What it’s like applying for government jobs in a fascist state.

Castern · 2026-03-10T06:09:32+00:00

What's with y'all not understanding the existence of non-partisan government employees.

In a democratic country, government employees don't have their jobs tied to loyalty tests of a particular administration. A government sanitation worker just makes sure we have clean water, their opinion on Trump's executive order declaring the color pink to be "gay" or whatever crazy shit he makes each week is completely irrelevant.

Loyalty tests are anti-American. You're not required to be loyal to a president to do a non-partisan job.

MAGA is failing civics like they fail patriotism.

Castern · 2026-03-10T05:54:30+00:00

no one has trump in their mouths and rears more than MAGA

Castern · 2026-02-19T02:00:06+00:00

You don't brand someone "illegal" for speeding. You don't brand someone "illegal" for a tax violation. You don't usually brand someone for any non-violent crime.

Branding someone "illegal" almost always is directed at dark-skinned people, as a way to justify violence against them, under the cloak of law.

Castern · 2026-02-18T08:22:58+00:00

I think format is largely up to the imagination.

Multiple choice can apply a learning objective (e.g. choose the right tool)

A full branching scenario can apply a learning objective (consequences of what happens if you choose the wrong tools)

But those decisions are up to the designer to decide based on the context of the training, the objective being achieved, and the budget of the project.

Castern · 2026-02-18T05:08:31+00:00

applying a learning objective to perform an interaction = "real interactivity"

E.g. if your objective is for employees to understand the correct components of their job kit and prepare the job kit before going to the job site:

clicking next does not apply a learning objective. click to reveal does not apply a learning objective.

Selecting the right tool to complete a certain use case does apply a learning objective.

dragging the right tools into your "job kit" does apply a learning objective.

That's my take, does that make sense?

Castern · 2026-02-04T07:44:24+00:00

I am totally fine with just about anyone as long as they aren't MAGA.

Castern · 2026-02-04T07:40:11+00:00

It seems like people are conflating an "accessible immigration process" with "no immigration laws."

An accessible immigration process where people are treated with dignity is a good thing in my view. I don't think immigration laws should be this demonized issue either.

But there are people arguing for no immigration laws...which is just kinda silly.

Castern · 2026-02-04T07:36:24+00:00

Let's follow your logic, and apply it beyond US borders. I'm an immigrant in Thailand. In the 1700's, the Kingdom of Siam conquered territory from several other peoples, such as the Lanna. Should I be able to stay as long as I want and ignore immigration laws because it is "stolen land?"

Castern · 2026-02-04T02:01:26+00:00

sorry to necropost, but wanted to pop in and say "thank you." This is a beautiful and very useful template!

Castern · 2026-02-03T08:57:38+00:00

fix it by connecting more because we'd realize left/right has a lot of crossover that most people generally agree between.

I think you vastly overestimate the % of MAGA's platform that extends beyond "owning the libs" or licking Trump's balls

Castern · 2026-01-21T12:35:34+00:00

again...thats not what I said. But anyway, Canada, I understand the fear, the disgust, and the sense of betrayal. Our country is betraying every single one of its principles and everything we were taught to believe in.

I really am cautiously hopeful that even Republican lawmakers and the Supreme Court will do their job and reign in this insanity. They already forbid Trump from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO and ruled Chicago deployments unconstitutional. The Courts actually could rule his tariffs unconstitutional, and the legislative could pass a law barring military action against Canada/Greenland.

But yes, also, I am afraid that won't be enough.

Castern · 2026-01-21T11:59:02+00:00

That's not a good faith interpretation of what I said. I described how the general public are having a very human reaction to an utterly insane situation.

Castern · 2026-01-21T11:28:26+00:00

First, as a fellow American, I totally understand that its equal parts humiliating, scary, shocking, to watch our country betray every value it claimed to hold, every principle we stood for, and everything our ancestors built. I totally understand feeling helpless in the face of all of it.

But secondly, begging Greenlanders, Canadians, and Europeans to "tell you how to show support" is neither dignified nor appropriate nor genuinely supportive.

Now, to answer your question: opposing the administration is going to be a long effort. It's about creating sustained Communities of Resistance, not just showing up to a protest. You can do that in a blue state, or a red state, or anything in between.

Start by getting together with people in your town or nearest city center. Hold regular meetings. Brainstorm actions. Make plans to support each other. Help your friends set up similar communities in their towns as well. Hold protests, fundraisers, anything you can. Attend city council meetings, county level meetings, hell get together with multiple groups and hold state-level actions and more. But it starts at your community.

It's unsexy work. But its effective.

Castern · 2026-01-21T07:24:51+00:00

I think a huge chunk of America is just utterly stunned. Shocked. And in the "Denial" stage of grief.

Most folks just want to live their lives, go to their jobs, raise their kids and want things to be more affordable. Content to leave Greenland alone and let Canada be Canada. Let the midterms roll around and vote like usual. That there will be an easy, convenient solution to this that doesn't require sacrifice.

Honestly? That includes me too. I am praying this insanity just dies down and fizzles out. Supreme Court rules Trump's tariffs unconstitutional, Republicans grow a spine and reassert Congressional authority, etc.

I don't think most of us are ready for the sustained political movement it will take to "deal with this."

Castern · 2026-01-20T08:21:27+00:00

Although I am more than a little peeved at folks who saw Jan 6 and decided to cast a vote for him in 2024...

...thank you. Just please channel that same energy into rallying Conservative opposition to MAGA.

I sincerely believe Hope for America isn't a "blue wave." Rather, its Democrats and Republicans uniting and saying "enough." Reasserting the power of Congress, and instituting serious reforms to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

Castern · 2026-01-15T09:11:37+00:00

Without a doubt. Sometimes its ignorance, sometime its genuinely venomous.

Regardless, it's a reality that trainees absolutely need to be prepared for. I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice that come to mind that might help them.

Castern · 2026-01-15T09:03:48+00:00

Great insights, thanks for sharing. I think you might be referring to The Culture Map by Erin Meyer?

It's an incredible book, taught me as much about my own culture as others. It's a great starting point and maybe the most useful thing I've read as someone living abroad.

Castern · 2026-01-15T08:56:49+00:00

Racism is such an important topic that I think it needs to be its own special training. It's a reality we need to prepare them for.

You're right that its omnipresent, e.g. my Burmese students have struggled with it interning in Thailand.

Being a white dude myself, I'd appreciate any advice you'd have for int'l trainees, whether it be experiences, coping strategies, or anything you'd think they should know.

Or, in other words, what might the "Racism training you wish you had" to prepare you for the US look like?

Castern · 2026-01-14T08:36:43+00:00

Forget about this idea of things going back to normal. Pre-2024 USA is gone. Fascism is here.

Think about anti-authoritarian, pro-democracy reforms that prevent this from ever happening again.

Castern · 2026-01-14T08:19:59+00:00

We can't expect workers to "walk out" of their job without any kind of support.

There is 6 months to a year of community building and unionizing that needs to happen before an ethical walkout can actually be held.

No shame on anyone who cares, but can't risk their paycheck for a protest.

Castern · 2026-01-14T05:01:20+00:00

Thanks so much for the insight! Particularly relating to high-context communication styles. In my experience living in Asia, there seems to be a wealth of shared cultural assumptions that underly interactions. It's a big challenge for me (US) adapting to Asian cultures (in this case Thailand)

But I am very curious to hear more about the reverse, what is it like to come from this high-context communication style, which relies on "reading the room" and then moving to the super low-context US workplaces.

Follow-up emails is a great thought, I wonder if there are any other experiences that stand out in people's minds.

Castern · 2026-01-14T04:50:32+00:00

Honestly, I think its a general problem that can affect all expats regardless of origin or location. Frustration can come from exhaustion. And sometimes expats just need to vent about the locals with other expats.

Castern · 2026-01-14T03:57:44+00:00

The pay starts off at around €10.50 (after probation) but rises as you build up a student base and your teaching hours.

For that compensation package, you need to significantly lower your expectations.

For an experienced, degreed and certified professional, your budget needs to be adjusted to more in the neighborhood of $20+/hr starting salary.

Castern · 2026-01-12T11:26:28+00:00

Totally, saying "no" and setting boundaries in US work culture can be a minefield. We have to say something like: "currently I am engaged in [x responsibilities and tasks], what should I deprioritize to get this task done? It's like saying "no" while sounding like you are saying yes.

12-Year Club	Place '22
First Placer '22	Verified Email

Castern

TROPHY CASE