Ian Marchak wrote:
>
[snip]
>
> Really and truly what it comes down to for me is this:
>
> When I have children, I would like for them to be able to go outside and
> play without a respirator and SPF 600 sun block. We really have to
> smarten up and stop spewing s#!t into the air at the rate we are...if
> nobody can breathe the air, a lack of energy really won't matter all
> that much.
[snip]
Years ago, I suggested to the Senate Transportation Committee in a
letter to them (they either didn't read it or cracked up laughing) that
what we needed was a true, non-nonsense mode of transportation. To wit:
a system of overhead rails where speed would not endanger lives on the
ground (I envision 60 mph + in the city, up to 500 mph between cities)
individual cars (4-6 place vehicles) that could be privately owned if
you so desired, or not (why bother except for the socially arrogant)
totally computer controlled for maximum efficiency and safety (and no
need for humans to interfere and cause accidents)
What would this buy you?
1. almost 100% safety -- put your kids in one and they will arrive at
school (and only at school, no intermediate stops)
2. no more pedestrians run over
3. you could work (read, watch tv) on the way to home or work
4. the speed (up to 500 mph) would preclude use of airplanes except for
trans-oceanic or trans-continental travel
5. access for all
6. no more car insurance payments (I paid $300/year full coverage in
the states and thought I was being abused, here I pay more than double
that).
7. no more excuses for being late (OK, that's a disadvantage), because
it would always take exactly 12.5 minutes to get to work regardless of
traffic and route taken (computers would see to that)
8. cargo could get shuttled off to holding areas during "rush hour" (I
hate fighting semis).
We've had the technology to do this for over 10 years. But inertia and
interests (insurance companies, gas companies -- wouldn't use gas, would
use solar energy -- etc, would kill it before it could save lives and
fuel; no, better to guzzle gas and kill a 747 load of people a day in
the US than improve the transportation system).
Now, I own a Ford Ranger Pickup with crew cab (not the new double
cabin). I often have it loaded up up with 1200-1500 lbs of fertilizer
or herbicides, 300 ears of sweet corn or 1500 lbs of dried corn, etc
(not something I want inside with me). Otherwise, I'd just get a Saturn
Wagon (had one, loved it). SUVs just seem silly to me. But then, I
have nothing to prove (already done that, got the T-shirt and the
left-over explosives).
Ciao,
David A. Bandel
--
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
-- Nemesis Racing Team motto
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