Passing through New London, CT on the
Amtrak Acela it occurs to me that traveling by train is one of the more, if not
the most, relaxing forms of transportation. This isn’t Boston’s Red Line with the squeaks and squeels of the MBTA rails. This ride
is smooth, with plenty of air conditioning, Internet-connected Wi-Fi, snacks,
and a seemingly endless number of power outlets for traveler’s to charge their
weary gadgets.
I wonder what would happen if cars were
suddenly replaced by the rails? Imagine if all the highways in the country were
converted to a railway system, with sub-systems flowing from there. We would
have a more contemplative, albeit a slower, society for sure.
The train is a perfect example of the
efficiency versus effectiveness argument.
Why do we need to get to wherever it
is we are going so quickly? (aka efficiently). Wouldn’t an effective, but less
efficient system serve us better? Less driving, less hassle, less getting
halfway naked to board airplanes and be treated like cattle. The rail is definitely the way to go, as far
as I’m concerned.
It’s also why all mass transit should
be subsidized. We subsidize oil, why not actual transportation?
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