Oops, *** did it again

Not only did Ken Avidor, the self-annointed "PRT skeptic" who claims he knows his stuff, earlier confuse Linear Induction Motors (LIMs) with a type of PRT (Out on a LIM, 3/1), now he thinks LIMs can be used to hover:

Taxi 2000's PRT pod is supposed to run on futuristic-sounding "linear induction motors" (The pod actually rides on dorky, little rubber tires). Read about the wacky inventor of LIM, Eric Roberts Laithwaite:

"Scientist who used linear motors to drive hovering trains but was then branded a crank for defying Newton." Source

For the record, no PRT designer claims LIM replaces wheels—as usual Avidor is just plain wrong. LIMs are for propulsion, not support or suspension. LIMs make things go. It's Maglev that hovers.

Thinking a PRT vehicle rides on a LIM is like thinking a Chevy rides on its engine.

Sssh! Don't remind Ken that even some of the light rail trains he loves so much, with wheels, are propelled by LIMs. He can't admit being wrong, and his head might explode! Too late?



gPRT
I played with your Ken Avidor, got lost in the game

I'll take three wallet-sized

Whenever I need a good chuckle, I re-read what Ken Avidor, the Super-Sophisticated Twin Cities "Transportation Editor," wrote last Thanksgiving weekend. His subject was which Minnesota State Representative candidate to vote for:

"Take a look at the picture of Jim Huhtala standing in front of the Hiawatha Light Rail... It's a clear choice for liberals. Nuff said." Source

Oh god. Wait! Gimme a sec. For the. Laughing jag to. Pass. Man, that one gets me every time.



gPRT

Fusmearaboudit

Ken's newest post is hilariously tenuous--and possibly actionable!

Ed Anderson's Atlantic City Casino Con Job

According to Transportation Renaissance by Edmund Rydell (Xlibris 2000) Ed Anderson tried to sell the German PRT concept Cabintaxi to Atlantic City Casinos in the late 1970's.

According to Rydell's book, the Cabintaxi deal fell through because Ed Anderson's partner turned out to be a swindler with mob connections. The book attempts to whitewash Anderson's role in the con job, but I don't buy it. Anderson is anything but a naive dupe.

How about this: What happens in Avidor's mind, stays in his mind.^™



gPRT

Today's provocation

It has been brought to my attention that the unintelligently designed Discovery Institute is hosting a conference on "Future Trends in Energy, Technology and Transportation," May 31-June 1. The anti-Darwin organization has hosted such conferences in the past, one of which included PRT. Ken Avidor has used this to claim that PRT is a right-wing conspiracy.

Here's the thing. The Future Trends conference is featuring panelists from the political right and left. Gov. Christine Gregoire, Mayor Greg "Light Rail" Nickels and King County Executive Ron Sims are included. So are Rep. Dave Reichert (R) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (honorary R). By the way: PRT? Not on the agenda.

Will Avidor call the liberal Democrats closet Republicans for being associated with a Discovery event? Let's watch!



gPRT

Hey ***: here's a transit "basher" alert for ya

How soon before Ken Avidor starts attacking Raw Story's Hannah Selinger [link] as a transit-bashing member of the pro-car, pro-highway PRT cabal? Will he give her the Zoe Naylor treatment (See Him Flail Wildly, Nov. 5 entry)?

WorldChanging; Grist; now Raw? Go for the progressive website Triple Crown, Kenny-boy!



gPRT

Sure he recycles-- Talking Points, that is

First he was banned at Wikipedia (End the misery, 3/21), now Guess Who and his anti-PRT Talking Points are making a nuisance of themselves at the progressive e-zine Grist. Note the comment at "11:09, 10 March," where once again Avidor reveals his inability to distinguish between "nonsense" and satire.

Gee, I wonder what his bosses at the progressive Twin Cities Daily Planet think about all this?



gPRT

End the misery

Avidor has nearly worn out his unwelcome at Wikipedia: see Vote to ban User:Avidor from editing. He has requested mediation (!), clearly a last-gasp delaying tactic.



gPRT