#theres also a propensity i think for the local features to get 'normalised' by culture around us so they arent seen as remarkable....

[fluffmonger]

Genuine question: isn't Australia part of the Pacific ring of fire, and actually prone to earthquakes and therefore also tsunamis? My geography and geology are a little shaky, but I seem to remember that at least from some documentaries, and I know for certain that there have been volcanic incidents in Aōtera, which is right next door.

okay I’ll say it nicer:

australia was colonised according to the myth of terra nullius (or empty land). ever since the very early days of colonialism, the land has been framed as something untameable and unliveable. this has justified acts of violence against the first peoples here, in that they are seen as non-people. it has justified the destruction of sacred land in the goal of making australia look more european. (an example: our capital city contains a man-made lake that is now nothing better than a fetid carp pond. it’s disgusting and unnatural). basically, the idea of “taming australia’ has justified endless harm

“everything in australia is weird and dangerous” is not just some silly meme phrase, it is something that arcs back to the very beginning of white settlers laying claim to ‘australia’. and personally I am very sick of seeing it thrown around like it means nothing