I don't buy this theory that what Musk primarily wanted with the hyperloop was to undermine the high-speed train. Yes I've read TFA and I'm aware of that indirect quote, and its retraction for that matter. Nevertheless, it seems to me much easier to believe that what Musk actually wanted was publicity. This is a pattern that you can see over and over: hyperloop, boring company, saving kids in caves, colonising Mars, self driving cars, X will be a financial app, etc etc etc. All empty promises that grab headlines and inflate his importance at the time. Public attention span is very low so when these promises are later not fulfilled or even revealed to be complete fabrications, it doesn't really matter because the billions in stock value do not melt so easily.