Grasping Reality on TypePad, by Brad DeLong

As always, the underlying question is: just what do Fred Hiatt, Marcus Brauchli, and Katharine Weymouth think that they are doing>

Dense about density: Right now, I’m on New Jersey Transit, near Rahway. Around me is a post-apocalyptic wasteland dense development as far as the eye can see. And not a buffalo in sight.

And you know what? A large fraction of the American population lives in places like this. Yes, America overall has low density, but many of us live in high-density corridors; very few of us live in the wide open spaces. That’s why arguments that, say, we can’t have high-speed rail, because America’s population density is so low, are profoundly stupid. Which does not, of course, stop them from being made.

Indeed. The fact that most of us live in high-density corridors makes them high density. And fun to live in. And in need of more public transportation. Including SUPERTRAINS!!

Why oh why can't we have a better press corps?