First one is of downtown, which still looks like that (without all the people, mind you. It's either abandoned or turned into Truman Show esque prop stage) and the second is probably of some neighborhood like a couple of miles from downtown.

I know it's a meme, and it's more or less accurate, but I will say I'm not a huge of using Detroit as a comedy bit when nearly everyone in the US constantly shits on it, usually with obvious racist undertones.

[–] Chronicon@hexbear.net 31 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

not a huge of using Detroit as a comedy bit when nearly everyone in the US constantly shits on it, usually with obvious racist undertones.

same tbh

and yeah, the downtown is empty af but not a bombed out wreck. I believe this is the intersection circa 2007:

and more recently:

the covered up windows, no loitering signs and security cameras are all really welcoming

[–] BashfulBob@hexbear.net 25 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

the covered up windows, no loitering signs and security cameras are all really welcoming

yeonmi-park In the Soviet State of Michigan, it no one is allowed to stop walking when outdoors. You are constantly monitored by the police and if you stop walking, you are arrested and beaten. In order to cover up these abuses, the state has made windows illegal.

[–] BakerBagel@midwest.social 20 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Pretty much every major downtown at this point. All American cities have been hollowed out by absurd rent and property values, leaving nothing but a veneer of shops for just the wealthiest of financers and brookers. Everything that made American cities unique and interesting is gone at this point, replaced by corporate franchises and luxury apartments that cost $5000 a month.

[–] Lussy@hexbear.net 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, unless it's New York, all decently sized American cities I've been to are like this. Utterly soulless/lifeless city centers surrounded by suburbs. I haven't been out west or to Chicago, those may be different and a bit more lively and city like the way New York is, but they're almost all the same.

[–] BakerBagel@midwest.social 5 points 2 months ago

I'm in Ohio and the small towns have thay character, but Cleveland, Cincinnati, and especially Columbus are like that.

[–] Chronicon@hexbear.net 19 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Oh and for extra fun, that part of detroit actually looks more or less fine today. idk when that pic is from (early 2000s?) but street view from 2013 to 2022 tells a different story

or 2011 on:

like that probably represents some significant gentrification as well and I have my problems with american city planning but detroit isn't really like it used to be and its not unique either, urban decay happened lots of places

The point being made about pyongyang is real though. despite incredible struggles its quite the glow up