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[Duuvian]

Perhaps the root problem is the society and the technology itself.

I'm inclined to agree, what do you propose? I think we should think about ways to open our skies a little more.

[Eagleon]

I've always been partial to massive networks of zip-lines and/or throwing every business executive in chains.

Since this is on a transportation thing, I'll outline my hare-brained get-rich-quick business plan, since I'll never be able to manage it myself: on-demand transit. A combination of google maps for route selection (select any start and end destination, so it'd be like a taxi), GPS route planning and coordination (each vehicle would communicate its location real-time as it picks people up, to allow the central server to determine which vehicle is in the best position to pick up the new passenger), and web-feedback/payment. It'd be a bus with no set route. A taxi service that doesn't charge by mile. It slices, it dices, etc.

Probably would never work.

[Earthquake Damage]

and/or throwing every business executive in chains.

When people say things like this, I always assume they mean the stereotypical corrupt big business CEO, not the small business owner.  The language is ambiguous, though.

[Andir]

and/or throwing every business executive in chains.

When people say things like this, I always assume they mean the stereotypical corrupt big business CEO, not the small business owner.  The language is ambiguous, though.

The problem with the thinking is... where do you draw the line between the hard working small business and "the evil fat cat CEO" and who draws that line?  That's why I'm ALWAYS leery about people talking in this way.

[Virex]

and/or throwing every business executive in chains.

When people say things like this, I always assume they mean the stereotypical corrupt big business CEO, not the small business owner.  The language is ambiguous, though.

The problem with the thinking is... where do you draw the line between the hard working small business and "the evil fat cat CEO" and who draws that line?  That's why I'm ALWAYS leery about people talking in this way.

Isn't it just easier to trow everyone in chains and take their possesions?

[Eagleon]

and/or throwing every business executive in chains.

When people say things like this, I always assume they mean the stereotypical corrupt big business CEO, not the small business owner.  The language is ambiguous, though.

The problem with the thinking is... where do you draw the line between the hard working small business and "the evil fat cat CEO" and who draws that line?  That's why I'm ALWAYS leery about people talking in this way.

If you notice, I grouped it with the transportation solution of stringing zip-lines everywhere. It's about as sensible, and often sounds just as fun. You can't draw the line. But it's very tempting to try to do so when you look at CEO salaries vs. teachers.

[Duuvian]

I was thinking of zip lines as well. I was thinking maybe having zip line. It would have to be able to support the engine, but I'll get back to that later because my idea kind of lessens the weight of the engine carried if I understand the concepts of buoyance correctly.

My idea is to have an engine that can pull itself along the zip line, have that attached to a solid pipe with a cable running through it. The cable is attached to a balloon/zeppelin specifically designed for this. With the pipe guiding the rope you could have a system of relatively close zip lines with the pipes angled and lengthened correctly to avoid snares.

This way, if my limited knowledge of the physics of this system is correct, the balloon would add buoyancy and air resistance to create lift on the engine, thereby carrying some of it's weight while traveling along the zip line. I'm not sure what the advantages would be inherent in that, to be honest, but I bet there is some practical application for it. Would the buoyancy of the balloon pulling up on the engine somehow affect it's performance if the cable is strong enough to not break?

Also, as far as the design of the zeppelin (let's call it a zippeline?) I'd guess extremely long and narrow for extra cargo and less forward air resistance while hopefully not affecting lift too much.

One thing that might be interesting is if you could get the buoyancy lift equal the downward pull of the engine. To do this though would require all the passengers to be weighed before they enter the zeppeline, along with cargo. Water ballast on the zeppline would work too.

The upside is you wouldn't need to lay tracks, although the effects of different altitudes might have an effect, along with atmospheric conditions. I got the idea looking out the window at all the telephone poles.

[Eagleon]

Hmm. I hadn't thought of balloons, to be honest. The biggest problem with zip-lines is getting people back up to the height of it for the next line - other than that, all you need are brakes to slow yourself towards the end of the line, else you're cliff (or in this case building) pudding.

It's been suggested before, apparently, from a cursory search. Elevators and stairs are too bulky to build everywhere, but with balloons, you could pump ballast up the pole to bring it back down to its lower station. This means it's two-way, a big plus. I don't know what the cost of running the pumps would be, but it couldn't be more individually than the maintenance that the buses require - relatively fewer moving parts, but perhaps a larger overall cost because of how many you'd need along one route. I don't really know how many buses our system operates, but it would also be much cheaper during down-times (no cost during the times the pumps don't need to run), and could potentially be automated, which means vastly extended AM service. It would have to be longer distances between each stop to be economical, but there's a certain distance where it becomes much less useful than a bus system.

High winds would be a big problem. So would less savory sorts trying to pop the balloons - the buses and bus stops are vandalized enough as it is, with drivers and cameras watching. I dunno. It's something to consider.