This is a thoughtful take on the issue. I've used this to get a discussion going among students
http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/online-tools/personal-blog/kevin-anderson-2
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: A forum for critical and radical geographers [mailto:CRIT-GEOG-
>>[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andrew D. Burridge
>>Sent: 31 August 2012 09:55
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Re: Take the Train
>>
>>Joe Nevins has commented on this quite a bit, and I think there might have
>>been a panel regarding this issue at a previous AAG?
>>
>>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-nevins/post_1198_b_777767.html
>>
>>________________________________________
>>From: A forum for critical and radical geographers [CRIT-GEOG-
>>[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susan Ruddick
>>[[log in to unmask]]
>>Sent: 31 August 2012 01:14
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Re: Take the Train
>>
>>thanks for this Nick -- an illuminating if distressing paper. I think it is really
>>important to think about ways to build an alternative travel culture --
>>something that allows work to be done, (I like the idea of some kind of mini-
>>workshop en route to a destination) and that is seen as (and experienced as)
>>an added bonus, rather than a burden.
>>
>>If anyone wants to seriously consider the Chicago LA train please let me
>know
>>-- I understand Amtrak gives a discount for groups of 20 and it could be an
>>incredible lead up to the conference...
>>
>>
>>On 30-Aug-12, at 6:47 PM, Nicholas Gill wrote:
>>
>>I had reason to read up on this recently and there is some literature out
>there
>>about ‘knowledge economy’ workers, specifically including university staff,
>>and the very material nature of their travel. Interestingly this has now led to
>>the topic ending up on my university’s environment/sustainability
>committee
>>agenda. The implications for internationalisation agendas are interesting…
>>
>>One paper worth reading if you want to squirm:
>>
>>Lassen, C. (2010), 'Environmentalist in Business Class: An Analysis of Air
>Travel
>>and Environmental Attitude', Transport Reviews, 30(6), 733-751.
>>
>>Nick Gill
>>
>>
>>Dr. Nicholas Gill
>>School of Earth and Environmental Science and Australian Centre for Cultural
>>Enviromental Research
>>University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
>>Ph: 02 4221 4165
>>Fax: 02 4221 4250
>>Skype: nicholas-gill1
>>Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>Twitter: DrNickGill
>>http://www.uow.edu.au/science/eesc/eesstaff/UOW002998.html
>>
>>Head of Postgraduate Studies - SEES
>>
>>
>>
>>This e-mail may have been generated using voice recognition software.
>Please
>>excuse any errors or oddities.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>From: A forum for critical and radical geographers [mailto:CRIT-GEOG-
>>[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of dingyannan
>>Sent: Friday, 31 August 2012 3:25 AM
>>To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:CRIT-GEOG-
>>[log in to unmask]>
>>Subject: 答复: Take the Train
>>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>I found this a very interesting topic to discuss. Actually train travel is gaining
>>back customers from airlines, not to mention long distance coaches, in China.
>I
>>won't say it has much to do with the environmentalist concerns of average
>>travelers, but the high speed train could just offer what used to be a
>privilege
>>of flying: punctuality and reliability. Travel with the train is still a lot cheaper
>>than flying, especially on those Ordinary-speed (pukuai), i. e. non-high speed,
>>trains. I have friends traveling from Shanghai to Hong Kong to attend a
>>conference!
>>
>>
>>Yannan
>>
>>发自我的 Windows Phone
>>________________________________
>>发件人: Innisfree McKinnon
>>发送时间: 2012/8/31 0:56
>>收件人: [log in to unmask]<mailto:CRIT-GEOG-
>>[log in to unmask]>
>>主题: Re: Take the Train
>>Hi all,
>>I frequently take the train here on the West Coast, but there are a number
>of
>>issues with Amtrak. For example, I can drive between Davis CA (my home
>>town) and Eugene OR (where the University of Oregon is located) in about 8
>>hours. The train takes at least 14 and usually 16. That wouldn't be much of a
>>problem, but the train has no wireless connection and almost no electrical
>>outlets. Short range commuter trains in CA have wireless and outlets. It is
>only
>>possible to work on a computer for however long your battery lasts. It is also
>>difficult to sleep in the train seat and very expensive to buy a room with a
>bed,
>>much more than the cost of a plane ticket.
>>
>>So if I was to take the train to AAG in LA, it would most likely take a minimum
>>of 28 hours, cost as much as a plane ticket, and I would arrive exhausted
>from
>>lack of sleep. I have actually done calculations about costs in time and money
>>of train versus plane trips. In my experience, if you are traveling less than
>300-
>>400 miles, it could be cheaper and more relaxing/productive to take the train.
>>This is all speaking from a West Coast point of view. I have had very little
>>chance to travel by train on the East Coast, in Europe, or other parts of the
>>world.
>>
>>Innisfree McKinnon
>>PhD Candidate
>>Department of Geography
>>University of Oregon
>>
>>P.S. I also have food intolerances, which means I need to pack all my own
>food
>>on long train trips. On the up side, bringing your own food saves money over
>>buying horrible packaged junk on the train.
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Susan Ruddick
>><[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>>To: CRIT-GEOG-FORUM <CRIT-GEOG-
>[log in to unmask]<mailto:CRIT-
>>[log in to unmask]>>
>>Sent: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:30
>>Subject: Take the Train
>>
>>Hi Everyone
>>
>>
>>
>>I was curious given the amount of air travel we do as geographers how
>>
>>many people have considered taking the train (which can be a working
>>
>>trip with laptop) to various conference destinations (I am thinking in
>>
>>particular of the upcoming AAG for geographers who live in North
>>
>>America)
>>
>>
>>
>>just curious
>>
>>
>>
>>Sue
>>
>>
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