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The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

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Re: The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

#41

Post by ketzo »

Barrin92 wrote: post #34

Absolutely on point. One thing I find particularly interesting about technologies of this kind is that they're often sold as 'the future of X', in this case transport. Just like Zoom is the 'future of doing conferences and work'. Has anyone noticed in recent times that this is almost always the American future, rather than everyone else's future, in response to essentially rot of public infrastructure and state capac…

“we are the future of X” === “X is observably a $Y billion total market today, so invest in us at 25x revenue”

Re: The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

#42

Post by markbaikal »

sillysaurusx wrote: post #5

Many years ago, when Hyperloop's design was first announced, tlb pointed out that steel expands during summer, and that the expansion from SF to LA was roughly 400m (if I remember correctly) over a so-and-so temperature difference during summer. Where does the steel go? I'm not sure there's been a satisfactory answer to that question. Expansion joints are very hard when you need to maintain a vacuum.

There are no expansion joints on continuous welded rail either.

The track is instead clamped so strongly that it can maintain its alignment even under thermal stress.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_(rail_transport)#Conti...

Re: The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

#43

Post by nickff »

aqme28 wrote: post #39
nickff wrote: post #11

This article is completely lacking in historical perspective. There was a time when commercial aviation was a luxury reserved for the rich; one need only look at the configurations of aircraft like the DC-2 and the Boeing 317 to understand that. Between 1935 and 2020, flight became a tool to help enrich the lives of masses of middle-class people. The hyperloop has a relatively small chance of positively impacting man…

I don't follow your analogy. How is this to the train what the plane was to an oceanic voyage?

I don't really have a direct analogy (possibly due to a lack of 'vision'); I just think that changing technology can create 'paradigm shifts' in access and capabilities.

Re: The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

#44

Post by bigbubba »

CyberDildonics wrote: post #26
tonywastaken wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When do you anticipate electric vehicles will become mainstream in your country?

Electric buses are mainstream in china.

Electric buses are mainstream in America, they drive past my home a dozen times a day. Of course they pull their power from overhead powerlines, but I'd guess that makes them better at handling hills and has less downtime.

Re: The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

#45

Post by input_sh »

throwaway2048 wrote: post #2

The fact that the hyperloop is not a train is by far its most important feature. We have reasonable cost estimates for trains, with a new unproven technology, you can make any cost estimates you want. But its all a shell game, the hyperloop has every constraint a train does (and more!), and will inevitably, at the very least be exactly as expensive. This is an old game, I'm sure everyone remembers The Simpson's monor…

I'm not quite sure it's possible for a vacuum tube to cost less than some steel for a train track.

I guess it could be cheaper to build it under a city (tunnel needs to be smaller), but anywhere else... highly doubt it.

Plus, you know, trains are faster, more comfortable, have sleeper cabins, quieter, easier to stop in an emergency, and even have windows!

Hyperloop is basically Musk's dislike for sharing space with other people. Some of them might even be murderers, to put it in his words.

Re: The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

#46

Post by civilized »

mixedCase wrote: post #15

I read the entire article just to find its underlying foundation rearing its ugly head near its end: > Maybe we’ll even have a line in the U.S. that Wall Street execs and DC lobbyists will use to blast up and down the Eastern Seaboard for business lunches. But you and me? We’ll be stuck on dilapidated Amtrak lines[...] > our only consolation the fact that the hyperloop’s vacuum-sealed tubes don’t have windows, so its…

I know right? I work hard and do well for my family, but I know there are folks who have much higher incomes and wealth and enjoy much more privileges. Some of them have earned it and some haven't. I spend zero percent of my life being upset about this. Why do so many young people in basically my same life station fret about it so very much? It seems very toddlerish, to be so upset just because you saw someone with a toy you don't have.

Re: The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

#47

Post by tonywastaken »

CyberDildonics wrote: post #26
tonywastaken wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When do you anticipate electric vehicles will become mainstream in your country?

Electric buses are mainstream in china.

That's a stretch. And China is 2nd world.

Re: The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

#49

Post by bryanlarsen »

mixedCase wrote: post #15

I read the entire article just to find its underlying foundation rearing its ugly head near its end: > Maybe we’ll even have a line in the U.S. that Wall Street execs and DC lobbyists will use to blast up and down the Eastern Seaboard for business lunches. But you and me? We’ll be stuck on dilapidated Amtrak lines[...] > our only consolation the fact that the hyperloop’s vacuum-sealed tubes don’t have windows, so its…

IMO, both the hyperloop and the boring company tunnels will evolve into something much more subway-like if they succeed. Starting out by soaking the rich is often a good way to start, though.

Re: The Hyperloop’s Only Destination Is a Capitalist Hellscape

#50

Post by meheleventyone »

mixedCase wrote: post #15

I read the entire article just to find its underlying foundation rearing its ugly head near its end: > Maybe we’ll even have a line in the U.S. that Wall Street execs and DC lobbyists will use to blast up and down the Eastern Seaboard for business lunches. But you and me? We’ll be stuck on dilapidated Amtrak lines[...] > our only consolation the fact that the hyperloop’s vacuum-sealed tubes don’t have windows, so its…

Is this level of infrastructure even viable for a few rich people?
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