• @blazeknave
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    210 months ago

    No way! That place was a shit hole until after 9/11 when tourists started coming exponentially more, right ahead of the mass gentrification. In the 90s my mom would whoop my ass if she found out I was hanging out up there after school. Bloomberg capitalized on things and really Disneyfied midtown.

    • @RubberElectrons
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      510 months ago

      Meh… It was already planned to Disney stylings by the tail end of Dinkins. Giuliani actually followed the plans though.

      • @blazeknave
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        110 months ago

        I get where you’re coming from. I’d just say that, not being abducted murder or robbed, is not the same as removing the peep shows. I’ll give you the change started earlier, but the actual conversion of tenants wasn’t until later.

        • @RubberElectrons
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          10 months ago

          Lol you don’t have to “give me” anything, both our eyes probably work just fine.

          The peep shows weren’t the thing that I’m bummed about, it was the wholesale destruction of anything underground. What’s NYC without the weird, interesting stores and people? Once the area gets washed out, why go?

          E: here’s a cool article on what these gentrifiers and other assclowns have in mind for places like NYC: https://www.honest-broker.com/p/14-warning-signs-that-you-are-living

          • @blazeknave
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            110 months ago

            Ugh that article hurt my soul. It encapsulates so much of what I’ve been thinking about lately. Have you heard Trent Reznor latest comments on making music?

            It feels like everything authentic is… over.

          • @blazeknave
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            110 months ago

            Speak for yourself, I’m wearing trifocals lmao

            Yeah, I think about moving back as a middle aged fulltime single parent… besides friends and family (which are major), there isn’t really a NYC around for me anymore.

            All the weird shit is just branded hipster bullshit now. And I’m too old to linger over nyu students at legit art galleries.

            I’m in SF (many years now) and coming up for air after the last few years looking for that kind of weird authenticity and it’s not here the same way either.

            Checking your link now

            • @RubberElectrons
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              110 months ago

              Well… Don’t worry too much. Money moves so that rich cities no longer are, the creatives move around so that centers of creativity aren’t (see Haight Ashbury), etc etc etc.

              Look for a spot with friends that calls to you. I miss Washington heights, now that I live a little south of LA. Gonna try Seattle out next, just following where the work is and where the people are.

              That said, I bet you’ll find something in NYC if you looked.

              • @blazeknave
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                110 months ago

                Yeah, I’m sure you’re right. I’m really enjoying our blue bubble coast these days. And TBH, the further from DC, the better.

                • @RubberElectrons
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                  110 months ago

                  There’s some cool weird stuff in sf, what about Folsom street fair, there’s the DNA lounge with Davidson underground music, etc… Lots of kids in the mix, but it’s your life too, fuck it.

                  • @blazeknave
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                    110 months ago

                    It’s def still SF, right? Same as NYC. There will always be defining characteristics. They’re just not pervasive in cities anymore with everyone so mobile.