--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are the only major developed nation…" description: "\"We are the only major developed nation that isn't investing meaningfully in high-speed rail, and I believe we're making a mistake. Transportation syste..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/richard-florida-20722_believe_we-are-the-only-major-developed-nation-t_2866705.jpg" --- # We are the only major developed nation that isn't… ![“We are the only major developed nation that isn't investing meaningfully in high-speed rail, and I believe we're making a mistake. Transportation systems that are fast and efficient and environmentally clean are going to enable the formation of these new mega-regions, the heart of the spatial fix…” quote by Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/richard-florida-20722_believe_we-are-the-only-major-developed-nation-t_2866705.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/richard-florida-20722_believe_we-are-the-only-major-developed-nation-t_2866705.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffb/richard-florida-20722_believe_we-are-the-only-major-developed-nation-t_2866705.jpg) > “We are the only major developed nation that isn't investing meaningfully in high-speed rail, and I believe we're making a mistake. Transportation systems that are fast and efficient and environmentally clean are going to enable the formation of these new mega-regions, the heart of the spatial fix. We need to be able to accelerate the movement of people, goods, and services - the very movement of ideas, knowledge, and creativity - between our major population centers. We have to build these links.” [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Investing in high‑speed rail is essential for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and the creation of large interconnected regions that foster innovation. **In simple terms:** High‑speed rail drives growth and sustainability. Key Takeaway Prioritize high‑speed rail development. Themes infrastructure economics environment innovation regional development Mood optimistic concerned strategic Type policy analytical persuasive When to use this quote - urban planning - government policy - business strategy - environmental advocacy - academic research Key Concepts spatial fix network effects agglomeration economies Questions to Reflect On - How can we overcome political resistance to rail investment? - What alternative transport solutions could match rail’s benefits? A Different Perspective High‑speed rail projects face huge upfront costs and political opposition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Developed Nation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/developed-nation-1405781/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [High speed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-speed/) [I believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-believe/) [Making a mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-a-mistake/) [Making mistakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-mistakes/) [Mega Regions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mega-regions-3899112/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Rail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rail/) [Speed Rail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speed-rail-1780331/) [Transportation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transportation/) [Transportation Systems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transportation-systems-2165987/) ## Related quotes > [We seem to be committing ourselves to an eye wateringly expensive railroad for the few. High speed rail plan is madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rutherford/we-seem-to-be-committing-ourselves-to-an-eye-wateringly-expensive/) [Mike Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rutherford/) > [The California High Speed Rail Project is a failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/the-california-high-speed-rail-project-is-a-failure/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [We are also ignoring and underfunding high speed rail which is one of the best ways to move citizens and improve congestion on our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrine-brown/we-are-also-ignoring-and-underfunding-high-speed-rail-which-is-one-of/) [Corrine Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrine-brown/) > [When people see the healthful impact this is having and all the hard hats constructing, their minds may change about high-speed rail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/when-people-see-the-healthful-impact-this-is-having-and-all-the-hard/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [The "Green" community, the enviro people, are preoccupied with running all the cars differently. Our techno-grandiosity has us gibbering about high-speed rail - which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howard-kunstler/the-green-community-the-enviro-people-are-preoccupied-with-running/) [James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howard-kunstler/) > [However little president Obama knows or cares about economics, he knows a lot about politics - and especially political rhetoric. 'High-speed rail' is simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/however-little-president-obama-knows-or-cares-about-economics-he/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [If we could do high-speed rail in California just half a notch above what they've done on the Shanghai line in China, and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/if-we-could-do-high-speed-rail-in-california-just-half-a-notch-above/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [There has to be essentially a completely new regulatory framework for Hyperloop because it is not high-speed rail. It's not rail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shervin-pishevar/there-has-to-be-essentially-a-completely-new-regulatory-framework-for/) [Shervin Pishevar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shervin-pishevar/) > [I do not see how we can rationally oppose high speed rail because of the environmental and other costs without considering the social and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-do-not-see-how-we-can-rationally-oppose-high-speed-rail-because-of/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [America is ready for livable communities. America is ready for high-speed rail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-abbott/america-is-ready-for-livable-communities-america-is-ready-for-high/) [Greg Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-abbott/) > [High-speed rail would revolutionise interstate travel and would also be an economic game-changer for dozens of regional communities along its path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-albanese/high-speed-rail-would-revolutionise-interstate-travel-and-would-also/) [Anthony Albanese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-albanese/) > [Efficiency, connectivity and productivity are all economic buzzwords that people have said high-speed rail will deliver. But at the heart of it what high-speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/efficiency-connectivity-and-productivity-are-all-economic-buzzwords/) [Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/) > [California's High Speed Rail Project is a failure, and not one more taxpayer dime should go towards this money pit project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/california-s-high-speed-rail-project-is-a-failure-and-not-one-more/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [China has gotten high-speed rail right, where the United States has not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-deese/china-has-gotten-high-speed-rail-right-where-the-united-states-has-not/) [Brian Deese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-deese/) > [International examples prove that high-speed rail pays for itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/international-examples-prove-that-high-speed-rail-pays-for-itself/) [Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/) ## More by Richard Florida > [“If you are a scientist or engineer, an architect or designer, a writer, artist, or musician, or if your creativity is a key factor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/if-you-are-a-scientist-or-engineer-an-architect-or-designer-a-writer/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [“Music, in fact, plays a central role in the creation of identity and the formation of real communities. Musical memories are some of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/music-in-fact-plays-a-central-role-in-the-creation-of-identity-and/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [Housing has always been a key to Great Resets. During the Great Depression and New Deal, the federal government created a new system of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/housing-has-always-been-a-key-to-great-resets-during-the-great/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [“As the economy has become more specialized and the occupational division of labor has deepened, the Creative Class has increasingly outsourced functions that were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/as-the-economy-has-become-more-specialized-and-the-occupational/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [Human creativity is the ultimate economic resource.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/human-creativity-is-the-ultimate-economic-resource/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [We have to acknowledge that we can't look to manufacturing or natural resources to drive growth like we have in the past. Human capital,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/we-have-to-acknowledge-that-we-can-t-look-to-manufacturing-or-natural/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [Already, new forms of short-term and long-term rental housing are popping up in some metro areas. You can take on a house or apartment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/already-new-forms-of-short-term-and-long-term-rental-housing-are/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [The creative individual is no longer viewed as an iconoclast. He—or she—is the new mainstream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/the-creative-individual-is-no-longer-viewed-as-an-iconoclast-he-or/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [Over time, this growing tendency of like marrying like will only reinforce clustering and geographic sorting along class lines, giving the emerging map of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/over-time-this-growing-tendency-of-like-marrying-like-will-only/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [Builders need to take their preeminent position back from the traders for the economy of the future to flourish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/builders-need-to-take-their-preeminent-position-back-from-the-traders/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [Denser cities are smarter and more productive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/denser-cities-are-smarter-and-more-productive/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [Beneath the surface, unnoticed by many, an even deeper force was at work—the rise of creativity as a fundamental economic driver, and the rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/beneath-the-surface-unnoticed-by-many-an-even-deeper-force-was-at/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [Toronto won't topple New York or London as a financial center, nor will it dethrone Los Angeles as the international entertainment capital, but with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/toronto-won-t-topple-new-york-or-london-as-a-financial-center-nor/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [Access to talented and creative people is to modern business what access to coal and iron ore was to steel-making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/access-to-talented-and-creative-people-is-to-modern-business-what/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) > [New Jersey boasts the highest percentage of passport holders (68%); Delaware (67%), Alaska (65%), Massachusetts (63%), New York (62%), and California (60%) are close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-florida/new-jersey-boasts-the-highest-percentage-of-passport-holders-68/) [Richard Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) [Explore all 30 Richard Florida quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-florida/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) [Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are the only major developed nation that isn't investing meaningfully in high-speed rail, and I believe we're making a mistake. Transportation systems that are fast and efficient and environmentally clean are going to enable the formation of these new mega-regions, the heart of the spatial fix. We need to be able to accelerate the movement of people, goods, and services - the very movement of ideas, knowledge, and creativity - between our major population centers. 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