May be underwater, underground. That was a casual comment tossed off at the end of the article. The first incarnation will certainly be 'at grade' or aboveground.

Hyperloop was conceived by Elon Musk as much as Multitouch was invented by Steve Jobs.

I wonder if we as humans need to create an untouchable genius image that we can aspire to, and now that our last one is dead, it's Musk's turn.

Inventions are a dime a dozen.

Delivery matters.

And thus, it's not bad to idolize those who actually deliver -- even if they got the ideas from elsewhere or there were lots of crappy priors...

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this "Hyperloop" system just some, granted elaborate, set of blueprints and whitepapers, but Musk isn't actually delivering it himself. Rather, other companies are working on it ?

But even disregarding that, I think OP was referring to how certain segments of the media hang on Musk's lips, as if he is some sort of tech-messiah.

And I don't want to take any praise away from him, the man has done really impressive things. That's not it.

It's just that there seems to be a certain type of over-hyping. The idea for magnetic, vacuum-escaped tube travel certainly isn't new. And a last week's reporting of his "we probably live in a simulation"-comment comes to mind as well. That's not a very original thought, yet was widely reported.

So yeah, I agree, delivery matters. But it's not just the delivery that's being idolized here.

>Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this "Hyperloop" system just some, granted elaborate, set of blueprints and whitepapers, but Musk isn't actually delivering it himself. Rather, other companies are working on it ?

In this case yes. But he has delivered plenty already in other fields.

>But even disregarding that, I think OP was referring to how certain segments of the media hang on Musk's lips, as if he is some sort of tech-messiah.

Well, same way certain segments of HN hang on PG's lips etc. People like heroes -- and it's not just the ignorant masses or the "media" that do so.

Elaborate is pretty overselling what Musk actually released. It was back of the envelope level engineering and some drawings in that architectural-sketchy style.

I don't know about all humans, but western media certainly needs that image to schlep

Since the current hyperloop concept can only travel in a straight line, perhaps having it as underwater structure will make possible for traveling at great distances. Otherwise, one can imagine having their pathways interfering with buildings, etc. when built above ground. Still, it will be very cool if a proof of concept can be [demonstrated](http://www.metaculus.com/questions/71/will-a-successful-proo...).

Also, it will be on Mars since there are no plate tectonics there.

Better the moon, you don't even have to create a vacuum there!

fastest would be using wormholes. not sure if there is one available between SF and LA though

I'm guessing Tesla would be Nigel Sheldon, I wonder who Ozzie Isaacs role would be fulfilled by?

FYI, even Musk thinks that hyperloop only makes sense for distances on the order of a few hundred miles. Much longer than that and planes are superior.