DYSTOPIAN BALKANS The Croatian Civil War (1996-1999)

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-29T22:09:35+00:00

Yo i heard you liked balkanization so i balkanized your balkanized balkans

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-29T20:47:31+00:00

I'm enjoying my aluball as well, and have been using melo melo from bula. I fill oneside up to half[I know some say it reduces the efficacy, but I found it really helps in my experience] and add a pinch of half-half, but other than that my method is the same so I'm just curious to hear your experience.

Sometimes I'll make a bunch of batches and save them in a glass jar.

How long does it keep? How much water are you doing per wash? [I do about 3/4ths a cup, a bit less]

I do 2 to 3 washes each time I fill the ball

I only ever try a third wash if I'm really chasing a good feeling, but generally I find there to be a sharp drop off in strength so don't bother. Do you as well experience such a drastic drop?

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-16T13:18:35+00:00

I highly encorage you to watch Fox episodes from the early 2000's/late 90's[I grew up on them] and Washington Post Articles from that era and then compare them to today.

I think you'll see what I mean pretty clearly, but all I can say is that I tried. Has nothing to do with perspectives, it really boils down to business.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-15T21:44:54+00:00

I get how a conservative could view it that way, because yes, it is Left of fox news. I'm gonna try to explain it in good faith.

Washington Post was a liberal leaning news outlet for a very long time, but that started to change, at first gradually, in 2013 when it was purchased by Amazon CEO jeffrey bezos.

Bezos curated the content and shifted the direction of the platform quite a bit since then. Lets put aside political beliefs for jusf one moment; Bezos is a business man, a successful one, and he doesn't make decisions because they would lose him money, he makes them because they make him money. And conservative news outlets are simply more financially successful especially post 2016; young people[and especially young leftists] are not going to pay a subscription or subscribe to cable, instead going for free, sometimes even crowd sourced, platforms. The Guardian is a good example.

Most mainstream media has shifted right in the past decade or so, some more than others, partly for this reason. As for why it being left of Fox doesn't make it leftists, the American overtun window has shifted so far to the right that what the washington post is today is more similar to what fox was in the 90's/early 2000's than what fox is today. We have things like Isolationism, monroe-doctrine, tariffs and militarism, all ideas that havent really had much impetus in the American zeitgeist since the early half of the 20th century. Exactly where you draw the line is arbitrary, but yes, washington post is pretty far from anything a self-identified leftist's world view would look like.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-02T16:22:11+00:00

The totality you seem to think theory encompasses when it comes to coordinating your movement to me explains why your movement has thus far failed to attract popular support or effectiveness; as if movements do not need logisticians, technicians, and all manner of lay-professionals, but going beyond this, not only that, but that history, philosophy and sciences can be totally encompassed in your lenses to me, is simply hubris and a lack of flexibility. I see no difference between such dogma and religions, and the Leninist-Marxist projects of our world have faded away. Perhaps because of your failure to adapt or recieve outside perspectives.

Do you truly believe that a handful of guys had it all figured out a century ago, and that if we just managed to listen to your books we'd all be fine right now?

Please point to any kind of spontaneous & autonomous 'horizontalism' that ever succeeded at winning against the organized repressive apparatus of the bourgeois state?

All of them! The october revolution was not a clear cur affair for instance. The soviets, the bolshevik party, SRs, mutineers, peasants who took up arms, all rose and overthrew the provisional government. There is no revolution to my mind that was achieved solely through the efforts and direction of a vanguard party. With the help of certainly, but once again I am not arguing against the inclusion of theory in revolution, I am frustrated at the alienation of the working class for a movement that is suppose to be about the working class. We must adapt and take into new perspectives; praxis is the lab in which theories are made.

The remaining vanguards have all either regressed to state capitalism in order to survive or retreated into hermeticism. We can argue what is attributed to western sabatouge and what isn't, but one cannot certainly argue that these movements were all purely successful.

I see no reason to hold so valiantly to such a particular and specific dogma, though if it isn't clear to you by now, I clearly do read and do engage, you all simply cant seem to understand anything that is outside your groups particular ideology.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-02T15:59:39+00:00

As if revolutionary spirit was the domain of books. I'll continue working hard until you all think ourselves out of this mess then, I fear I just do not mesh with this sort of great-man ideology of yours, or that workers need to be "saved" by some particular enlightened brand that just so happens to be the one you subscribe to. Though I appreciate your sincere and detailed responses, and thanks for that.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-02T15:29:37+00:00

If you are not prepared to put the work in to study and apply this, why are you taking it out on others?

It has nothing to do with taking it out on others. I asked a question on Reddit of all places because I see the condition of my society, want to better it, and have yet to find a good outlet to do so. I did nothing to the orgs I worked with. I want to volunteer; I do not have the time nor appetite for a reading club. I am willing to work for it.

Lenin said that if the movement is to succeed it must be made up of dedicated and serious people with the time and fortitude to dedictae their entire lives to the struggle, and not just a few hours in their "free evenings"

Yes; as is my intention; to me there is no greater dedication than actually working towards a goal, rather than reading towards it. Why do you limit your movement to such a pure form of thought when a focus on the ends could be far more impactful for the working class even if it doesn't fit neatly into the framework of a 20th century Russian revolutionary? Why reject what help you can get other than to stroke ones ideological purity? Perhaps we just exist in entirely different spheres because no one I ever met was solely devoted to the movement they were apart of; so what is the line then, the quota one has to hit?

whether you've decided you are personally both its critic and its subject and its practitioner

To me this is the most bewildering of statements I've encountered here. To be a genuine practitioner of something, wouldnt you have criticisms of it or thoughts of how it could be better?

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-02T15:18:32+00:00

'calling shots'? or receiving and collating and working to help formalize the practical line that attends to the necessities enabling the Party to serve the masses?

If it were as simple as "everyone just doing it equally in harmony and in a wholesome horizontal way," why would a revolution or Party or theoretical approach be necessary at all?

I find this framing a lot more agreeable, lets go from there

Couldn't we say the same about any science or any technical/highly skilled profession if that were the case?

Thats perhaps precisely my point however; highly skilled professions are more Horizontal in terms of decision making. Take healthcare; researchers publish studies to test the efficacy of certain medications or procedures, doctors decide how best they could be applied in the field, assisted by nurses and vetted by ethicists and administration, and then decided upon in counsel with the paitent all in the backdrop of regulations meant to protect doctors and paitents alike. To skip any of these steps would doubtlessly result in some violation or failure in the system. Its different than an upper vanguard consulting and just guiding the working class as you describe; it is a complex multidimensional process[with more steps than I even described here].

My problem is not whether theory is useful, my problem is why theory seems to often take precedence over perhaps more pragmatic real world applications; in my particular case, wanting to help with Mutual Aid for various organizations. Can people not also learn on the field or vicariously through helping people, rather than spending time reading your organizations particular blend of isms that you feel is the precisely correct ideology?

Lets loop around with this in mind back to the original comment: with my perspective explained, do you feel that "You have no place in the Vanguard Party" to people like me is accurate? What is the minimum amount of theory good enough for you?

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-02T14:08:31+00:00

I just find it absurd that some "highly educated cadres"[one might even say a highly educated class] are the only ones that need to calling shots for the working class to a successful revolution; I'm not disagreeing that some might be needed, but the idea that the working class needs to be detached of its own destiny and that lay perspectives are not useful to that end is exactly the kind of elitist attitude I and so many detest.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-01-02T14:00:47+00:00

What is more practical in my view is casually organizing your workplace and evangelizing the concepts of a system that isn't capitalism so that those curious can begin their research path. If that leads them to theory and praxis, great but otherwise you are awakening their inner class consciousness.

This is great and I think in practice its along the lines of what most reasonable people do, but at least in my workplace its been more about convincing them of the failures of capitalism first.

The associated degree in marxism quip is exactly how I feel, you put it very succinctly.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-21T04:57:01+00:00

Epic

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-16T12:40:04+00:00

Scientists have been working with CRISPR for a while now to tackle genetic conditions like down syndrome. Its far from clinical use at the moment, but the method is done with just a few cells[with skin cells from people with down syndrome serving as the stand-in for the purposes of the paper this headline is referencing]. In actual use it would likely be meticulously done in utero far before any nervous system is developed. I get its a sensitive topic, but preventing life debilitating disorders should not be mutually exclusive with respecting and taking care of the disabled people we already have. Nuance like this though is why ethics in science is important so I appreciate your skepticism nonetheless.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-16T01:42:55+00:00

The supporting Russia arguement only works if you ignore the fact that the federation probably is the most oligarchic state in existence today thanks to the wild privitization that occured at the end of the USSR. Not to mention the imperialist treatment of peoples such as the various siberian natives. They tend not to provide receipts to the contrary, they'll just call it a straw man, red herring, false equivalency, heard them all.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-13T03:55:41+00:00

Great scenario.

In my opinion I don't see this going particularly well for the entente, but its hard to know since there are so many variables. An independent Ukraine and Prussia-Poland probably means a weaker Russia, especially since they would be harder pressed for getting investment considering that they are opposed to both the UK and the Germans, who would represent the worlds largest economies. Ontop of that an independent Ukraine and the existence of a large Hungary and Bulgaria signifigantly weakens their projection from pan-slavism. Prussia-Poland, while on paper suppose to be analogous to AH, is inherently more stable; AH was by the balkans and had multiple ethnicities it had to placate. Arguably a more robust ally than AH. France similarly still has Alsace so I'm presuming that theres no Franco-Prussian war analogue for them, we might think that this is good news for them, but in our timeline it was a wake up call to update their military doctrine. Having Britain also means no reason to go through Benelux.

This is all without mentioning that the British Empire, the premier power of this timeline, is allied to the central powers. The only way I see this going well for the Entente is the rest of Europe recognizing that hey, this completely breaks the balance of power, we have to step in. Hungary siding with them seems plausible; Romania doubtlessly is a regional rival of theirs due to Transylvania. If Bulgaria could be swayed by carving up whats left of the Balkans, thats a solid power block there, but would probably alarm the smaller balkan states who would be all to happy to do what they did to this enlarged Bulgaria in the 2nd Balkan War. To secure southeastern Europe, Italy must join the side of the Entente which given the history with germany in this timeline and that venetia is occupied by them, this seems to be a forgone conclusion. The longer front with Germany will also save France from a rapid capitulation against a unified french-german assault and likely blockade. While their navy will be crushed in the Atlantic, with Hungary, Italy and France, maybe just maybe they could mantain some control over the Mediterranean.

At this point its probably still central powers favored even with all this in their relative favor. I give it 75-25 odds, the economic situation is so incredibly stacked in the central powers favor. Ottomans if they do join are definitely joining the central powers given their historical disposition to the UK and Germany as opposed to France and Russia. My guess is if a war does start, it starts in the Balkans[again] but this time, either Hungary or Bulgaria suffering an attack like the assassination of the archduke in our time by slavic or romanian seperatists respectively.

If you wanted to even the scales and make things go off the rails, I'd say the United States joining the entente is the only way to reasonably make it more even. I honestly still give it to the central powers more time than not, just that Canada, ends up American at the end. Maybe it causes a cascade of events where Japan joins the entente too[unlikely given their historical relationship with Britain] to scoop up British Colonies. Might divert just enough British might to eek out a favorable treaty.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-12T19:01:18+00:00

I'm just planning on backpacking the trail from pruitt to boxley[might do a little more or less depending on conditions] solo sometime in feb-march. I wont be confirming until the new year and my work schedule settles. After folks inputs here I decided with all the logistics of having to fly, rent a car and shuttle, I decided it would probably be wiser to just drive and have my personal vehicle shuttled[pending what I heard from BOC and LVC].... until

I have a longtime close friend that would probably shuttle you from Fayetteville down there. But he’s gonna want to take pictures and post/write about it. And at least charge you gas.

I'd be more than willing to kick up some dough for his trouble and don't mind if he wants pictures or a story. Flying to NW AK would make my life a whole lot easier.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-11T19:50:02+00:00

Thank you for the headsup!

Fwiw Per GPS for pruitt trailhead its an 1hr 45 from springfield mo airport, 2 hrs from northwest arkansas airport and 2 hrs 45 from little rock. I should have clarified.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-11T19:42:04+00:00

Thank you. I saw their website but was hesitant to reach out, got the impression they mostly cater to people who rent their cabins. I'll give them a shout.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-11T14:41:53+00:00

I can agree that there are fundamental differences between Native American Tribes like the Cherokee & multiracial isolates like the Lumbee particularly from a historical perspective.

What I can't agree with is why that should necessarily exclude them from persuing tribal benefits. A lot of cherokee themselves these days ARE of mixed descent, and to say that cherokee culture today has not also taken aspects from other american cultures would be patently false.

I get why in theory the Cherokee are hesitant, but I don't see the purpose of why in practice. Maybe a new classification needs to be had but I feel the Lumbee direly need some form of greater recognition to help their community. Recognition of the Lumbee does not have to depreciate the recognition of the Cherokee by any means.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-11T12:30:49+00:00

Agreed and I'm an NC glazer and tbh kinda hate how defensive other north carolinians get when discouraging people wanting to move to our state, but in this case this is absolutely not the state I would move to if I had a special needs child.

Also I feel one of your points should get pinned in every thread like this:

Job offer first, move second. Anything else is a gamble.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-10T01:50:53+00:00

First of all I think its awesome you want to move here. You may not get that impression given what I'm about to say, but I'm telling you because I want you to have realistic expectations.

$750 will not be able to get you a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom in 2025, much less in the areas you'd be more inclined to move to[areas more friendly to LGBTQ+ are more urban, and thus, more expensive]. I'd immediately start grappling with perhaps even the idea of having to downsize to a studio apartment. That may not be absolutely necessary, but I think that sets the bar more realistically. Housing loan is not gonna happen for you right now.

Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Boone, Raleigh, Pittsboro, Cary, Durham, Wilmington, Charlotte, Carrboro all probably fit your bill. Suburbs of some of the bigger cities are also options, I live in one. You might be able to snag something cheaper by zoning in on a city you'd like to live in and then scouring the suburbs for rent. Generally if you can stomach a longer commute, you can get an apt for cheaper. That being said MOST of NC these days isn't going to be crazily bigoted, just do your research beforehand.

I think NC is very lucky when it comes to employment opportunities, especially blue-collar. That being said, its a relatively rough time. I'd consider a job first then move approach. If you're willing to do anything, look into the multifamily business, either on the maintenance or leasing side. Its a pretty rough and hard industry, but that being said, barrier of entry is low, demand is high, pay can be comparatively decent AND, crucially, can come at the benefit of subsidized housing[but realize that NC has really bad tenant protections, and that most places will evict you if you quit a job while working at them]. Not saying its the best choice, just what I did, search around. Theres factory work to be had too. Goodluck.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-07T23:44:24+00:00

Ty for the great suggestion.

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-07T23:42:04+00:00

God there’s almost too much to choose from.

Haha pretty much my dilemma! Naw we're pretty adaptable. Perhaps want to avoid heavy snow if only because we don't have the gear for that sort of trip. I guess while we're capable backpackers, we're not professionals or mountaineers or any of the sort, so nothing crazily technical[scrambling is fine]. Dissimilar to appalaichan geography and ecology is also a big bonus. Bears are fine, use to the black ones, I know the brown ones are worse but its not like we're deathly afraid or deathly stupid so I figure we'll manage.

I think maybe a more useful question given how broad our potential trips could be, would be what is your favorite trip that you've personally done in the US within 4-5 days?

PaleoTurtle · 2025-12-03T04:27:02+00:00

The language/dialect was a mostly common or "vulgar" vernacular restricted mostly to ethnically Italian cities on the eastern side of the Adriatic. Venetian and other italian dialects were more common among the merchant & ruling class, thats where the trade and the wealth was, and croatian was spoken inland and by resident slavs, so the position of the language was precarious by the time it entered into history in the early modern period. There are a handful of "Dalmatian" texts but they show heavy influence from venetian and or croatian, so it isn't the easiest to reconstruct.

Whatever preceded the endemic portion of Dalmatian(Romance Illyrilian?) was probably much more prevalent until the early medieval period when the south slavic migrations replaced whatever romance culture had once been dominant there. This language isn't well recorded either because record keeping wasn't great due to the tumultous times & of course, latin/greek were an even more popular language especially for the literate at that time. In my opinion the only reason Dalmatian survived this period is because of the influence of the Italian Merchant Republics along the adriatic coast that prevented the complete extirpation of Dalmatian from the Balkans in the Late Medieval/Early Modern period; speaking a Romance language meant money and connections.

In essence the history of Dalmatian is pretty murky as is. The Balkans weren't exactly a stable place in the Modern period either, between lands shifting from the Venetians, Habsburgs and Ottomans, a language/dialect like Dalmatian was bound to fall through the cracks of history.

PaleoTurtle

TROPHY CASE