Canada vs. Australia which is a more modern country in terms of infrastructure?

https://www.quora.com/Canada-or-Australia-which-is-a-more-modern-country-in-terms-of-infrastructure-and-technology# Well, that depends upon who you ask, of course.

https://www.quora.com/Why-doesn-t-Australia-have-infrastructure-like-other-countries Whether you are in the outback, the desert or the bush, the roads will be narrow. One expects Greater Melbourne & Sydney to have an impressive level of infrastructure. Just like Toronto & Montreal have the most infrastructure in Canada. Followed by Calgary & Edmonton. 

Halifax,_Nova_Scotia is a long ways off from ever becoming a big city like Montreal or Boston. Its very slow growth compared to those cities. In many ways, Vancouver, BC remains as a stunted or thwarted city, due to so many building restrictions & congestive planning initiatives. Thus, it isn't allowed to rival some of the things that are permitted in Seattle, WA & Perth WA. 

Its amazing to see what Brisbane & Perth have been able to do, simply because they aren't in Canada & its not just because of the weather. Indeed, no city in Atlantic Canada or in BC has been able to rival some of the things that Brisbane & Perth have been able to do.

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/guilbeault-no-new-roads-1.7114867

https://globalnews.ca/news/10293868/environment-minister-road-funding

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/i-should-have-been-more-specific-environment-minister-on-investing-in-road-infrastructure-remark-1.6768636

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-14/canada-tackles-infrastructure-issues-at-council-level/4819274 Even by 2013, Australia was starting to rival or exceed what Canada was able to do.

"When it comes to a comparison of economic performance, Australia comes out ahead of Canada." https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/should-australia-be-more-canada

https://www.economist.com/business/2023/06/01/australia-and-canada-are-one-economy-with-one-set-of-flaws

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Canada+vs.+Australia

Melbourne trains above and underground

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2DqHcqTK9I

Melbourne's Secret Underground World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TjQkWn9z8o

For such a long time, Melbourne never had an official subway or metro like Toronto or Montreal.

Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project Explained - Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG8k-SPDQEk

The Metro Tunnel is one of Australia's largest public transport infrastructure projects in recent memory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRB6hH_b_Ck

A look at Victoria's regional rail fleet operated by V/line. V/line operates an extensive network centered around Melbourne, using a variety of diesel locomotive hauled trains and DMUs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CB_nqHmFJE

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Canada+vs.+Australia

Sydney Transit

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMQiMOKnJWY

https://www.youtube.com/@sydneytrainsvlogs/videos

Sydney Australia Walking Tour - George Street Evening Rush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRg1gJi6yqc trams...

https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/historic-3-minute-metro-journey-under-sydney-harbour , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5nbhuGG6LU

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/first-metro-train-travels-under-sydney-harbour/index.html

Sydney had the beginnings of a subway decades before Toronto & Montreal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_railway_station , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtNfBLHj4E8

Opened	20 December 1926

"Designed by John Bradfield in the Inter-War Stripped Classical architectural style,^[1] the station comprises two platforms, each 158.5 metres (520 ft) long by 3.8 metres (12 ft) wide, under an arch with span 14.6 metres (48 ft). Museum's signage and cream tiling with maroon highlights are reminiscent of a typical London Underground tube station of the era, however its layout of central tracks under a grand arch are more in keeping with older stations of the Paris Métro. Until the construction of the Airport Line in the 1990s, it was the only underground station in Sydney without an island platform." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_railway_station#Design

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_station_(Toronto)  

Opened	February 28, 1963
Rebuilt	April 2008

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_station_(Toronto)#Connection_to_Line_2_Bloor%E2%80%93Danforth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_1_Yonge-University 

Opened	March 30, 1954

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_1_Yonge-University#Opening  

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Canada+vs.+Australia

The Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts in Vancouver, BC

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReDPLxaTwjI

If properly strengthened, they might have been able to last into the 2070s.

Large fire breaks out at Sweden's biggest amusement park

 https://www.dw.com/en/large-fire-breaks-out-at-swedens-biggest-amusement-park/a-68236412

https://apnews.com/article/sweden-fire-amusement-park-goteborg-8020f041fe706812af49bb3df6125c2b

https://www.euronews.com/2024/02/12/fire-breaks-out-at-one-of-swedens-largest-water-parks

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/fire-breaks-out-swedish-amusement-park-no-injuries-reported-2024-02-12/

IL&M to relocate to The Stack office tower in Vancouver

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/industrial-light-magic-ilm-vancouver-studio-the-stack-relocation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIJzXmnnj18

The Abraham Lincoln Bridge, JFK Bridge and the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges

"The Abraham Lincoln Bridge is a six-lane, single-deck cable-stayed bridge carrying northbound Interstate 65 across the Ohio River..." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_Bridge

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_Bridge#History

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Memorial_Bridge 6 lanes

Such a 12 lane river crossing always has the potential for bus & HOV_lanes.

The Sir_Leo_Hielscher_Bridges also form a 12 lane crossing.

https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/tcrp_rpt_90_case_studies_volume_1_levinson.pdf

https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=907bc8e76d695f86cc1a4939e0efdb82006c630e

https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/867273/best-bridges-in-brisbane 

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - HOV METROPOLIS?

 https://trid.trb.org/view/721772

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/road/special

https://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp90v1_cs/Brisbane.pdf

Even though it would provide proper bus & HOV lanes, Vancouver is one of the most reluctant cities about allowing bridge duplication or twinning. Thus, everything is funneled into absurdly narrow bridges. 

The old Fraser_Street_Bridge was never replaced with a bus & bike bridge. The Oak_Street_Bridge, Knight_Street_Bridge & the Arthur_Laing_Bridge are classic 4 lane Vancouver chokepoints. Unless new HOV & bus bridges are built, these 3 bridges will remain quintessential bottlenecks. The ridiculously narrow Lions_Gate_Bridge is a three lane joke. There should have been a bus, HOV & train tunnel built around there decades ago. 

The Second_Narrows_Crossing is also too narrow to accommodate proper bus & HOV lanes. Thus, any new parallel train bridge should also have bus & HOV lanes. Otherwise, it will just become another SkyTrain-bridge. 

Unlike stubborn Vancouver, Montreal was able to build the new Champlain_Bridge. Indeed, the New_Champlain_Bridge has 4 lanes each way & 2 train tracks in the middle.

Such is the gatekeeper mentality of Vancouver, a city that wants to perpetually excel in congestive transportation planning. Fortunately, this thwarting Vancouver mentality hasn't spread to most other cities around the world.  

This Australian Town is so Hot, That 80 Percent of the Residents Live Underground, its Coober Pedy

 https://ancientoriginsmagazine.com/coober-pedy-australian-town-so-hot-80-percent-live-underground

Living underground to avoid direct sunlight makes a lot of sense in a sweltering climate.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230803-the-town-where-people-live-underground

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/301027311/newsable-the-australian-town-where-people-live-underground

https://earthlymission.com/coober-pedy-australian-town-built-underground-extreme-heat/

https://www.cnet.com/pictures/the-strange-underground-homes-in-the-coober-pedy-desert-australia , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFA-OB-nJ_I

https://www.vietnam.vn/en/con-nguoi-co-the-song-duoi-long-dat-hay-khong/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derinkuyu_underground_city

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220810-derinkuyu-turkeys-underground-city-of-20000-people

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaymakli_Underground_City

As more places heat up, earth-sheltered-homes will become more popular.

https://medium.com/@texasjedi/embracing-the-cool-depths-escaping-excessive-heat-by-moving-underground-b000f556fd53

Of course some parts of Canada & Alaska get so cold, that its safer to just remain inside.

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Canada+vs.+Australia

Similarities between Chicago and Toronto

https://versus.com/en/chicago-vs-toronto , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56SCacQEkb4

Of course both are big cities on the edge of big lakes & have cold winters & hot summers.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/connected-lakes-exploring-shared-dna-toronto-chicago-george-khalife

 https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/g4o2i7/im_always_bewildered_by_the_similarity_between/

http://www.chicagosistercities.com/sister-cities/toronto-canada/

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Chicago

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Toronto

Toronto breaks 86-year temperature record as unseasonable warmth hits

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/warm-ontario-february-1.7110466 Any time there is a winter day above freezing in Canada, that's great. https://globalnews.ca/news/10284210/toronto-weather-february-9-2024-warm-record However, to have a winter night well above freezing is just as good. Unfortunately, the freezing nights & days will be returning soon.

https://weather.gc.ca/data/wxoimages/wocanmap0_e.jpg , https://weather.gc.ca/canada_e.html 

https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/toronto/m5h/february-weather/55488

The same goes for Chicago, but with fewer freezing days.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/chicago/60608/february-weather/348308

http://www.chicagosistercities.com/sister-cities/toronto-canada/

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Toronto

Vancouver Broadway-Commercial Safeway Redevelopment

 https://storeys.com/westbank-crombie-broadway-commercial-safeway/

A lot of people or just a small extremely vocal few, want Vancouver to just be a provincial backwater for as long as possible. The NIMBY crowd just can't fathom any BC city & urban region to eventually be on the scale of Montreal or Seattle.

Seattle will host 6 matches in 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a U.S. game at Lumen Field

https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article285076122.html

Big events cost big money, but can reap huge benefits.

 https://www.king5.com/article/sports/soccer/world-cup/big-expectations-world-cup-seattle-2026/281-72ac2c89-eb4b-4c25-b0bf-2027264730a6

https://www.lumenfield.com/venue-info-news/fifa-world-cup-26-tm-seattle-match-schedule-announcement

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/02/us-mens-national-team-to-play-2026-fifa-world-cup-group-stage-matches-in-los-angeles-and-seattle

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/seattle-to-host-6-world-cup-matches-1-team-usa-game

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_2026_FIFA_World_Cup_bid#United_States

Some People Leaving Canada to move to the USA

https://dailyhive.com/toronto/given-up-canada-move-to-usa

So many places around the world are expensive now. During the winter, Canada is all about cold & crappy weather, as is the Northern US. The Southern US, Australia & NZ, usually don't get anything like the crappy, cold Canadian winters. Even the cold rain in Vancouver isn't that fun.

https://www.snowbirdstyle.com/sun-belt.html

The Sun_Belt keeps growing, because a lot of people like to live in a warmer climate. 

https://www.worldatlas.com/regions/sun-belt-states.html

Of course some immigrants from warmer climates will leave Canada after experiencing some winters.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/statistics-canada-immigrants-leaving-data

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Australia

https://www.australia.com/en-ca/facts-and-planning/weather-in-australia.html

https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/australia/climate-data-historical  

5 ways to get from Calgary to Vancouver by plane, bus, train or car

https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Calgary/Vancouver-BC-Canada Travelling anywher in Canada during the winter is the worst time of the year. 

 https://dailyhive.com/canada/difficult-ubc-student-flies-class-expensive-rent

https://bnnbreaking.com/lifestyle/travel/ubc-student-sidesteps-vancouvers-high-rent-by-commuting-from-calgary

https://destinationlesstravel.com/drive-from-calgary-to-vancouver 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/how-bc-affords-cost-of-living

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=UBC+student+flying+from+Calgary+to+Vancouver

Metro Vancouver's major skyscraper projects

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/metro-vancouver-skyscraper-tower-projects

So many other cities are allowed to build on a much grander scale, simply because they aren't under  Vancouver type imposed restrictions. As stubborn Vancouver maintains its various limitations, it is unable to thwart the Greater_Vancouver Area or Regional_District. Thus, most of the big stuff will be built beyond the small city limits of Vancouver. 

Oakridge and Brentwood Shopping Centres in BC, Canada

 https://vancouversun.com/life/fashion-beauty/oakridge-retail-announcement-reveals-a-luxury-emphasis-for-vancouver-shopping-centre

https://viewpointvancouver.ca/2012/08/28/compare-and-contrast-the-evolution-of-the-shopping-centre/

https://viewpointvancouver.ca/2018/08/13/vancouver-development-the-really-big-and-spiffy-new-oakridge/

Of course The_Amazing_Brentwood in Burnaby was allowed to be on a grander scale, simply because its not within the Vancouver city limits.

UBC student flying from Calgary to Vancouver to avoid the high rent

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ubc-student-flying-commute-calgary-vancouver

Almost every city is expensive now. However, Calgary like Seattle, has been allowed to become a big city.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/ubc-student-commutes-from-calgary-cheaper-than-paying-vancouver-rent-1.6759116

Little Vancouver remains as a backward, congested mess.

Cost of Living in Australia

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Australia

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13053349/Struggling-dad-eight-kids-Don-Parkes-earns-125K-year-cost-living-crisis.html

https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BriefingBook47p/CostOfLiving

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/au/personal-finance/cost-of-living-in-australia/

At least Australia has better weather than Canada & the Northern US, especially this time of the year.

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=Australia&country2=Canada

Do you want to pass out from the heat, or would you rather freeze to death?

https://www.moon.com/travel/planning/comparing-cost-living-australia-vs-us So much has changed since 2016.

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Australia

Capital Line, Edmonton LRT

The Capital_Line, especially the downtown section, was built to a much higher standard than what Vancouver, BC would eventually get around to building. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton_LRT#Rolling_stock

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexity_Freedom#Edmonton

"In 1962, Canadian Bechtel Ltd. was commissioned to develop a plan for Edmonton's rapid transit system. Construction began in 1974 with a budget of $65 million.^[9] Edmonton became the first city in North America with a metropolitan population of less than one million to build a modern light rail system.^[10] The population was just over 445,000 when construction started on the route in 1974.^[11] It also became the first city in Western Canada to operate a rapid transit system. Testing of the new line started in 1977 with regular service starting April 22, 1978, in time for the 1978 Commonwealth Games." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton_LRT#History

Camping in Alaska at -23 Degrees

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIgxjW1lZjw

A desire to get way out into the freezing wilderness is quite an adventure. 

Driving an Old Ford Truck to the Arctic Ocean in -60F/-51C https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8DWxmOJUg8

Exploring Chukotka - the most remote Russian region https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR8H4qCzsTo

Edmonton airport shuttle from downtown deemed too expensive

 https://globalnews.ca/news/10277600/edmonton-airport-shuttle-too-expensive/

https://www.edmonton.ca/ets/edmonton-international-airport

https://flyeia.com/parking-transportation/747-bus/

https://flyeia.com/parking-transportation/buses-shuttles/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_Park_station_(Edmonton)#Century_Park_Transit_Centre

Toronto, Montreal, Calgary & the 2 car YVR joke that is Vancouver, BC, all got built before a rail transit line to the Edmonton Airport. Of course an airport express bus is always a good start, but eventually there should be a train to the Edmonton airport.

Saddledome in Calgary...

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotiabank_Saddledome

Of course having enough functioning washrooms is always a top priority.

https://www.scotiabanksaddledome.com/venue

Some fans from Edmonton over the years, have occasionally depicted the Saddledome as a giant toilet.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Calgary/comments/g99f2q/city_council_to_repurpose_saddledome_in_memoriam/

https://www.reddit.com/r/CalgaryFlames/comments/11g65vd/washrooms_at_the_saddledome/

https://flamesnation.ca/news/the-good-and-bad-of-the-saddledome

https://twitter.com/isuckatpicking/status/1526264718725287937

https://venuecoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Calgary-AB-Saddledome-Tech-Pack.pdf

https://globalnews.ca/news/9649603/calgary-event-centre-update-april-25-2023/

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/arena-renderings-show-new-angles-of-planned-saddledome-replacement

https://twitter.com/FOS/status/1651228942517301251

https://globalnews.ca/news/10007181/update-calgary-flames-arena-deal/

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/good-question-stadium-bathrooms/

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/new-york-islanders--new-arena-will-feature-more-restrooms-per-pe

https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/sports/baseball/13potty.html

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=toilet+bowl

Intuit Dome

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intuit_Dome

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglewood,_California#Professional_sports

https://www.nba.com/clippers/intuitdomeevents

It's not to be called the Toilet-Dome.

https://www.businessinsider.com/clippers-owner-steve-ballmer-obsessed-toilets-arena-intuit-dome-2024-1

You can never have enough toilets, it seems.

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2023/3/7/23629738/steve-ballmer-toilets-obsession-clippers-new-arena-video-weird

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39322484/clippers-host-2026-all-star-game-new-intuit-dome

https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/clippers-steve-ballmer-toilets-intuit-dome

https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/03/08/clippers-steve-ballmer-toilets-new-arena

https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2021/9/22/22687901/steve-ballmer-toilets-microsoft-ceo-la-clippers-intuit-dome

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/good-question-stadium-bathrooms/

https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/sports/baseball/13potty.html

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=toilet+bowl

More Lanes...

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHZwOAIect4

Why Traffic Is So Bad In Los Angeles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S76lKWeU_xc

What Caused World's Worst 60 Mile Traffic Jam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuoQPG8LrMU

Why Cities Are Banning Cars Around The World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCSkNiyYv8g

Why America Is Tearing Down some of its Highways https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXp4rVZFTVs

Why this year’s Super Bowl is all about the bathrooms

 https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/03/business/why-this-super-bowl-is-all-about-the-bathrooms/index.html

https://medium.com/nycwater/the-big-flush-on-super-bowl-sunday-e0050699fa1b

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/626828

https://news.arizona.edu/story/super-bowls-super-flush-just-super-myth

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=toilet+bowl

A Man pushed onto the tracks at Oxford Circus in London

 https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/05/king-charles-diagnosed-form-cancer-20229277/?ico=top-stories_home_top

Platform_screen_doors are more important than ever.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/oxford-circus-tube-station-push-tracks-man-charged-b1137107.html

Platform_screen_doors immensely improves safety at such train stations.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-68203989

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13047407/Tube-tracks-Londons-Oxford-Circus-station-appears-court-attempted-murder.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platform_screen_doors#Use

https://nypost.com/2024/02/05/news/homeless-woman-who-shoved-girl-3-onto-train-tracks-found-guilty-insane/

https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-set-to-install-protective-platform-doors-at-select-subway-stations-in-coming-months

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=London

Biswa Bangla Gate: New Town, Kolkata

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biswa_Bangla_Gate  https://www.biswabanglagatekolkata.in 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Town,_Kolkata , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iYdzByPqjk , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcd1sStSBZs

Kolkata Gets Its First Hanging Restaurant Biswa Bangla Gate | Curly Tales 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCT3jPPLyMg

Justin Trudeau called out for ‘burning 100 tons of greenhouse gases’ on VIP flights

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGZfMMzQIAs

https://extinctionrebellion.uk/2024/01/27/greta-thunberg-were-not-going-to-let-the-rich-get-away-with-sacrificing-people-and-the-planet-to-maintain-their-extreme-lifestyles/

The Greatest Bridges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDuvDi7LYhY

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge , https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/how-to-climb-sydney-harbor-bridge

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco-Oakland_Bay_Bridge

The $1BN Race to Save The Golden Gate Bridge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcV1btTEAVg

A Barrier_transfer_machine has made the bridge safer.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/08/the-road-zipper-eliminated-head-on-collisions-on-golden-gate-bridge.html

https://www.goldengate.org/bridge/bridge-operations/traffic-management/

https://mtc.ca.gov/whats-happening/news/special-features/golden-gate-bridge-moveable-median-barrier

https://www.kqed.org/news/11594879/the-mesmerizing-machine-that-makes-driving-across-the-golden-gate-bridge-less-terrifying

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrier_transfer_machine#Permanent_locations

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=bridges

Is NEOM, the futuristic city in Saudi Arabia, turning into reality?

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAzCFFQYZeU

As this structure has many levels above the ground, there would likely have to be some underground levels as well.

The B$ of Phrenology

Phrenology is total B$!

https://www.britannica.com/topic/phrenology

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrenology#History

https://nypost.com/2024/01/26/lifestyle/do-you-look-rich-or-poor-study-reveals-how-face-can-determine-wealth/

What is (urban) Artificial Intelligence?

 https://parametric-architecture.com/explained-what-is-artificial-intelligence-ai

https://medium.com/urban-ai/urban-artificial-intelligence-from-real-world-observations-to-a-paradigm-shifting-concept-27f4c5aa20f6

Alphaville is one of the best AI totalitarian movies abbot a smart-city totally bent on controlling people.

https://urbanai.fr/our-works/urban-ai-guide

https://www.urban-ai.org/home

https://gouai.cidob.org/atlas

THX_1138 is also one of the best cautionary AI totalitarian movies made. 

AI can be quite a fantastic tool, but humans should never become totally under its control. Unless one wants to become part of an inhumane world. 

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=AI

What Canada can learn from Norway, the EV capital of the world

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/canada-norway-evs-1.7092003

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway#Transport

The transition towards the EV should have been started in the 1980s, so that by now more people could have a choice.

https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/getting-around/by-car/electric-cars/

https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/how-norway-became-the-worlds-electric-car-capital

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_electric_vehicles_in_Norway#Bus_lane_congestion There will have to be sepparate EV & bus lanes. Otherwise, without enough space for EV, bus & HOV lanes, there will be even more congestion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Norway#Road_transport

The Lions_Gate_Bridge is a 3 lane joke. There should have been a parallel bus or train tunnel built decades ago. The new 4 lane Pattullo_Bridge will open without EV, bus & HOV lanes. Thus, busses, trucks & cars will all be funneled into a 2 lane each way bottleneck. No emergency lanes even though the main hospital for that part of the region is on the NW side of the river. 

The new 8 lane George_Massey_Tunnel wasn't designed to have a provision for a future rail link. There will be a half-assed bus lane each way, but there should have been 2 bus & HOV lanes each way. So trucks & cars will be squeezed into 3 general lanes each way, when there should have been an extra truck lane to & from the port.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crossings_of_the_Fraser_River

How Close Are We To Quantum Artificial Intelligence?

https://thequantuminsider.com/2023/03/15/how-close-are-we-to-quantum-artificial-intelligence

EEVblog 1594 - Inside a Quantum Computer! with Andrea Morello  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIEH4-P2nyQ

Quantum_computing isn't just the next big thing, it's a-quantum-leap-in-ai. It can eventually merge into AGI and that it might become dangerous.

https://quantumzeitgeist.com/metas-ai-chief-yann-lecun-questions-future-of-quantum-computing-and-artificial-general-intelligence

Like any tool or device, it can be used in various ways.

https://alagraphy.medium.com/quantum-intelligence-quantum-computing-artificial-intelligence-the-ultimate-agi-2b09245b8435

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_computing#Quantum_information_processing

https://www.ibm.com/topics/quantum-computing

https://dataconomy.com/2022/06/21/quantum-artificial-intelligence/

https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/quantum-science-explained/quantum-computing-computers

https://www.newscientist.com/question/what-is-a-quantum-computer/

https://towardsai.net/p/l/quantum-computing-ai

https://medium.com/@allen.westley/quantum-computing-ai-and-agi-examining-the-known-and-the-unknown-113bd21b32ac#

https://insidetheperimeter.ca/quantum-computing-and-artificial-intelligence-experts-join-forces-to-fuel-next-technology-revolution/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2023/06/02/a-quantum-leap-in-ai-ionq-aims-to-create-quantum-machine-learning-models-at-the-level-of-general-human-intelligence/?sh=d2a932f7b88a

https://community.openai.com/t/what-is-q-and-when-we-will-hear-more/521343/45?page=3

Q AI

Icon of the Seas

The Icon_of_the_Seas has become the epitome of the luxurious floating hotel concept.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruise/royal-caribbean/icon-of-the-seas

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12988679/First-look-inside-Icon-Seas-Mail-boards-worlds-biggest-cruise-ship-ahead-maiden-voyage-footage-showing-bars-pools-shows-more.html

https://people.com/everything-to-know-about-the-world-s-largest-cruise-ship-royal-caribbean-s-icon-of-the-seas-8546493

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/articles/biggest-cruise-ship-icon-of-the-seas-maiden-voyage-miami/

Of course there are some people that don't like to see such large vessels, or any big entertainment facility.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-22/royal-caribbean-s-icon-of-the-seas-highlights-climate-impact-of-cruises

https://jalopnik.com/the-icon-of-the-seas-is-250-000-tons-of-floating-carbon-1851189439

Fortunately, many people still like the idea of travelling and entertainment. Especially after the world was almost under a total lockdown, which would please any control freak.

Icon of the Seas 2024 Cruise Ship Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8Sn705J0YY , https://www.youtube.com/@RoyalCaribbeanBlog/videos

https://cruiseweb.com/cruise-lines/royal-caribbean-international/ship-icon-of-the-seas

The Hologram Zoo in Brisbane and in LV, sort of

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12995775/The-future-entertainment-Inside-worlds-Hologram-Zoo-Australia-animals-jump-whales-swim-suspended-mid-air.html

Brisbane has become quite a mighty city in the decades since World_Expo_88. 

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destinations/brisbane/expo-1988-south-bank-parklands

https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/blog/entry/the-making-of-a-city-how-expo-88-changed-brisbane-forever

https://u2tours.com/tours/concert/anz-stadium-brisbane-nov-20-1993

https://www.u2.com/tour/date/4129

https://www.u2gigs.com/show918.html

https://www.u2songs.com/shows/zootv

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/559150109985110137

The U2-Sphere experience in LV didn't provide a holographic zoo of imagery, but most people will say that it's a spectacular show & not just a concert.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2023/10/01/las-vegas-sphere-u2-concert-orig-cprog-dp.cnn

https://mymodernmet.com/u2-sphere-las-vegas-artwork

"Es Devlin's Nevada Ark, a digital rendering of stone carvings of 26 local species that are threatened for extinction, graces "With or Without You" at the end of the show." https://www.npr.org/2023/10/24/1208060535/u2-las-vegas-residency-sphere

A Holodeck size sphere might still be decades away.

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Holodeck

Images of ELVIS were in the Sphere, but no Vic_Fontaine.

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Vic_Fontaine

https://www.designboom.com/art/king-size-marco-brambilla-traces-elvis-presley-legacy-in-monumental-video-collage-interview-09-29-2023

Melbourne, Victoria

 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12909863/Natural-beauty-vibrant-culture-haven-foodies-Journey-Melbourne-Victoria-holiday-youll-never-forget-award-winning-airline-thatll-style.html

The world's best 50 cities in 2024?

 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12995255/Time-names-50-best-cities-world-2024-New-York-No-1-London-fourth-Liverpool-seventh-Dubai-doesnt-make-20.html

A new-bridge-will link-Toronto's-union-station-to a park

 https://www.blogto.com/city/2024/01/new-bridge-link-toronto-union-station-park/

The world's busiest international flight routes

 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12974037/Fascinating-map-reveals-worlds-busiest-international-flight-routes-Kuala-Lumpur-Singapore-Changi-No-1-London-JFK-ranking-eighth.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12959137/Nervous-flyer-fascinating-interactive-map-reveals-flight-encounter-turbulence-rough-itll-be.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12955395/turbulent-flight-routes-world-turbli.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12968221/Travel-expert-wisk-evtol-pilotless-planes.html

How TransLink uses hockey sticks to keep SkyTrains moving in BC

 https://bc.ctvnews.ca/most-canadian-solution-how-translink-uses-hockey-sticks-to-keep-skytrains-moving-1.6732173

In contrast, the Montreal_Metro is all underground, so the weather is never a problem. 

https://www.stm.info/en/info/networks/metro

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Metro#Rolling_stock

The 25 safest airlines for 2024

 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12965319/25-safest-airlines-2024-Air-New-Zealand-number-1.html

Wide streets around the world

https://plazaperspective.com/why-are-modern-streets-so-wide

If wide+streets are mostly intended for cars & trucks, they won't be as efficient as if they are a multimodal transportation corridor.

https://restoftheiceberg.org/posts/2017/12/18/why-are-the-streets-so-wide-in-paris

https://plazaperspective.com/wide-street-paradise

https://plazaperspective.com/road-widening

https://en.theoutlook.com.ua/article/3435/city-paths.html

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/10/8/wide-streets-as-a-tool-of-oppression

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grid_plan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grid_plan#Pedestrian_and_bicycle_movement

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=wide+streets

Broadway (Manhattan)

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_(Manhattan)

Wide+streets can still be quite beneficial as efficient multimodal transportation corridors.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_(Los_Angeles)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_(San_Francisco)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway,_Sydney

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_(Seattle)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_(Vancouver)

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=wide+streets

Steelers-Bills Fans Might Be Sitting in Big Piles of Snow

 https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/01/15/wild-photo-bills-steelers-fans-might-be-sitting-piles-snow

https://nypost.com/2024/01/15/sports/bills-soliciting-shovelers-hours-before-playoff-game-vs-steelers/

Buffalo Bills ask for help shoveling snow out of stadium ahead of delayed Steelers wild-card game

 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/buffalo-bills-shoveling-snow-highmark-stadium-steelers-wild-card-game-new-york/

Too much!

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steelers-bills-monday-buffalo-not-delayed-kathy-hochul/

COP28: What Was Achieved and What Happens Next?

 https://unfccc.int/cop28

https://unfccc.int/cop28/5-key-takeaways

https://www.cop28.com/en/

Living in a Train Tunnel for decades

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4kcJVkAQ_Y , https://eks.tv/mole-people

The Mole_people are nothing to laugh at. As rent & overall living costs keep on going up, some people live underground.

Amazing Home in the Tunnels Beneath New York https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlK3QbPAE-I

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_people#Cities

https://www.thetravel.com/20-secrets-about-the-mole-people-living-in-new-york-citys-tunnels

10 Years After He Lived in a Train Tunnel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHf8UA1QEvo

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Living+Underground

Extreme cold of -40C to -50C forecast for Edmonton and Calgary

 https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2024/01/12/extreme-cold-40c-forecast-in-edmonton-as-snow-causes-road-havoc-in-metro-vancouver/

There is the usual cold winter weather and then there is very dangerously cold weather.

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/wind-chill-values-expected-to-bottom-out-at-50-in-calgary-this-weekend-1.6723509

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-it-s-dangerously-cold-outside-1.7080077

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/extreme-cold-warnings-in-parts-of-manitoba-set-in-1.6722324

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/winter-has-set-in-the-city-s-plan-to-tackle-winnipeg-s-first-heavy-snowfall-of-the-season-1.6721369

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/winnipeggers-weren-t-expecting-first-winter-storm-to-be-this-dramatic-1.6722542

Saudi Arabia unveils vision for 'ultra-luxury upside-down skyscraper' built INSIDE a 1,500ft mountain

 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12952183/Saudi-Arabia-unveils-vision-ultra-luxury-upside-skyscraper-built-INSIDE-1-500ft-mountain-accessed-underground-canal-trillion-pound-plans-futuristic-city-NEOM.html

Treasure Island's changing skyline signals rise of affordable city housing

 https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/treasure-island-changing-skyline-affordable-city-housing/?intcid=CNR-01-0623

Treasure_Island is gradually becoming quite a very nice place to live. https://tisf.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Island_Development

https://www.sf.gov/information/treasure-islandyerba-buena-island-development-project

Treasure_Island is such a cool location. https://tisf.com/about

https://sfyimby.com/2023/01/yimby-visits-treasure-island-san-francisco.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_Buena_Island

Metro and Subway Systems

 https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Countries_Around_the_World

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/2024/01/metro-and-subway-systems.html

Metro and Subway Trains

The Tram-Train can just be on the surface or become part of a subway line. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tram-train#Technology

The Muni_Metro in SF is a good example. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muni_Metro#Market_Street_subway

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muni_Metro#Future

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Countries_Around_the_World

 https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=metro+and+subway

Washington, D.C. transit system

 https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.

The Washington,_D.C._Metro is a modern high capacity subway.

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/United_States

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/2024/01/metro-and-subway-systems.html

Boston, Massachusetts

 https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Boston,_Massachusetts

Of course several parts of the MBTA_Rapid_Transit_Tracks or routes are old & worn.

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/United_States

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/2024/01/metro-and-subway-systems.html

Why the Broad Street Line is so slow between Walnut-Locust and Lombard-South

 https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/broad-septa-slow-walnut-locust-lombard-south-20240111.html

Philadelphia sure has its share of old & worn lines.

Older train lines must be improved in order to remain efficient.

Thus, a lot of lines or stations around the world require a retrofit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walnut-Locust_station

https://iseptaphilly.com/blog/broadstreetline

https://railroad.net/history-of-the-broad-street-line-t65536-210.html

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/SEPTA_Broad_Street_Subway

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_Street_Line#Proposed_extensions

https://www.phila.gov/media/20210222110702/OTIS-Philadelphia-Transit-Plan.pdf

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/United_States

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/2024/01/metro-and-subway-systems.html

The London Underground and Overground

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_London_Underground

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Overground

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Overground#Rolling_stock

trains

Does the Cybertruck really encapsulate a dystopian future vision of lawlessness and chaos?

 https://www.dezeen.com/2024/01/09/james-mclachlan-tesla-cybertruck-opinion

It's quite a kick-ass machine.

https://www.dezeen.com/2023/12/12/dezeen-agenda-tesla-cybertruck-reveal/

However, some people might see it as being like a vehicle right out of a post-apocalypse movie.

Elizabeth Quay Bridge in Perth, WA

 https://developmentwa.com.au/projects/redevelopment/elizabeth-quay/elizabeth-quay-bridge

It's not surprising that the Elizabeth+Quay+Bridge is in Perth & not in Vancouver. So many cities seem to be able to do things better than how its done in Vancouver.

https://www.alluringworld.com/queen-elizabeth-quay-bridge

Such an alluring footbridge as the Elizabeth+Quay+Bridge just doesn't exist in Vancouver.

https://aqtr.com/association/actualites/elizabeth-quay-pedestrian-bridge-perth-jewel-quay

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Elizabeth+Quay+Bridge

The Canoe+Bridge in Vancouver, BC is nowhere as good as the Elizabeth Quay Bridge.

https://www.arup.com/projects/elizabeth-quay-ped-bridge

Rabbits New AI AGENT (Rabbit R1 Device)

Rabbits New AI AGENT Device Just SHOCKED The Entire INDUSTRY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJnhh7YSr5Q 

https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/9/24030667/rabbit-r1-ai-action-model-price-release-date

Rabbit’s Little Walkie-Talkie Learns Tasks That Stump Siri and Alexa https://www.wired.com/story/rabbit-r1

https://www.engadget.com/rabbit-r1-is-an-adorable-ai-powered-assistant-co-designed-by-teenage-engineering-001051537.html

Rabbit AI

Ontario Highway 413

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_413  https://www.highway413.ca

Southern_Ontario has about half the equivalent of the population of Australia.

https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/highway-413-could-expand-to-10-lanes-by-2041-documents-7879679

https://environmentaldefence.ca/2023/12/13/whats-the-deal-with-highway-413/

https://www.highway413.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Technically-Preferred-Route-Roll-Plan_Aerial-Photography.pdf

https://environmentaldefence.ca/hwy-413-map/

https://news.ontario.ca/en/statement/1003963/ontario-achieves-legal-certainty-to-move-forward-with-ontario-place-calls-for-additional-clarity-for-highway-413

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Ontario#Transportation

https://thenarwhal.ca/highway-413-life-ontario/

Texas has more people than Australia & California has more people than Canada.

The second-tallest skyscraper in the USA could be in Oklahoma City

 https://www.dezeen.com/2024/01/08/ao-architects-second-tallest-skyscraper-us-oklahoma-city

The 2 Murray Road tower in Hong Kong

 https://www.dezeen.com/2024/01/08/the-henderson-skyscraper-zaha-hadid-architects-hong-kong/

https://arquitecturaviva.com/works/zaha-hadid-architects-torre-2-murray-road-en-hong-kong-48b92-6

At only 36 stories, it seems small for HK.

https://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/2-murray-road , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjvUjOGDW3M

It's a nice looking building, but it should have been 1.5 or even twice its height.

https://www.archdaily.com/948255/zaha-hadid-designs-2-murray-road-replacing-a-multi-story-car-park-in-hong-kong-china

https://www.dezeen.com/architecture/skyscrapers

The Stack Tower in Vancouver, BC

It finally opened just in time for the autumn of 2023 & now by the winter, it's been filling up nicely.

https://macleans.ca/culture/building-vancouver-stack-work-life-balance

Montreal has only allowed one office-tower to have 51 stories. Vancouver has never permitted any office tower to even have a 40th floor.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/industry-news/property-report/article-vancouver-high-rise-canadas-first-new-commercial-build-to-achieve-net/

It was tough enough just for Vancouver to permit The Stack to have 38 levels above the basement.

https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/news/projects/2023/09/striking-stack-building-opens-in-downtown-vancouver

https://storeys.com/james-cheng-the-stack-vancouver/

https://www.constructioncanada.net/vancouvers-the-stack-becomes-one-of-canadas-largest-zero-carbon-builds/

https://www.urbanyvr.com/oxford-properties-announces-major-tenants-of-the-stack-at-1133-melville/

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/the-stack-office-tower-1133-melville-street-vancouver-tallest-greenest

Unlike very restrictive Vancouver, some other parts of the Greater_Vancouver region want to capitalize on the allowance of taller buildings.

Sure, a lot of people prefer to work from home, but some day a 40 or even a 50 story office tower might be allowed in BC. It's just that it won't likely ever be allowed within the small city limits of provincial Vancouver. New office towers should be made adaptable if some floors ever become better suited for residential purposes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Vancouver#Tallest_buildings

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Canada#Tallest_buildings_in_Canada

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Vancouver

Building Height Restrictions in Various Cities

Height_restriction_laws can be a great way to hold back the vertical scale of a city. Usually, the cities with the tallest buildings are also the more economically prominent ones. However, that's not alway the case.

Honolulu has several buildings over 40 floors, but none are office towers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Honolulu

Phoenix only has one building with 40 floors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Phoenix , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Phoenix#Tallest_buildings:_approved,_site_plan_under_review_or_proposed

San_Diego has some buildings over 40 stories, but none of them are office towers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_San_Diego

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Height_restriction_laws#Canada Despite Canada having a vast area of land, only a tiny portion of that land has some very tall buildings on it. 

Montreal is small when compared to Toronto, but big when compared to Vancouver.

https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_dad=portal&_pageid=2762,3101387&_schema=PORTAL

Montreal won't be allowing any 100 story towers like those in NYC, Chicago or Melbourne anytime soon.

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-politicians-debate-whether-to-allow-skyscrapers-higher-than-mount-royal-1.5401429

Just allowing a 50-60 story building is still a big deal for Montreal.

https://cultmtl.com/2021/05/in-defence-of-building-height-restrictions-in-montreal-mount-royal-urban-plan-denis-coderre

Vancouver won't permit any building to rival what is in Calgary or Seattle. 

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-view-cone-impacts-broadway-plan-cambie-street

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/central-broadway-plan-view-cones-mountains-queen-elizabeth-park

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-tower-building-shadowing-solar-access

Exploring The Underside Of NYC

 https://www.npr.org/2011/01/02/132482428/into-the-tunnels-exploring-the-underside-of-nyc

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Main_Page 

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Around_New_York_City

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/United_States

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Countries_Around_the_World

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/2024/01/metro-and-subway-systems.html

Thousands gathered on downtown Vancouver waterfront expecting New Year's Eve fireworks

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/new-years-eve-vancouver-fireworks-cancelled-2023-crowds

It's not essential for a city to have a fireworks display, but for several cities, it's such a nice extra.

Of course Vancouver takes a watered down or toned down approach to so many things.

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=No+fireworks+in+Vancouver

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=New+Year's+Eve