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Diary: Google Invades

lrb.co.uk

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Re: Diary: Google Invades

#41

Post by tomkarlo »

andrewcooke wrote: post #32
talon88 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure it's really 'journalism', per se, as it is flowery language complaining about something with vague metaphors.

it's very good writing, by an award winning writer, in one of the top lit magazines. but i don't expect people on google buses, or hn, to know that, even less recognise it. [edit: and... the entire post has been flagged off the front page (59 points, 2 hours ago, page 2). because anything critical is clearly irrelevant, as well as poorly written, and clearly not understanding what it's really like. la la la. what a p…

Good writing isn't the same as good journalism. If you have one without the other, it has very different implications for the impact of a piece.

Re: Diary: Google Invades

#42

Post by DannyBee »

I stopped reading at " It means that unlike gigantic employers in other times and places, the corporations of Silicon Valley aren’t much interested in improving public transport, and in fact the many corporations providing private transport are undermining the financial basis for the commuter train."

This is such complete bullshit i don't even know where to start. Every single company in the area has either offered to help, is helping, or had their help refused when it comes to public transport.

It's not even a Google vs Apple vs whoever, they are all trying to help here in any way they can.

Of course, since the author cites absolutely no statements or support for any of their claims, i'm just going to file this in the "not even wrong" category

Re: Diary: Google Invades

#43

Post by ahlatimer »

asveikau wrote: post #28
moultano wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the Caltrain connected to any other public transit system in a reasonable way, I don't think the Google busses would exist. Riding trains is much more pleasant than riding busses, but not if it adds an extra hour to your commute each way. Furthermore, if you want cheaper housing, build more of it. I don't think there's an easier way around it.

I thought the Central Subway (4th and King to Chinatown) could improve this, if you could go from Powell to Caltrain without taking that long loop around the Bay (or walking, which can sometimes be quicker). But that probably won't be there for a while (anyone know the date?). What I'd most like to see from Caltrain is more frequent trains. It's annoying to arrive only a few seconds late (due to a Muni delay) and the…

If you're talking about the Transbay Center, that's supposed to be completed in 2017. http://transbaycenter.org/construction-updates/project-sched...

Re: Diary: Google Invades

#44

Post by DannyBee »

decklin wrote: post #7

> but the passengers were tech people, so withdrawn from direct, abrupt, interventionary communications... Not sure this writer has actually had to deal with many "tech people".

Don't be silly, i'm sure the author even has one of those shirts that says they are a nerd!

Re: Diary: Google Invades

#45

Post by scarmig »

lmm wrote: post #19
3pt14159 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So why do we need the public to run mass transit in the first place?

Because it's a natural monopoly.

How are buses a natural monopoly? I could see trains with right of way issues, but buses on publicly accessible roads?

Re: Diary: Google Invades

#46

Post by DannyBee »

hoverkraft wrote: post #3

Interesting point about public transportation -- by creating a private bus system, tech companies are actively suppressing demand for better public transport between SF and the valley.

You do realize, of course, that all of these companies have offered to help pay for new bus routes, or are working on helping to build rail bridges, or helping to propose private/public partnerships on better light rail, or ...

Re: Diary: Google Invades

#48

Post by jstalin »

DannyBee wrote: post #42

I stopped reading at " It means that unlike gigantic employers in other times and places, the corporations of Silicon Valley aren’t much interested in improving public transport, and in fact the many corporations providing private transport are undermining the financial basis for the commuter train." This is such complete bullshit i don't even know where to start. Every single company in the area has either offered t…

Many people think that limiting "competition" and forcing people to use their preferred method of public transit is a legitimate public policy goal. The intent is not to provide efficient transit that works well for those who need it, the goal is to ensure that Very Large Capital Projects get the federal funding they need to fill the gigantic money-losing gap they create.

Re: Diary: Google Invades

#49

Post by dmm »

If housing is so expensive why the hell aren't they building more?

Lumber(or brick) doesn't cost more in California.

It's not a lack of capital. Interest rates are extremely low thanks to the fed.

It can't be a lack of labor. I personally know several carpenters and electricians who would happy to work in California for 6 months building apartments. I don't think my experience is that unusual.

What is going on?

Re: Diary: Google Invades

#50

Post by gee_totes »

For further reading on the geography and political economy of California, I strongly suggest Mike Davis' City of Quartz, which is a series of essays about LA:

http://www.amazon.com/City-Quartz-Excavating-Angeles-Edition...

Warning for HN readers: the book is written in the same critical and class conscious vein as this article, so you may not like it.

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