#marginalization tourism

[ignotussomnium]

Looking into tourism as a method of resource extraction. If anyone has recommendations for articles or books that talk about similar subjects, I would greatly appreciate it.

[centrally-unplanned]

Thought this was a very straightforward summary of what is right on the tin - how is Cuban agriculture so bad? And it is bad, well below its peers and where it could be given its inherent assets. It is of course a story of regime incompetence, but what is revealing is that it was always a mess. Most communist countries had a phase we can describe as "revolutionary incompetence" - when they first come to power, they believe their own hype and think the Spirit of the People can substitute for fertilizer and proper incentives. They try it, it crashes, and then at some point they wake up and the technocrats take power and partially right the ship. This happened in some form in Cuba, but only marginally - throughout the Cold War Cuba was essentially propped up by subsidies and forced markets via the Soviet Union, and the problems of the system were left to wither on the vine (zing). After the Cold War, forces like rapid urbanization made reforms harder to pursue, and things like revenue from the tourism industry and handouts from Venezuela continued to allow the state to push the problem off. Cuba is definitely in another of its periodic crises, but those didn't really dislodge things in the past.

The article does spend a bit too much time going "no, the US trade ban isn't a major cause of anything", which is understandable but like everyone already knows that so it is a bit annoying. Otherwise it is very well written.

Honestly makes you think that the worst thing that ever happened to Cuban Communism was that none of those CIA assassinations of Fidel ever hit the mark. The deaths of Mao & Stalin were absolutely what allowed China & the USSR to enter their more reasonable phases; Cuba just never got the same opportunity because that damn founder clinged to power for so long. Who knows ofc, but does seem ironic!

[sahonithereadwolf]

Can I tell you about the very queer game I made this Pride?

In A World That Hates and Fears You, Living Becomes an Act of Rebellion.

Exceptionals is a game inspired by X-Men about and for the spaces and communities marginalized peoples make for themselves. Play as a Geno, one of little less than 0.5% percent of the population that has gone through a mysterious process called Claremont-Simonson mutation, as you try to navigate a world that won’t make room for you. Exceptionals is a game about what the mutant metaphor means to you and the different lenses through which we view it. Punch back and build something of worth together in this narrative tag-driven tabletop role playing game. 🧬Features Open-Ended Character Creation🧬 Mix and Match between (23) open-ended but guided protocols. Answer questions to create high concept and unique super powered characters where the only real limit is your imagination. Get invested in who you make as a whole person, and not just a set of powers. Build a Community 🧬Create a living and dynamic community space full of colorful characters. 🧬 Grow your base as an anchor for other geno and help fill it with the resources they and you need. Understand how your actions effect others and gain trust through the bonds mechanic. It’s a game where you get stronger by growing your community and heal by being part of it.

🧬Comic Book Storytelling 🧬 Play as a creative team of writers and editors working to tell the best version of the story you can over time and storyline-based experience to model changes of the status quo and creative direction. Enjoy panel based action pacing and the ability of characters of all power levels to coexist and carry the same amount of story weight.

🧬Not Pain Tourism 🧬 While Exceptionals offers a number of places to push back, we understand and recognize that the most important part of a punching bag is that you choose to hit it, even if it’s not at all. We recognize not everyone gets to set the issues that the mutant metaphor is used to talk about down when they leave the table and offer many ways to tell stories outside of a lens defined by pain. We also put an emphasis and mechanical weight on the importance of joy and celebration. 📚You can buy the Core Book here:📚 https://bramblewolfgames.itch.io/exceptionals 📚You can buy the Expansions here:📚 https://bramblewolfgames.itch.io/exceptionals-expansion-bundle 📚You can buy the bundle with everything here:📚 https://bramblewolfgames.itch.io/exceptionals-expansion-bundle I didn’t go out with the intent of making this a very queer game. Not explicitly. I started making games because  I got frustrated waiting to feel seen or acknowledged. Another game got me mad about using my peoples stories to be transphobic, to be racist, to be ableist. Nevermind my people have more than two genders traditionally and faced a genocide. That was too much for me. I said this was enough and the quite indignities I suffered to feel included wasn’t worth it. I could do better myself.  So I set out to make a superhero game. I hated just about every comic book game on the market. It never seemed to capture what I did like about big hero comics with high concept storytelling and powers and couldn’t care less on a mechanical or narrative level about who this person was outside the mask. More focused on bashing action figures together and golden age pastiche that doesn’t really reflect the decades of character and genre developments that have happened since then. I later found games that do it better, but I was dissatisfied... I chose x-men for the homies. I’ve always been an x-men fan. A lot of people my age were. My first action figure was one of rogue I got at a garage sale, where she then went on to fight many a play-dough monster. But for many of us it was the first place we were allowed to be heroes. There are no natives on the 90′s x-men team. But I had uncles and older kids all too eager to tell me about Forge and Warpath (I hate that name) and my favorite Dani Moonstar (I ain’t the biggest fan of that name either, but she’s the closest thing mainstream hero comics have to a good NDN).

After that, things just kinda flowed from there. The X-men have such a focus on community. It’s “comics greatest soap opera”. It can be messy, complicated, beautiful and life-affirming all at the same time. They take the time to play basketball, go to the mall, and have birthday parties as they grow. Two of my favorite x-men comics aren’t about fighting at all. One is framed around a sleepover some students have, and another is about a wedding and framed around everyone filming their part of the wedding tape.

So I started thinking about the communities I’ve been a part of. A big core of the game is informed by my time and the people I met in these sort of spaces. As a native, as a queer person, as a disabled person I’ve been both someone who needed them and someone who gave back.

Which suited x-men just fine. X-men has cared about that sort of thing from about X-men #3 with the first appearance of The Blob, establishing it’s tone of sympathy and mutants as a minority analog.

I just kept going and I didn’t stop. And apparently I did a good job. Someone out there has been using my game as game-therapy and community outreach in a gender health center out in California. I got a lot of kind words for the game too (which is good, because I spent 3 years on it).

KUDOS

-As featured on; io9/Gizmodo, Kotaku, Listen to Theses Nerds, Team-Up Moves, Yes Indie'd Pod, Team-Up Moves, and The Voice of Dog -#1 Best Seller and Popular on Itch.io in both Analog & RPG Games, Sept 2021

Listen to the Team-Up Moves AP Here!: https://teamupmoves.com/runs/exceptionals "Exceptionals is a beautiful, brilliantly designed superhero RPG. It's truly a masterpiece, and if you haven't checked it out, do yourself a favor." -@PartyOfOnePod

"This thing COOKS, Sahoni doesn't just tap into the queer/minority readings of mutants, but also ties in the weirdness that really gets my mind racing when it comes to X books." -@froondingloom 

"A refreshingly different game, that strikes a good balance between unlimited player freedom and solid guiding handrails. Really gets at the full potential of what the ;mutant outcast heroes' genre should be about: found family, building communities, and lives lived to the fullest despite being lived in defiance." -@guywhowrotethis 

"The whole game oozes love for its inspiration while also going further than they dared...." -@Phoenix24Femme

"Astonishing! Uncanny! All-New! And all other X-Adjectives available. This book gets why one would want to play the Mutant Metaphor in an RPG. It cleverly weaves the power fantasy of powerful individuals with the drive to do good for one's community. It's well-researched, well-written and, well, so much fun to play! This is the superpowered game I've been wanting for a long, long time. I can't wait to tell an Exceptional story of my own!" -@Kokiteno Team-up moves even made a recommended comic reading list. It has some of the best x-men has to offer and then some. It even includes that  New Mutants comic with the sleepover. They read me for filth and I love it.

I hope you play my game too. I hope you like it. I hope you tell queer stories and build community around you. I hope it’s messy, complicated, beautiful and life-affirming all at the same time. Thank you for reading this. Please reblog if you can as well as share it with x-men and rpg fans in your life.

[gemsofgreece]

Hi! I’m planning a trip to Greece but all I can find is info on the beaches and island hopping but I personally wanna go to see the mountains rather than do any partying stuff, the landscape and geology of Greece is fascinating and I’d like to see it up close but at the same time I want to be supporting local communities rather than major tourist corporations. Do you have any tips? Also if it’s helpful I am learning Greek so I don’t mind any recommendations for areas that are unlikely to have any English speakers! Thank you! 😊

Hello! I believe the official site of Greek Tourism Organisation "Visit Greece" has plenty of information about all places in Greece, not just the islands. Now, before getting to exactly what you asked, I would like to make some clarifications so you have a more accurate picture about Greece as a travel destination.

First, while the islands get the tourists by a long margin, it does not mean that they are all about partying. Only few islands are specifically partying destinations, namely just Mykonos and Ios, although even there you might be able to find regions which are more traditional and good for more chill, authentic and secluded vacations. Also, if staying far from mass tourism is very important to you, there are several islands that are not very known to tourists yet. Because they are islands, by nature some of them not yet touched by mass tourism and investments are actually very remote, more remote than many places in the mainland.

Second, Greece indeed has an interesting landscape and it has it both in the mainland and in the islands. While most islands have lower altitudes and less vegetation than the mainland, the vast majority has a very rugged terrain too. The type of "flatbread" landscapes, as I call them respectfully, virtually does not exist in Greece. Then four out of five active volcanoes in Greece are in the islands, which create interesting landscapes. And then there's Crete with its ultra mountain ranges. This is not me trying to sway you from your wish to go to the mainland, in fact I do think the mainland is severely underrated. I just want to give you a more spherical and accurate perception of Greece as a destination. So back to your ask!

I had trouble figuring out how to approach your ask. Asking me about seeing "the mountains" is in fact not easier than asking me about seeing "the islands". I thought about it long and hard (a bit too long, I hope you're still hanging around to see it) and based on your interests as described above I decided to offer four general plans about your itinerary. I called them "the plans of the triads". Every plan is a triad, I'll explain this in a bit.

Apologies in advance that I will go out on a limb and not include Thrace and include only a tiny bit of Macedonia in my plans. I did not include Thrace because even though it has the Rhodope mountains and perhaps the best or amongst the best woodlands, it is not as mountainous as the other regions. As for Macedonia, I include it only slightly and it's definitely a choice because literally the four biggest mountains in Greece are in Macedonia LOL including most of freaking Olympus. However, the reason I am leaving it out for the most part is because it is a slightly less mountainous region than the others, in the sense that there are larger intervals of hills and lowlands between the mountainous destinations for someone who tries to make a clever mountain itinerary, you know? So, you understood this correctly, I am leaving Olympus out of this lol. I will also leave out Mount Pelion of Thessaly, the most touristic Greek mountain, which is gorgeous, because I believe it's more cosmopolitan and not what you're asking for exactly. I had to preface this so one would not be weirded out by my exclusions, they are conscious choices.

So, I call the plans triads because all plans are based on visiting three geographic regions. These regions are all next to each other and they are all very mountainous so it would make it easier for you to explore in relatively close distances. By the way, you will need to rent a car for this or come by land with your own. You don't get to do a mountain itinerary in Greece with a bus or a train. Unless you get in touch with a travel agency but they will have some other itinerary in mind perhaps.

The triad plans are four:

The Screamer

The Recluse

The Athenian boy

The Mediterranean alternative

Here's a map with all plans:

The Screamer (Ioannina - Trikala - Grevena)

Why that name: I call this one the "screamer" because it is the most obvious choice perhaps for someone who wants mountains. It's not necessarily more mountainous than the others but it is the flagship of mountainous and landlocked mainland destinations in Greece.

Which major regions are featured: Epirus, Thessaly and Macedonia.

What's the X-factor: It has perhaps the ideal combo of "geology and landscape" out of the four as I am not only recommending mountains here but also the most famous natural wonder of the country and also a Record Guinness gorge.

Season: From middle spring to middle autumn, you don't want to get trapped there in a snowstorm.

Places you can hope to see in this plan ideally:

the UNESCO World Heritage Meteora Rocks and their medieval monasteries, as well as the scenic towns surrounding them

the National Park of Vikos-Aoos with its trademark Vikos gorge, the deepest gorge in the world in relation to its width

the National Park of Northern Pindus with the woodlands of Valia Calda

the quaint mountain villages of Elati, Pertouli and Neraidochori in Mount Koziakas, Trikala

the region of Zagori with its numerous UNESCO Cultural Landscape traditional villages

Mount Tymfi, also in Zagori, with its alpine lake

the northern part of Tzoumerka (Athamanian mountains) with villages such as Kalarrytes and Pramanta

the lake city of Ioannina, the 6th largest in Greece. If there, visit also the lake's island and its museum. It's the only place in Greece you can eat frog legs and lake eels, if for some reason you're up for this

the towns of Trikala and Grevena. Eat mushrooms if you visit the latter.

Metsovo, one of the largest mountain towns of the country. Visit the museums and eat cheeses and cured meats there.

Samarina on Mount Smolikas, one of the highest mountain villages in Greece and the Balkans. Smolikas is the second tallest mountain after Olympus but it has smooth slopes and it can be easily hiked.

IF you take the risk to go in winter, you can visit the Ski Resort of Vasilitsa in Grevena. Check if it's open / it has snowed enough first.

Remember, winter in Greece is either summer or Siberia, there's no in between and it's hard to predict which version you'll get.

Note! If you hike up to the alpine Dragon Lake of Mount Tymfi, DON'T swim in it even if it's summer. The lake hosts endangered endemic tritons and other fauna that is vulnerable to germs we might introduce to them.

Danger! If by any chance, you lose your way with the car in the mountains of Ioannina and Trikala, DON'T try a road named "Katara". It's a dangerous road. Keep driving in the highway.

Fun Fact: In this region, especially in Grevena, if you're very lucky, you might see bears. Greece's brown bears (almost?) never attack humans but of course keep your distance and observe from afar.

Will I be able to see all this in my journey: No, of course not. From now on, you'll have to make your internet search, check these places, find the ones you like best and ideally choose ones close to one another, check the distances, the accessibility, the average weather, the accommodations.

Meteora, the Dragon Lake of Mount Tymfi and Northern Pindus (probs Mount Smolikas). All these pics are clearly taken in spring, April or later.

The Recluse (Karditsa - Arta - Eurytania)

Why that name: From all the plans this is the one that is most likely to feel far from organized tourism and with the highest chances of meeting people not knowing English.

Which major regions are featured: Thessaly - Epirus - Sterea Hellas

What's the X-factor: It's a highly untouched and authentic feeling region with traditional pretty villages, imposing mountain scenery and several lakeside destinations, an ideal region to seek serenity and getting away from it all. At the same time, it has the most mountainous regional capital city in the country as well as high quality accommodation, including chalets.

Season: From middle spring to middle autumn, you don't want to get trapped there in a snowstorm, unless you have the means to spend the adverse weather in your accommodation, without worrying about being back on time.

Places you can hope to see in this plan ideally:

Agrafa mountains and their villages

the well known Plastira lake, it has organized tourist facilities

Karditsa town and its UNESCO protected public market

The region of Argithea in Karditsa with the small but beautiful Stefaniada lake

the central and southern part of Tzoumerka (Athamanian mountains), their villages such as Agnanta and Theodoriana, their woodlands and their waterfalls

The town of Arta with its fabled Bridge of Arta

Kremasta, the largest man-made lake in Greece

if you come in winter, the Ski Resort of Velouchi

Karpenisi, the mountainous capital of Eurytania

The natural wonder of Panta Vrechi Canyon. You 'll probably know that "Panta Vrechi" means "it's always raining".

the beautiful region of Prousos with the 12th century monastery and the canyon of the Black Cave

Will I be able to see all this in my journey: No, of course not. From now on, you'll have to make your internet search, check these places, find the ones you like best and ideally choose ones close to one another, check the distances, the accessibility, the average weather, the accommodations.

Agrafa mountains, the village of Agnanta in the Central Tzoumerka mountains and Proussos.

The Athenian Boy (Boeotia - Phocis - Phthiotis)

Why that name: Because it is the plan closest to Athens, in case you start your journey from there (most likely) or intend to visit Athens properly as well.

Which major regions are featured: We're putting Sterea Hellas in the spotlight with this one.

What's the X-factor: Again, its proximity to Athens without making any compromises in scenery. The mountains here are just as large as the ones in the plans above. Moreover, because it is close to Athens it has both secluded, remote destinations and more touristy, cosmopolitan or organized ones in close distance with each other.

Season: All year round because (broken record alert) due to its proximity to Athens perhaps things are catered to a little more carefully and it is less likely to stumble onto issues such as blocked roads even during adverse wintry weather.

Places you can hope to see in this plan ideally:

the cosmopolitan mountain town of Arachova

if in winter, the ski resort of Mount Parnassus

the city of Livadeia and its nearby Krya springs and waterfalls

the surrounded by mountains town of Amfissa and its elevated fortress, also some interesting carnival festival taking place there in February (earplugs recommended because these celebrations get loud)

the famous Oracle of Delphi, one of the most visited sites in Greece, on Mount Parnassus

the traditional villages of Phocis (scattered throughout the several mountains of the region)

Vardousia mountains, the mountains with some of the toughest peaks to climb across most of Greece

Mount Giona, the biggest mountain south of Olympus and the one with the biggest headwall in the Balkans

the gorgeous verdant region of Pavliani in Phthiotis

the National Woodland Park and the Asopos Gorge of Mount Oeta

if in Phthiotis, you can visit Thermopylae, the site of the battle between King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans with the Persians

Will I be able to see all this in my journey: Not if you want to explore each destination and mountain thoroughly. But it's possible that you can fit more things together in this one, although don't hold me to it, I may be wrong.

Vardousia Mountains, Arahova town and somewhere in Mount Oeta.

The Mediterranean alternative (Corinthia - Arcadia - Laconia)

Why that name: This plan trails down the mountainous core of the Peloponnese, South Greece. The climate is a little more typical Mediterranean than the previous temperate and alpine elevations. It still has large mountains which get snow in the winter but the weather is certainly a little milder. Furthermore, this plan includes a peninsula featured here for its special geomorphology and remoteness and not its altitude.

Which major regions are featured: Peloponnese through and through.

What's the X-factor: The milder weather, a more easily accessible combo of mountain and sea (although to be fair that's pretty easy in most Greek places) and a lot of historical and cultural sites.

Season: All year around. If however you definitely want wintry weather, ski resorts and snowcapped mountains, this happens of course but it is less guaranteed or it may last for a few days only.

Places you can hope to see in this plan ideally:

the Corinth Canal, Isthmus of Corinth

Mount Kyllini (or Ziria)

Aroania mountains (also known as Helmos) and the National Park of the Vouraikos gorge (okay most of it is in Achaea region next to Corinthia, I am stealing a little bit here)

Feneos and Doxa Lake

the historical quaint villages of Mount Menalo such as Stemnitsa, Dimitsana and Limbovisi

the town of Vytina, its nearby woods of Vytina and the Road of Love

if in winter and it has snowed, the ski resort in Mount Menalo

the very forested Mount Parnon and its villages

Mount Taygetus, the tallest mountain of the Peloponnese, overlooking the town of Sparta

the hilly Byzantine castle city of Mystras

Mani, a rough rugged - at places barren - remote peninsula with the tower houses of the Maniots, the fiercely proud and reserved people of the region. Places to see across Mani are Vathia, Areopoli, Oitylon and Cape Tenaro.

Will I be able to see all this in my journey: No but this plan is a little easier to navigate because you'll start from the north, heading from Athens to nearby Corinthia and then you can keep exploring as many of the aforementioned places as you want by going more and more south.

Lake Doxa in Feneos, a village in Mount Menalo of Arcadia and Mount Taygetus with Sparta on its foot.

Phew, okay that was it. I believe these are fairly good recs to examine and choose from. And again, to anyone that might wonder why I did not include this or that place, I know. I have left a lot of stuff out of this. But you gotta start somewhere. Anon, I hope this helps you out and also I hope you see this because it took me ages to finish it. In my defence, it was tricky!

Photos belong to their respective owners, I use them here as a visual guide for the Anon.

[sundusbhattiportfolio]

Urban Renewal vs. Public Housing: Lessons from Baltimore and Pruitt-Igoe

Urban renewal and public housing have played a central role in shaping American cities, often with conflicting results. While urban renewal aims to modernize and revitalize decaying cityscapes, it frequently displaces long-standing communities, exacerbating socioeconomic inequalities. Conversely, public housing has been used to provide affordable homes for low-income populations, yet poor planning and neglect have led to segregation, poverty concentration, and failure.

This article explores these urban planning challenges through two significant case studies: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor renewal project and the Pruitt-Igoe public housing complex in St. Louis. These examples reveal the successes and failures of 20th-century urban planning, offering critical lessons for the future of equitable city development.

The Case for Urban Renewal: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

In the mid-to-late 20th century, Baltimore launched one of the most ambitious urban renewal projects in the U.S., aimed at revitalizing its deteriorating downtown and waterfront areas. The redevelopment of Charles Center and the Inner Harbor sought to attract businesses, tourists, and high-income residents back into the urban core.

✅ Economic Growth & Tourism Boost:

The Inner Harbor was transformed into a vibrant commercial and cultural hub, with attractions like the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center.

New retail, office spaces, and residential developments increased property values and business investments.

✅ Mixed-Use Development & Walkability:

The project embraced modern urban design principles, making the Inner Harbor a 24-hour activity zone instead of a purely business district.

The redevelopment created public spaces, waterfront promenades, and green areas, making the area more livable and attractive.

However, despite these successes, Baltimore’s renewal came with a price—one paid disproportionately by lower-income residents.

📉 Displacement & Gentrification:

The rising cost of living forced many working-class and minority residents out of the area.

Long-standing communities were pushed to the city's margins, leading to increased inequality and social tensions.

📉 Who Really Benefited?

Many of the jobs created by urban renewal did not go to local residents but rather to suburban commuters and outside investors.

The benefits were concentrated in wealthier, predominantly White areas, deepening racial and economic disparities.

Lesson: Urban renewal can drive economic growth, but without equitable policies, it risks displacing the very communities it aims to uplift. Sustainable urban planning should incorporate affordable housing, job creation, and community input to ensure benefits reach all residents.

The Failure of Public Housing: St. Louis’ Pruitt-Igoe Disaster

While Baltimore’s renewal focused on economic revitalization, St. Louis’ Pruitt-Igoe public housing complex is a cautionary tale of poorly executed housing policies. Built in the 1950s, Pruitt-Igoe was meant to be a modern, affordable housing solution for low-income residents. However, within two decades, it became one of the most infamous failures of public housing in America.

📉 Economic & Social Isolation:

As St. Louis lost manufacturing jobs and white flight accelerated suburbanization, Pruitt-Igoe’s predominantly Black residents faced growing unemployment and poverty.

Many residents struggled to afford rent, leading to funding shortages for maintenance and services.

📉 Poor Urban Design & Maintenance Neglect:

The "towers in the park" design created isolated, unsafe spaces that became hotspots for crime.

Elevator breakdowns, vandalism, and lack of maintenance made the complex nearly uninhabitable.

📉 Demolition: The End of an Era

By the late 1960s, Pruitt-Igoe had become a symbol of public housing failure.

In 1972, just two decades after its construction, the federal government demolished the entire complex—a moment often regarded as the death of high-rise public housing projects in the U.S.

Lesson: Public housing cannot succeed without long-term economic investment, proper maintenance, and integration into the broader urban fabric. Instead of isolating low-income populations in concentrated developments, policies should prioritize mixed-income housing, economic support, and community services.

Urban Planning Lessons for the Future

The contrasting stories of Baltimore and Pruitt-Igoe illustrate the complex challenges of urban development. Both cases emphasize the need for urban planning approaches that balance economic development with social equity.

✅ Urban Renewal Should Include Community-Driven Growth

Economic development should not come at the cost of displacing vulnerable communities.

Cities must include affordable housing policies, local hiring initiatives, and resident engagement in renewal projects.

✅ Public Housing Must Be Integrated, Not Isolated

Instead of large, isolated housing blocks, urban planners should invest in mixed-income, mixed-use developments that connect residents to jobs and services.

Public housing policies should prioritize maintenance and long-term sustainability rather than quick-fix solutions.

✅ Equitable Urban Planning Requires Thoughtful Policy

Planners and policymakers must address historical inequities in housing and economic access.

Transit, education, and workforce development programs should accompany any large-scale urban redevelopment effort.

Conclusion: Rethinking Urban Development for the 21st Century

Urban renewal and public housing remain central to urban development debates today. Baltimore’s Inner Harbor shows the power of economic revitalization—but also its risks of gentrification and exclusion. Pruitt-Igoe, on the other hand, serves as a lesson in the failure of isolated, underfunded public housing projects.

For cities to create sustainable, inclusive growth, planners must move beyond outdated models and embrace community-centered, equitable policies that ensure all residents benefit from urban progress.

[traintrainingmontage]

I have a cute writing prombt for you, what if Peter Sam (humanzied) interacting with Sicilia Rhea Tempest (my oc) and she gives him a hug. Anyways congrats.

Thank you, Lexi!! Humanized Peter Sam I can do, but I don't really know your OC, so instead, I'm making this a y/n insert piece!

(I didn't expect Peter Sam to feature in so many of these prompts, but what can I say; people just love him, and I just love writing him!)

(Have a prompt idea? Details here!)

Normally, the island of Sodor's Skarloey Railway was known for being a quiet, picturesque line that served its community and its many tourists with ease and dignity, promising a lovely ride through the storybook fantasy land that was their valley. Quaint and peaceful, the towns and spas dotting this line, promising romantic getaways and wonderfully cozy winter vacations, as well as health retreats and historical tours for the interested, all contributed towards Sodor's largest draw for tourism by a fair margin, and the railway took great pains to maintain that inviting image.

On this day, however, the terminus of the railway, Crovan's Gate, was absolutely abuzz with activity, completely shattering its usual tranquility. This was because the railway was doing a special event, a Meet and Greet for the staff that also promised the opportunity for families to see the engines close up and look at (but not touch) the cab's inner workings. The air was filled with the sounds of chatter, from excited exclamations about meeting the crews to checking the schedule to wondering if there would be any special guests.

While you weren't necessarily one for noise, you were excited for the event. You'd always loved trains, ever since you were little, and taking one down from your home in Glennock to where you worked in Ballahoo could sometimes feel like a long trip, but it was always worth it, thanks to the lovely trains and staff that made your journey pleasant.

That said, although you were a local and took the train every day, you still couldn't help but hope for opportunities like this to see and talk to the drivers and firemen. After all, you'd never really gotten the chance to truly make their acquaintance, only catching fleeting glances at best as their engines rested at the stations and people filed into the coaches.

As only one of the many among this unruly crowd, you clutched your bag close and unfurled your map, trying to see where the actual meet and greet table was. It took no small amount of meandering through the mob, squeezing through gaps and mumbling apologies to anyone you'd inadvertently shoved out of the way, but you finally managed to make your way to your destination. It was quite crowded, as expected, but fortunately, it was already past noon and Skarloey and Rheneas Fletcher, drivers of the SR's No. 1 and No. 2 engines, had already made their public appearances. From what you'd heard, it had been a madhouse; as the drivers of two of the island's most famous engines, and local celebrities in their own right, they had been absolutely bombarded with requests for pictures, autograph signings, and more. As much as you would have liked to have met them in person, it was probably best for your sanity that you had missed the line.

That said, you were just in time to catch the driver you'd really wanted to meet.

As you got in line behind an older lady corralling an over-excited 10 year old and behind you came a group of eager teenagers snapping pictures, your mind flashed back to two weeks ago, which had turned out to be a defining moment for you. You were hurrying home from work, running late, when a sudden storm overtook the island. You hadn't brought an umbrella, and you weren't dressed in your thick jacket, so unfortunately, you were quite drenched by the time you got to the platform.

Your sodden shoes had just touched the edge when the guard's whistle sounded, your eyes going wide with anxiety as you broke into a run. Fortunately, by a great stroke of luck, you'd made the train, with the guard giving you a hand up as he helped you into a coach. It was warm and roomy, with not too many people on it, and you'd managed to grab a row all to yourself, although the warmth wasn't quite enough to stop your frigid body from shivering.

It took you a few minutes to realize, however, that the train hadn't started moving yet. As you looked towards the door, wondering what was the matter, it suddenly swung open to reveal an eager young man with blonde hair and bright green eyes, wearing a dampened yet still warm-looking overcoat. A wide smile was on his face, and he looked around for a few moments before locking eyes with you and striding over. "Pardon me, but... I saw you from the platform. You seem like you could use this."

From under his coat, the man produced a perfectly clean, fluffy white towel, which he then held out to you. Bewildered, you accepted his offer, only for you to gasp sharply at just how comfortable and warm it was. "I had it heating up near the fire," your benefactor smiled, his grin somehow even warmer than the towel. "I was saving it, but you looked like you could really use it, and I figured nobody would mind a little delay. Don't catch a cold, now!"

With that, your savior turned on his heel and walked off, heading for the carriage door. A few minutes later, you heard a peep peep! and away you went, up the line towards home.

You couldn't help but keep staring at the towel, utterly mystified, and across from you, an older woman chuckled. "Hoo hoo! Oh, that Peter Sam. He's always been such a good lad, and looks out for his passengers."

Your train of thought suddenly screeched to a halt. THAT was Peter Sam?! The driver himself had come to give you his towel after seeing how soaked to the bone you'd been?!

At seeing your gobsmacked expression, the woman laughed, clearly bemused by your surprise. "Like I said, he's a good lad. Dry yourself off, dear, and count yourself lucky!"

Absently, you began to dry yourself off, immediately feeling better as your thoughts began to wander. Work had been awful today; you'd been yelled at, forced to leave late, and had gotten caught in the rain. Yet, now that you were on your way home, with this towel in your hands... somehow, you didn't feel half as bad. A stranger's kindness really had gone a long way.

Thus, when you'd heard about this event, you immediately saw an opportunity. You thoroughly washed the loaned towel, and packed it up in your bag, intending to give it back to him. The woman and child in front of you were just finishing up. Here was your big chance!

You approached the table, nerves suddenly spiking. Oh no. How in the WORLD were you going to make this less awkward? Those handsome green eyes turned to look at you, and after a moment, recognition lit up his face as the driver of the SR's No. 4 gave you a bright smile. "Oh! It's you! I hope you didn't catch a cold after last time."

He remembered you. Something about that suddenly gave you the ability to breathe again, and you promptly opened your bag, grabbing the towel and holding it out to him. "Th-thank you! I really, really needed that."

Peter Sam's grin had momentarily wavered as he beheld the towel, confusion written all over his face, but his smile returned in full force once it all clicked. "Hey! Thanks for returning it!" He took it from you graciously and put it in his bag, eyes bright as he turned back to you. "I'm glad I could help. It wouldn't have felt right to just stand by!"

You couldn't help but smile back, warmth bubbling up all throughout your body; Peter Sam's sunshine smile really was just too potent. He probably gave great hugs. As soon as you has that thought, however, embarrassment coursed through you as you realized that you really wanted one, and that you'd probably never get this chance again. Besides, the worst he could do was say no... right? "Erm, if it's alright with you," you stammered out, "could I please... give you a hug?"

Peter Sam looked at you with surprise, but his smile remained intact, seemingly fine with such a bold request. "Sure! I don't mind!" As he stepped out from behind the table, you wrapped your arms around him and he followed suit, both of you sharing a quick hug before pulling back with twin grins on your faces.

"Thank you," you murmured quietly. "For everything, I mean. I'm a local, but I'd never met you before, and now, I'm really glad that I did."

Peter Sam let out a hearty chuckle in reply. "Me too! Hope to see you around sometime!"

With that, the driver turned to walk back to the table, but not before giving you a little wave. You gave him a little wave back, grin undiminished as you hoped that next time would be soon.

[lesbiancolumbo]

Can I ask what the deal with Sean Baker is? Don't know much about him as a person and had no idea about his comments regarding female directors. I remember liking The Florida Project and I enjoyed Anora, but not fully so because I couldn't get over his collaborating with Russian actors and the movie being supported by the Russian Ministry of Culture.

Not in any way an "aha! i knew it" moment, but I don't want to support his work if there are actual known patterns of shitty behavior on his part.

i’m not railing against him in a “YFIP” way. he’s just a fucking hypocrite and i hate his ass. he mined the lives of black trans sex workers to make tangerine and then left them in the fucking dust when it blew up - FOR HIM. mya taylor should have easily been in the conversation for more awards than she was, and he did absolutely nothing for them after he was done profiting off them. then he decided that he wanted to care about poor white people in florida and did the exact same damn thing. then he decided to go back to caring about sex workers but white ones, all under the lens of “look at me! i’m a Nice Guy Who Cares About Marginalized Communities :)”

but he doesn’t actually care about these communities. they’re petri dishes for him to go ooh! aah! how sad! how interesting, collect his industry clout and awards and then moves the fuck on. he jerks off to the concept of FILMING ON CELLULOID! OOH! AAH! like he wasn’t the “i made a movie on the iphone” guy.

people in the industry really like him….. because he is so fucking DESPERATE TO BE LIKED and it radiates off him. again - i’m not interested in cancelling him. it’s not that serious to me. liking anora is fine, liking his films is fine! i like tangerine. but i think he’s a hypocritical cis het white man with a fucking fetish for using ~the power of his celluloid~ to allow people the chance to Suffering Tourism their way through marginalized communities he doesn’t actually care about. he’s like a fucking zoo. and i want to punch him in his smug little face.

so i guess the TLDR is support him if you want, i don’t care, he’s not “evil”. he’s just a loser and i hate seeing him get accolades cuz i know he’s jerking off to them when he gets home and all we imagine as light should have gotten his palme d’or

[minglana]

A reflection on tourism

It's not easy to predict the tourism industry's evolution. The touristic sector can be classified as volatile, without a planification being considered necessary by leaders, against a possible tendency towards change in Spain, despite being subjected to factors that cannot be controlled, since this depends on the trust of the consumer. In this way, the following elements should be considered: the reliance on the climate, on the economic circumstances, on the risks (or lack thereof) of insescurity or social and political instability in other countries, on publicity campaigns destined to divert travelers, the evolution of these [travelers'] habits, the decisions of international operators... Or the emergence of pandemics...

It also should not be forgotten that, despite the triumphalist numbers that are always given, it should be considered that the only numbers considered are the tourists' consumption, but not the cost per visitor in environmental terms (water and energy waste, garbage, residual waters), healthcare, security, etc.

Conversely, the persistance on tourist growth allows not only the obscene enrichment of others, that tends to be based on or accompanied by corruption, just like what had been happening until the real-estate bubble burst, but it also allows to continue building in lands next to coastal areas, as if the concrete that's already invaded it wasn't enough, and furthermore leads to a destruction (despite its contradiction) of the landscape, gravely putting at risk these territories' future.

Problems derived from tourist activity have already begun to pop up, such as speculation, illegal apartments, city occupation and saturation, which obviously is already happening in Barcelona, Venice, or Amsterdam, since the rampant spread of tourist is detrimental to the quality of life of the cities' residents. Protests against gentrification [...] have taken place, due to the arrival of new businesses, stores, and inhabitants which negatively affect the neighbors that have traditionally lived in these areas; there's also protests against tourism and tourism excesses, real-estate speculation stemming from this activity, the rent increase in these areas (which substantially affects workers living in those areas), agglomerations, dirtying and damage to nature, massification, etc. In the summer of 2017 there were some protests against massive tourism in different european cities: abroad, in Venice and Dubrovnik, and in Spain basically in Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. The Spanish government quickly reacted and coined the term 'turismofobia'. [...]. In the south of Europ gentrification most commonly gets turned to 'touristification'; it's not that a poor community gets substituted for a rich one, but it gets replaced by a non-community of tourists, who spend a few days at most in the neighborhood. Gentrification substitutes populations; touristification erases them. In a market economy, where land and housing are goods bought and sold at prices at-will, it's hard to rehabilitate a neighborhood for its neighbors. Any improvements to an apartment or its surroundings equates a raise in rent, one where the tenants usually cannot meet this demand. Even in cases of residents who own their housing, the offers of investment funds of various origins, interested in buying, leads them to selling their housing and leaving. The disappearance of local commerce and its subtitution for souvenir shops and expensive restaurants puts ordinary life at risk.

Where is the limit to tourism, particulary in Spain? There is a saturation risk. The tourism industry wants to obtain more expenses per visitor, "quality tourism". When there's neighbors who protest against the rise in tourism and its impact in their daily lives (for example, in their access to housing), it turns out that in the interior [of the Iberian peninsula] there's a margin for the market to still flourish. There should be a balance between what is an option for leisure and freedom for millions of people, and the risk for the balance of the welcoming countries, and proceed towards a seasonal and geographical diversification.

In relation to the mountain, ideally, the economy should be diversified and the use of the territory and landscape made to be compatible with the natural environment.

Original text underneath in Spanish:

[lilietsblog]

thinking about the world tourism and what it means in soviet (+ post-soviet) context vs the rest of the world

so the soviet union for all it pretended to be a federation - a union, you might say - was absolutely russian empire 2.0, now with bonus totalitarianism.

and being russian empire means that there are exactly 2 (two) modern cities with architecture and culture and history worth visiting: moscow and st. petersburg. and while of course there might be some silly provincials visiting them and gawking (in moscow usually while on a business trip or study trip or something, as moscow is the center of everything as is well known), the only people that MATTER, that get in any way catered or appealed to, culturally or politically, already live in moscow and have been to st petersburg for one reason or another. (they say some people also live in st petersburg but that's mostly mythical cultural icons or something)

what does this leave for tourism?

well, russia might only have two human settlements, one real and one a mythical legend (it's true, just ask any moscowite who has ever posted an address online), but it has a lot of Majestic, Untamed Nature for humanity to conquer!

(what do you mean people already live there? well maybe they do but they haven't conquered it have they. the mountain still stands, so they are basically part of the majestic landscape)

(and of course the rest of the world outside the majestic russia (im sorry i mean the soviet union wink wink) is scary evil bourgoisie, and to even go on a business trip outside the country you must pass stringent background & ideological checks, for yourself and your entire family and friend circle. obviously)

so, the "tour" part of "tourism" does not refer to the tour guide who shows you the local landmarks and gives you a historical lecture, it refers to the thrifty local who offers to show you that path through the woods so you don't get lost. or it refers to nothing at all, and tourists just barge through everything based on maps and some compasses. or go down rivers, which is marginally more reliable. they're not the foreign-language-speaking elderly folk with cameras who stay in the nearest hotel in the big city, they're the band of filthy, tired, cheerful backpackers with whining exhausted children who raid your village grocery store, empty it of pasta, salami, tomato juice and ice cream, ask you for directions to the nearest well or water pump, then for the next landmark they're looking for (which might be right there at the end of the village or over on the next mountain because they took the wrong turn), then collectively tromp off.

theres a song about this, specific to people who do this on weekends in the nearest forest (also apparently dedicated to the time when there was only one (1) weekend) (it's about the bitter rivalry of people who do this with people who farm on their dachas in the same one weekend in the same rural area, competing for space on public transportation and local forage, including sometimes the goddamn fields / kitchen gardens being treated as forage by the damn university kids with no money and no shame)

i was one of those (the mountains kind, not the nearest forest kind) once a year throughout my childhood and adolescence, ever since I was old enough by my parents' reckoning to put a backpack on me and make me walk all day every day for a week, which was when I was five. i absolutely couldnt walk all day and bitched and moaned non stop (unfortunately in a way that made my parents think i was just being whiny and not that my feet are fucked up and i am having aches that a healthy child absolutely should not be having), but nonetheless i loved it with my whole heart immediately and next year there was a whole thing with my parents blackmailing me into doing damn near anything they asked just so they'd take me with them again. (years later, as an adult, i found out that that was the year when i suddenly started peeing my pants randomly and that my mom took me to a clinic and had it politely explained to her that it's out of stress and that she should give up on the battle to make me eat things i feel nauseous even thinking about. so that's how that happened i guess)

i... have been a tourist in the other, civilized sense like four or five times in my life. (three school-organized class trips to neighbouring countries, one study course in England where we spent most of our time on the tour bus getting immersed in the language, and maybe something else i'm forgetting)

but it's not what the word means to me and it never will

(relaxing near a body of water is not tourism. it's when your workplace gives you papers for their sanatorium so you go there for your mandatory paid time off and Rest, for your health. The Resters are not the same as The Tourists at all, as they have 0 interest in local landmarks or going anywhere beyond the nearest two blocks or the distance from the sanatorium building to the shore, they're more or less locals in the first place and go the same place every year since that's where their workplace sends them. it's specifically a different word)

(if you're keeping count, this makes 3 culturally defined ways to spend your vacation or weekend somewhere that's not your home in front of the tv: The Dacha (partial sustenance farming, leaves you more physically tired but arguably healthier, and definitely richer by all the vegetables and fruit you can grow there), The Rest (veg out at some nearby body of water, swim if you're into it, just lie there with a book cosplaying a dead fish if you aren't) and The Tourism (walk paths heretofore untrodden except by all the other tourists, don't make fires outside of places marked on your map that have remnants of previous fires already visible, play guitar badly and sing very loud in the evenings))

(visiting other human settlements (don't tell the moscowites but they do exist) and staying at hotels happens too but it's not vacation, it's Work Trips, and they can be very much competed for in local office politics even in the 99% of cases when they aren't to beyond the iron curtain)

P.S. I just want to make it clear that when I use the words "tourist" and "tourism" for this it's not a case of arbitrary translation confusing two concepts. the words in Russian and Ukrainian are "turist" and "turizm" which you can recognize as excessively literal transliterations of words that were themselves literal transliterations of "tourist" and "tourism". That is literally the words we use for this.

P.P.S. the fall of the soviet union has opened other possibilities but id say the words still mostly mean the same thing. its just that The Rest in the sense of going to a body of water has been expanded to possibly be in Egypt or France or something, and to possibly include some landmark walking (controversial within families)

P.P.S. Ukraine has never been as centralized as russia and other cities than Kyiv exist. However it is significantly smaller so it's actually realistic to have friends / relatives / business in all the major cities you want an excuse to visit, plus it has enough nature to maintain the idea of tourism as mostly a nature-visiting activity, just maybe in a car instead of on two feet with a backpack now. and you know the non-nature landmarks along the way as you pass through cities. this is a whole new thing and i dont think theres a distinct cultural reaction to it yet. I will however note that the fourth distinct way to spend your time outside of your place has coalesced: The Volunteering, which absolutely can and does take you all over the country depending on what volunteering event you sign up for. my best friend irl does this a lot and ive been to like two events like this with her and its awesome, though it does require you to have a lot of Youthful Energy and a longing to do some physical labor instead of whatever else you do all day normally. obviously involves visiting places and their landmarks, still not tourism lmao

P.P.P.S tourism in our sense is a fully gender neutral activity, and in fact a common COUPLES thing. everyone knows theres no sex in soviet union, but when there's a tent and two young people in love, well don't ask don't tell as they say amirite. (privacy is thin on the ground when young people are expected to and usually only can live with their parents until at least after they get married since that's the only way to have an apartment distributed to them from the government, or to have their parents exchange their bigger apartment for multiple smaller ones) (there is in fact a whole cultural sub-thing about all-girl groups struggling to recruit at least one boy to come with to Ensure Their Safety to their worried parents and also do manly things like split firewood and carry a marginally bigger portion of heavy things in exchange for a larger portion at mealtimes) (all-boy groups notably dont have this problem and are expected to be able to cook Tourist Porridge for themselves just fine)

also theres another song - admittedly just a couplet - about this meaning of tourism, apparently a parody/corruption of another song: "где бронепоезд не пройдет // не пролетит стальная птица // турист на пу, на пу, на пузе проползет // и ничего с ним не случится!" "where an armored train won't pass // a steel bird won't fly through // a tourist on his bell, bell, belly'll crawl // and nothing'll happen to him" so that probably gives you a bit more of an insight into the cultural attitude there XD

[classifieds-marketing-news]

What does Bad Bunny's political track 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos' reveal about Puerto Rico? : NPR

Bad Bunny's Latest Album "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" Celebrates Puerto Rican Pride In Bad Bunny's latest album, "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS," the Puerto Rican superstar showcases a collection of joyful rhythms and rallying anthems that highlight Puerto Rican values and issues. The album serves as a global spotlight on Puerto Rico's history and future, merging music past and present to deliver powerful messages of resistance and prideful music. Let's delve deeper into the context of this impactful music. What is the album's message about Puerto Rico's history and future? "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" captures a historical record of Puerto Rico, blending personal and political elements to illustrate the evolving landscape of the island. Songs like "TURiSTA" address pressing issues like the impact of tourism on Puerto Rico, shedding light on the challenges faced by the island. Additionally, tracks like "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii" explore themes of independence and identity, reflecting on the struggles of Puerto Ricans. The album serves as a rallying cry for resistance and unity among Puerto Ricans worldwide. How has Bad Bunny historically been or not been politically involved? Bad Bunny has a history of addressing political realities in his music, using his platform to shed light on pressing issues faced by Puerto Ricans. From highlighting power grid failures to advocating for social change, Bad Bunny's music has been a tool for raising awareness and expressing his views. While his music often delves into party and heartbreak themes, Bad Bunny's ability to infuse political messages into his songs showcases his versatility and impact as an artist. What musical references is this album making and what is the political history of those sounds? "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" pays homage to Puerto Rico's rich musical heritage, incorporating elements of traditional folk music like plena and bomba. These genres have served as conduits for social messaging and identity preservation throughout Puerto Rican history. By incorporating these musical references, Bad Bunny connects to his roots and pays tribute to the cultural significance of these art forms. What is the history of reggaeton as a form of resistance in Puerto Rico? Reggaeton has roots in marginalized Afro-Latino communities in Puerto Rico, serving as a platform for expressing frustrations about inequality and colonial legacies. Artists like Ivy Queen have used reggaeton to challenge societal norms and advocate for social change, turning the genre into a global phenomenon. Despite its commercial success, reggaeton remains a tool for resistance and empowerment for many artists and listeners. "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" is being hailed as Bad Bunny's most Puerto Rican album yet, showcasing his personal growth and dedication to his roots. By creating music that embodies Puerto Rican pride and addresses pressing issues facing the island, Bad Bunny solidifies his role as a cultural icon and advocate for change. His latest album marks a new chapter in his career, one that reflects a deeper connection to his heritage and a commitment to using his platform for positive impact. #News #Bad #Bunnys #Debí #Fotos #Más #NPR #political #Puerto #reveal #Rico #Tirar #track https://tinyurl.com/24krewrg

[beardedmrbean]

The Kansas legislature passed a bill Wednesday that would classify organized retail crime (ORC) a felony offense, joining nine other states that have passed similar laws in the last year. 

ORC refers to orchestrated groups of shoplifters who commit smash-and-grab robberies of stores or target cargo carriers.

The state’s upper chamber passed the Substitute House Bill 2144, which would split the felony charges into two tiers. A theft of merchandise valued at more than $3,000 would be classified a felony and those convicted would face between 31 and 136 months behind bars. If the amount stolen exceeds $15,000, the sentence range is between 38 and 172 months. 

'BURGLARY TOURISM' PLAGUES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS UNVETTED FOREIGNERS RAID LUXE HOUSES

The bill still has to be signed by Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, before it goes into effect. 

In support of the bill, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach wrote that ORC isn’t "mere shoplifting."

"These crimes typically involve stealing for personal use. It is large-scale theft of retail merchandise that represents a concerted effort to victimize a business, often with the intention of reselling the items for financial gain and often using those financial proceeds to fund additional criminal activity," he said.

A 2023 report from the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail association, found that organized retail crime was a primary driver of the massive amount of "shrink" retailers saw in 2022, with non-employee stealing making up 36%. 

The term "shrink" typically means theft and other forms of inventory losses, and retailers nationwide experienced $112 billion in losses in 2022. 

Texas, Virginia, Alabama, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Oregon enacted retail theft laws last year, while California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana and North Carolina passed ORC laws in 2022. 

"While theft has an undeniable impact on retailer margins and profitability, retailers are highly concerned about the heightened levels of violence and threat of violence associated with theft and crime," the NRF wrote on its website. 

State Senate Republicans who voted for the bill argued that ORC needs its own category since shoplifters who steal for their own use versus those who are part of a broader organized scheme are charged the same way. 

"Currently we don’t have the proper tools to prosecute that type of crime, so that’s what this bill does," state Sen. Kellie Warren, a Republican, said of the bill, The Topeka Journal reported. 

Some states hit hard by retail theft have gone so far as to create their own law enforcement task forces to address it. The NRF found that Los Angeles was one of the hardest-hit cities in California for ORC, leading the LA County Sheriff Department to create the Organized Retail Theft Crime Task Force.

Meanwhile, opponents of tough-on-crime laws such as these argue the harsher penalties are too extreme for the crimes and could prevent a person from being rehabilitated. Maine’s legislature passed a bill in the House this week that would prohibit charging people who already have two prior convictions of theft if the third theft is worth less than $500. The state’s current law permits a felony charge for the third conviction if the crimes all occur within a decade. 

[haggishlyhagging]

The strength of this politics lies, in fact, in its dynamism, in the fluid energy that links unapologetic intellect with unashamed passion; it is a means, not an end; a process, not a dogma. Consequently, what a radical feminist in Brazil (the nation's debt, for example) might consider her cutting-edge issue, need not be the same as that considered a priority by a radical feminist in Thailand (combating sex tourism) or in Kuwait (winning women's suffrage) or in Sudan (ending the practice of female genital mutilation) or Nepal (gaining inheritance rights) or the Pacific Island nations (halting French nuclear testing, the fallout of which creates "jellyfish babies"—children born with no spines), and so on—and so on, and on.

What radical feminists have in common, though, includes a stubborn commitment to the people of women, the courage to dare question anything and dare redefine everything, a dedication to making the connections between issues, a sobering comprehension of the enormity of this task—freeing more than half of humanity and, by so doing, saving the other half—and perhaps most importantly of all, radical feminists share an audacious understanding of this politics' centrality to the continuation of sentient life itself on this planet.

This is no hyperbole. Women constitute the majority of the human species, so the female condition is hardly a marginal or minority issue. Furthermore, all the ills that afflict humankind—from pollution to war to poverty—impact first and worst on women, who are also the last to be consulted about solutions to such problems.

-Robin Morgan, “Light Bulbs, Radishes, and the Politics of the 21st Century” in Radically Speaking: Feminism Reclaimed

[fabiansociety]

what is dondoko island about? what is any of infinite wealth about? I'm dozens of hours into this game, and i still have no idea. and, yeah, i'm spending a ton of time on the sidequests — the game is maybe too full of distractions and minigames, even by yakuza standards, and that's saying something — but shoot, in other games the major distractions were all obviously trivial, textural, or thematic, and sujimon and dodongo are too big for trivia or texture, and if there's a connecting theme there beyond "these are popular games that also exist" i'm not seeing it.

like, the pocket circuit racing is a big distracting sprawling minigame, but it resonates with kiryu's character every time it shows up — first, that he's still half a child in yakuza 0, then trying to recapture his lost decade in yakuza kiwami, then poignantly and tragically in the doomladen gaiden game. the business management minigame in like a dragon wasn't great, but it was grounded in that game's themes of community solidarity — it's a major source of employment for kasuga's fellow homeless folks, and a way to assert yokohama's economic independence, in parallel to the way the main plot was about asserting its cultural and criminal independence.

but infinite wealth didn't set up any thing like that up before introducing the minigames, despite how late in the game they come. there's plot there, but it's very stock, in a way the series has drawn on a ton in these sorts of diversions. for the series' first excursion outside of japan, i was expecting… something? about japan's relationship to america, or the interaction of american colonialism and japanese tourism in an occupied state, or even just something more developed about kasuga's loss of family, but there's just nothing. it's a perfectly pleasant time, but the last several games all had Things to Say and infinite wealth seemingly doesn't, and that's a shame for a game that's so sprawling. makes it hard to read the game instead of just playing it

like, the job system in YLAD was halfbaked, but it was one of the ways the game tied its rpg mechanics to the game's interest in hardscrabble existence on the margins of society: you picked up jobs because you needed money because you were homeless and broke. in IW the jobs have been replaced with tourist stuff or straight up cultural theft: you go scuba diving, and unlock the aquanaut class; you go to a fire dance and unlock a class where you DRESS UP LIKE A FIRE DANCER. it's a novelty rather than a statement.

maybe this'll all turn around as the chapters progress, but my god if that's the case it's taking forever

[sixty-silver-wishes]

Important announcement- PragerU videos could be taught in Florida schools

So I just read this article from Politico, which states that the Florida Department of Education and Ron DeSantis have approved of a series of videos to be taught in Florida elementary schools created by PragerU, a far-right organization. The videos mainly focus on dismissing concerns of climate change and pushing a climate denialist agenda, with false claims that wind and solar power cause pollution and that climate change isn't a big deal because "the climate is always changing." Not only is this rhetoric harmful, Florida is a state where climate education is incredibly important. We regularly experience hurricanes and flooding, and much of our economy relies on the environment, such as beach tourism, the bottled water industry, and agriculture. Irresponsible climate policies anywhere in the world could lead to disastrous consequences, but Florida in particular is in a precarious position, as we have the lowest elevation of any state. Oceanographer John Englander notes that while Florida may not be in danger of sinking underwater anytime soon, some highly-populated areas, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale, are in high-risk areas to flooding, and rising sea levels and over-extraction are damaging our aquifers. Even for a state that leans red, Florida has historically invested in environmental protections, as no matter the political party, many people here understand just how vital they are to the state.

A couple notes on the PragerU videos- while many of you probably already know this, PragerU is not an actual university or academic institution; it is a conservative media organization. However, the videos, which push not only climate denialism, but also racist and anti-LGBT ideological viewpoints- are structured in a way to seem credible, both to adults and students. The Politico article notes this:

One of the videos the article mentions could be taught in schools also straight-up compares climate advocacy to oppression faced by Poland under the Nazis:

Not only is this climate denialism and consistent with the conservative persecution complex so often used to fuel their rhetoric, by conflating fascism with climate advocacy, this video is especially dangerous because it may also distort a young viewer's understanding of fascism. Fascism is not "people disagree with me, so I'm a victim." It is a conservative authoritarian ideology that, in the social sphere, relies on the systemic othering and erasure of marginalized groups, suppressing information, and creating a warped view of history that is consistent with its ideological goals- a "return to traditionalism," which often ignores the actual nuances of history in order to create the impression that fascism is the "natural order" of humanity.

The article also quotes these as PragerU CEO Marissa Streit's goals in implementing these videos in classrooms:

They may be starting with Florida, but it's not just Florida. If you're in another state, be aware of this as well.

We also get this, which uh. requires no comment:

From this article:

(Also note the phrase "Judeo-Christian," a controversial term contested by some Jewish people, who have criticized it due to Christianity's role in perpetrating anti-Semitism, as well as the fact that Judaism and Christianity differ in philosophy, culture, and religious beliefs in a number of areas. To critics of the term, "Judeo-Christian values" may wrongfully imply that Judaism is a "lesser" religion or "proto-Christianity". While the term is not always used in this context, and some Jewish people support its use, the phrasing "Judeo-Christian values" may be a dogwhistle for anti-Semitism in some situations.)

If you see this post, please spread the word, and inform any parents, teachers, or friends you may know who may be considering teaching this material, or have children or siblings who may be shown PragerU videos in the classroom. Even if you live outside of Florida, be aware and inform other people, as PragerU wants to expand their agenda to other states.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Full List of Democrats Who Voted to Ban Mask Mandates - Published Oct 26, 2023

Republican Senator J.D. Vance received support from 10 Democrats as part of a successful amendment prohibiting the Department of Transportation from using any federal funds to enforce future mask mandates.

The amendment to the Senate minibus appropriations bill passed Wednesday by a 59-38 margin and prevents federal mask mandates on passenger airlines, commuter rail, rapid transit buses, and any other transportation program funded through the 2024 fiscal year.

These are the 10 Democrats who voted for the amendment: Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin); Michael Bennet (Colorado); Sherrod Brown (Ohio); Tim Kaine (Virginia); Mark Kelly (Arizona); Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota); Joe Manchin (West Virginia); Jacky Rosen (Nevada); Jean Shaheen (New Hampshire); and Jon Tester (Montana).

Three senators—Democrats John Fetterman (Pennsylvania) and Alex Padilla (California), and Republican Tim Scott (South Carolina—did not vote. Of the three independent senators, Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona) was the only one to vote in favor.

"This is a massive victory for personal freedom in this country," Vance said in a post-vote statement. "We saw countless abuses of authority throughout the COVID pandemic, and the American people were justifiably enraged by unscientific mask mandates.

"Today, the United States Senate took an emphatic step toward common sense and individual liberty. I'm proud of what we've accomplished here and look forward to continuing the fight."

"With the COVID pandemic behind us, the federal government doesn't need to be requiring masks for travel when that could hurt tourism and Nevada's economy," Rosen told Newsweek via email. "Anyone who chooses to wear a mask still has that option, but we've reached a point where a federal mask mandate is no longer necessary for travel."

In September, Vance, who represents Ohio, introduced the Freedom to Breathe Act—a bill intended to prevent the reimposition of federal mask mandates across the entire United States, in response to some businesses and colleges and universities reimposing mask mandates in the summer due to upticks in COVID-19 cases.

In September, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio announced that all staff will be required to wear masks on the premises beginning September 25.

"This decision was made to promote the safety of our patients, families, visitors, and employees, based on evidence that masks are effective in reducing the spread of respiratory illness," the hospital said in a statement.

Read the rest and get a link to the original at the link above!

[theluckyblackcat2025]

Blog Post #4 - The Cyborg and Video Games

How do concepts like the Cyborg and Cyberfeminism appear through practiced gender expression?

I found it really interesting how Donna Haraway mentions the use of “gender-bending” or “cross-dressing” when referring to the way people navigate and use technology, especially Cyberfeminism. Possibly similar to identity tourism, regarding gender expression, Haraway explains how access to cyberspace allowed more people to experiment with gender expression and play with the strict binary roles of gender. It makes me think how easy technology allows for people to speak or say what they want due to the protection behind the screen, and for those who don't know much of their gender expression or trans culture, cyberspace allows free expression to understand themselves further. Technology access has so many uses from negative to positive, it's interesting to see how digital media has benefited communities like trans folks through deconstructions of the gender binaries As Haraway stated in a biographical article from Wired magazine, “In conjunction to technology, it's possible to construct your identity, your sexuality, even your gender just as you please.” Even as restrictive and concerning technology is becoming, it has and continues to pave the road for many queer people to express and further understand their gender and/or sexual identities.

2. How does the Cyborg concept change when considering the privileges of men?

Ow’s writings on, “The Revenge of the Yellowfaced Cyborg Terminator”, covers how Haraway has developed the frames of Cyberfeminism to include all types of women and racial marginalized folks in the concepts of the female-gendered cyborg, who actively work against shutting down dangerous systems of oppression and power. Regarding gender, how does the male cyborg concept differ? Recognizing the binarily opposed power of men, the concept of the gendered cyborg appears different from the female-gendered cyborg as the “dominant” or more privileged gender. Ow mentions, from Haraway's writings, that the white male cyborg as the Terminator who, “continues to march on preestablished pathways of colonization, domination, and destruction through his militarized versions of video games and Nintendo wars(Ow, 53)”. Defining this helps explain and demonstrate the amount of power men, especially white men, have in cyberspace and as cyborgs, mostly due to who holds the power as creators of certain digital media, video games, and spaces that attempt to continue such power. While cyberfeminism is for the deconstruction of systemic powers for all marginalized groups, the male cyborg is one already possessing the highest power and therefore the potential to repeat an already paved down road towards colonialism ideals.

3. How do video games, Shadow Warrior, reinforce the colonial cycle of racism and sexism?

As Ow mentions in his writings, video games like Shadow Warrior for the purpose of white male audiences is to “hide his whiteness(59)” while appreciating Japenese culture before committing acts of genocide and destruction. Video games like these allow comfort for racist behavior and colonialist thinking through the playable characters' language of what they can say, how they appear, and violent acts like destroying detailed cultural homes and statues. When regarding gender, the women displayed and the conversation towards female characters are heavily sexualized and extremely inaccurate. This supports the recreation of harm towards women through players comfort of raping, molesting, and murdering female characters. Games like Shadow Warrior are harmful because they are writing colonialism, genocide, racism and sexism to be enjoyable, free of consequence and addicting to white male users. Which begs the question how this affects or supports how users navigate and behave in the real world?

4. How do we build safer video game platforms free of racism and heterosexism?

In Lisa Nakamura’s TedTalk, “5 Types of Online Racism and Why You Should Care?” depicts the faulty structures of video games for a predominantly white, cis/het, male audiences and the racism that follows. Under the five types of racism mentioned, visual and voice profiling of users, racism against avatars, identity tourism, and anti-immigrant racism are recurring and reflective forms of oppression taking a new form from our social environment now onto video game platforms. I believe first recognizing the harms and racist behavior being reinforced through games and media is a step in understanding what a space needs to be safe and inclusive. Nakamura mentions how most video games don't have assigned jobs for people watching the space for discriminatory behavior that used to exist in order to create healthy spaces. Video Games should require management control in order to build safer spaces free of cyberbullying and targeting of women, LGBTQ+, and black and indigenous people of color communities. Video games are becoming less concerned about discriminatory behavior and more worried about the wealth they make from it. Racism in the media, especially video games, is taking new forms, like the aggressive forms of representations through parody or imitation of racial stereotypes. Understanding who is creating these games and for what desired audience is important in understanding if this is safe for marginalized groups. Now with the increase of game audiences, some video games are created for marginalized groups to play games how they should be, for fun, not reinforcing and implementing colonialistic, dominant, and racist behaviors. Spaces are ever growing and changing especially when people are able to hide who they are, but the creators and the management of video games should be questioned the most for safety concerns regarding marginalized peoples.

Kolko, B. E., Nakamura, L., & Rodman, G. B. (2000). Race in Cyberspace. Routledge. 

Nakamura, L. (2011). TED Talk: 5 Types of Online Racism and Why You Should Care. TedTalk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT-G0FlOo7g. 

Ow, J. A. , Kolko, B., Nakamura, L., & Rodman, G.(2000). Race in Cyberspace. Chapter 4, The Revenge of the Yellowfaced Cyborg Terminator, (1st ed.). Routledge.