Sneak Peek Wed July 17 2024 + Discord info

I don't want to have a discussion thread about what's actually in today's video, which was actually kind of unpleasant to make. So instead, enjoy these asters!

One thing I do mention briefly in today's video is the existence of the Patreon Discord server. Unfortunately Patreon doesn't give me a great way to permanently link this site to the server, so I have to create a temporary link every time someone inquires about it. Anyway, I'm thinking I'll get more questions about it because of the mention today, so I'm putting a link here. I think it's only valid for a week, though (you can use it to join permanently though), so if you're seeing this after July 24 or so, just message me.

https://discord.gg/daGZrCPN

I actually have a question totally unrelated to today's video. I have a topic I'm considering, which is somewhat based on the early success of the new Borealis passenger train between Chicago and St. Paul. I will probably find a way to analyze this — OK I DEFINITELY will — but the research question is, what are the most important or interesting unserved, or radically underserved, potential passenger rail corridors in the US? Some of my interest in this is that I often take the Railrunner here in Albuquerque to go up to Santa Fe, and it's just so massively convenient and comfortable for getting stuff done en route, enjoying scenery, reading, goofing off on your phone, whatever. There should be services like this all over the US, but there are shocking city pairs like Phoenix and Tucson — right in the state next door, with a city pair of 5x the population each — that have nothing. So the question is, off the top of your head, what are unserved/underserved routes you'd like to see? This can be stuff in your own backyard, or further afield. Doesn't just have to be US either! Europe, I don't want to hear from you. Grrr

Happy Wednesday!