An elderly Wales and Borders DMU. Yeah this is the same type of train I took as a teenager, and now I am in my forties.
In my mind it’s a Good Thing that a train can last 30 years.
I have no idea yet what the article is about, but this triggered me straight away. 30 equals elderly?
It seems to address a phenomenon I have noticed myself: big spending on prestiguous public infrastructure projects, but no constant support for public transport.
In my mind it’s a Good Thing that a train can last 30 years.
The train pictured is this one:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_153
Contructed between 1987-1988 and entered service in 1991. So they have been running for 35 years. Which is impressive, but the point he is making: They are old. They are not as efficient as modern trains. They feel old.
It seems to address a phenomenon I have noticed myself: big spending on prestiguous public infrastructure projects, but no constant support for public transport.
Yes, this is a very normal human trait unfortunately. People in charge want to have something fancy that they can tell people they were responsible for, not just “keeping the lights on”.
normal human trait
Not sure I agree there. It’s a normal asshole trait that isn’t limited to politics. But maybe that’s what you meant.
It’s not even an asshole trait. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to build something to be proud of, most of us have that to some extent.
The issue here is combining that with power and selfishness.There’s nothing wrong with wanting to build something to be proud of, most of us have that to some extent.
No disagreement there. The issue is what you think you can be proud of, and how you go about achieving it.
Or, in other words, why wouldn’t they be more proud of building something that makes a lasting impact on society, instead of a big but fleeting impact on some people they want to impress?
That’s an asshole trait, but not a general human trait.
