The vast size and distribution of the United States clearly makes high-speed transcontinental rail impractical compared to flying. However, completely ignoring the most populated corridors is insane.

Fast trains in regions like Boston-DC, Atlanta-Miami and San Francisco-San Diego make a lot more sense than flying when you factor in the time to get airports, traverse security and get on and off the plane. The Shinkansen in Japan is absolutely a marvel. Let's just do it!

Reshared post from +Maria Stepanov Sommerfield

The topic of discussion in my house this morning was how outdated and antique the US train system is compared to the rest of the world.  I wish the US would get with times. The West Coast especially has a completely antiquated rail system. 

US Supreme Court to decide whether human genes are patentable

http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/30/3712896/united-states-supreme-court-myriad-genetics-patent

Reshared post from +Alex Nunez

Excellent news.

A French appellate court this week overturned a manslaughter conviction against Continental Airlines and one of its mechanics in the case of the 2000 Concorde crash. While reports at the time almost exclusively blamed a tire that blew out after running over a strip of metal on the runway, it appears that there was a cascading series of human errors that ultimately resulted in the crash. There was plenty of blame to go around and this article is definitely worth a read.

Reshared post from +Edmunds.com

Watch Edmunds video coverage of the 2012 LA Auto Show, including this one on the 2014 Ford Fiesta: http://edmu.in/UgmMPP ^RC

Reshared post from +Jim Fawcette

Good Bye, Texas, but First Some Final Business
don't come back whining when you're annexed to Chihuahua

Good take by LAT's David Horsey on setting conditions before Texas waves bye, bye. His final punch line is priceless. I'd add another condition: Repayment of the $200 Billion U.S. taxpayers "gifted" Texas in the S&L bailout. 

Horsey: If we agree to let Texas secede peacefully, " there have to be some guidelines to this deal. Texans cannot just get up from the table and leave a bill for somebody else to pay. Texas must pay its share of the national debt. It was a former governor of Texas who racked up the major part of that bill by giving his rich friends a huge tax cut and then buying two wars and a prescription drug plan on credit.

"Also, the new Republic of Texas must provide safe passage to all the Texas liberals who may want out. We do not want to see Austin become another West Berlin isolated in a vast, hostile territory…. 

"And one more stipulation: When the Latino population finally reaches a majority in Texas and decides to head a little further back into history by reuniting Texas with Mexico, all you secessionists cannot come crying to us, pleading to be taken back into the United States. 

"By then, we will be done messing with Texas. If you are upset, take your grievances to Mexico City."

Reshared post from +Ars Technica

Reshared post from +Alex Nunez

Awesome. Filmed in the Mustang factory in '65.