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.Aug 18, 2025
@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.
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 threadlp0 on fire 
@cstross, “remarmanent”? I'm assuming that it's a typo…
Aug 18, 2025 at 12:26pmWeb
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.