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What is the Australian Broadband Network?

Systems that can transfer internet connection quickly.

What problem does the Australian Broadband Network face?

It’s stuck in a cyclical loop of slight incompletion.

When did Australia decide that fast internet access was important?

Back in the 2000s.

Which company originally proposed the Australian Broadband Network?

Telstra.

What political party pushed the FTTP plan in 2007?

The Labor Party (Left-winged).

What internet speed did the Labor Party promise in 2007?

Universal 25mbps internet speed.

Why was the FTTP plan considered economically moronic?

Because it was too costly.

Which political party replaced the FTTP plan?

The Liberal Party (Right-winged).

What did the Liberal Party replace FTTP with?

FTTN (Fibre-to-the-node).

What does FTTP stand for?

Fibre-to-the-premise.

How does FTTP work?

Every household is connected directly to a fiber optic cable.

What is the downside of FTTP?

It’s far more costly than other options.

What does FTTN stand for?

Fibre-to-the-node.

How does FTTN work?

Fibre optic cables connect large hubs, and traditional phone/TV wires connect households to those hubs.

What are the disadvantages of FTTN?

Lack of reliability and a shorter lifespan.

What defines the Slice of Life genre?

Focuses on realistic, everyday moments with little plot or character development.

What is a common trait of Slice of Life stories?

Open endings that let audiences interpret the characters’ lives.

Why do Slice of Life films let audiences interpret characters?

They present events as they are, without forcing conclusions.

Where did the term “Slice of Life” come from?

First used as a criticism of certain TV dramas in the 1950s.

What’s the most common setting for Slice of Life anime?

High schools or workplaces.

Why do some people dislike Slice of Life anime?

Some say it’s too dramatic and unrealistic.

What makes “air-type” anime different?

It removes romantic elements, focusing only on character development.

What trend defined inventions from 1830-1908?

They were increasingly commercialized and reached the public quicker.

What modern technology is based on the Electromagnetic Motor (1830)?

Electric machines, including generators and motors.

How did the Telegraph (1844) change communication?

Allowed messages to be sent instantly over long distances.

What was the significance of the Passenger Elevator (1857)?

Enabled the construction of skyscrapers.

How did the Typewriter (1873) impact office work?

Made writing and documentation much faster and more efficient.

Why was the Telephone (1876) revolutionary?

Allowed real-time voice communication over long distances.

What transportation breakthrough happened in 1903?

The invention of the airplane.

Why was the Model T (1908) important?

Introduced mass production for cars, making them more affordable.

How bad is Via Rail’s on-time performance?

It runs on time only 50% of the time.

How much does a train ticket from Toronto to Montreal cost?

Around $300, similar to a plane ticket.

Why don’t Canadians take trains?

They take as long as driving and cost as much as flying.

What’s ironic about Canada’s HSR situation?

It used to have a high-speed train (Turbotrain) but doesn’t anymore.

What are the two proposed HSR corridors in Canada?

1. Windsor Corridor (Toronto to Quebec City) 2. Calgary to Edmonton (Prairie Link)

What’s stopping Canada from building HSR?

High costs, long planning time, and low population density.

What is Canada’s alternative to HSR?

A “higher-frequency” train service with fewer delays.

What’s special about the new Alto project?

Canada’s first real HSR project, planned for the Windsor Corridor at 300 km/h.

How fast could the Prairie Link train go?

Up to 450 km/h, making it one of the fastest trains in the world.

What qualifies as a megaproject?

A project that costs $1 billion or more.

What percentage of global GDP comes from megaprojects?

8%, with China leading in construction.

Why do megaprojects often fail?

Cost estimates are too optimistic, making projects bigger than necessary.

What is the “black swan” problem in megaprojects?

The bigger a project is, the higher the chance of unforeseen disasters and delays.

What’s an example of a common megaproject delay?

Land acquisition issues, unexpected costs, and legal disputes.

Why are megaprojects considered recession-proof?

They create jobs and keep the economy moving, even in downturns.

Why do governments continue megaprojects even when costs rise?

It’s usually more expensive to cancel them than to finish them.

Why was the Big Dig in Boston a disaster?

It was 3x over budget, almost a decade late, and had safety failures.

What dangerous issue did the Big Dig tunnels face?

Poor-quality materials led to water leaks and a fatal roof collapse.

What was the goal of the Channel Tunnel (Chunnel)?

To connect the UK and France via an underground rail tunnel.

Why was the Chunnel successful?

Completed under budget and has been profitable since 1994.

What unexpected issue did the Chunnel cause?

Increased illegal migration from France to the UK.

What is California’s High-Speed Rail (CASHR)?

A publicly funded HSR project aiming to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco.

What’s slowing down California’s HSR?

Legal issues, land disputes, and skyrocketing costs.

What is the Initial Operating Segment (IOS) of CASHR?

A 192 km test track before full-scale construction.

How fast is California’s planned HSR?

350 km/h, cutting LA-SF travel time by 6 hours.

What private HSR project is being built in California?

Brightline, connecting Los Angeles and Las Vegas at 300 km/h.