Edinburgh and high speed trains

Hey,

This week I took a break to visit Edinburgh. Strolling its streets and contemplating its medieval, neoclassical and contemporary architecture felt magical. The sun, shining most of the day, also added to the enchantment.

It took four hours by train to travel to Edinburgh from London. Why not take a flight instead? Flying would’ve been a one-hour trip and way cheaper, but the train is a better option for the planet and tends to be a more comfortable and relaxed experience, compared with low-cost flights.

I imagine a future where trains are the default way of travelling domestically from city to city and, more importantly, internationally. It would be fantastic to be able to take a train from London to Madrid, or between any European country, without hassle and with decent fares. Last time I checked, it was a daunting experience, and don’t get me started on the prices.

Unfortunately, efforts to encourage public transport, cycling or just walking as the primary options are not great. It’s true that in many European countries, cities are walkable and public transport is a viable option—I haven't driven a car in the past 10 years—but fares are still high and driving and flying are preferred.

It all comes back to system thinking. Countries and cities should have system design in mind and prioritize people falling into the Pit of Success. Healthier and better decisions should be encouraged and facilitated, instead of adding more hurdles. Think of how easy and cheap it is to buy a cookie or a coke—to the point where cookies are given to patients in hospitals—but how difficult it is to find healthy and cheap food alternatives.

Next week, I’ll be coming back to the previous newsletter format—although I’m considering the idea of doing more essays here and there—and focusing on the month’s goal: income.