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Re:Elon Musk - The Future of Energy and Transport [video] by marquis on Thursday November 22, 2012 @03:33PM (#4819904)
I rarely travel for business: that one's been sorted by the internet. But I can't go long periods of time without seeing friends and family who are all over the world, and as I'm the one with the freedom I'm the one that travels. As a bonus I get croissants in Paris one day and shrimp in Sydney the next. I don't want to give this up - I want to pay some kind of forward-travel-tax that makes this more sustainable. Speaking of Paris, the Concorde is taunting me sitting at Charles de Gaulle and Orly right now, lifted up as if it's waiting for stronger winds.
Re:Elon Musk - The Future of Energy and Transport [video] by Eyght on Thursday November 22, 2012 @04:18PM (#4820038)
How would you feel about traveling in a larger vehicle, think zeppelin, that took 20 hours longer to reach its destination, but in return it would be cheaper and more comfortable - more like traveling on a cruise ship?
Re:Elon Musk - The Future of Energy and Transport [video] by gutnor on Thursday November 22, 2012 @07:02PM (#4820487)
I really wonder if a Zeppelin would be cheaper considering that it would require more personnel, accommodation and service for long period of time.

Actually like cruise ships: they are not cheaper than flying. They are a lot more comfortable.

Re:Elon Musk - The Future of Energy and Transport [video] by stcredzero on Friday November 23, 2012 @02:12PM (#4823284)
> I really wonder if a Zeppelin would be cheaper considering that it would require more personnel, accommodation and service for long period of time.

What if you made them really huge and mostly automated? Make the service be mostly self-service, like at an extended-stay hotel?

Re:Elon Musk - The Future of Energy and Transport [video] by marquis on Thursday November 22, 2012 @07:43PM (#4820575)
I would adore it, given I was comfortable with its safety. Assuming it had high-speed internet it's a travelling hotel, and considering travelling itself is the worst part of travelling I'd welcome it to be pleasurable in itself.
Re:Elon Musk - The Future of Energy and Transport [video] by 001sky on Thursday November 22, 2012 @09:29PM (#4820754)
I can't go long periods of time without seeing friends and family who are all over the world

-- First world problems, people !

Re:Elon Musk - The Future of Energy and Transport [video] by marquis on Thursday November 22, 2012 @09:54PM (#4820803)
Absolutely! But I also think of it as a responsibility to live and travel and experience, given that I have the rare opportunity to do so without being born into wealth.

In regards to the proposed tech: if this allows for cleaner, cheaper transportation down the road for everyone then the economic opportunities improve for the globe.