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demonslayerunhinged · 7 months ago

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Unhinged theory

The Passion of Sanemi Shinazugawa

Sanemi has no chill.

We all been knew this. His chill is one of the things that the fandom has accepted canonically doesn't exist, like Inosuke's uniform shirt or Zenitsu's dating standards, but the reason for his lack of chill and generally aggressive behavior is still a much debated topic to this day.

I have made two posts here and here breaking down his backstory, his trauma and socio-economical circumstances that made him the man he is today but, I still wasn't satisfied. Something nagged me about this character and his personality that I couldn't put my finger on. So I pondered, for days going through each episode, rereading the manga taking note of his actions and interactions with other characters.

Then, it finally hit me.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe I've found the answer.

Sanemi, our sweet boy, is SEXUALLY FRUSTRATED.

Let me explain.

butt first...

What is sexual frustration?

According to Medical News Today,

Sexual frustration describes a state of irritation, agitation, or stress resulting from sexual inactivity or dissatisfaction. Sexual frustration is a common, natural feeling, and it can affect anyone.

Some symptoms include:

Feeling irritable, restless, and edgy (so Sanemi's entire personality?)

Engaging in unhealthy coping skills (like wanting to brawl with another man for no reason and after having a sexually-charged training session 🤨)

Performing riskier behaviors to fulfill sexual desires (like exposing your entire chest and leaving it vulnerable just so you can show off your tits like a slut 🤨🤨).

Compulsive or hypersexual behaviors (like wanting to grab another man by the hair just so he won't go away 🤨🤨🤨)

Depression or anxiety for men (see this post)

“Seeking revenge” against targets that are the believed source of the frustration (basically Sanemi vs Giyuu)

Displaced frustration on targets with no connection to the frustration (Sanemi vs Tanjiro vs Junior Slayers)

How did this cum to be?

Okay so, I have this headcanon that the Shinazugawa men have a high sex drive. I mean, there's the seven kids from Kyogo which means he had to be laying pipe...a lot(F's in the chat for Shizu 😔) and Genya's horniness when he breathes the same air as a girl, so it's safe to say that Sanemi also has a high sex drive.

After the tragedy that struck his family (Shizu killing the kids, not Kyogo's death because fuck that guy), Sanemi lost any hope or chance of a normal life. In the light novel Sign post of the Wind, Sanemi tells Masachika that life isn't for fun, and he has expressed his distaste for 'frivolous' things.

He denies himself these things because he believes he doesn't deserve them, why should he enjoy life when he killed his mom, when he couldn't protect his siblings, when his brother rightfully hates him, when demons still exist, when families are still being ripped apart, when his colleagues and juniors are being killed and when Genya is in constant danger. The only thing he allows himself is ohagi which is a reminder of happier times.

He has no time for friends, for love and definitely not for sex, which by extension includes masturbation. He won't be able to jerk off without seeing the faces of his mom and his siblings -and yes, that sentence was just as awkward for me writing it as you reading it- so he resigned himself to a life of solitude and sexual frustration, which caused him to develop his aggressive and no-chill personality but at least he was able to manage for a while, that was until he met Giyuu.

Cum hither Giyuu

Sanemi's no-nut journey became even more unbearable when he met Giyuu. There was just something about that sappy, derpy, stupid face that stole his heart and even though Giyuu's personality should've made it easy to stay away, the power of love and horny didn't allow that to happen.

Like I mentioned before in a previous post, what followed was a series of sexually-tense situations and interactions between the two Hashiras, so every time Giyuu happened to enter Sanemi's field of vision, I guess you could say more or less he was:

Reaching out for help

In the light of their impending doom with Muzan's arrival, Sanemi has a realization; he's obviously going to die soon, that doesn't scare Sanemi, he's accepted the fact that he's going to die anyway but to die as a virgin? Now that's not good. With the failure of trying to reach out to Giyuu in the Hashira meeting and the disaster that was the attempted eye-poking incident and being shamed by a 16-year-old Sanemi decides 'fuck it' and tries to reach out to Giyuu again.

But he can't go crawling to Giyuu and be like 'please fuck me', no no no that would not do instead he has the brilliant idea to challenge Giyuu to combat under the guise of 'training' in some misguided hope that the spar would get both their temperatures up which would in turn get Giyuu horny enough to rip off his clothes and fuck him. Yay! The plan is foolproof!

I already mentioned in this post how Sanemi's suggestion for a brawl made no sense as he could have just taken the Muichiro route and suggested they use their actual katanas, but no he wanted a full body contact brawl. Like look at how excited he was at the concept of brawling with Giyuu, like no wonder Tanjiro was scared for Giyuu!

JUST LOOK AT THIS FACE!!! LOOK AT THE DESPERATION!!! OUR BOY IS SO PENT UP HE'S ON THE VERGE OF INSANITY!!!

THIS IS THE FACE OF A MAN WHO HASN'T NUTTED IN 21 YEARS! He was literally begging BEGGING Giyuu to touch him! 😭

Tanjiro(bestest boy ❤️) was rightfully afraid for his big bro, so he intercepts (read cock blocks) Sanemi! Imagine how he felt at that moment; he was THIS close to some body contact and then comes in the same child who kills his rep at every turn! Not only that, but Tanjiro clocks in Sanemi's intentions and decided to put a stop to it by hitting him where he hurts; ohagi.

Imagine your biggest social opp coming along with his innocent, stupidly sweet face when you've finally decided to open yourself up to fucking your forever crush and killing whatever and all sexual tension with his annoying innocence!

Then, as if on a mission to destroy your spirit, reveals your secret love of ohagi! A sweet typically enjoyed by children! Right in front of his future baby daddy!

Tanjiro then drives the knife even further by asking him his ohagi preferences, talking about how his grandma used to make ohagi and shit!

LIKE BOYYYYYYYY

That explains why he was so salty even hours later. If I were him, I'd be pissed too! The fuck! I love how he stopped walking on the steps just to cuss Tanjiro out, like you can tell it came from the very depths of his soul.

I mean, you can literally hear the pain and frustration in his voice. That is the cry of a man who spent three hours douching, only to have his Grindr date cancel on him.

Celebrating the big O

After the events of the final showdown we see a more relaxed, almost peaceful Sanemi which tells us one thing - our boy finally got laid!

But when? and with whom?

Well Giyuu, duh. I theorize that it happened sometime during the three months of recuperation before Tanjiro woke up, and they had their last Hashira meeting. I mean, look at how they're smiling at each other, you can't tell me these guys didn't fuck at least once.

Sanemi came(lol) out(lol again!) of the encounter a changed man. He's moisturized, demure, in his lane, thriving.

Look at him here; tits covered 'cuz Giyuu has made an honest man out of him, and that peaceful look? Damn, dick was so good blud had to look up to the heavens like

In Conclusion, Sanemi's character development is really inspirational because it's a story of one man's triumph over thirst and yea I don't know how to end this post, so I'll just leave you with some words of wisdom:

#demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #kny #sanemi shinazugawa #giyuu tomioka #sanemi x giyuu #giyuusane #kny sanemi #giyuu x sanemi #sanegiyuu #kny giyuu #unhinged theory #tanjirou kamado #might make edits later #shinazugawa sanemi #just unhinged #kny meta #kny anime #demon slayer anime

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racefortheironthrone · 2 years ago

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You mentioned gentrification in the MAWS post and I've always been confused about the negative perception of gentrification vs more positive development. I get that as the neighborhood gets nicer rent goes up and the people that live there can't afford to anymore. But what's the alternative? Short of something like rent control how do you invest in a community and prevent rent from going up?

So this is something I talk about in my Urban Studies classes where I have entire lectures on gentrification, but one of the complexities of gentrification is that you can have gentrification with and without development - compare the "urban pioneers" buying up brownstones in Park Slope or apartments in Greenwich Village in the 1960s and 1970s versus your contemporary luxury hi-rise construction boom, for ex.

And yeah, one of the major debates we're having now between the more urban, left-wing, poc NIMBYs and YIMBYs is whether any form of "urbanist" development is bad because better amenities lead to gentrification full stop or whether there is a way to improve access to high-quality amenities and high-quality housing without displacing lower-income residents. I think total opposition to market development is both impossible as a practical matter and counter-productive when it comes to improving standards of living for poor and working class people, but at the same time, relying entirely on the free market doesn't really work that well either.

As I'll argue in a forthcoming post on rent control, urban development is quite similar to price controls in that it depends on the broader policy environment - in this case, how it affects both the supply of low-income/affordable housing and the incomes of poor/working class/middle class people. Urban development that has both private and social/public housing has very different impacts than urban development that is just private; ditto development with or without rental subsidies/credits or development with or without transfer programs slash jobs programs slash minimum wage increases.

So the TLDR is that you either need to keep rents down (whether that's through rent controls or Red Viennas) or bring incomes up (whether that's through subsidies, transfers, or wages).

#maws #gentrification #urban studies #housing policy #housing #urban planning #urban development #NIMBYs #nimbyism #YIMBYs #yimbyism

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adikkachannels · 3 months ago

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Desi Cow vs. Jersey Cow: Why Indigenous Cows Are Best for Organic Farming

👉👉 The Hidden Reality of Dairy Farming – What No One Told You

“Everything You Know About Dairy Farming Is Wrong.” For decades, we have been led to believe that dairy farming is a simple industry: cows give milk, farmers sell it, and consumers benefit. But behind this seemingly innocent process lies a deeply flawed system—one that has been manipulated by corporate interests, government policies, and historical distortions. At the heart of this debate is the conflict between Desi cows and foreign breeds like Jersey and Holstein. While Jersey cows are often marketed as superior due to their higher milk yield, the truth is that they bring a host of problems—health risks, environmental damage, and economic distress for farmers. This article unveils the shocking reality of modern dairy farming, revealing how the promotion of foreign breeds has destroyed India’s sustainable, organic, and ethical dairy ecosystem. 👉 The Rise of Foreign Breeds in India 🌟 A Colonial Legacy Disguised as Development The presence of foreign cattle in India is not a natural evolution but a consequence of colonial intervention. The British administration, in their bid to maximize profits, introduced foreign breeds under the pretext of “modernizing” agriculture. They dismissed the age-old wisdom of cow-based organic farming and instead pushed for European-style dairy production, which relied on genetically modified, high-yield cows. 🌟 Post-Independence: A Policy Failure After independence, the Green Revolution further accelerated the rise of foreign breeds. The government, under pressure to increase milk production, prioritized high-yield cattle over indigenous breeds. Several short-sighted policies contributed to this shift: - White Revolution (1970s): India became the world’s largest milk producer, but at the cost of displacing Desi cows with Jersey and Holstein breeds. - Government Subsidies: Farmers were given financial incentives to adopt foreign breeds, unknowingly walking into a cycle of dependency on expensive feed, artificial insemination, and veterinary interventions. - Industrial Dairy Model: Corporate dairy farms promoted the idea that profitability is linked to milk yield, not milk quality, misleading millions of farmers. 🌟 The Myth of Higher Yield Yes, Jersey and Holstein cows produce more milk per day, but this comes at a steep cost: ✔ Lower Lifespan: Desi cows live up to 20 years, while foreign breeds rarely survive beyond 6-7 years. ✔ Higher Maintenance: Foreign breeds require constant veterinary care, hormone injections, and high-calorie feed. ✔ Unethical Treatment: Artificial insemination, forced pregnancies, and hormone-induced lactation have become the norm. The result? Farmers are trapped in a never-ending cycle of debt, and consumers unknowingly drink compromised milk. 👉 The Biological & Ethical Differences 🌟 Milk Quality: A1 vs. A2 – The Truth They Don’t Want You to Know Milk is not just milk. The quality of milk depends on the breed of the cow. The biggest difference lies in the type of casein protein present in milk: ✔ Desi Cows (A2 Milk): Contains A2 beta-casein, which is: - Easier to digest, reducing bloating and lactose intolerance. - Rich in medicinal properties, aligning with Ayurvedic principles. - Structurally similar to human mother’s milk, making it the ideal choice for infants and children. ❌ Jersey/Holstein Cows (A1 Milk): Contains A1 beta-casein, which: - Produces BCM-7, a toxic peptide linked to inflammation, diabetes, heart disease, and neurological disorders. - Can cause lactose intolerance symptoms in people who otherwise digest A2 milk without issues. - Lacks many of the beneficial properties found in Desi cow milk. 🌟 Natural Adaptation: Why Desi Cows Are Built for India India’s climate is harsh—extreme summers, monsoons, and unpredictable weather. Yet, Desi cows thrive effortlessly, while Jersey cows struggle. ✔ Heat Resistance: Desi cows sweat efficiently, avoiding heat stress, while foreign breeds suffer from extreme dehydration. ✔ Disease Resistance: Indigenous cows have a stronger immune system, requiring little to no medical intervention. ✔ Low Maintenance: Desi cows survive on natural grazing, while Jersey cows require expensive, artificial feed. 🌟 Hormonal & Genetic Manipulation: The Dark Reality The biggest ethical crisis in modern dairy farming is the exploitation of foreign-bred cows. Unlike Desi cows, which reproduce naturally, Jersey cows require: ❌ Artificial Insemination – Most Jersey cows are genetically modified and cannot reproduce naturally. ❌ Oxytocin Injections – A banned hormone used to force lactation, causing severe pain to cows and health risks to consumers. ❌ Selective Breeding – Foreign breeds are genetically altered for unnatural milk production, leading to shorter lifespans. This is a corporate-driven industry, where animals are treated not as living beings, but as milk-producing machines. 👉 Environmental & Economic Consequences 🌟 The Methane Crisis: A Hidden Climate Threat Did you know that Jersey and Holstein cows produce twice as much methane as Desi cows? The large-scale dairy industry has become a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to: ✔ Increased Global Warming – Industrial dairy farms release massive amounts of methane and ammonia, damaging the ozone layer. ✔ Soil & Water Contamination – Foreign breeds require chemical-laden feed, polluting soil and groundwater. ✔ Deforestation – Large-scale dairy farms replace traditional, sustainable Gaushalas, leading to biodiversity loss. 🌟 Farmer Debt & Corporate Control The push for foreign breeds has also financially crippled Indian farmers. Unlike Desi cows, which survive on natural grazing, Jersey cows demand: ❌ High-Cost Feed – Farmers spend thousands on commercial feed, instead of using free grazing land. ❌ Costly Veterinary Care – Frequent diseases, artificial insemination, and medications increase farm expenses. ❌ Short-Term Productivity – Foreign breeds stop producing milk after a few years, forcing farmers to buy new cattle. This corporate-driven dairy model keeps farmers trapped in debt, while companies profit from selling artificial feed, hormones, and veterinary drugs. 👉 The Future: Reviving Indigenous Cow-Based Farming 🌟 Panchgavya: The Ancient Solution to Modern Problems Desi cows are not just about milk; they offer five sacred products (Panchgavya) that sustain organic farming: ✔ Milk – High-quality A2 milk, rich in medicinal properties. ✔ Curd – Boosts gut health and immunity. ✔ Ghee – A superfood with anti-inflammatory benefits. ✔ Dung – A natural fertilizer, replacing chemical alternatives. ✔ Urine – Used in Ayurvedic medicine and organic pesticides. 🌟 The Path to Sustainability The future of dairy farming lies in reviving indigenous cow-based agriculture: ✔ Gaushala-Based Dairy Farming – Community-driven, ethical dairy farms using Desi breeds. ✔ Government Support for Indigenous Breeds – Policy changes to ban hormone injections, artificial insemination, and promote A2 milk. ✔ Consumer Awareness – Educating people about the dangers of A1 milk and the benefits of A2 milk. 👉👉 Thoughts of Action The battle between Desi cows and Jersey cows is more than just about milk—it is a fight for health, sustainability, and economic freedom. ✔ Reject commercialized, corporate dairy farming. ✔ Support farmers who raise Desi cows ethically. ✔ Choose A2 milk for your health and future generations. The truth has been hidden for too long—now is the time to bring it to light.

👉 👉 The Impact – Why Jersey Cows Are Hurting Organic Farming

The debate over Desi cows vs. Jersey cows is not just about milk—it’s about the future of sustainable agriculture, food security, and the well-being of farmers. While the dairy industry aggressively promotes foreign breeds like Jersey and Holstein for their so-called “high milk yield,” the hidden truth is far more concerning. The adoption of these breeds has led to severe ecological damage and pushed countless farmers into a cycle of economic hardship. In this section, we will expose how Jersey cows are harming organic farming through unsustainable feeding demands, increased methane emissions, and excessive reliance on antibiotics and pesticides. We will also explore how corporate lobbies have suppressed indigenous alternatives, leading to financial ruin for small-scale farmers. 👉 The Ecological Damage The environmental cost of foreign breeds like Jersey cows is far higher than what the dairy industry admits. From the destruction of soil health to increased greenhouse gas emissions, these cows pose a significant threat to sustainable agriculture. 🌟 Feeding Demands – The Hidden Burden of Imported Feed

style="background-color: #0073aa; color: white; padding: 12px 24px; text-decoration: none; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; display: inline-block;"> 📖 Download Your eGuide Now! 🚀 One of the biggest challenges with Jersey cows is their dietary requirements. Unlike Desi cows, which can thrive on locally available fodder like dry grass, crop residues, and organic kitchen waste, Jersey cows have: ✅ A high dependency on commercial cattle feed, often made from genetically modified (GMO) crops like soy and corn. ✅ Increased water consumption, as their metabolism requires hydration-intensive feed to maintain milk production. ✅ A heavy reliance on imported protein sources, which weakens India’s self-sufficiency in dairy farming. 🔴 Case in Point: The Punjab dairy crisis in recent years showed how thousands of farmers were forced to buy expensive, imported feed for Jersey cows. As feed prices soared, profits plummeted, pushing many farmers into debt. Why Desi Cows Are Different: ✔ Can survive on natural pastures and locally available fodder ✔ Require less water and can graze freely, reducing costs ✔ Support traditional, chemical-free agriculture through natural manure 🌟 Methane Emissions & Environmental Footprint Foreign breeds like Jersey cows are known for their high methane emissions, a major contributor to climate change. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has a global warming potential 25 times greater than CO₂ over a 100-year period. Scientific studies confirm: 🔹 Jersey cows produce more methane per liter of milk compared to Desi cows. 🔹 Their feed-to-milk conversion rate is lower, meaning they require more food and produce more waste. 🔹 The excessive water and land usage for their feed production makes them unsustainable in water-scarce regions. On the other hand, Desi cows: ✅ Help regenerate soil health through their naturally nutrient-rich dung. ✅ Require less feed and water, making them more environmentally sustainable. ✅ Contribute to organic farming with Panchgavya (a mixture of cow dung, urine, milk, curd, and ghee), which acts as a natural pesticide and fertilizer. 🌟 Pesticide & Antibiotic Contamination Jersey cow farming relies heavily on hormones and antibiotics, leading to contamination of soil, water, and ultimately, human health. 🔴 Why This Is Dangerous: - Excess antibiotics in milk lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making diseases harder to treat in humans. - Chemical pesticides used in commercial feed crops seep into milk, affecting long-term health. - Soil degradation occurs as chemical-laden waste accumulates, destroying natural microbial life. Desi cows offer a natural solution: ✔ Their dung restores soil fertility rather than harming it. ✔ They do not require antibiotics or synthetic hormones for milk production. ✔ Their urine is a natural pesticide used in Vedic farming practices for centuries. 👉 The Economic Downfall of Farmers Beyond the environmental destruction, Jersey cows have also caused widespread financial distress among Indian farmers. The illusion of higher milk production has trapped many in an economic nightmare of rising costs, increased debt, and dependency on corporate-controlled dairy industries. 🌟 How Jersey Cows Increase Farmer Debt While Jersey cows initially seem profitable due to their high milk yield, the reality is: 🚨 Higher feed costs: Farmers must buy expensive commercial feed to maintain milk production. 🚨 Frequent medical expenses: Antibiotics, hormones, and artificial insemination add to costs. 🚨 Shorter lifespan: Jersey cows have a shorter productive lifespan (6–7 years) compared to Desi cows (12–15 years), leading to higher replacement costs. 🔴 Example: In Maharashtra, dairy farmers who shifted to Jersey cows struggled to break even due to increasing feed costs. Many reported that their profits were wiped out by medical expenses and declining fertility rates in the cows. 🌟 Case Studies: Farmers Who Lost Their Livelihoods 1️⃣ Karnataka’s Dairy Collapse (2021-2023) Thousands of farmers who had adopted Jersey cows saw massive financial losses when global feed prices rose. Many were forced to sell their cattle at distress rates, while others abandoned dairy farming altogether. 2️⃣ Bihar’s Indigenous Cow Revival (2020-Present) A group of farmers in Bihar switched back to Desi cows after facing severe economic losses with Jersey breeds. Within three years, they reported lower costs, higher profitability, and improved soil health thanks to Panchgavya-based farming. 🌟 Why Corporate Dairy Lobbies Suppress Indigenous Alternatives The widespread promotion of Jersey cows is not a coincidence—it is a deliberate move by corporate dairy lobbies to control the dairy industry. 🔴 How They Benefit: - Selling commercial feed and antibiotics to dependent farmers. - Controlling milk supply chains by pushing industrialized dairy farming. - Suppressing Desi cow adoption by spreading misinformation about “low milk yield.” The Solution: Empowering Farmers to Choose Indigenous Cows ✔ Government subsidies for Desi cow rearing ✔ Promotion of Gaushalas and cow-based organic farming ✔ Public awareness about A2 milk and its health benefits 👉 👉 The Urgent Need to Revive Desi Cows The damage caused by Jersey cow dependency is undeniable—farmers are in debt, the environment is suffering, and milk quality has declined. If India is to protect its dairy industry, organic farming, and agricultural self-sufficiency, it must shift back to Desi cow-based dairy farming. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✅ Desi cows support organic, self-sufficient farming and provide superior A2 milk. ✅ Jersey cows have higher methane emissions, higher feed costs, and require excessive antibiotics. ✅ Corporate dairy lobbies push foreign breeds to trap farmers in financial dependency. 🔥 Call to Action: Farmers, consumers, and policymakers must demand change—support Desi cows, invest in sustainable dairy farming, and reject industrial dairy myths! The future of organic farming depends on it. 🚜🐄

👉 👉 The Power of Panchgavya – A Goldmine for Organic Farming

Desi cows are not just cattle; they are a holistic boon for organic farming. Their contributions go far beyond milk, forming the foundation of Panchgavya, the five sacred products derived from indigenous cows—milk, curd, ghee, urine, and dung. These elements have been utilized in agriculture, medicine, and religious practices in India for centuries. Unlike Jersey cows, which require intensive farming methods, Desi cows naturally support a sustainable and regenerative farming system. 👉 How Desi Cow Dung, Urine, and Milk Contribute to Organic Farming 🌟 Natural Fertilizer (Jeevamrut) – The Key to Soil Rejuvenation One of the biggest challenges modern farmers face is soil degradation due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers. However, farmers who use Jeevamrut, a potent organic fertilizer made from Desi cow dung, urine, jaggery, gram flour, and water, have seen remarkable results. - Cow dung is a powerhouse of microbial activity that enhances soil fertility by promoting beneficial bacteria. - Unlike artificial fertilizers, which degrade soil health over time, Jeevamrut restores soil nutrients and improves water retention. - Example: In Maharashtra, a group of farmers in Satara switched to Jeevamrut and saw a 35% increase in crop yield within three years, while chemical input costs dropped significantly. 🌟 Bio-Pesticides – Natural Pest Control Without Chemicals Pests and diseases are a major concern in agriculture, leading farmers to rely on toxic pesticides that harm soil, water, and biodiversity. Desi cow urine, when fermented and mixed with neem leaves, is an effective bio-pesticide that naturally deters pests without contaminating the environment. - Studies show that Gomutra-based pesticides control common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillars better than synthetic alternatives. - Unlike commercial pesticides, these natural solutions do not kill beneficial insects such as pollinators and earthworms. - Example: Organic farmers in Tamil Nadu have successfully eliminated the use of chemical pesticides by using a mix of cow urine, neem, and chilli extract to keep crops disease-free. 🌟 Soil Enrichment Through Natural Microbes Healthy soil is teeming with microbial life, but modern chemical-based farming has led to a drastic decline in soil biodiversity. Desi cow dung contains millions of beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil fertility, aeration, and moisture retention. - Research by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) found that regular use of Desi cow dung as compost increases organic carbon content in soil by 30%, making it more productive in the long run. - Unlike Jersey cows, which produce more acidic dung that attracts harmful bacteria, Desi cow dung has a natural balance that nurtures plant growth. Read the full article

#A2milk #Cow-basedfertilizers #Desicow #Ethicaldairyfarming #Farmerdebt #Gaushalafarming #Indiandairyindustry #Indigenouscows #Jerseycowvs.Desicow #Organicfarming #Panchgavya #Sustainabledairy #Traditionalfarming

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omarhussainchicago · 3 months ago

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Affordable Housing or Gentrification?

In recent years, Florida’s affordable housing crisis has pushed many residents away from its bustling urban centers and into the state’s rural areas. While this migration has created new opportunities for economic development, it has also sparked concerns about gentrification, rising property values, and the displacement of long-time residents. Rural Florida, once an escape from the pressures of city life, is now at the center of a growing debate over how to balance affordability, growth, and the preservation of local culture.

The Affordable Housing Crisis Driving Rural Migration

Florida has long been known for its booming real estate market, attracting retirees, investors, and transplants from across the country. However, in recent years, skyrocketing home prices, rising rent costs, and a lack of affordable housing options have made it increasingly difficult for many Floridians to live in urban areas. This has led to a migration pattern where people are seeking more affordable alternatives in the state’s rural regions.

“The demand for affordable housing in Florida is at an all-time high, and rural areas are feeling the pressure,” says Omar Hussain Chicago. “As people move away from urban centers, we are seeing significant changes in housing dynamics and local economies.”

With major cities like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando becoming increasingly unaffordable, people are turning to small towns and rural communities that still offer reasonable housing prices. While this shift has helped alleviate some urban housing pressures, it has also introduced new challenges.

The Tension Between Longtime Residents and Newcomers

The influx of new residents into rural Florida has sparked tensions between long-established communities and incoming buyers. Many longtime residents worry that rising property values will lead to higher taxes and the displacement of families who have lived in these areas for generations. Others fear that their small-town way of life is being eroded by new developments and a growing demand for amenities that cater to urban transplants rather than the existing population.

“Rural Florida is facing an identity crisis,” says Omar Hussain. “Longtime residents want to protect their traditions and way of life, but at the same time, economic development and new housing projects are inevitable. Finding a balance is the real challenge.”

As developers buy up land for new housing communities, the cultural fabric of rural areas is shifting. Small towns that once had a slow, steady pace are now dealing with increased traffic, infrastructure demands, and a changing demographic landscape. The question remains: Can rural Florida grow without losing its character?

Gentrification vs. Affordable Growth

One of the major concerns surrounding the rural housing boom is gentrification. When wealthier individuals move into historically low-cost areas, they often drive up property values, making it difficult for lower-income residents to remain in their homes. While some argue that new investment in rural communities brings better schools, improved infrastructure, and economic opportunities, others fear that it is displacing the very people it was supposed to help.

“Gentrification isn’t just an urban issue anymore,” says Omar Hussain Chicago. “We are seeing it unfold in rural communities where new developments cater to outsiders rather than the locals who have been there for decades.”

Florida’s rural towns are particularly vulnerable to these shifts because they have traditionally been low-income areas with limited resources. When demand increases, property taxes rise, and many existing homeowners find themselves struggling to keep up. Renters, in particular, face the highest risk of displacement, as landlords see opportunities to increase rent prices and attract higher-income tenants.

Local Government Responses to the Housing��Crisis

To address the challenges posed by increased migration to rural areas, local governments across Florida are implementing policies aimed at balancing growth, affordability, and preservation.

Affordable Housing Initiatives

Some counties have begun offering incentives for developers to build affordable housing rather than high-end communities. These initiatives include tax breaks, fast-tracked permitting processes, and zoning changes that allow for higher-density housing while maintaining affordability.

Community Land Trusts

A growing number of communities are adopting the community land trust (CLT) model, where non-profit organizations acquire and hold land to ensure long-term housing affordability. This prevents land from being resold at market rates and keeps housing costs stable for lower-income residents.

“Community land trusts are a game-changer for rural areas,” says Omar Hussain. “They provide a sustainable way to offer affordable housing without sacrificing long-term economic stability.”

Infrastructure Investments

As populations grow, local governments are working to improve infrastructure to support new residents while preserving the rural character of these areas. Road expansions, improved public transportation options, and better utility services are all being considered to accommodate growth without overwhelming existing communities.

Stronger Tenant Protections

With rental prices rising, some local governments are implementing rent stabilization measures to prevent sudden spikes that could force residents out. While controversial, these policies aim to ensure that long-time renters are not priced out of their homes.

“If we don’t take proactive steps, we risk pushing out the very people who built these communities,” warns Omar Hussain. “Housing policies need to protect both new and existing residents.”

The Future of Rural Florida’s Housing Market

As more people continue to seek affordable housing in rural Florida, the state will have to navigate the delicate balance between growth and preservation. The key will be fostering policies that promote sustainable development while ensuring that existing communities are not left behind.

Experts believe that smart planning, community engagement, and government intervention can help create a win-win situation where rural areas can grow without displacing their residents. Encouraging mixed-income developments, enforcing responsible zoning laws, and investing in public resources will be essential to maintaining the integrity of rural Florida while accommodating new demand.

“The future of rural Florida’s housing market depends on collaboration,” says Omar Hussain. “Local governments, developers, and residents all need to work together to create housing solutions that are equitable and sustainable.”

Conclusion

The migration of Florida’s urban residents to rural areas is reshaping the state’s real estate market. While this shift has opened up new opportunities for investment and economic development, it has also raised concerns about affordability, gentrification, and cultural preservation. With proactive policies and a commitment to inclusive growth, rural Florida has the potential to provide affordable housing without losing its unique identity.

By implementing innovative housing solutions, protecting existing communities, and fostering responsible development, Florida can ensure that its rural regions remain places of opportunity rather than exclusion. The challenge now is to strike the right balance before these small towns become unaffordable themselves.

Originally Posted: https://omarhussainchicago.com/affordable-housing-or-gentrification/

#realestate #business

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number-one-gaming-blog · 4 months ago

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Gaming Industry Shakeups: AI, Studio Closures, and New Innovations

The gaming industry has seen major developments in the past 24 hours, from AI integration in game development to studio closures and hardware advancements. These changes highlight both the potential and challenges facing developers, players, and investors alike.

AI in Call of Duty: Progress or Problem?

Activision has confirmed that AI tools have been used in Call of Duty titles like Black Ops 6 and Warzone. While AI-generated assets can speed up development, some players are criticizing the move as a cost-cutting measure that could impact quality and artistic authenticity. Others worry about job displacement, especially in an industry that has seen widespread layoffs. This revelation comes as game studios and unions debate the ethical implications of AI in game creation.

Warner Bros. Discovery Shuts Down Three Studios

Amid ongoing financial pressures, Warner Bros. Discovery has closed three game development studios: Player First Games, Warner Bros. Games San Diego, and Monolith Productions. This move has also halted development on Monolith’s anticipated Wonder Woman game. The closures reflect broader industry struggles, with major companies like Microsoft and Sony also cutting jobs and restructuring.

Xbox Cloud Gaming Gets a Boost

Microsoft has introduced shareable links for Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing players to invite friends to join gaming sessions with a simple URL. This update makes cloud gaming more accessible, reinforcing Microsoft’s commitment to a seamless, device-agnostic gaming experience.

Framework’s Modular Desktop PC for Gamers

Framework has unveiled a modular desktop PC tailored for small form factor enthusiasts. With customizable components and integrated AMD Ryzen AI graphics, the system offers a new take on gaming hardware. While it lacks a dedicated GPU slot, its flexibility and compact design may appeal to tech-savvy gamers looking for a highly customizable setup.

The Future of Gaming: Innovation vs. Cost-Cutting

As AI reshapes game development, studios shut down, and new hardware emerges, the gaming industry is at a crossroads. Will cost-cutting measures impact creativity and job security, or will AI and modular hardware usher in a new era of efficiency? The next few months will be crucial in defining the industry’s direction.

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mohammedalothman · 7 months ago

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AI, Jobs, and the Human Touch: Mohammad Alothman Discusses the Future of Workplaces With ChatGPT

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, it’s becoming increasingly clear that artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality.

This article delves into the rise of ChatGPT in the workplace, transforming the way industries operate overnight. To guide our understanding better, we will seek the expertise of Mohammad Alothman, a major advocate in the space of artificial intelligence and AI Tech Solutions founder.

The Emergence of ChatGPT: How AI Tool Will Shake Up the Workplace

Developments in recent studies indicate that employees across various industries worry that ChatGPT is capable of taking over work assignments and jobs. Some 56% of the 2,000 working adults polled feared that portions of their job functions could be displaced by AI platforms such as ChatGPT.

Writing, customer service, and coding are increasingly automated tasks, so it is little wonder that web developers and translation services are two fields that worry about their job security.

According to Mohammad Alothman, the rise of ChatGPT fits a much larger, broader framework that portrays today's AI as expanding into capabilities.

"The rapid growth of AI platforms like ChatGPT has shown us how quickly technology is evolving, and how it can impact various industries. But rather than seeing this as a threat, we need to look at it as an opportunity to adapt and integrate these tools into our workflow," said Mohammad Alothman.

AI Tech Solutions has keenly observed and studied how ChatGPT has emerged, how it is aggressively influencing workplaces and the way it might be disruptive or innovative.

While some sectors are more vulnerable to automation, such as translation services (37%) and web development (34%), others, like HR (63%) and education (58%), also express concerns about AI's growing capabilities. But are these fears warranted? Can ChatGPT really replace the nuanced, human-driven tasks these industries depend on?

The Future of Work: Human Touch vs. AI Efficiency

Although AI is increasingly being infused into the workplace, most employees are skeptical of its competency to perform the kind of complex, creative work that demands a sense of judgment. In fact, 67% of respondents sounded alarms over ChatGPT, worrying it cannot handle delicate tasks that require empathy, ingenuity, and subtle decision-making abilities. This represents an ongoing debate surrounding the limitations of AI. While ChatGPT does an excellent job in streamlining routine chores and enhancing efficiency, it still feels devoid of human touch.

Mohammad Alothman concurs with this perspective. "AI can handle a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to repetitive tasks, but there are aspects of work that require empathy, ethics, and understanding of context, things that AI is not yet equipped to fully grasp. The key is to leverage AI where it excels while maintaining irreplaceable human qualities in the workplace," Mohammad Alothman explains.

AI Tech Solutions has been researching the impact of AI on workplace productivity, and they find that while AI tools like ChatGPT may streamline processes and boost efficiency, the creativity, critical thinking, and decision-making come from human workers, not technology. With AI continuing to become even more advanced, the future of work will very much depend on the balance between AI efficiency and human ingenuity.

Can AI Help Workers Improve Their Skills?

For one, most of today's working forces are worried about being relevant in an AI-driven society. Already, 29% of workers conceded that they haven't done much to develop their skill base and remain relevant in the face of workplace changes. And, with 83% of respondents believing AI would never substitute for the "touch of the human touch," the pressure to adapt and upskill is growing. Interestingly, 58% of workers said they would even consider retraining in an AI-proof industry, suggesting people are open to change and willing to embrace new opportunities.

"Up-skilling and adapting to new technologies will be the defining factors in staying relevant in the workforce," says Mohammad Alothman. "ChatGPT and other AI tools can enhance how we perform tasks, but it's important to recognize the new skills that will complement these tools. People need to understand the technology and learn how to leverage it, rather than viewing it solely as a threat."

AI Tech Solutions has always believed in learning and proper skill enhancement in the new era of AI. AI Tech Solutions has extensively researched AI trends and how they are changing the character of the job market. According to their findings, adopting AI-driven tools can actually make employees more productive.

One approach that Mohammad Alothman’s company advocates for is to increase human potential rather than replace it; in this regard, businesses are leveraging ChatGPT to enhance customer service, operationalize processes, and create new, innovative content.

ChatGPT in Action: Real-World Applications in the Workplace

While current AI applications are often seen as incompetent in broad tasks, many working areas have already found much to their advantage when using ChatGPT on certain aspects. As a matter of fact, 29% said that the workplace had actually implemented AI in one form or another; 82% of those responding reported seeing an increase in productivity once AI had been introduced. This ranges from automated customer service replies to generating reports and even managing specific sides of marketing and communications.

"An AI such as ChatGPT may be able to help the worker do less 'dumb' work,” says Mohammad Alothman. "It can use tools to automate much of that manual drudgery so that minds focus on high-value activities that require real critical and problem-solving skills." It's not job replacement, he points out, but about augmenting the capabilities of the workforce.

AI Tech Solutions is at the helm of developing knowledge on how artificial intelligence can optimize workplace efficiency. Based on findings, productivity is boosted best when businesses use AI tools as a helper that can work side by side with humans and enhance their productivity rather than replacing human workers with it. Whether in customer service or data entry or content generation, AI, in any way, can assist in getting more done in less time and thus boost productivity in general.

The Upskilling Imperative: Getting Ready for Tomorrow

As AI increasingly transforms the workplace, the case for upskilling is more urgent than ever. 67% of employees said they have tried to learn a new skill in the past 18 months and that 74% are willing to spend personal time to upgrade their skills. As the workplace follows what is happening and adapting to the realities of new technology, this spirit of learning and growth is essential.

AI Tech Solutions has been one of the active promoters of upskilling initiatives, offering resources as well as insights on how employees could remain competitive in the AI era.

"The key to thriving in a world where AI is predominant is focusing on the skills that AI cannot replicate - such as empathy, creativity, and strategic thinking. These are the qualities that will always be in demand," says Mohammad Alothman. His company's research provides evidence that organizations and employees seeking constant learning will be better positioned to take full advantage of AI tools like ChatGPT.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The emergence of AI, and more particularly platforms like ChatGPT, has made many employees think their time on the job is coming to an end. However, AI presents new opportunities for those who would adapt and embrace new technologies.

Mohammad Alothman and AI Tech Solutions have put it all into perspective regarding the need for continuous learning, embracing improvement through AI, and retaining the essence that makes an employee irreplaceable.

As AI continues to advance, it's necessary for individuals and businesses to stay on their toes as the future unfolds. Take the time to explore how you can use tools like ChatGPT to enhance your skills and productivity - and remember, however advanced the technology becomes, the human touch will always remain that is of invaluable worth to an enterprise.

Related Topics

5 Best Free AI Text-to-Speech Tools You Need Today

Threads vs. Twitter: A New Era in Social Media?

ChatGPT Best Prompt Engineering: The Most Effective Prompts to Fine-Tune ChatGPT4

How AI Technology Will Change The Future Of Work

Real-World Implications

Adapting to the AI Era To gain a clearer understanding of AI’s impact, it is essential to distinguish between short-term and long-term effects. Speculating about AI’s far-reaching implications is challenging, as predicting technological developments with certainty is unreliable. Instead, we should focus on the immediate future. While AI may replace some job roles, it also presents an opportunity to enhance one’s value and prevent obsolescence.

Contrary to initial expectations, AI’s impact has started with creative industries, rather than physical or white-collar labor. AI is already surpassing human creativity in various areas. Recent examples include AI winning fine arts competitions and emulating the works of doctors and lawyers. Imagine a future where AI doctors have access to vast amounts of medical literature and patient records, making them more reliable than human doctors. Similarly, AI’s ability to tailor content specifically to individual preferences can revolutionize entertainment, advertising, and gaming.

The implementation of AI will undoubtedly lead to job displacements. However, this trimming of the workforce was inevitable, even without AI. The key to survival lies in adapting to change at a rapid pace. The ability to leverage AI effectively can make individuals more valuable than ever before. AI provides access to vast knowledge and baseline skills, empowering individuals to excel in their respective fields.

Harnessing the Power of AI

Generating Income

There are three primary ways to utilize AI and increase revenue:

Agency

AI can streamline various forms of communication, such as email writing, saving valuable time for agency owners. Tools like Jasper can generate ad copy, allowing agencies to focus on testing and validation. Additionally, AI can automate tasks like generating product photos and images, streamlining the content creation process.

Content Creation

AI provides an unlimited pool of ideas for content creators and copywriters, eliminating creative blocks. Writers can use AI to generate a framework, allowing them to fill in the details efficiently. The use of AI in content creation extends beyond writing tasks, with software like Adobe’s AI for photo editing paving the way for streamlined content production.

Consulting and Coaching

AI can become a consultant’s best friend, with tools like Microsoft’s Copilot enhancing productivity. These AI solutions can transcribe meeting notes, create presentations, and perform data analysis, saving hours of work. Consultants can leverage AI to foster stronger client relationships and focus on strategic decision-making.

It is crucial to foster relationships and capitalize on uniquely human qualities in conjunction with the leverage AI provides. While AI empowers individuals to achieve more, it requires serious dedication and effort to maximize its potential. The barrier to entry for starting a business or pursuing side ventures with AI integration is lower than ever before. The decision to embrace this opportunity lies with individuals themselves.

Conclusion

Embrace the AI Revolution In conclusion, AI is a powerful tool that can reshape the business landscape. By understanding the AI Revolution, its real-world implications, and how to leverage its potential, individuals can thrive in this era of technological advancement. Embrace the opportunities that AI brings, adapt swiftly, and utilize AI as a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

#get rich quick #artificial intelligence #ai #chatgpt

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mithliya · 4 years ago

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Well, you are wrong again, because you are either ignoring the history or you are supporting the historical anti semitism among the Arab population in the area. You need to read the history of the region in twentieth century and i suggest you look into the policies of Haj Amin the organizer of the fidayeens to terrorize the jewish population, about the Arab mob attacks in Jaffa and Petah Tikvah, the Hebron and Safed massacres by the Arabic population that killed hundreds and terrorized the Jewish community. The British who had mandate over that area during that time barely intervened against the Arab attacks which emboldened them and they continued to use riots and violence against the Jewish population as a means to threaten and expel them. And in your previous answer you didn't even answer any of my questions but just went tangentially about principles of debating (lol). That land was stolen and established over the blood of Jewish people who wanted to settle there peacefully but were subjected to harsh anti semitic policies of the Haj Amin el hussein. And this may surprise you, but someone can acknowledge the right of Jewish people for a homeland in that region and still oppose the bombing of schools and civilians.

the false dichotomy of “arab” vs “jewish” is ridiculous. jewish arabs are a thing. christian arabs are a thing. muslim arabs are a thing. religious conflicts existing doesn’t somehow justify a completely different population from europe coming into the country and forcefully expelling and harming the existing population. it’s very much possible to oppose anti-semitism without supporting colonialism, war crimes, and the displacing of a population.

i actually did answer your questions lol. and this is you continuing to switch goalposts btw! here’s what you asked:

Why are you opposed to Zionism though? Isn't that just a movement for a Jewish homeland?

and here is my answer:

i’m not opposed to zionism as in opposed to the idea of a jewish state nor opposed to a jewish homeland being created. i’m opposed to a certain form of zionism as it exists TODAY, which is not about estabilishing a homeland but rather stealing one from others. let me highlight in the current definition of zionism what exactly i oppose:

1.a movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. It was established as a political organization in 1897 under Theodor Herzl, and was later led by Chaim Weizmann.

i oppose the idea that because a population needs somewhere safe to be and a place where they are accepted, that it somehow means that what is necessary is to harm and oppress another population. there are countless parts of the world where there are hardly any inhabitants, and the establishment of a jewish state could’ve been done in numerous ways which do not involve invading a country [after its population did not agree to giving most of their land to a smaller foreign population from europe], nor does it necessitate stealing land, and killing the existing population. i oppose the zionist idea that because a jewish state would be good for jewish people, that it must be created by taking over palestine and that it should be done at the expense of palestinians. that’s what i oppose.

and your second question:

Also, why aren't other middle eastern countries accepting and naturalizing Palestinian refugees who have been there for half a century or more?

with the answer:

they should not be doing this to begin with, full stop. they should not be stealing land and expelling people from their homes and pushing them out of their country. end of sentence, end of argument. the things you’ve brought up are justifying actions which you admit are wrong as well as calling for others to work around these actions, ie putting the responsibility on everyone else rather than the perpetrators. why do they need to steal land and push people out of their homes to begin with? why do they need to expel a population from their country? why did they need to take that particular land? why do they need to kill people and persecute them? why do you expect the rest of the middle east to work around that, instead of expecting the israeli government to stop doing such things?

i do not deny that antisemitism exists. i do not deny jewish people’s right to defend themselves, nor their right to speak up against the persecution they’ve faced, including in historical palestine. but i certainly don’t think any of that somehow justifies a different group of people in europe invading and colonising palestine and then persecuting the entirety of the palestinian population, both the ones with israeli passports and ones without. and considering countless palestinian jewish people have spoken about how they’ve also been harmed in the process and their opposition of the colonial government, i reckon they don’t think that justifies it either.

you support the right for a jewish homeland (cool, so do many people who oppose zionism in its existing, modern form) and “still oppose the bombing of schools and civilians” yet.. you still support the very government doing the bombing, you still justify their act of bombing, you still support their reasoning behind their bombing, and their persecution of palestinians. you saying “its wrong” but then carrying on with reasons why it’s justifiable to you and placing the responsibility on neighbouring countries to work around the Wrong Acts You Still Oppose tells me you’re not actually opposed to it at all, acknowledging the absolute minimum of “killing civilians is wrong” isn’t the same as opposing it.

anyways, if you want to keep switching goalposts and being intellectually dishonest, i probably will eventually get sick of it and end up blocking you, fyi.

#Anonymous

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genderassignment · 7 years ago

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Beyond the Roma Caravan (2) / Suzana Milevska’s Testimony: Meet Lynn Hutchinson Lee and Hedina Sijerčić

Canada Without Shadows: I am a Romani Woman - Kanada Bizo Uchalipe: Me Sem Romni is a small 24-page book featuring the testimonies and artwork of five Hungarian Romani women.

The very brilliant Suzana Milevska shares her second installment of Beyond The Roma Caravan with Gender Assignment! She writes at the intersection of feminist and Roma issues, which are so under-represented and yet have so much to bring to a conversation on the inherent nomadicism in geopolitical and climate crisis. “In the wake of the new global political conundrums...this project reveals how the ongoing policy of displacement and deportation of Roma refugees and immigrants is easily “smuggled” under the label of nomadic history and culture of Roma.”

I first met Lynn Hutchinson Lee and Hedina Sijerčić in Skopje, back in May 2010. The context of my first encounter with the artists was the first curatorial meeting with the short-listed artists for the Roma Pavilion 2011 which took place after the first round of the selection of applications (collected through an international call that was issued in February 2010). It’s been more than eight years since then, and in meanwhile we’ve met just a couple of times. However our first meeting was highly inspiring for me: it profoundly informed and affected my theoretical research and curatorial practice. Recently I was reminded to their artistic collaboration and was motivated to include their project in this series of posts because of the pertinent refugee crisis in Europe that also heavily affected the condition of Roma refugees in Canada – their project in my view was in a way anticipatory and still highly resonates with the current political situation of Roma across the world.

During our first meeting Lynn and Hedina presented themselves as two Romani woman artists comprising the artist collective chirikli. At that time they were working on their joint project Canada Without Shadows / Kanada Bizo Uchalipe. The project was not yet completed, but was definitely a proposal that attracted the attention of the international jury and was one of the projects that was selected unanimously during the first round. Canada without Shadows was however not a project that one could easily anticipate and grasp in its entirety and complexity without knowing much about its authors’ cultural and ethnic background.

Whilst Lynn was a descendent of Romanichal Lee travellers from Great Britain and was living and working in Toronto, Canada, Hedina was from Bosnia and Herzegovina, at that time living and working in Germany. Lynn is mainly a visual artist, and Hedina was first better known (at least until then) as a writer, journalist and educator. It was therefore not easy to understand how the two artists met and decided to form the collective and how they managed and would manage to continue the collaboration on joint projects despite the distance - most of the time they were based in different continents. Meeting the artists in person and discussing directly with them their artistic interests and collaborative research methods helped the confirmation of the decision to commission, produce and present their collaborative project at, then, forthcoming Venice Biennale in 2011.

The general meeting in Skopje focused on the ongoing issues of Roma in Europe. Particularly relevant were the debates about the goals and results of the Decade of Roma inclusion (2005-2015) and how the differences and contradictions between different Roma groups across the world – their different languages, cultures, customs, religious beliefs and political aspirations reflect (and should reflect) in arts. We talked about the restrictive laws (both in Europe and Canada) regarding the free movement of Roma, about the difficult conditions of the deported and expulsed Roma as a result of these restrictive laws, and about specificity of Romani internal courts and laws. We talked about the difference between the cultural background and political situation of Romani Travellers and Balkan Roma.

We also talked about Ronald Lee, one of the most renowned and influential Romani Canadian writer, linguist and activist based in Toronto, who was granted an honorary degree in 2014 by Queens University. We talked about his significant contribution towards the development of a critical political discourse regarding Roma (e.g. his participation in the 1971 First Romani World Congress in Orpington and the historical and political decision to use “Roma” as an umbrella term used to encompass different Romani communities), about his participation in the Kris Romani (Romani internal judicial assembly), or about his theoretical contribution to the reader Gypsy Law, the book that inspired Call the Witness project.

What became clear is the need for solidarity of Roma and with Roma vs. the clash within Roma communities regarding the differences in understanding ongoing political, identitarian and gender issues. The tensions between the traditional and conservative values to which most of the Romani communities currently still subscribe and the effect of such politics on women was already then one of the most relevant issues discussed during the internal three-day meeting with the present artists and activists.

Aside from the socio-political context of Roma the project proposals that used different media, genres and artistic strategies while reflecting on such urgent topics was addressed as one of the major departures for the panel discussions. Lynn and Hedina were some of the most active participants in the general discussion who contributed a lot to the gradual shaping of the overall project’s concept with the carefully articulated questions and arguments (although the project was already titled and had a general theoretical concept it still depended on different artistic practices for its completion).

Hungary, in Practice, Lynn Hutchinson Lee, paper, konnyaku paste, rice paste, block print

We were also discussing (particularly during the slots with the individual artists and teams) how to present the content of their own complex research and oral history project in a form of art installation, and how to contextualize their collective’s project in the general frame of the curatorial concept of Call the Witness. After the long discussion about how to combine the content and form, the artistic research with the poetic and the political aspects of the work, Canada Without Shadows was gradually developed into a 4-channel sound-art installation Canada Without Shadows).

Most importantly their project had nothing to do with the usual stereotypes of Roma as nomadic people moving around in caravans and settling only temporarily in various cities’ outskirts. Their professional collaboration and friendship took place on the backdrop of the war in ex-Yugoslavia and was motivated and informed by the displacements, deportations, and exile of Roma (both in Europe and Canada) in the 1990s and 2000s. More precisely both Lynn and Hedina were invested in researching the contradictions stemming from the continuous pursuit of collective identity of Roma groups that are paralleled with the quest of new subjectivity and individual positions of Romani women within their conservative communities and families. Thus the form of urban and natural soundscapes used in Canada Without Shadows consisting of overlaying poetry verses, written and spoken by the artists, and spoken testimonies of five displaced Hungarian Roma women who fled Europe to seek refuge in Canada, turned to be the most appropriate for the artists’ aims. A result of this was 'The Witness Project', a small book of testimonies of five Hungarian Romani women in Canada.

According to the artists the title of the project was linked with the assumption of the Roma refugees that Canada had no “shadows,” and thus it had attracted many Roma families to settle there (as did Lynn’s father long ago). However it soon became clear that the new legal hurdles prevented and still prevent many Roma from receiving the desired refugee status. In the wake of the new global political conundrums I feel that the Roma issues today resonate with the anticipatory results of this artistic research project and felt compelled to revisit it in this context exactly because this project reveals how the ongoing policy of displacement and deportation of Roma refugees and immigrants is easily “smuggled” under the label of nomadic history and culture of Roma. Canada Without Shadows went far beyond the stereotype of caravan.

NOTES

Lynn Hutchinson Lee (artist, Canada) (born 1946) and Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić (born 1960) together formed the chirikli collective (http://chiriklicollective.com/about-the-artists/). Hutchinson Lee is a painter, muralist, and multimedia artist based in Toronto. As a member of the artist collective Red Tree she has worked on various interdisciplinary, socially engaged, and cross-cultural projects: Scouring City, Brushing Sky (2009 – 2010), Shukar Lulugi (Beautiful Flower, 2007), and Loki Gili (Song of Sorrow, Song of Hope, 2006). She is also a member of Roma Community Centre. Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić is a writer, journalist, and educator. She previously worked as a journalist and producer for radio and TV in Sarajevo. Recent publications include: English-Romani/Romani-English dictionary, 2011 (forward Roland Lee); Romani-Bosnian/Bosnian-Romani dictionary (published by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2010); and Listen, feel pain/Ašun, haćar dukh (2007), a collection of poems.

Sigal Samuel, “There Is a Perception That Canada Is Being Invaded”, The Atlantic, 26.05. 2018, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/05/theres-a-perception-that-canada-is-being-invaded/561032/

Lynn Hutchinson Lee (artist, Canada) & Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić (artist, Bosnia and Herzegovina / Germany), Canada Without Shadows / Kanada Bizo Uchalipe, 2010–2011, 4-part sound installation, total running time 25:07 min., presented at Call the Witness-Roma Pavilion, Venice Biennale, 2011.

According to Lynn’s account of the beginning of their collaboration they first met in 1999 in Toronto, Canada. “Hedina had arrived here some months before we met, and had contacted Roma Community Centre. I was already on the board of directors of RCC. Hedina began to work on two projects right away: she was editor of our newsletter Romano Lil, the first Romani newsletter in Canada, and also edited Romane Mirikle (Romani Pearls, 1999), an anthology of poetry by Roma in Canada. I did the cover illustration for the book. She later used an image of mine for her subsequent anthology, Saro Paj/Like Water, 2009.” Quoted from a recent correspondence with Lynn Hutchinson Lee, 02 August, 2018.

Roland Lee, “The Rom-Vlach Gypsies and the Kris-Romani”, in Gypsy Law: Romani Legal Traditions and Culture, Berkeley, Walter O. Weyrauch, Ed. CA: University of California Press; 2001, pp. 188-230.

“The project eventually presented the results of the complex research in which the artists archived and juxtaposed various found and created sounds. The “whispering” voices convey the poetic transpositions of the promised imaginary land, Canada, starting from different subjective experiences of memories, cultural and ethnic displacement, precariousness, family joys and laments, and testimonies of shame. The sounds of the turning wheels of Lee’s family vardo (caravan) are intertwined with Sijerčić’s “dreams” of Romani children’s laughter, footsteps corresponding to elements in her poetry, and the sounds of bombs in the Bosnian Roma ghetto.” Suzana Milevska, Call the Witness (brochure), BAK: Utrecht, 2011.

“Hedina held written word workshops in which the women wrote their stories, and read them; I held printmaking workshops in which the women drew images and made block prints. From this work, we produced a small book. Our next project, proposed by Hedina, was the making of women's skirts. With a Toronto Arts Council grant, we held more writing and printmaking workshops with school children and Romani refugee women, and made a series of skirts from both paper (in Canada) and fabric (in Sarajevo.) The project, titled "Musaj te Dzav/ I Must Leave" was exhibited in Toronto in 2015 as part of the Opre Roma Festival.” Quoted from a recent correspondence with Lynn Hutchinson Lee, 02 August, 2018.

#roma #suzanamilevska #gender #genderassignment #feminism #Lynn Hutchinson Lee #Hedina Sijerčić #guest blogger

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omarhussainchicago · 10 months ago

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Rent Control in the Chicago Area

Rent control is a contentious issue in the Chicago area, reflecting broader national debates about housing affordability and tenant protections. As housing costs continue to rise, the push for rent control measures has gained momentum among advocates who argue that such policies are essential for ensuring affordable housing. However, opponents contend that rent control can lead to negative economic consequences, such as reduced investment in housing and deterioration of rental properties. This article explores the current state of rent control in Chicago, its potential impacts, and the arguments for and against its implementation says, Omar Hussain Chicago.

The Current State of Rent Control in Chicago

As of now, Chicago does not have rent control laws. In fact, rent control is prohibited throughout Illinois due to the Rent Control Preemption Act of 1997. This state law bans local governments from enacting rent control policies, effectively preventing cities like Chicago from regulating rental prices.

The Push for Rent Control

Advocates for rent control in Chicago argue that the policy is necessary to address the city’s housing affordability crisis. Key points of their argument include:

Rising Rent Costs:

1. Over the past decade, Chicago has seen significant increases in rental prices, particularly in popular neighborhoods. This trend has displaced long-term residents and made it difficult for low- and middle-income families to find affordable housing.

Tenant Stability:

2. Rent control can provide greater stability for tenants, allowing them to remain in their homes without the fear of sudden, unaffordable rent hikes. This stability is particularly important for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, and low-income families.

Economic Diversity:

3. By keeping rents affordable, rent control can help maintain the economic diversity of neighborhoods, preventing the displacement of lower-income residents and preserving the cultural and social fabric of communities.

Opposition to Rent Control

Opponents of rent control argue that the policy can lead to several unintended negative consequences, including:

Reduced Investment in Housing:

1. Critics contend that rent control can discourage property owners and developers from investing in new rental properties or maintaining existing ones. This can lead to a decrease in the overall quality and quantity of rental housing available.

Market Distortions:

2. Rent control can create market distortions, such as reduced mobility, where tenants are less likely to move due to artificially low rents. This can lead to a mismatch between housing supply and demand, exacerbating housing shortages in some areas.

Economic Inefficiencies:

3. Opponents argue that rent control can lead to economic inefficiencies, such as black markets for rental housing and reduced incentives for landlords to improve and maintain their properties.

Potential Impacts of Rent Control in Chicago

Omar Hussain Chicago: If Chicago were to implement rent control, the potential impacts could be far-reaching. Here are some of the key considerations:

Short-Term Relief vs. Long-Term Solutions:

1. Rent control could provide immediate relief to tenants facing high rents, but it may not address the underlying issues of housing supply and affordability. Long-term solutions might require broader measures, such as increased investment in affordable housing and changes to zoning laws.

Impact on Rental Market:

2. The introduction of rent control could lead to a tightening of the rental market, with fewer available units and potential decreases in the overall quality of rental housing. Landlords might be less inclined to invest in property maintenance and improvements, leading to a decline in housing standards.

Legal and Political Challenges:

3. Repealing the Rent Control Preemption Act and implementing rent control in Chicago would require significant political and legal efforts. Advocates would need to build broad coalitions and navigate complex legislative processes to achieve their goals.

Alternative Approaches

While rent control remains a polarizing issue, there are alternative approaches that can help address housing affordability in Chicago:

Increased Affordable Housing Development:

1. Investing in the development of affordable housing units can help meet the demand for low-cost housing without the potential downsides of rent control. This can be achieved through public-private partnerships, incentives for developers, and direct government funding.

Tenant Protections:

2. Strengthening tenant protections, such as eviction moratoriums, rent assistance programs, and legal aid for tenants, can provide relief without the need for rent control. These measures can help tenants remain in their homes and reduce the risk of displacement.

Zoning Reform:

3. Reforming zoning laws to allow for higher-density development and mixed-use neighborhoods can increase the supply of housing and reduce costs. By promoting more efficient land use, Chicago can accommodate more residents and provide more affordable housing options.

Omar Hussain Chicago: The debate over rent control in the Chicago area reflects broader concerns about housing affordability, tenant rights, and the role of government in regulating the rental market. While rent control offers potential benefits in terms of tenant stability and affordability, it also presents significant challenges and potential economic drawbacks. As Chicago grapples with these issues, a balanced approach that includes increased affordable housing development, strengthened tenant protections, and zoning reform may provide a more sustainable solution to the city’s housing crisis. Ultimately, the path forward will require careful consideration of the needs of tenants, landlords, and the broader community.

Originally Posted: https://omarhussainchicago.com/rent-control-in-the-chicago-area/

#rent control #Real Estate

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douglashonorscollege · 5 years ago

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Approaching the Right to a Healthy Environment through Analysis of Economy versus Environment in the Works of Hayao Miyazaki

... authored by Elijah Bergevin, assigned by Dr. Rebecca Pearson for her course The Right to a Healthy Environment

1.1 The Right to a Healthy Environment

The right to a healthy environment is an ideal under which human necessities -- and to an extent ecological well-being -- must be guaranteed through the establishment of systems which protect those necessities, make them available, and bring justice upon harmful contrarians. In the United States, citizens and industries are expected to preserve fair standards of clean air and water which are set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Legal action can be taken against parties which may abuse such standards. However, the US government is not held accountable to consistently address situations of polluted resources, nor is there any individual environmental responsibility expected of its citizens. (Boyd, 2012) Additionally, EPA “fair standards” are often disputed for their lack of the consideration of the most current scientific conclusions in health and environmental studies. In a true legal sense, the right to a healthy environment does not exist whatsoever in the United States for it has yet to be constitutionalized into the Bill of Rights. This is true, in fact, for a large proportion of countries on earth; 46 of 193 have absolutely no environmental provision in their founding documents today (Boyd, 2012). Therefore, nearly 25% of sovereign nations do not maintain the right to a healthy environment (although legislation may exist to provide some structure).

1.2 Environment vs Economy, Humanity vs Nature

An overarching theme in the fight for environmental protections, and the right to a healthy environment, is that of environment versus economy. In a political sense, this subject entails two distinct perspectives: 1) industry cannot remain competitive and successful if business is limited in ways to preserve the environment and natural resources, and 2) economic prosperity and environmental sustainability are not adverse concepts but very possibly mutually assuring. The primary stance is inarguably the dominant one in the majority of the western world, though there is nuance to the debate depending on context (Smith & Parsons, 2012).

Take for example, the developmental state of a nation. In global efforts to reduce climate change, developing countries usually show resistance to environmentally-preservative economic limitations as they “struggle to achieve basic material security” (Running, 2014). Natural resource extraction and short-term cheap systems of waste management may in fact be the only means of establishing meaningful GDP. In fairness, these same countries are usually responsible for a smaller portion of climate-changing sources, such as greenhouse gas emissions. However, they also carry the heavier burden of risk surrounding consequences of climate change as found in Katrina Running’s article “Towards climate justice.”

In contrast, more developed countries may contain politicians which tow the line for sustainability in industry, yet with larger corporations involved in the market of said state, it can be difficult to find legislative action which satisfies the government and those businesses employing its citizens. More specifically, in countries with flimsy protections controlling industry involvement in politics, it is all too normal for big-business to influence representatives, shape legislation, and thereby circumnavigate citizen positions on issues like sustainability and climate change. As US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently eloquated in the House Oversight Committee, any US official can legally campaign funded entirely by a special interest group, such as oil, and once elected be unlimited in their ability to deregulate laws around that industry for the gain of individuals and at the expense of the American people and environment.

Beyond this political framing of economy versus environment, there also exists a more loosely and artistically described parallel; humanity versus nature. It is a particularly pervasive ideal that, in the modern west, human activity and culture exists outside of the scope of nature (Smith & Parsons, 2012). The world around us, by this thinking, is but fuel for humanity to use for progress. However, this is shallow and historically uninformed rational. It is a rather recent development that humans have cultivated the ability to single-handedly control the resources of this globe and shape the nature of all other species’ environments. (Carson, 2015) Throughout the centuries, there lie examples of mankind contributing to a ecologically diverse settings, such as during the Edo period in Japan. There, human involvement in “the constant collection of leaves and wood kept the forest open and prevented succession to large trees and dense shade.” (Chan, 2015) Thus, we can observe the human role as a important part in the grand performance of “nature.” It is the challenge of today’s greatest minds to understand this relational truth and reintroduce the concept to the general public. This gauntlet of enlightenment has been championed by many scientists and activists, but it has found a particularly successful home in the hands of artists, such as those of Hayao Miyazaki and the Studio Ghibli team.

1.3 Studio Ghibli

Hayao Miyazaki was, until his recent retirement in 2013, the director of the Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli. The studio has produced a large collection of full length anime films, as well as an array of short specials, television series, and visuals for video games. These works are known worldwide and have received critical acclaim throughout the decades of the studio’s existence. Although each piece is complete and unique, there are undeniable themes which permeate all that Miyazaki touches: self-discovery, magic and fantasy, but most importantly environmental awareness and deep ecology. Miyazaki was profoundly moved by the reading of Sasuke Nakao’s book The Cultivation of Plants and the Origin of Agriculture from which Miyazaki reformed his Japanese identity and ideas on the human-nature relationship (Mumcu and Yilmaz, 2010). Nakao describes a similar early culture between peoples living in evergreen forests which is referred to as the “shiny-leaf culture” (Yamanaka, 2008). Under this lifestyle, “people depended on the forest and were anxious to coexist with it rather than destroy it” (Mumcu and Yilmaz, 2010). It is no surprise then that, owning this new self-enlightenment, Hayao Miyazaki flew into the scene of film production with his primary work Nausica and the Valley of the Wind (1984) which details a post-apocalyptic world overgrown with toxic forestry. The following year, Studio Ghibli was founded in full, and each film after has proudly touted motifs of environmental sustainability or irresponsibility, harmony or dystopia.

It is worth mention that a majority of Ghibli entertainment is marketed towards children and young adults, as is the dominant trend in the medium of animation. This is not inappropriate as many of the films feature younger protagonists, non-complex narratives, and bright visuals. However, to restrict intended audience to children is to ignore the ramifications these pieces may have upon adults. Michele J. Smith and Elizabeth Parsons write in their article, “Animating Child Activism” how environmental media “may function as a sop to the idea that it is now too late for adults, already entrenched in their lifestyles and beliefs, to adopt the challenge of changing themselves. Such a logic of displacement, or even the passing off of responsibility to the next generation to care about the environment, is perhaps one adults are reluctant to embrace in political and lifestyle choices.” Such is to say, the existence of pedagogy to involve and impassion young children in the fight to save their own future on this planet does not bar adult consumers from finding meaning and purpose in the same art to alter the status quo and create change for themselves as well as posterity.

1.4 Why this?

In this study, various productions of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli will be analyzed as mediums to approach environmentalism and the right to a healthy environment. Why address such lofty political and human rights issues in this manner? Succinctly, average citizens are uninformed or misinformed about the processes and rights relating to the environment. At Central Washington University, one survey revealed that only 27.3% of 110 participants were correctly informed on both the lack of the US right to a healthy environment and the EPA’s shortcomings in setting current health-science-based standards. But this is no indictment; the simple truth is that many people are not faced with the everyday realities and outcomes of poor waste management, excessive energy use, or irresponsible resource production. They are unaware of the role they play in the human-environment relationship. The same Central Washington University study found that a majority 65.3% of 49 students did not utilize reusable cutlery despite its general availability on campus. Instead, disposable plastic options were chosen, and added to the 32 million tons of plastic discarded each year in the United States. Those utensils then sit in landfills, unable to biodegrade, or are burned producing greenhouse gases and nominal energy output. (Gourmelon, 2015)

Even knowing such information -- as some of these students presumably do -- it can be difficult to interpret the immediate and personal costs of unsustainable actions, despite their impending existence. Research conducted by the National Round Table on the Economy and the Environment found in Canada concluded that climate change will soon present huge financial burdens to Canada and those costs “could escalate from roughly $5 billion per year in 2020 … to between $21 billion and $43 billion per year by the 2050s” (NRTEE, 2011). Cheap and disposable solutions now, will create complicated expensive problems later. This is where the disruptive aesthetics of design activism, such as that of Hayao Miyazaki’s, becomes valuable. As Melanie Chan writes in her article “Environmentalism and the Animated Landscape,” “Indeed [Miyazaki] films invite audiences to identify with different locations and characters, and more specifically tensions between animism, technology, and political power, in order to develop an emotional connection to the environmental concerns they represent.” Narrative media provides a human and accessible gateway to realizing systemic issues and plausible justice. It is therefore appropriate, and furthermore responsible, to analyze how Studio Ghibli invokes the human right to a healthy environment through its representations of economy and environment, humanity and nature.

2.1 Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea

Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea (2008) was a co-production of Studio Ghibli and Walt Disney Animations Studios. The film follows Ponyo, a supernatural daughter of the Ocean, in her adventure far from her home of the deep sea. After escaping the watchful eye of her father, goldfish-like Ponyo finds herself in a terribly polluted human harbor where she is swept into a drifting glass jar and washed ashore. Sōsuke, five-year-old son of a local sailor, discovers Ponyo and, upon feeding her some ham, transforms the minnow into a little girl. Ponyo’s father, the sorcerer Fujimoto, is appalled to learn of this change when he realizes that Ponyo has abandoned the ocean for the likes of humans, whom he knows only as destructors of nature. In his ultimate attempt to retrieve Ponyo, Fujimoto -- and his love, the Ocean -- elect to flood the earth. The town, in a single night, is leveled. Ponyo and Sōsuke are separated from Sōsuke’s mother and embark on a journey to find her. However, the Ocean locates Sōsuke’s mother first and strikes a deal: all damage will be reversed and Ponyo may remain as a human, but only if Sōsuke promises to love her forever. The boy agrees, and the film ends as the waters recede.

It is necessary to clarify that Ponyo does not immediately present itself as a flaming gauntlet for environmental reform. At first blush, Ponyo is about the wonder of the sea and the innocence of young love. Deeper analysis reveals more meaningful themes and calls for action against environmental pollution and irresponsible waste management. The assault on Ponyo by marine litter is the catalyzing event of conflict in the film. It is by this product of human carelessness that nature is quite personally harmed. Miyazaki moves from this moment to represent the autonomy of nature in the bodies of Fujimoto and the Ocean goddess. The two supernatural forces shift from corrective powers, purifying and protecting the sea, to avenging entities, punishing the earth for the abuse of their waters and the “capture” of their daughter.

This context parallels loosely to current issues of marine life damage. In 2010, an estimate of 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons of plastic made its way into the ocean. Currently, there is little evidence to support that human non-biodegradable waste in oceans are adverse to the biological health of marine organisms such as fish and birds. However, there is concern how the presence of such debris might restructure ecosystems by altering feeding practices or disabling species activity. Kara Lavender Law communicates some examples in her article ‘Plastics in the Marine Environment;’ “95% of 1,295 beached seabird carcasses in the North Sea contained plastic in their stomachs... and 83% of 626 North Atlantic whales examined in 29 years of sighting photographs had evidence of at least one entanglement in rope or netting.” In Ponyo, we are presented a visual and empathetic representation of this quandary as the goldfish-human is swept up in a garbage-trawler and caught in a glass jar, thereby separating her from her habitat and undeniably altering her life.

Rising sea levels are an another issue addressed by Ponyo. Industrial pollution and greenhouse gas productions have worked over the decades to increase global temperatures, specifically in Earth’s oceans. (US EPA, 2016) This heating is a likely cause of sea levels rising by an average of six hundredths of an inch each year since 1880 up until 2013. Rising waters have had tangible effects with global land loss, including the loss of twenty square miles of US coast to the Atlantic ocean since 1996. (US EPA, 2014) The flooding of Sōsuke’s harbor village is an extremely accelerated depiction of such land loss. These two human-environment relations of ocean pollution and rising sea levels in Ponyo are interesting in their different involvement of truly human characters as well as their aesthetics. While rising sea levels most definitely damage the state of Sōsuke’s home, the polluted waters of the harbor are not depicted as harmful to the humans. Rather, the personified Nature characters are most offended by the waste. It is only in this medium of film, where entities of the ocean can be humanized, that the pollution thereby is communicated as a “human” rights violation. As for aesthetics, note the scenes below of the marine trash are indeed unsightly with murky earth tones, communicating the distaste of human dumping in seas.

In contrast, the tone and palate of scenes as the town floods and after it has been submerged seek different goals. As the waves swell to swallow the village, the screen becomes darker and foreboding, but in the aftermath the viewer is subjected to vibrant and placid cuts of marine life peacefully existing in the same space as Sōsuke. This development serves as a portrait of the ocean’s wrath -- the threat of land loss -- but also its beauty and the synergy possible with humanity if it is treated with respect.

In its conclusion, Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea works to mediate the issues of marine pollution and rising sea levels through a contract between nature and humanity, where an oath to love the sea and respect its inhabitants as sovereign themselves (an oath to love Ponyo as a human) earns the people a second chance at a mutually beneficial relationship. This could be interpreted as the establishment of a right to clean waters and minimizing of climate changing sources. Let it be said, however, that this tradeoff is somewhat problematic. Primarily, there is no clear antagonizing human character in Ponyo and therefore it is too lax in its condemnation of pollution. Despite the clear statements blaming humankind as a whole -- “They spoil the sea; they treat your home like their empty black souls,” proclaims Fujimoto at 30:50 -- no single entity is ever confronted for unsustainable actions. Ponyo recommends systemic change but fails to identify any system.

2.2 My Neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) is a vignette on the life of Satsuki and Mei, two young girls who move to the rural countryside in order to better suit the needs of their sick mother. Surrounded by rice paddies and ancient trees, the sisters quickly fall in love with their new home. Since their professor father commutes daily to his university, and their mother is housed in a nearby hospital, Satsuki and Mei have ample time to explore their surrounding environment and one day encounter the forest spirit Totoro, who appears similar to a giant rabbit. The supernatural entity provides comfort for the girls with several adventures as they struggle to contemplate the possibility of a life without their mother. The narrative devices of Totoro are not extremely useful to the discussion of this film as environmental media. Totoro’s true value lies in its depiction of the beauty and unique sustainability of the setting satoyama landscape as well as the spiritual respect its characters have for the nature around them. The film aims to personify the gentle temper of nature through regal setting pieces, such as giant camphor tree that grows in the woods near the girls’ home, as well as through the forest spirits themselves -- animism that is customary in Japanese shintoism.

The mutually beneficial relationship between the nurturing environment and the humans that inhabit it demonstrates the values of deep ecology, humans as integral players in the cycles of nature.

Satoyama landscapes (the word ‘satoyama’ literally referring to hills and villages) are unique to the nation of Japan. Satoyama agricultural practices seek to effectively utilize rice paddy fields while conserving the original shape of the land by terracing irrigated sections. Similarly to the practices of aforementioned early “shiney-leaf culture,” satoyama systems promote a diversity of plant and animal life today to a level beyond what might be possible without human influence. In 2009, one study determined 5668 distinct species to be inhabiting Japan’s satoyama biospheres (Fukamachi, 2017). However, with the influx in population over the past century, and growing urbanization (not to mention the devastating effects of war in Japan), preservation of satoyama fields and forests has become difficult. Luckily, legislation has developed in recent years to counter these challenges, including the Act on Promotion of Development of Infrastructures for Leisure Stay in Rural Areas which highlighted green tourism in Japan. Notably, much of the movement to implement these laws stemmed from the cultural phenomena that was My Neighbor Totoro. (Yokohari and Bolthouse, 2011) Miyazaki even went as far as to establish the Totoro Home Country Foundation to rally support for preservation efforts.

Counter to Japan’s sustainability in agricultural production, much of America’s food industry practices are lacking in means of environmental preservation and effectiveness. The majority of such realities can be traced to governmental intervention in the past century to protect from economic disparities (Bowler, 2002). Whether the trade-off was appropriate is a separate discussion, but it stands that farming and ranching desperately require reform that can only be accomplished by legislative changes. Food farming subsidies today cost disproportionate amounts and create wasteful food surplus. Neither Japan nor the US have incorporated the right to a healthy environment in their constitutions. To take further queue from My Neighbor Totoro might permanently protect sustainability and cultural landscapes in Japan, establishing the right to dependable food sources for all citizens. The US would be wise to follow suit.

2.3 Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke (1997) opens on a secluded Japanese village sometime in the 15th century. The resident Emishi people are suddenly attacked one day by a nature deity turned demonic, and the Emishi prince Ashitaka is wounded and cursed as he slays the rampaging spirit. Doomed to die by the affliction, Ashitaka sets out to discover the origins of the demon’s fury and to “see with eyes unclouded by hate.” He soon finds himself in the midst of a war for a distant forest. Lady Eboshi, founder of the weapon forge staffed by lepers and sex worker called Irontown, has clear-cut large swaths of the area and angered the local spirits including the wolf god Moro and her adopted human daughter, San. Additionally, the emperor has demanded of Lady Eboshi the head of the Great Forest Spirit -- a human faced deer god -- believing it will grant him immortality. Much to Ashitaka’s horror, many forest spirits and humans are losing their lives to the conflict. When San infiltrates Irontown to kill Eboshi, Ashitaka steps in to stop the violence and is shot himself. San, feeling pity, whisks Ashitaka to the woods so the Great Forest Spirit may heal him. He is saved, but Eboshi has followed them to the Great Spirit and decapitates the beast. Instantly black ooze erupts from the headless body and it destroys all that it touches; the forest and Irontown are quickly dissolving. Ashitaka and San recapture the head and rejoin it to the body. The film ends as life returns to the valley and the war reaches a tentative conclusion -- Lady Eboshi elects to start over and build a better town while San retreats to the wilderness.

Mononoke is undoubtedly the Ghibli film with strongest themes of environmentalism and human rights. Hapless resource extraction and adjunct landscape degradation leads to impossible living conditions for anthropomorphized animals and humans, and even corrupts a few souls. There is little subtlety in the representation of nature as San and the animal spirits and the embodiment of human economy in Lady Eboshi and her iron workers. Less intuitive may be the audience-narrator relationship folded in Ashitaka, an empathetic character who respects the life and needs of both sides of the war. It should be noted that the entire narrative might succeed just as effectively without the prince’s presence; the war would still ensue, the Great Spirit would still be beheaded, the valley would still be wasted and resurrected. Thus, the inclusion of protagonist Ashitaka may be a queue to viewers that neither party is right to kill, and this is furthered by the uneasy conclusion of the film. Although both parties (San and Eboshi) maintain their lives, “the greater conflict between industry and nature is left unresolved.” (Thevenin, 2013) No one is proclaimed victor so the ends cannot justify the means.

Such tension is reminiscent of the struggles of indigenous people around the globe today where an array of industrial activities threaten their health as well as their access to clean water and air. Though there is obviously a wide diversity in lifestyle of separate indigenous groups, the disproportionate amount of environmental safety struggles affecting indigenous persons is likely due to their generally shared culture and tradition of living closely with the earth (Schlosberg & Caruthers, 2010). One such instance includes the Mayan Indigenous Communities of Toledo fight against logging and oil extraction in Belize. The community went before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights claiming the resource extraction violated their right to a healthy environment under the rights to life and health (Boyd, 2012). The court found these grounds valid and took action, however there are a slew of similar examples where justice was not served due to lack of established rights. This parallel might earn San and the forest inhabitants an effective change in the extraction of mineral ore by Irontown.

Conversely, the plight of Irontown residents is also cleverly posited in the film. Lady Eboshi’s havening on behalf of the sick and socially marginalized groups, and her intense loyalty to their well-being, communicates that she is indeed not devoid of good. Her emphasis of economic success over the preservation of the world around her entails complex layers of justification when done for those in need. In this manner, Irontown appears similar to a developing country where environmental ideals are generally sacrificed in order to supply basic human opportunities and material securities. However, to an issue of unsustainable forestry, there are current working models which ensure excellence in economy and environment. The US state of Oregon balances timber extraction with reforestation. Legislation specifies how, when, and where trees can be harvested and also when they must be replanted and regrown (OrigeonForests.org, n.d.). Establishing a right to sustainability of high-necessity resources could ensure such effective processes further than Oregon state borders.

Miyazaki works hard in Mononoke to depict the relationship between humanity and nature by animating contrasting scenes, beauty in synergy and distaste in conflict. The opening scenes of the Emishi village exemplify human respect for the environment, where terraced agriculture maintains the original form of the land and human structures intertwine with fauna.

In contrast, the atmosphere of Irontown -- where industry has no regard for the environment -- is drab and harsh in aesthetic. The audience is clearly presented the ugly results of clear-cutting. Almost no fauna is present to emphasize the lack of nature’s place at the table; humanity has attempted to dominate and yet the space in which the people must reside is now unclean and hazardous.

This difference can also be distinctly observed in the valley pans after the Great Forest Spirit has been decapitated, and after the head has been recollected. In the first scene nature has been further deprived by humanity, its greatest being treated as resource. In the second, humanity has finally yielded something back to its environment, and thus the valley re-blooms in opportunity.

One caveat in the representation of nature’s autonomy in both Princess Mononoke and Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea are the reactive and corrective characteristics employed. In both films, there is real danger to the environment that may make it uninhabitable for humans, though it is stemmed from human actions. In Ponyo, the citizens of the harbor town pollute the ocean and harm its wildlife. As vengeance, the Ocean god floods the city. In Mononoke, the citizens of Irontown irresponsibly extract all resources from the valley, and the Great Forest Spirit responds by trying to kill all beings in the valley. These depictions are useful as they artistically show pseudo-real effects of failing to protect human and nature’s rights to well-being. However, these allowances for the state of nature to perfectly self-correct are not extremely productive. The harbor un-floods in Ponyo, the valley re-blooms in Mononoke. These resolutions effectively undo the pedagogical work of each film by allowing the damage to be reversed (not endured or combated) by non-human hands. Although both films conclude with tentative allusions to a rights-based agreement being struck, this trait may not be practical in enlightening audiences to the realities of implementing the right to a healthy environment.

3.0 Conclusion

The right to a healthy environment is underrepresented in the founding documents of sovereign nations around the world despite its practical use to provide for the needs of human beings. Conflicts between interests in economic success and concern for environmental preservation may be a prominent source for this disconnect, but there are compromises that can ensure the best possible life for people and protect the spaces we inhabit. Artistic activism is one process through which we can better communicate and understand the costs of, and solutions to, unsustainable actions. Studio Ghibli demonstrates this through its films Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke in not only content but visual aesthetic choices that engage audiences and inspire empathy. Although film alone cannot amend the real issues we face on environmentalism today, it can inspire responsibility to create change such as establishing new rights for the benefit of all.

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