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I just got back from China and the rate of infrastructure expansion is amazing. I have a theory that since they are highly centrally planned they don't really h
by solotronics 9y ago
I just got back from China and the rate of infrastructure expansion is amazing. I have a theory that since they are highly centrally planned they don't really have to worry about if infrastructure is "profitable" in the Western sense of the term. They want to build roads and high speed trains? Well the government entirely controls the banks and construction companies so they just make some money and give it to the construction company, no concern for short term profit.
- bluGill 9y agoIt is amazing I'll grant, but it is useful? Are they building cities for nobody to live in, roads that nobody will travel, and bridges to nowhere? If so (which they have been accused of though I don't know the facts) it is wasted effort. All those workers could have stayed home to play go in the park and been just as productive without the environmental downsides of building infrastructure. Note that building infrastructure "too far" in advance is wasted effort. You end up with infrastructure designed for yesterdays needs that needs updating when you need it. (ie houses with coax that cannot handle digital TV, not wired to internet.) You also lose any useful advances that might happen (brand new never used air conditioners that use so much energy you can buy a new one just on the energy savings over a couple years) Use you need to plan and build for tomorrow. However do not do too much as you don't know what tomorrow will bring.
- mistermann 9y agoI believe China's leadership is very well aware of all of your concerns, and I think if you could get a closer look you'd see much of these concerns tend to eventually find a way of solving themselves as time goes on. These are not dumb people.