In this frightening photo, you see the continuing undermining of a neighborhood due to the El Nino weather phenomenon. The residents understandably had to evacuate the area. It would come as no surprise if it all collapses into the sea any day now. Nature, you scary! Nothing like seeing the incredibly destructive power of nature to help put us little humans in our place.
On the other hand, we can see it as an opportunity to invent new ways of mitigating the damage. But opportunities mean little without meaningful intention and action. We mourn tragedy, only to resort to rampantly destructive ways when the dust settles. Photos such as this serve to jog collective amnesia.
Diamond Mine
In the very middle of a town in South Africa sits this ugly gigantic diamond mine. You can see how the buildings stand right up to the edge of the dropoff. Insane. We wonder what it's like to live right next to such an enormous pit? This drone footage certainly gives us a new perspective on life.
Hopefully, human ingenuity will help ameliorate some of these problems. The diamond mine is also a reminder of how beauty and ugliness co-exist, often right next to each other. Such is the world we live in. Sometimes it needs taking a step back and a different perspective to see it.
The Silverdome
The Detroit Lions football team used to play at the now dilapidated Silverdome until the new Ford Field was completed in 2002. In the meantime, it has gone through multiple owners and even gutted of anything that could be sold for scrap. A drone took this photo after the collapse of the stadium’s domed roof.
The dilapidated Silverdome had become synonymous with Detroit city’s troubles. This once great stadium was set for demolition in 2017. By then, the place was completely abandoned, like a film setting for an eerie Zombie apocalypse. While some people clung to the nostalgia, others refused to shed tears for the building that they believed was an “embarrassment” and an eyesore.
The Aftermath in Mosul
It might be hard to tell, but what you’re seeing in this drone photo was at one time a historic mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul. Built in the 12th century, it was the spiritual home for generations of Muslims until its 2017 destruction by ISIS. Not content with demolishing the mosque, they also destroyed much of the surrounding city.
Occupying much of historical Mesopotamia, Iraq rests upon the very cradle of civilization. But it is a troubled part of the world today, and as always it is the innocent that pay the price. Here’s hoping for better times.
Hong Kong from Above
How crazy is this? How did they fit so many huge buildings in this tiny space? It’s a little bit dizzying and overwhelming looking down on this drone scene. Hong Kong has been the poster child for ultra-modern cities for so long, it’s incredible how they never seem to fall behind.
And what a view we get in this photo from the drone! The city looks remarkably planned - every structure and building in its perfect place like the most satisfying puzzle. No odds and ends sticking out here, but a meticulous use of space that’s almost a meditative experience.