Some people in Silicon Valley like to complain that Europe can't innovate. Yesterday I took a 190 mile per hour train underwater from London to Brussels in less than two hours. That inability to innovate would be welcome in California's transport system anytime.
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Eurostar made a £58m profit this year dude. And before you ask, Eurotunnel broke even. Unlike Uber.
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Hmm.... Brexit won't help either.https://www.bbc.com/news/business-39291578 …
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That was 2016. You’re not very good at this are you?
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Actually, I've thought about far more than you have, as I've had this conversation every time some American friend comes back from the EU. Here are the rail subsidies by EU country (note units are in billions). What are you claiming? I've lost track. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_subsidies …pic.twitter.com/or6yKdjhZc
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Anyone who claims with a straight face that European rail is financially viable, and that the current system is what would result if a market system reigned (by contrast with the US, where rail is minimally subsidized), doesn't know WTF they're talking about (as you seem not to).
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Perhaps higj quality rail can only exist with subsidy? Perhaps Europeans have chosen to have decent trains, and maybe the European model works for Europe. Who knows? You seem irked by this.
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And Europeans don't seem to realize the original tweet and linked storm wasn't addressed to them, but to Americans. The point is that many Americans fetishize the European lifestyle. I know, I was one of them. Then I got an EU passport, lived there (again) for a while....
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There's much to be said for the European lifestyle. Also, there are some real drawbacks. The Americans who spend all of three days and like the trains never realize that. Because of course they never move there. That's what this thread is about.
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Does every public service need to be profitable? Isn't that why we pay taxes?
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Amen, like for healthcare
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And I say as much in the original thread. Ok, muting this thread. I've had this conversation a hundred times already while living in Europe, no need to repeat.
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Oh okay. If you need some planes, you can buy some of our Airbus A380.pic.twitter.com/qMqORDJpql
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Speaking of money-losers, those things are ruining Airbus. Without subsidies, they'd be dead too. They'll be halting production soon. Boeing studied the concept and passed on it. The 787 is doing great, and has become the standard medium-haul aircraft.https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/16/end-of-the-a380-superjumbo-airbus-warns-future-of-plane-programme-at-risk …
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You are right. But we have the said subsidies. So we have those planes, they fly. We are happy with them and their conceptions employed a lot of people all around the Europe. Subsides are not a bad thing you know? It's not like it's an overdraft.
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US plane manufacturers receive large US military contracts that keep them afloat. The contracts are only given to American companies.
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It's because europeans thinks providing an efficient transport network that would enhance their comfort is important.
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Lol that u don't need infrastructure could have only come from someone affiliated with ycombinator
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Exactly. Here in the US, all of our industries and services are profitable on their own, without the help of subsidies and favorable regulatory structures. We’d never do such a thing here.
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American roads are hugely subsidized by property taxes and sales taxes.
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He isn’t dating Europe is a utopia . Americans I find love trains in Europe for how quickly you get to a new culture or language . OPis correct : in Estonia I can Apple Pay my parking meter- in SF or Millbrae ? Cash only. So disruptive
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Saying **
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