#renewable housing

[cognitivejustice]

The floating homes of Lake Titicaca

Created by the indigenous Uros people as protection against attacks from the Incas, the Uros Islands are one of the world's most innovative feats of human engineering.

The man-made floating islets, which are home to the indigenous Uros people, are created by stacking layers upon layers of totora roots and reeds. This water-resistant plant grows in the lake and is the lifeblood of the Uros community: it is used to make boats, houses, roofs, mattresses and more. The plant is also eaten (playfully called the "lake banana") and applied as medicine, and its flowers are used to make tea.

"There was something very haunting and appealing about this wide array of creation from a single material," said Amorós, whose art often draws inspiration from Peruvian cultural legacies and communities.

"The structure of the totora is cellular. It's a very hearty, stable material that's also flexible but prevents kinking," explained Vranich. "People often used to make skis with just a single piece of wood. Nowadays, they replicate the interior form of a cross-section of totora."

To build the islands, each of which is home to two to six families, the Uros first gather large blocks of totora roots, which often float to the surface during the rainy season. Multiple blocks are pulled together, and the roots and reeds mix naturally to form a layer about 1-2m thick, called khili.

To make sure the islands do not drift away, eucalyptus rods are stuck into the bottom of the lake as anchors and are tied to the root blocks using rope. Every 15 to 20 days, the totora reeds rot and need to be replenished with fresh ones. It's a laborious, endless cycle that is essential to the islands and the Uros' survival on them. "What struck me the most was how the islands and homes are in a constant state of flux, of creation and decay," said Amorós. "This ephemerality is magical."

Today, solar panels power bedroom lights and small TVs; a radio station operates on the main island; and Uros offer their homes or private hospedajes (lodges) on Airbnb.

"They already have called us from Lima, saying that we're in the process of becoming an official wonder of the world," he said.

Whether or not that happens, it's evident that these modern changes and tourism have altered the Uros' life on the lake. One thing remains certain, though: as long as there is totora growing at Lake Titicaca, the islands' rooted foundation will stay the same.

BBC

[homoquartz]

i know it's kinda mean of me but i hope seeing so many queer shows fall like dominoes is waking people up to the fact representation is vanishing fast. and there's a reason, more than any one studio or one showrunner.

[shaylogic]

[flower-dagger-gay]

Fun fact: If he's your favorite character, you are extremely gay. (said with love <3)

(also (re)watch this show!! we are running out of time as we speak!!)

[crumb]

Controlled burn in Mount Albion, Ontario, Canada (1966)

[palisman273]

So yeah, Hazbin just got renewed for a 3rd and 4th season. Clone High reboot was just about to get good and it got cancelled. Inside Job and Dead End got cancelled on Netflix. The Owl House got cancelled by Disney and given a shortened final season.

Yet, this gets renewed before the second season even airs. I just...after all the shit Viv has done and is still doing, she does not deserve this. But it's happening. This fucking world.

I sincerely hope the pacing will be a bit better now that they at least know there are two more seasons, but I doubt it given Viv said they seemingly spent even less time developing Season 2 than Season 1 (which already turned out a mediocre mess).

[aaaaaa-musical-trash]

if i had a nickel for every time a spooky queer fantasy show i loved was cancelled by a massive studio, i would have three nickels and i hate that so much

and my country doesn’t even USE nickels so i can’t do anything with them

[danandfuckingjonlmao]

good night and sweet dreams to the best, sexiest, sluttiest, smartest, realest, most based, valid, relatable, girlipop, sympathetic, cunt, fun, cool, feminist, aspirational girlboss character in dead boy detectives: doll spider <3

good night to her and no one else. i hope the rest of y’all have a bad night and terrible dreams.

[pippin-katz]

Edwin’s Empathy

Something I find interesting is how people, characters and the audience, react to Edwin's behavior. Specifically, the way he responds and talks. He's seen as cold and rude, lacking empathy. It's interesting because he is actually very empathetic, but shows it in ways that others don't pick up on.

For example, when Crystal is talking about her memories coming back, he asks if she remembered anything "useful". Charles indirectly scolds him by saying, "We don't have to be all business all the time, do we?"

Charles associates Edwin's question with business, but in reality, it's incredibly intelligent and empathetic is its own way. In order for Crystal to find her family, she needs to remember "useful" information. She's made her desperation to find her parents very clear throughout their time in Port Townsend. Edwin asking if she remembered anything "useful" is for her benefit, not just for business. Technically, she's a client, but he's also asking her as a friend.

A different example is how he handles Susan Kesler, the sister of the mother from the Devlin House. It's longer, so it's under the cut! ↓

Susan starts off on the assumption that they already know about the Devlin Family Murders, but Crystal interrupts to let her know they don't. Susan admits out loud that it is: "still hard to talk about." She recounts the murders, and after the comment from Crystal about the father being a monster, Edwin says, "But there is no inherent supernatural mystery to the murder."

Now, Charles immediately scolds him for "bedside manner" after he says this, to which Edwin responds with, "We are detectives who solve supernatural mysteries." He then turns to Susan, and says, "You already know who the killer is."

It might seem like he's being insensitive, but Edwin is actually being more mindful of Susan's feelings than the others, and no one picks up on it.

She doesn't want to talk about the murders. It hurts her to talk about the events of that night. She knows what happened. That is not why she's consulting the detectives. She is clearly there for a different reason, and Edwin steers the conversation towards that rather than dwelling on the murders from the past.

In fact, as soon as he says this, Susan's energy goes back up a bit. She had been a normal energy level when she entered, then it dropped while having to retell what happened to her sister and her family. When Edwin points out that the murders aren't a mystery, she jumps on the opportunity to get to the real issue.

"Someone... Something is still inside the house where they died," she says. Her voice has significantly more energy.

And Edwin does not dismiss her by saying, "And you know this for a fact?" He's not skeptical when he asks the question. It's completely genuine. He's collecting as much information as he can.

Susan is even more confident when she tells him about it. "I inherited the house after their deaths, but could never bring myself to go in. Then, after I died last week, I just wanted to visit one last time." It's only when she specifically recounts the screaming that she gets upset again.

She actually seems relieved to share her experience, like it's cathartic to tell someone. In fact, we have no idea how long ago Susan actually went to the house. It was probably before the boys were even in Port Townsend.

If we pay attention to the timeline here, Susan says she died "last week". The boys have only been in town for three days.

Day One: - arrived by ferry - went to Jenny's - visited Becky's parents - found Ester's house By then it's dark outside.

Night One: - went to the malt shop - had their fight - Edwin lassoed the cat - Crystal talked to Jenny & Charles showed her his parents - Crystal told the truth & they foughtt again - formulated a plan Then Jenny told Crystal to go to bed.

Day Two: - broke into Esther's house - rescued Becky - fought Esther - got Becky home The sun has gone down when they're approached by the cat.

Night Two: - approached by cat - taken to the Cat King - Edwin got whisked off & trapped by the bracelet It's morning when he's returned to the warehouse, and that is the start of their third day.

Day Three: - fought about the bracelet - got mail from the Ghost Postman - Crystal bumped into Niko who fainted - the boys went to Tragic Mick's - doctor looked over Niko - Crystal read her mind - the boys went to their office for books - Niko woke up & Crystal talked to her through the bathroom door - the boys came back with the book about parasites - talked to Niko the first time - Niko walked downstairs while possessed - the boys went to the woods with a map drawn by Niko - found the shrine, got the vase, & fought skeletons - returned to Crystal being scolded by Jenny - talked to Niko the second time - the Sprites started to blow her up - Crystal baited them out & Charles caught them It's nighttime when they transition to after the case.

Night Three: - Crystal & Charles talked by the window - Niko came back with blonde hair & met the boys - Niko met the Sprites - Crystal & Niko talked about writing to her mom - Postman showed up with mail & told them about the line of ghosts

It is the morning of their fourth day in Port Townsend when Susan Kesler goes to them for help. She's likely been dwelling on this for at least that long, not knowing what to do about it. Susan is probably relieved to finally tell someone about this, and people who will believe her at that.

By the end of the interview, she's confident when she tells them there's something horrible still in the house, and that she can't move on until she knows her family is at peace. She's even smiling when she offers them her jar of money.

Edwin, whether he realizes it or not, actually made Susan more comfortable by being "dismissive" of the murders.

There's also small moments where his empathy is on display in more obvious scenarios that the characters in the show don't fully acknowledge.

Despite Monty immediately labeling Edwin as "judgmental" for his opinion on astrology, he's the opposite when Niko expresses her concern for going to the house. She doesn't even have to finish her sentence before he's offering her a small smile and telling her that he completely understands. When Crystal comes out of the Washer Woman's realm and says she gave her another riddle, he says, "I am truly sorry she did not get you closer to your family, but at least now we know there is some kind of sea monster." His inflection goes up at the end, like he's trying to "look on the bright side". He finds Simon in Hell, gets mad for all of two minutes, then tries to defend him against Despair, offers him his forgiveness, and helps him forgive himself, unknowingly saving Simon from an eternity of torture.

Edwin might have convinced himself back in the 1910s that he's not good with other people, but he got out of Hell and found a boy dying in an attic, and instead of walking away while Charles didn't know he was there, he brought him a lantern, talked to him, made him laugh, and read him to sleep as he passed.

Charles says in the first episode that he "forgets how to talk to people", but I think a more accurate statement would be that he communicates differently than most people.

(ko-fi)

[idontknowwhatimdoing-13]

We all love Niko and Edwin’s friendship but sometimes I wonder if he’s extra nice to Niko at the start just to reintegrate to Crystal how much he does not like her.

It’s like:

Crystal: Hey we need to know what happened in this town mystery and since Jenny lived here her whole life let’s ask her.

Edwin: Fine, but it’s not actual research

Niko: This lady doesn’t believe these people are actually dying but she lives nearby so I’m gonna talk to her

Edwin: Niko that is a brilliant idea you are such an excellent and natural detective unlike some other people, I can’t believe Crystal didn’t think talking to her would be a reliable source

[neitherthehoneynorthebee]

Crazy thing is that every time I've rewatched a dbd I've noticed something new, or seen a different connection, or the significance of something changed. Which is fucking good writing.

[bougiebutchbinch]

If I had a nickel for every time my favourite character was an older, graying, disabled queer man who also happened to be a total cunt, who pushed away everyone who tried to get close to him because he was terrified of genuine human connection, and who everyone headcanoned as trans and autistic...

well, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice

[shaylogic]

Love this shot. It's part of Crystal & Edwin's bonding friendship in this episode, but it's also interesting that he's straight up hiding behind her because he recognizes a sound from Hell. He probably wasn't even conscious of doing it.

[reputable-opportunist]

Scrapped sketch. have to give stan props for managing to clean that shack i wouldve been frozen in fear at the 40 mystery microbiomes forming in the sink

[strangertheories]

I hate studio execs more than studio execs hate renewing shows with lesbians in them

[raraeavesmoriendi]

“but why is next season going to be centered on lestat I don’t like him”

…my friend. you are welcome to dislike him. but uh. there’s something you should know about the series the show is adapting:

like. these are all the books that we spend a good portion of them in his head.

(asterisk next to Prince Lestat bc IIRC other people narrate but it is ostensibly about him. I haven’t read every one to completion, but I did check most of these on various wikis to be certain who narrates.)

like. I know some people come into adaptations with no knowledge of the source material, and that’s fine, especially when they’re doing as much new stuff as this one is. and who knows, they probably won’t do all of these and might make some interesting adjustments to them

but if Lestat really is your least favorite and you’re mad they’re adapting TVL/QotD next, well. he was anne’s favorite little dolly to play with, so we’re about to be seeing a lot of him. jsyk and can make your own decisions accordingly