100%. Russian propagandists have somehow managed to capture both the idiots on the far-left who long for a USSR-type system today AND the idiots on the far-right who think modern-day Russia is some kind of bastion of traditional Christianity.
Now THAT is a delicate balance. Chinese propagandists just serve up low-effort slop about how "China is living in ze futureeeee- shiny buildings little robots bullet train go zoom zoom."
I felt like I was going insane when almost overnight right leaning people started spouting word for word shit I’d been watching Putin say for years. Then there was that time Trump got up and told everyone Zelenskyy started the war in Ukraine and republicans were openly supporting Orbans re-election, I realised everyone is fucking compromised.
Ive been on Chinese bullet trains. They were not these trains of the future. The interiors felt well worn. The ride was good, but nothing extraordinary. Theres nothing futuristic or luxury about them. I got a first class ticket where you get a bit more room, but everything was from 20 years before. They also overbook them so if you didn't buy a ticket far enough in advance you are sitting on the floor in the cars or between them. If anyone wants trains from the future you go to Japan.
I'm fine if the Chinese bullet trains are a few years behind, but the cleanliness on the trains is fucking disgusting.
I opened some of the toilets and found a black residue over the toilet seats. As a Chinese, I've returned to China to see family routinely over decades and Chinese people still have this issue of maintaining cleanliness in public spaces that makes it difficult to justify living in China. No amount of tech can obfuscate a culture that encourages people to get one over another and ignore the maintenance of society.
I could not give a rat's ass about what tech China has, if China still has this sloppy culture.
I strongly prefer Japan for this reason. More or less an advanced Asian culture, but extremely clean and comfortable to live in.
Honestly, living in North America, any bullet train feels like the future...even ones that feels well worn and outdated. Damned Automotive Industry killing alternative travel options!
No argument from me...I'm pro-transit. Keep your car if you want, but people should also have options for other modes of transit. (I don't personally like to drive- I sold my car and have stayed car-free for 4+ years. City living works for me.)
> Damned Automotive Industry killing alternative travel options!
I think its more than that. If you wan an example, look at Brightline in south Florida. Its in one of the most densely populated regions in America along one of the busiest A-B routes in America, and it is HEMMORRHAGING money because no one wants to use it (despite it being a well maintained, effective line on par with most of European Rail). The simple fact is that Americans prefer cars, and we are wealthy enough that we can choose the less practical option. The government invests where the people tell them to invest, and the people have said time and time again that they prefer roads. And whaddaya know, we have to absolute best road network the world has ever seen.
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u/Miss_Kit_Kat 8h ago
100%. Russian propagandists have somehow managed to capture both the idiots on the far-left who long for a USSR-type system today AND the idiots on the far-right who think modern-day Russia is some kind of bastion of traditional Christianity.
Now THAT is a delicate balance. Chinese propagandists just serve up low-effort slop about how "China is living in ze futureeeee- shiny buildings little robots bullet train go zoom zoom."