strypey

strypey, 5 days ago

@sj_zero
> You're not the first person to suggest a blog, but it's more about the journey

Fair enough. I just wanted to make sure you know that what you've written would be worth preserving and circulating, if you were so inclined.

@fgraver @AccordionBruce @tbaldauf
@lightweight

strypey, 3 days ago

@sj_zero
> When it comes to climate comparisons, I think it isn't so simple as "trains use less fuel per passenger"

Agreed, and this is where the rubber meets the road. If you accept the greenhouse effect, and that the planet is warming, then it's worth investing in things that aren't financially efficient, as long as they reduce carbon emissions.

So the key question is, would a China-style fast train network in North America reduce carbon emissions?

(1/?)

@fgraver @AccordionBruce @tbaldauf

strypey, 3 days ago

Remember we're not talking about starting from scratch here. An extensive track network already existed in China before they started electrifying and upgrading tracks for fast trains. As it does across North America;

US;

https://stb.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=96ec03e4fc8546bd8a864e39a2c3fc41#!

Canada;

https://rac.jmaponline.net/canadianrailatlas/

https://ontheworldmap.com/mexico/mexico-railway-map.html

Every piece of track electrified or upgraded adds value to the network as a whole.

(3/?)

@sj_zero @fgraver @AccordionBruce @tbaldauf

strypey, 3 days ago

If they were electric trains, and adding enough renewable generation to power them was part of the project, I can't see how they wouldn't. Yes, that would require some big investment.

But both the electrification, and the upgrading of tracks to allow faster speeds, can be rolled out in stages, as it was in China.

(2/?)

@sj_zero
@fgraver @AccordionBruce @tbaldauf

strypey, 3 days ago

It does seems logical to start with the most populated areas and work out from there. Which explains your observations about the correlations between high population density and train corridors. But so does the fact that causation goes in the other direction too. A small town on a new or upgraded train line between two major centres can become a much more attractive place to live, when some of the trains stop there. Plane links can't do this.

(4/?)

@sj_zero @fgraver @AccordionBruce @tbaldauf

strypey, 3 days ago

Having said that, do I think there should be a train linking every population centre? No. You're right that mass transit only makes sense for routes where it is (or likely will be) common for a large number of people to travel. There are journeys where trains can't replace buses, private vehicles and active transport.

But based on what I saw in China, I think they can and should replace most (if not all) domestic air travel.

(5/?)

@sj_zero
@fgraver @AccordionBruce @tbaldauf

strypey, 3 days ago

@zakalwe
> they said "We're cancelling at the end of 4", which was just an insanely stupid decision because the audience demographics were GREAT, and then they said "We changed our minds, find a Season 5 storyline now"

Sounds a bit similar to what happened to Blake's 7. As far as the cast and crew knew they were done at the end of series C... until the end of the final episode screening, when the announcer said it would be back for another series.

@skribe @RickiTarr

strypey, 3 days ago

@zakalwe
> Much better than for instance Voyager, which was not only rubbish, it was insulting rubbish

There's no accounting for taste. I rewatched all the TNG era shows a few years ago. To me, TNG, DS9 and Voyager all held up really well. Even Enterprise was better than I gave it credit for at the time, although it's definitely the weakest of the 4.

One pattern I noticed across all 4 is that the first season was the weakest. It took them a full season to find their feet.

(1/2)

@RickiTarr

strypey, 3 days ago

@zakalwe
> the stupid "emergency medical hologram"

Was my favourite part of Voyager. Whereas 7 of 9 was basically Data-with-boobs, the Doctor's situation made for an entirely new kind of character arc. Where he already had all the personality and sense of self a human has, but even more limitations as a technological artifact. Watching him negotiate with the crew to be treated as a peer, and slowly increase his freedom of movement was fascinating to me.

(2/2)

@RickiTarr

strypey, 3 days ago

@cliffwade
> Are you interested in helping

Yes. By gently suggesting you consider paying for the significant technical work of maintaining a fediverse instance, if you want it done well. Either directly, or through an existing hosting service. Bridge Seat isn't ready for customers yet, but there is a thriving ecosystem of providers that are.

strypey, 3 days ago

I've mostly dismissed the Cambrian explosion of AI as a bubble. There is a financial bubble forming around it. But I'm starting to think it's more like the DotCom bubble than the crypto bubble. I have to acknowledge there is useful MOLE-based tech that - like the useful bits of the late 90s web - can survive the bubble bursting.

This makes it even more urgent to break up the power concentrated in a handful of media tech corporations, and put it back in everyone's hands (ie revive democracy).

strypey, 5 days ago

@jackyan
Sorry if it seems like I'm splitting hairs or interrogating you (or just boring you). I'm just trying to deepen my understanding of how and why these big changes in news affect people. So I can factor it in when brainstorming potential bottom-up solutions.

strypey, 5 days ago

@jackyan
> If they made it, Iʼd watch it... Iʼm sure you were alive when this was what everyone did

I remember the 1984 election. So, yes, I was. Curious how you formed the impression I wasn't.

strypey, 5 days ago

@jackyan
> It did a bit mate!

Humble apologies.

> Once I have to hunt for it, then itʼs no longer relaxing viewing

You find watching the news relaxing? 😳

strypey, 5 days ago

@jackyan
> This is why I said, 'Iʼm sure you were alive,' rather than, 'Before you were born'

Oops! I honestly read it as "I'm not sure". Maybe time I unplug for bit, take a walk : P

strypey, 4 days ago

@jackyan
> I think we were both misinterpreting the other and I apologize for my part!

Ditto. Anything that needs forgiving is forgiven, without hesitation : )

strypey, 5 days ago

@RexRedbone
> Oh should come over to No Authority Social lol

Who asked you to sit at our table? ; )

(in case it's not clear, I'm roleplaying the problem I described in the OP)

strypey, 5 days ago

@sj_zero
> there's a lot of "governance" I see which just looks like attempts at bullying and domination to me

Ditto.

> The ideal for me would be having the ability to paint with as thin a brush as possible to achieve the desired result

Again, ditto. But I'm very aware I don't fit any of the demographics that seem to paint a target on people's backs when they go online. Eg I've been dogpiled, but never with rape or death threats. So I'm cautious about generalising from my mod tool usage.

strypey, 5 days ago

@billyjoebowers
> Yeah, I hesitated to even mention it

My family hasn't lived in Scotland for at least 4 generations, so no offence taken... as long as you don't start mistaking kiwi accents for Ozzie accents ; )