Charlie StrossAug 18, 2025

Remember that this article is shrieking about a 17% decline in European tourists visiting the USA … back in *March*, only two months into the Trump administration and six months ago.

The endless litany of news about abusive ICE behaviour since then means tourism is probably down significantly further by now.

(I know I for one cancelled all US visit plans after last November 7th. Otherwise right now I'd be in Seattle.)
https://mastodonapp.uk/@marqle/115044978561690299

marqle (@[email protected])

I think this story maybe missing one very big reason #Europeans don't want to visit the #usa at the moment. Of course there is some resentment, but there's a bigger portion of concern I think. We don't feel as safe going through us airports as we used to. I don't want to be treated like a suspect when I travel. In fact I won't put up with that. #America just isn't important enough to me to justify that treatment. https://www.rudebaguette.com/en/2025/08/airports-feel-like-ghost-towns-us-tourism-reels-as-european-boycott-slashes-visitor-numbers-and-drains-billions-from-the-economy/ #tourism #travel #Airports #EU #geopolitics

Mastodon App UK
Show threadRoadskater, Ph.D.
@cstross At least there haven't been screwy threats about the US annexing your country. The Canuckistanis are pretty pissed off, and their tourism numbers visiting "the meth lab downstairs" are tanking.
Aug 18, 2025 at 8:28amWeb
Show threadCharlie StrossAug 18, 2025
@roadskater Not to worry, the invade-and-conquer aspect of the global fascist front has been outsourced, in Europe, to Russia. (Just look at the remarmanent spending boom now in progress in places like Poland and the Baltic States.)
Show threadRoadskater, Ph.D.Aug 18, 2025
@cstross I have tons of respect for the Polish skaters I follow on Strava. Some of them post up amazing (mind-boggling) distances. But jeebus, yes, they're on the edge of a war front, apparently expecting they're not next?
Show threadBasement ChippyAug 18, 2025

@roadskater @cstross Poland has started mandatory firearm training for highschool students.

Per Newsweek: “The curriculum encompasses firearms handling, state security education, survival skills, tactical rescue, first aid, and cybersecurity. Students will also be taught how to assemble and disassemble weapons.”

Show threadNazaniAug 18, 2025
@mfarrar @roadskater @cstross This is Putin's one great success: militarizing Europe.
Show threadCharlie StrossAug 18, 2025
@Nazani @mfarrar @roadskater Yep! After decades of neutrality, Putin drove Sweden and Finland screaming into the arms of NATO membership, and freaking *Switzerland* is seeking closer ties with NATO since February 2022.
Show threadBasement ChippyAug 18, 2025
@cstross @Nazani @roadskater I had a Swede once explain to me that, they used stronger language mind, mistrust of Russia is part of cultural identity for peoples on the Baltic.
Show threadNazaniAug 18, 2025
@mfarrar @cstross @roadskater Completely justified.
Show threadVärldens bästa Kille™Aug 18, 2025

@mfarrar @cstross @Nazani @roadskater Yeah. ”When the Russians come” is what we often say instead of ”when shit hits the fan”.

I had the idea of making bullet proof prams, with molle/PALS webbing, tactical style, big wheels, that sorta thing, and market them in the US.

”Designed in Sweden. Because growing up next to Russia makes you think.”

Show threadadamriceAug 18, 2025
@thelovebing @mfarrar @cstross @Nazani @roadskater As I recall, tactical prams were a bit of futuristic flair in William Gibson’s The Peripheral.
Show threadCharlie StrossAug 18, 2025
@adamrice @thelovebing @mfarrar @Nazani @roadskater Which I still have not read …
Show threadVärldens bästa Kille™Aug 19, 2025

@cstross @adamrice @mfarrar @Nazani @roadskater

You really should read all of his stuff. Bloody Nostradamus that guy, but with novels.

And yeah, it was. Russian tactical prams, if I recall.

Show threadCharlie StrossAug 19, 2025

@thelovebing @adamrice @mfarrar @Nazani @roadskater

*Side-eyes the signed first edition of Neuromancer sitting on the bookshelf*

I am aware of @GreatDismal 's body of work, yes.

Show threadVärldens bästa Kille™Aug 19, 2025

@cstross Good for you!

@adamrice @mfarrar @Nazani @roadskater @GreatDismal

Show threadRoadskater, Ph.D.Aug 19, 2025
@cstross @thelovebing @adamrice @mfarrar @Nazani @GreatDismal Is that the 1984 Ace science Fiction Special? If so, I have a copy bought back in the day, and wow is it beat all to F.
Show threadCharlie StrossAug 19, 2025
@roadskater @thelovebing @adamrice @mfarrar @Nazani @GreatDismal Yep, same! Bought it when it came out, now a *very* dog-eared paperback with yellowing paper.
Show threadRoadskater, Ph.D.Aug 19, 2025
@cstross @thelovebing @adamrice @mfarrar @Nazani @GreatDismal Sounds in better condition than my copy!
Show threadRoadskater, Ph.D.Aug 19, 2025
@cstross @thelovebing @adamrice @mfarrar @Nazani @GreatDismal Reminded that within the last two days, I saw e thread here on Mastodon where someone was asking about the best SF titles of the 21st century. Amongst the too many fantasy titles that were recommended, someone brought up Gibson's "Necromancer". Wait, WTF?
Show thread Why Not Zoidberg? 🦑Aug 18, 2025

@mfarrar @roadskater @cstross

This is why I get livid every time some privileged "pacifist" in the US on social media tries to blame Ukraine / NATO for the war.

Show threadBasement ChippyAug 18, 2025
@WhyNotZoidberg @roadskater @cstross I haven’t encountered that but our biggest export is stupid ideas, so…
Show threadBasement ChippyAug 18, 2025

@WhyNotZoidberg @roadskater @cstross oh, wait, actually I have encountered it just not from a self-labeled pacifist. Come to think of it that was when I stopped listening to that person.

An absurd notion, blaming the victim.

Show threadFazal MajidAug 18, 2025

@mfarrar @roadskater @cstross and Lithuania is training kids in drone warfare:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/lithuania-drones-children-russia-ukraine-war-b2808140.html

Lithuania to teach school children how to use drones to counter Russian threat

Around 7,000 children are to be taught drone skills by 2028, Lithuania’s defence minister said

The Independent
Show thread🔶Mark Nicoll 3.5%🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇪🇺🇺🇳Aug 18, 2025
@mfarrar @roadskater @cstross
we should teach survival skills, first aid, and cybersecurity in schools everywhere.
Show threadRaven667Aug 18, 2025
@roadskater Poland has been leading the way in defense of Ukraine _because_ they know they are always on the menu, they aren't cowering they are defiant. Pray that Russia can be stopped, but if not, Skate until that day comes, is what I imagine they are thinking
Show threadlp0 on fire Aug 18, 2025
@cstross, “remarmanent”? I'm assuming that it's a typo…
Show threadCharlie StrossAug 18, 2025
@lp0_on_fire I have rapidly worsening cataracts—first eyeball is up for surgery tomorrow. I can only read by word shapes at present. Bite me.
Show threadlp0 on fire Aug 18, 2025

@cstross, yes, I'm aware – just was one of those which looked like it should be a word, in this case somewhere between marmalade and weapons.

Hopefully, things will look a lot clearer soon.

Show threadmtc_ukAug 18, 2025
@cstross @lp0_on_fire
Cataract surgery is fucking miraculous, and you will think it one of the best things that’s ever happened to you. I never cease to be thankful for mine.
Show threadJoe WAug 18, 2025
@cstross @lp0_on_fire I remember when my grandma had hers 30 or so years so. She even got a VHS tape from the surgery and the whole family had to watch it. It was a miracle then.
Good luck!
Show threadwiredogAug 18, 2025

@cstross @lp0_on_fire

IIRC, you’ll be able to see into the uv spectrum after.