[uhtred]

>When and where did this line of thought of "it's better for everyone to stay the same than everyone get better if some people get better by a bigger amount" started being socially acceptable within grown adults?

That's not at all what the author is saying. He's arguing that it would be better, easier, and provide more value for more people if instead of things like Hyperloops we invested in high speed rail. If you've ever been to the US you'll know the transport infrastructure is TERRIBLE. Compared to Europe (and from the reading the article, Japan too it seems) American public transport is embarrassing; rusty diesel locomotives and pot holed roads. Having a high speed rail network in America would most certainly not be keeping everything the same.