail service network.
I'm guessing that at some point Chris Anderson will say that he wasn't trying to make a serious claim in the article, he was just trying to "stimulate discussion about the changing realities of scientific investigation" or some damn thing.
Getting the paperwork ready for the rubber-stamp is evidently too hard for them.
The FISA court almost never turns down a request. What's that say about the kinds of things the Bush Admin and their toadies want to do, if they don't even want token oversight?
The problem with doing "whatever it takes" to win is that the "victory" often ends up so badly damaged that it doesn't last and you end up fighting yet another damn war that you have to do "whatever it takes" to win.
It's not exactly a technological advance worth bragging about.
It's a little like orange juice, except it's not as good for you and it tastes like android piss. Woo-hoo.
Seriously, though, it's not quite that simple.
"The area around the sun" is very hot, but it's not very dense. IANAThermalEngineer, but I imagine they have one or two at NASA, and I'm guessing that they can come up with some kind of effective radiative cooling system. (Though perhaps they'll just rely on a Thermal Protective System (aka "heat shield"), like they did for the original Solar Probe.)
No, my plan doesn't have unlimited data. I don't need unlimited data. I don't even particularly want unlimited data.
What part of "I'd like to only pay for the amount and type of service that I use" is so tough to understand?
I don't need a "normalish plan". The plan I have costs me <$20, and that's all I need. I'd be willing to pay much more for an iPhone that would work with my current plan, but it doesn't look like that will be an option.
I'm an ATT&T customer, but I've got a Pay-As-You-Go plan. I'm guessing that I can't work that with an iPhone.
(The PAYGO plan costs me <$20 a month. I just don't use a cell phone enough to make it worth $60 a month, which was the cheapest plan available for iPhone v1.)
Right, because we all know how dangerous those radical extremist climatologists are.
At least there are a few brave multi-national corporations standing up to defend us from scientists and their deadly knowledge, despite how desperately short of cash and political influence those corporations always are.
I have a little list of Slashdot Annoyances. (Who doesn't?)
"Al Gore invented the Internet, har har!" is pretty high up on the list.
So are the lamoids who bring up the Hindenburg whenever hydrogen-fueled vehicles are mentioned.
Actually, that one's a sub-category of people who object to something based on an incredibly simple thing that they somehow think has escaped the notice of people who've been working in a field for 20 or 30 years.
"Gosh, have they forgotten that hydrogen is flammable?"
The point is, Blockbuster was never famous for carrying a wide range of titles anyways. That's why I call them Lackluster Video, and get my rentals from one of the few remaining independent video rental shops or from Netflix.
Slashdot Mirror
Believe me, even if that were on the list, it would be way, way far down.
It will NEVER be cost-effective to install and operate a nationwide high-speed rail service network in the United States.
Because, of course, trains would need to have something better than a vacuum against which to react.I have my doubts. Rail systems are expensive, and they don't bring the same value to the table as aircraft do. Namely, time.
That's true for cross-country flights, but the comparison is much less lop-sided for closer cities.They also don't bring to the table what the automobile does. namely, freedom.
Apples and rutabagas. Although if rail got the same backing from public funds that autos doBack in 1980 the main issue in the air traffic controllers' strike was working conditions, not wages and benefits. When Reagan broke the union and fired the air traffic controllers, wasn't that a huge blow to reform?
Seems like it might've been, yup. They also question how NATCA gets away with constantly stating that the US air traffic control system is the safest in the world, when it is actually behind Europe when it comes to safety metrics (Europe hasIf we want service to go back to the 1960s level of service, the costs should at least be as much as it was in 1960s plus inflation and fuel cost increases.
At which point, it'll be cost-effective to install and operate a nation-wide high-speed passenger and light-cargo rail service network.I'm guessing that at some point Chris Anderson will say that he wasn't trying to make a serious claim in the article, he was just trying to "stimulate discussion about the changing realities of scientific investigation" or some damn thing.
Getting the paperwork ready for the rubber-stamp is evidently too hard for them. The FISA court almost never turns down a request. What's that say about the kinds of things the Bush Admin and their toadies want to do, if they don't even want token oversight?
Yeah, that's almost as annoying as Fox News repeatedly (and "accidentally", of course) labeling Repubs involved in scandals as Dems.
Wait, don't tell me, let me guess where you're from ...
The problem with doing "whatever it takes" to win is that the "victory" often ends up so badly damaged that it doesn't last and you end up fighting yet another damn war that you have to do "whatever it takes" to win.
Sure, but how much smoke do they have?
Don't forget to budget for hiking shoes with really good tread.
Not with this White House.
Actually, it's an appeal to leadership. Though considering recent history, your lack of faith in it is understandable.
I did recognize the humor. I apologize for not prefacing my remark with "LOL!".
It's not exactly a technological advance worth bragging about. It's a little like orange juice, except it's not as good for you and it tastes like android piss. Woo-hoo.
Seriously, though, it's not quite that simple. "The area around the sun" is very hot, but it's not very dense. IANAThermalEngineer, but I imagine they have one or two at NASA, and I'm guessing that they can come up with some kind of effective radiative cooling system. (Though perhaps they'll just rely on a Thermal Protective System (aka "heat shield"), like they did for the original Solar Probe.)
How do we calculate MPG? Sure, it's a shitload of fuel just to go 213 miles up (*), but then you can coast for ~3 million miles!
No, my plan doesn't have unlimited data. I don't need unlimited data. I don't even particularly want unlimited data. What part of "I'd like to only pay for the amount and type of service that I use" is so tough to understand?
I don't need a "normalish plan". The plan I have costs me <$20, and that's all I need. I'd be willing to pay much more for an iPhone that would work with my current plan, but it doesn't look like that will be an option.
[shrug] Oh well.
I'm an ATT&T customer, but I've got a Pay-As-You-Go plan. I'm guessing that I can't work that with an iPhone.
(The PAYGO plan costs me <$20 a month. I just don't use a cell phone enough to make it worth $60 a month, which was the cheapest plan available for iPhone v1.)
Right, because we all know how dangerous those radical extremist climatologists are.
At least there are a few brave multi-national corporations standing up to defend us from scientists and their deadly knowledge, despite how desperately short of cash and political influence those corporations always are.
I have a little list of Slashdot Annoyances. (Who doesn't?)
"Al Gore invented the Internet, har har!" is pretty high up on the list.
So are the lamoids who bring up the Hindenburg whenever hydrogen-fueled vehicles are mentioned.
Actually, that one's a sub-category of people who object to something based on an incredibly simple thing that they somehow think has escaped the notice of people who've been working in a field for 20 or 30 years.
"Gosh, have they forgotten that hydrogen is flammable?"