Your article is already full of great suggestions.
Airbnb and digital nomads are such tiny factors, but so much blame is put on them. The issues of American imperialism homogenizing city centres and driving out local businesses and souls are so much deeper. Regulations that drive down renting prices or subsidies for local businesses that maintain the culture could be a solution, but sometimes, I think regulations are mere bandaids that won’t do anything to stop the cancer. Regulations won’t do much if our media promotes corporate takeover, homogenized food tastes, and a lack of real diversity. We need to stop being so addicted to the fabricated idea of comfort and convenience that American culture has spread across the globe.
Furthermore, the spread of hyper-individualism is embedded in stories we consume and even social-justice movements. We’re so focused on the self that no amount of regulations will fix the lack of community spirit. Luckily, as you point out, digital nomads don't have to add to the problem. We can mix a global mindset with local community building by collaborating with local businesses and refusing to consume our food, clothes, and information from big corporations.
İn Istanbul, as of Oct 2023, the government essentially banned giving foreigners residence permits if they're renting. İt's harsh but it does stop some of the predatory opportunism and entitled colonialist attitudes that many nomads do, imo often unwittingly, bring.
So many great lines here and very well researched. It's not easy to come up with such balanced solutions when the world is always insisting that there's no room for both.
Only by reigning in and restraining greed can cities avoid the fate of so many of our American cities. Miami, San Francisco, etc. serve as cautionary tales of the unchecked free markets at home and abroad.
Your article is already full of great suggestions.
Airbnb and digital nomads are such tiny factors, but so much blame is put on them. The issues of American imperialism homogenizing city centres and driving out local businesses and souls are so much deeper. Regulations that drive down renting prices or subsidies for local businesses that maintain the culture could be a solution, but sometimes, I think regulations are mere bandaids that won’t do anything to stop the cancer. Regulations won’t do much if our media promotes corporate takeover, homogenized food tastes, and a lack of real diversity. We need to stop being so addicted to the fabricated idea of comfort and convenience that American culture has spread across the globe.
Furthermore, the spread of hyper-individualism is embedded in stories we consume and even social-justice movements. We’re so focused on the self that no amount of regulations will fix the lack of community spirit. Luckily, as you point out, digital nomads don't have to add to the problem. We can mix a global mindset with local community building by collaborating with local businesses and refusing to consume our food, clothes, and information from big corporations.
İn Istanbul, as of Oct 2023, the government essentially banned giving foreigners residence permits if they're renting. İt's harsh but it does stop some of the predatory opportunism and entitled colonialist attitudes that many nomads do, imo often unwittingly, bring.
Love seeing such thoughtful critique and exploration, Lauren. Thanks for sharing!
So many great lines here and very well researched. It's not easy to come up with such balanced solutions when the world is always insisting that there's no room for both.
Thank you! These words mean a lot ❤️
Only by reigning in and restraining greed can cities avoid the fate of so many of our American cities. Miami, San Francisco, etc. serve as cautionary tales of the unchecked free markets at home and abroad.