a tour of “you don’t wanna go there”
written by: el gato malo of "bad cattitude", May 3rd, 2025
Suggested by ghostsniper

people are familiar with the common construct of “the third world.” they are also familiar with the idea of “the first world.” what’s interesting to me is the idea of how one becomes the other and the presumption of the causality and the pathways by which that occurs. it’s worth some exploration.

worryingly, this is a topic on which i think most people’s intuitions and utopian hopes are hopelessly wrong to the point of being outright dangerous.

in an attempt to clarify and circumvent such, i’d like to add a new construct to the list, that of “the second world” and this is important because it is not at all what most people think.

The article is here:

Jean asked "What kinds of things hmmm?" as a comment to my post: "Just Because I Felt Like It"

Here's a list of a few of today's headlines:

Zelensky Rejects Victory Day Truce, Doubles Down on Threats to Moscow’s Parade Packed With Foreign Dignitaries – Russia’s Medvedev Hints at Nuclear Retaliation

Pakistan Test-Fires Nuke-Capable Ballistic Missile As Tensions With India Soar

Pentagon 'Covering Up' American Casualties In Yemen War: Intercept Report

Leftists Declare It 'Frightening' That "Children Will Be Taught To Love America"

Trans Teen Freed After Tesla Firebombing, Judge Cites Lack Of 'Gender-Affirming Care' In Prison

FAA Starts Probe After Two More Near-Misses With Army Helicopter At Washington Reagan Airport

9 Signs That Conditions Are Ripe For A Major Economic Crisis In The US

All quiet on the Western Front, eh?

Trouble is, it's more or less the same thing every day.
I need to stop reading the news because personally, things are going fine. Beautiful day out, no local worries, my wife's not mad at me and her garden goes well.
Life is good all in all.

I'll try for more pleasant tomorrow. Trains and critters? :)

Captured this image last night on one of my trail cams deep in the Oxbow of the crick I live on. It has a certain look that appeals to me cause of the time it was taken, and because the Great Blue Heron have that prehistoric look.

First published October 5, 2008

Elizabeth's sister
isn't the same anymore.
Her husband went to war.

He came back whole
but aching inside.
He sits in shadow
and cries.

"There's no one left." says he.
"I'm still here." says she.
"I can hear their pain."
"Your son wants to play."
"This isn't what he should see."

"We want you at home. Please,
don't leave us alone."
"I'll be back when I can."
The door closed.

Elizabeth's sister
isn't the same anymore.
She sits in shadow.
And cries.