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.
El Nino Damage
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.
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.
Flooded Theme Park
Can you believe it? When Hurricane Katrina laid waste to the whole region in 2005, this Louisiana theme park was completely flooded. Six Flags New Orleans never reopened, and in July of 2019, mayor LaToya Cantrell stated that they were considering demolishing the site altogether.
Thank goodness for drones. Just think of how much we’d be ignorant of if we didn’t have them to do our exploring for us! Even in the middle of the USA! Because would you just look at the theme park after the storm? The destruction is evident, yet there’s a strange new life to the park which now looks like an abandoned floating city.
The Arthur Kill Ship Graveyard
Did you know that right next to Staten Island there’s a ship graveyard hiding in plain sight? Ships that had been damaged would be kept there during the Second World War until they could be sold for scrap. But they never got to them all before abandoning the project. It’s so eerie that almost nobody ever visits.
Basically, in the middle of one of the world’s major cities, one of the most important tourist destinations on the planet, you can find such weird abandoned areas. Why travel to abandoned shipwreck sites in the ocean when maritime history is just a subway and ferry ride away? Who would believe it? Great photo, though.