Loss of educational channels over time

Cost is king. That is the difference today. In fact, cutting corners to create a disposable technology and maximize profits is just what has caused a decline in reliability over the last few decades, which is a microcosm of thousands of years of "progress."

You often get what you paid for when contracts are given to the lowest bidder....
 
The Romans built bridges which are still in use but here in Cincinnati they all think that our I75 bridge built in the 1960s is in dire need of replacement.
Where did all the knowledge about building bridges go in 2000 years?
Have you considered the length of the spans, elevation above the water (or whatever is being spanned) and how much and what kind of traffic each carries on a daily basis?

The other thing to consider is that perhaps the Roman bridges get ongoing maintenance where we Americans seem to have issues (borne of being cheap and not wanting to interfere with traffic) with maintaining our infrastructure. What other world power has bridges crashing into the water below (thinking of the collapse earlier this year in the Seattle area).
 
This is not stone age but close.
The Romans built bridges which are still in use but here in Cincinnati they all think that our I75 bridge built in the 1960s is in dire need of replacement.
Where did all the knowledge about building bridges go in 2000 years?
Depends on what they were designed to do. Brent Spense Bridge was DESIGNED with a 100 year lifespan. We are only 50 years into that, but it was also DESIGNED to carry 85,000 vehicles a day. It is currently carrying nearly TRIPLE the traffic it was designed to carry.
Don't want to derail conversation to a local matter like this, but the current plan would KEEP Brent Spence for "local" traffic after renovation, and have a NEW bridge DESIGNED to last 100 years with capacity to carry Quintuple the current traffic flow. The same project would widen and renovate I75 from I74 split to cut through the hill in KY. That is why it's a 2 billion dollar project. The new bridge by itself is just over 1/4 the cost of the entire project. Then there is the "through the valley project and the Clifton Projects that will widen I75 to a minimum of 4 through lanes from I74 to I275. All these projects will make driving from the river to I 275 a joy for the next decade or so. :)
 
This is not stone age but close.
The Romans built bridges which are still in use but here in Cincinnati they all think that our I75 bridge built in the 1960s is in dire need of replacement.
Where did all the knowledge about building bridges go in 2000 years?

The romans didn't have tractor trailers:eek:;)

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History Channel:

Larry the Cable Guy
Pawn Stars
Mountain Men
The Swamp Man
American Pickers

The Learning Channel:

Honey Boo Boo
Gypsy Sisters
Breaking Amish
Myrtle Manor
Toddlers & Tiaras

Yep.... definitely need a name change. No learning going on and the wrong kind of history is being made.
 
I have to defend American Pickers (though I dislike the show) and Pawn Stars. They are the "hillbilly" version of Antiques Roadshow. They discuss the history and social significance of items. I find Pawn Stars, at least when they aren't in their semi-scripted schtick mode, to be quite informative and entertaining. I put up with the "antics" of Chumlee and the gang to get to the items they discuss. I'm sure the majority of the people put up with the appraisals to get to the stupid vignettes. I see this as something Bill Cosby would say at the beginning of one of his Saturday morning TV shows: "And if you're not careful you may learn something before it's done"
 
That last one has some possibilities.

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I was quite interested in some coconuts in that show....... ;)

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Its socialism for cable channel owners. They get paid no matter the quality of their product. Thats why we have crap on Pay TV.
 
I have to defend American Pickers (though I dislike the show) and Pawn Stars. They are the "hillbilly" version of Antiques Roadshow. They discuss the history and social significance of items. I find Pawn Stars, at least when they aren't in their semi-scripted schtick mode, to be quite informative and entertaining. I put up with the "antics" of Chumlee and the gang to get to the items they discuss. I'm sure the majority of the people put up with the appraisals to get to the stupid vignettes. I see this as something Bill Cosby would say at the beginning of one of his Saturday morning TV shows: "And if you're not careful you may learn something before it's done"


Pawn Stars was originally interesting to see the different things people would bring in. Now, however, the show has gone mostly the route of scripted reality. American Pickers is funny as hell with their perfect product placement and how they just happen to stop and eat at Subway. Damn, Subway must have a sweet deal with the History chanel.

They are something to watch when there is absolutely nothing else to watch, but they are just more reality shows. All channels seem to be going this way. Hell, look at what has happened to the Food Network.....
 
Have you considered the length of the spans, elevation above the water (or whatever is being spanned) and how much and what kind of traffic each carries on a daily basis?

The other thing to consider is that perhaps the Roman bridges get ongoing maintenance where we Americans seem to have issues (borne of being cheap and not wanting to interfere with traffic) with maintaining our infrastructure. What other world power has bridges crashing into the water below (thinking of the collapse earlier this year in the Seattle area).
Wasn't the Seattle bridge an issue of a truck that was above the maximum clearance height, driving through and impacting the truss? That bridge wasn't invalid, it was antiquated.
 
Wasn't the Seattle bridge an issue of a truck that was above the maximum clearance height, driving through and impacting the truss? That bridge wasn't invalid, it was antiquated.
As I was saying, it is all about what something is designed to do versus what it is having to do. In this case, the assignment was to handle a truck that was much too tall.
 
I like American Pickers and Pawn Stars because they deal with the history or ordinary, everyday things. It is the "history of the mundane." And I agree that they are at their best when they are actually appraising items and talking to customers.
 
As I was saying, it is all about what something is designed to do versus what it is having to do. In this case, the assignment was to handle a truck that was much too tall.
UNderstood. It's just that you positioned that collapse in Seattle with maintenance issues, which was the problem with the Minneapolis collapse and the Cleveland Innerbelt near call.

Indeed, most bridges in America have eaten well into the safety factors used in their design. All the bridges aren't on the verge of collapse, but our infrastructure capacity is getting rather strained.

And now I fear that I have completely gone off-topic here. Keep forgetting which forum I'm on. *blush*

So, how 'bout them Ravens... I mean... Go DISH!!! I want the NBC Extra Live channels!
 

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