this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2023
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A Boring Dystopia

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Pictures, Videos, Articles showing just how boring it is to live in a dystopic society, or with signs of a dystopic society.

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[–] Gigan@lemmy.world 143 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Micro-houses are cool. The minimal cost and maintenance is really appealing. Having to do it because everything else is unaffordable is not.

[–] the_q@lemmy.world 69 points 11 months ago (5 children)

It's even worse now that boutique builders are making tiny homes with aged cheddar wood and once in a century nails and crap. Houses in general should have never been made financial investments. It's shelter.

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[–] LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world 25 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It's normal to me, I've been living in a van for 3 years, I love everything about it, in fact I read your comment which reminded me this is a novel atypical lifestyle, which then reminds me that many people take exception to it, are uncomfortable that we exist, which is the only thing I don't like about this lifestyle, that mainstream society stigmatizes us.

But for those of us who get a thrill out of living tiny, and living anywhere/everywhere, and freedom from rent/mortgage, aaah this is FREEDOM

[–] Pseudonaut@lemmy.today 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'm glad you're happy. However, virtually no one else would be. I mean a statistical blip of humanity would be happy living in a van.

The reason I'm uncomfortable that you exist is that people I know who live out of their cars are mentally ill individuals who have convinced themselves that they enjoy something which is, very clearly, sad and terrible.

That may not be you, but I'd be willing to bet it's a majority of van-dwellers. It's just not a healthy lifestyle for most.

[–] LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

You're not wrong. ideally we van/RV people would love to have a house AND a travel option, but realistically money prevents most people from having everything they want,

so when it comes to choosing a lifestyle whether in a static location or freedom to travel, most people have to choose one or the other.

Life is difficult and full of challenges no matter what you do, so you might as well go all in on the one thing you'd prefer most, and just deal with all the pros & cons just like everything else in life.

And hey there are tons of sad confused mentally ill people who live in houses too. maybe the ones living in cars would have felt the same way living in a house, but they're saving hella money by not having to pay rent or mortgage. And money saved up over time, you know what that becomes? Money can indeed buy happiness.

[–] Krauerking@lemy.lol 55 points 11 months ago

This has so much more context needed. Like the dude is getting the land for free as a sorta art piece and doesn't, or didn't plan to do it long.

[–] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 39 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Kinda dystopian and depressing, but honestly some parts of it seem nicer than the houses he's neighbours with. I like how it's designed to not interfere with the skip lorry's cab.

E: How much is the porta potty rental?

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 12 points 11 months ago

How much is the porta potty rental?

I watched the video through and he says he gets it free and they empty it every week or so. I suppose it's good advertising for the company.

[–] Pseudonaut@lemmy.today 36 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Good for him, I guess, but ... I wouldn't want to live in that POS even if you paid me. These stories are so frustrating because they start to normalize that living in a shoebox is normal. It isn't. It's terrible.

[–] Something_Complex@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Well considering the Western world's comforts are here for us at the cost of poverty everywhere else. Hum idk maybe this should be a start in a moderate society.

One that has no rich fucks but also doesn't have poverty

[–] Simulation6@sopuli.xyz 2 points 11 months ago

Lot of poverty in the western world and lot of excessive wealth 'everywhere else'.

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[–] Boozilla@lemmy.world 32 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Why am I worried that some asshole developer is going to buy that little triangle of land out from under him, kick him off, and then just leave it unused for years. Maybe that sort of thing doesn't happen in the UK, but it sure AF would happen in the states.

[–] thecrotch@sh.itjust.works 25 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

From the article

"The land was granted to him by an arts charity called Antepavilion"

He owns the land. Doesn't stop the government from doing an eminent domain claim I guess but if they do he's going to get more than it's worth

[–] Boozilla@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

That's good. Thanks!

[–] Pseudonaut@lemmy.today 23 points 11 months ago

Everything about this is a nightmare.

[–] profdc9@lemmy.world 20 points 11 months ago

I never thought watching Sesame Street when I grew up that Oscar the Grouch is the future.

[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 14 points 11 months ago (1 children)

He’s got a nice sized lot there - could fit any number of more conventional options, including multi-family

[–] ExLisper@linux.community 15 points 11 months ago (1 children)

He can't get a permit. He doesn't need a permit for a dumpster. That's the whole story.

[–] jesuiscequejesuis@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

The lot isn't his, full stop.

[–] YurkshireLad@lemmy.ca 11 points 11 months ago (1 children)

So cool. I’m worried my house will be burgled. Surely he worries his house will be stolen? 😁

[–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 3 points 11 months ago

You just need to make it slightly harder to steal your house, when compared to the house next door.

[–] echodot@feddit.uk 9 points 11 months ago

It's not a dumpster it's a skip they're different things.

A dumpster is basically something you put trash in. A skip is what you put building waste in (rubble, bits of drywall), so firstly it's larger than you're thinking, if you're thinking of a dumpster. Seriously if you get in one it's kind of hard to get back out again without somebody helping you, they go at least five foot up. Secondly he's doing this to prove a point, and the point he's trying to prove is that he's a belligerent idiot, and he's proving it very well. It's not that homes in London are expensive, although they are, his "problem" is that what he wants to do isn't legal (he wants to live in a caravan on that plot of land and it isn't zoned for that), so he's doing this instead as a loophole. It isn't some protest against home prices in London or anything noble like that.

However the media lap it up and he's quite happy to make use of it to further his cause of being an annoying pain.

[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Bro just live in a van. You can drive to different places and park for free.

[–] Blackmist@feddit.uk 6 points 11 months ago

It's an art project.

Plus if he lived in a caravan, people would just assume he's a traveller and have the council move him on.

[–] diskmaster23@lemmy.one 3 points 11 months ago

It's so great that our society has declined so much that it's basically like living in a third world country like, the Bahamas.

[–] LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

he's incredibly intelligent & handy to think this up, get all the bureaucratic approval, and build it from raw materials, INCREDIBLY CLEVER, so I sincerely hope he finds companionship with a kindred like-minded activist, because at the end of the day, nights get lonely.

I wonder what kind of woman would be attracted to a man who lives in a dumpster, would want to be his companion living in there with him, and fucking each other in a literal dumpster.

Because hear me out, I understand he's incredibly intelligent & handy to think this up, get all the bureaucratic approval, and build it from raw materials, INCREDIBLY CLEVER, so I sincerely hope he finds companionship with a kindred like-minded activist, because at the end of the day, nights get lonely.

[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 12 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world 9 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

sure you scowl or whatever but I'm a woman and I live in a van and this is a very real concern. not throwing shade at him. empathizing with him, in fact he's doing much better in life than I am. Because he has a great mind and great skills and a great job, He's industrious, he's going to do great in life.

every day there's this underlying angst in my mind replaying over and over again, "I would not be attracted to the kind of person who might be attracted to me living this way."

You know what I mean?

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

every day there's this underlying angst in my mind replaying over and over again, "I would not be attracted to the kind of person who might be attracted to me living this way."

I guess what you're looking for is someone who likes you enough not to care then rather than someone actively attracted to you living that way if that makes sense.

My wife was a single mum living in a pretty shitty apartment when we met initially. We're married 19 years now. I adopted that lovely boy and we have a heap more kids together. She's a beautiful soul and that's what I was looking for in life. Many people just look past things like your current living arrangement if you're right for them is what I'm saying I suppose.

[–] LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Very well said.

Congrats on your happiness.

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

Thank you. :) It's not all sunshine and roses all the time. That's life, but you know... It's good.

I hope you find the right person for snuggles.

[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 2 points 11 months ago (2 children)

You really went into detail fantasising about someone having sex with him..... Like I get saying "Oh I hope he finds love" but you like.... Really went into detail???

[–] LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

He's living in a literal dumpster. We're in a discussion forum here and we're free to explore everything that comes to our minds. So someone needs to point out the elephant in the room. If he takes someone to his bed, they'd be literally fucking in a dumpster. Everyone's thinking it, but no one saying it, so let's talk about it.

[–] LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago

Oh come on, why did you say "fantasizing?" Do you "fantasize" when you think for a moment about Grandma and Grandpa, they've produced at least one child who produced you, right? You don't want to picture it but you do for a second. It's just human nature then you move on. We don't "fantasize" about any of that, that's the wrong word here.

[–] Cannizzaro@feddit.ch 1 points 11 months ago

Hahaha this comment got me

[–] Cannizzaro@feddit.ch 3 points 11 months ago

A few years back i remember reading on quora that you can rent a single bedroom apartment for $400 easily there. looks like times have changed

[–] atfergs@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Why didn't he build a house instead?

[–] Mamertine@lemmy.world 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Where can you build a house for $5,000?

[–] atfergs@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

Just poking fun at the headline. He didn't build a dumpster. He built a house out of a dumpster.

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