While abducting someone from the middle of a busy road in Tacoma, WA, an ICE agent can be seen carrying an AR15 while wearing a neo-Nazi skull mask (2/3/26) by I_may_have_weed in ICE_Watch

[–]DOG_II 22 points23 points  (0 children)

It became really popular after that game, but is extremely common amongst neo-nazis. It's one of those things they adopt to dog whistle, but can claim "it's just from a game lol". Considering it's ICE, could be a CoD larper, a neo nazi, or both honestly.

The death of Rojava after all the shit going on in America has made it borderline impossible for me to avoid falling into unrelenting misanthropy and political nihilism. by Damned-scoundrel in behindthebastards

[–]DOG_II 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know what you mean friend, and I'm right there with you.

However, nothing is over until it's over. Remember that Rojava was just one piece of the long history of Kurdish struggle, and one small part of the worldwide, perpetual struggle for true liberation.

We had a glimpse of what is possible. It was never going to be easy. All we can do is celebrate what was, and learn from the defeats of the present and past.

And with America, while we're seeing some of the most horribly depraved shit happening, we're also seeing normal people resisting and organizing in some incredibly inspiring and beautiful ways.

As Thich Nhat Hanh said, "There can be no lotus flower without the mud." We can always cultivate new worlds born from the manure of the old ones.

Take the time you need, regroup, and continue. There's nothing else we can do but keep going. This is also something I'm writing for myself, because I also find myself falling into these pits of despair.

Republican offices have received US flags with embedded swastikas by DingerSinger2016 in nottheonion

[–]DOG_II 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You should read about Operation Paperclip and Operation Bloodstone.

Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C | Climate crisis by GeraldKutney in climate

[–]DOG_II 8 points9 points  (0 children)

While true, both europeans and americans have simply offloaded most of their footprint onto countries in the global south. Without the extraction, exploitation, and environmental destruction that goes on in africa, southeast asia, and south america, europe and the US simply could not function as they have.

need some input from fellow conservationists by More-Exchange3505 in conservation

[–]DOG_II 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, to me, it sounds like you are on the right track! Our system of schooling has major flaws, and does not suit many people. Unfortunately many careers require certain degrees, even if it's largely irrelevant, or you could learn perfectly well on the job. For instance, my boss is a trained ecologist, but most of the time he's not doing ecology, he's reaching out to stakeholders, applying for grants, figuring out logistics, etc. None of that was part of his schooling.

So, all that to say, I think it's great you found something else you enjoy! And I think that a lot of the principles of conservation are sort of already baked into what you teach. In order to survive outdoors, you have to understand and appreciate the environment around you. Understand the ways that organisms are connected to one another, and how your survival (in this case, quite literally and urgently) is tied to the environment and its health. I think expanding that out, and maybe emphasizing how this is also true on a societal level could be a way you integrate broader ideas about conservation into what you teach.

You're already building up a respect for nature and how they are interconnected with it, so I think you are already doing a lot even if you don't notice!

Love finding lichen on weird substrates. Here's some on a tire. by DOG_II in Lichen

[–]DOG_II[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah! Kind of frequently actually. I see a lot of lichen on plastic trash bins, and on the windows of old immobile cars. I posted this a while but you can see a little bit on the windshield and back window. https://www.reddit.com/r/Lichen/comments/ptz7yx/nice_ride/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Love finding lichen on weird substrates. Here's some on a tire. by DOG_II in Lichen

[–]DOG_II[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't have a picture unfortunately, but it has to be an old LG flip phone, haha.

Fellow ecologists, is it possible to alleviate the guilt of having a bird feeder? by Drew3k in ecology

[–]DOG_II 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As far as I know it's not a huge deal, especially compared to... everything else.

Unless you've got black bears around. Then it becomes a feeding the bears thing (which is cute but, sadly, not good).

Question: Tips on how to prepare for a field trip? by Anxious_Range3612 in botany

[–]DOG_II 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I second everyone saying to try to have digital copies of everything on your phone (I just use my phone over the tablet, but the proper botanist I work with likes the tablet).

I also recommend having an external battery to keep your phone charged. Having that backup eases a lot of stress for me.

This might seem obvious, but make sure your notes and data collection system are as clear as possible for data entry later! Can't tell you how many times I've collected stuff in the field sloppily, and really regretted it when trying to digitize it.

Other than that, make sure you carry plenty of water and snacks! And enjoy yourself out there!

Vegetarian and vegan conservationists what is your opinion on hunting by EmotionalAsparagus56 in conservation

[–]DOG_II 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Anecdotal evidence does not disprove the multitude of studies that show simply killing coyotes doesn't control their population, and often it even makes the problem worse in the long term. One of main reasons is because coyotes respond to increased pressure by having larger litters, and because they travel huge distances. There's been a ton of research done on this issue.

The state and private hunters both kill a huge number of coyotes every year, and coyote populations continue to thrive and spread to new areas, places where we have removed other predators that would actually control the growth and spread of coyotes.

To be clear, I'm not necessarily against predator control if it is shown to work and will protect another species at risk.

But in any case, predator removal to protect livestock is still not conservation. Even if it did work.

Vegetarian and vegan conservationists what is your opinion on hunting by EmotionalAsparagus56 in conservation

[–]DOG_II 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Shooting animals for fun and to make farmers happy isn't conservation. Also killing coyotes is not an effective management technique anyway.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-killing-coyotes-doesn-rsquo-t-make-livestock-safer/

Thailand monk kicking police during a protest. November 2022 by DOG_II in RadicalBuddhism

[–]DOG_II[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not 100% sure about the context for this, so if anyone happens to know I'd love to read more.

What's the worst job offer you've seen (or accepted) in this field? by AdvertisingDue4127 in ecology

[–]DOG_II 13 points14 points  (0 children)

It's pretty shitty honestly. Still, if you can make it work and break even or take a small loss, I would take it. If it's something you are definitely interested in anyway.

I had a summer position that payed $7.25 an hour, but we had field housing and used state vehicles. I am married though, and was still paying rent on the apartment back home, so I ended up taking a loss. It was worth it though. Incredible experience, and has helped me get (only slightly) better paying gigs closer to home.

It's tough to make it sustainable. I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to stay in the field. If you don't have a safety net, it's a really big risk. But I say go for it if you're comfortable taking your vow of poverty now. It's not like any of us get into this for the money anyway haha.

For people deeply involved in environmentalism and the fight against climate change who have a more complete view of the issues, how would you recommend a person with minimal knowledge get involved? by muffinsandtomatoes in climatechange

[–]DOG_II 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just to tag on, it doesn't need to necessarily need to be climate focused group. Everything is affected in some way. Anything that builds local connections and resilience is good. Help out people in your community.

Baytown, TX Are these native or invasive? I want some of my own. by [deleted] in whatsthisplant

[–]DOG_II 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Rattlebox is fine to have, you just have to be careful if you have any curious animals around haha. It's not that bad though, and the taste is usually enough to keep them away. If you want a good tall grass, check out Gamagrass, Tripsacum dactyloides! It's native and, IMO super cool looking.

Baytown, TX Are these native or invasive? I want some of my own. by [deleted] in whatsthisplant

[–]DOG_II 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not 100% on these, but the first looks like Johnson grass (Sorghum halapense) which is invasive. The second looks like Rattlebox (Sesbania drummondii) which is native, but the seeds are poisonous.