3 ms·

Yes, this is a popular theory but there's no evidence in the fossil record.

• yellowapple 10y ago
  Is there evidence in any direction? This really sounds like the most plausible hypothesis, to me at least.
  • Groxx 10y ago
    With strange, custom-construction-requiring stuff like this, I tend to wonder how much of it would be explained by "help self/a buddy get rich". It's practically guaranteeing that there's going to be a single company supporting it for all time, which is a potentially-extremely-lucrative business deal. If that's the case, obfuscating the reasons for these decisions is a rational move.
    • ern 10y ago
      It's a bit cynical to say this but running HSR on an incompatible network protects it against future politicians who may seek to sabotage it by merging networks.
      • gsnedders 10y ago
        This sounds similar to the reason why the Glasgow Subway runs on a 4' (1219mm) gauge: to stop it from being taken over by the numerous (at the time privately owned) railways around the city which were all standard gauge.