Dog proof your christmas tree

This misappropriation continued after the fall of the Third Reich, though in a more muted form. Neo-Nazis—at least those not brazen enough to wear a swastika—tend to opt for less recognizable symbols. These include numbers representing “Heil Hitler” (88—H is the eighth letter of the alphabet) or “Aryan Brotherhood” (12—letters one and two). Far-right adherents also favor other characters from the Germanic runic writing system which communicate similar messages. … [Read more...] about Why far-right groups co-opt Norse symbols

But Hartl’s dystopian vision might not be that far off. Lower Manhattan became fortified after 9/11. One World Trade Center features bomb-proof concrete walls, and protective barricades are a common sight during daily life. Abroad, look no further than the U.S. embassy in London, and you’ll see it’s ensconced behind a semicircular pond (aka a moat). Terrorist attacks often lead to dramatic security measures. … [Read more...] about Designers reimagine the U.S. Capitol as a brutalist fortress

When we think of infrastructure, it’s almost always in terms of connection and exchange: roads, bridges, pipelines, telephone lines, waste sites. But walls (and fences) are one kind of infrastructure that, obviously, does not connect people. They have, of course, been tremendously important throughout history, from China to Berlin. Usually these walls are meant to keep people out (or shut people in), but sometimes they’re for wildlife. Probably the most famous example is Australia’s Rabbit-Proof Fence (actually several fences) that was supposed to exclude invasive rabbits. … [Read more...] about Border Walls Aren’t Just Political Objects—They’re Ecological Barriers, Too

Camouflage One of the most common symbols among rioters was camouflage as well as uniforms from previous eras of combat, including faded green helmets from World War II and Vietnam-era camouflage. Sanders says these outfits have become increasingly common among the far right as paramilitary militias devoted to white supremacy have grown tremendously since Obama’s first term. Sanders points out that not everyone who wears camouflage is in a militia, but this symbol ties them to the more militaristic wing of the far right movement. “They are trying to say that they are warriors for the white race,” says Sanders. “They’re saying they’re prepared for the fight ahead to support the purity of the white race and a white America.” … [Read more...] about Camo, flags, and the Kraken: Experts decode the symbols of the Capitol insurrectionists