Does #capitalism still deliver, or does it only destroy our living space for #profit?

Anyone who is not completely blind can see the slope is getting steeper. We are like on the Titanic. The iceberg is right ahead. Everyone stares at it like a deer in headlights. Frozen. Or weirdly fascinated. No one moves.

Capitalism does not even need #democracy. It runs just fine in #China. The #rich get richer at breathtaking speed. They gain more power every day. Meanwhile, many people are exploited. Some even go hungry.

#Infrastructure falls apart where it brings no profit. Gains are privatized. Losses are shared by everyone. Capitalism works great for arms races and wars. It also works great for rebuilding after. Only #peace seems to bring too little profit.

#Diseases without profitable drugs are ignored. Human suffering does not always sell well. But social-media #algorithms that shake democracy? Very profitable. Public goods, #privacy, data protection, #ethics — all side characters. Hard to monetize. The #future and sustainability also feel optional when today’s shareholder payout boosts #power and profit.

Why do we believe that people driven by greed and contempt will build a better future? Maybe #humanity does not really care about democracy or ethics. Maybe it only cares about #consumption. Ads promise that buying things will make us #happy. And of course, anyone against capitalism should throw the first #smartphone.

Running water, electricity, full supermarkets — all nice. Until you notice the food is packed with sugar and salt. Fresh fruit and vegetables carry poison. The oceans are overfished. The fish comes with #microplastics as a bonus. Wild animals vanish, pushed out by humans. Only farm animals multiply by the millions. They #suffer. #Nature breaks.

This story does not feel like it has a happy ending. Not if we keep scrolling and call it progress.

#civilization #question #news #system #matrix #politics #economy #business #freedom #mankind #collapse #apocalypse #war #terror #military #crisis #pollution #extinction #emissions #climate #disaster #security #fascism #earth #food #poison #problem

SCMP: Bus with Chinese tourists crashes through ice on Russia’s Lake Baikal, killing 8

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344231/bus-chinese-tourists-crashes-through-ice-russias-lake-baikal-killing-8?module=top_story&pgtype=homepage

#tourism #disaster

SCMP: Bus with Chinese tourists crashes through ice on Russia’s Lake Baikal, killing 8

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344231/bus-chinese-tourists-crashes-through-ice-russias-lake-baikal-killing-8?module=top_story&pgtype=homepage

#tourism #disaster

CNN 2/19/2026

Search to recover bodies of skiers killed in avalanche hindered by another day of heavy snow and risky conditions

https://lite.cnn.com/2026/02/19/us/california-avalanche-skiers-lake-tahoe-thursday

#SearchAndRescue #Tahoe #disaster #Avalanche

Helicopter currently hovering over the site of the Castle Peak avalanche disaster. (yes, that's within view of Donner Summit)

https://www.flightradar24.com/3e6c5dec

#avalanche #disaster

Helicopter currently hovering over the site of the Castle Peak avalanche disaster. (yes, that's within view of Donner Summit)

https://www.flightradar24.com/3e6c5dec

#avalanche #disaster

Nevada County Sheriff's Office

"In response to our ongoing avalanche victim recovery efforts and the safety of our teams and the general public, U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest has issued the closure of all National Forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area near Truckee, Calif. from Feb. 20 – March 15, 2026.

“Due to the current instability of the snowpack and need to prioritize first responder access to the area, members of the public are prohibited from entering the closure area during search and rescue operations,” the statement reads.
Please respect the closure notice and remain out of the area."

#truckee #SearchAndRescue #SAR #disaster

U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest

In response to a backcountry avalanche that occurred Feb. 17, 2026 resulting in multiple skier fatalities, Tahoe National Forest has issued the closure of all National Forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area near Truckee, Calif. The closure is required for public and first responder safety and to provide for the recovery of the victims. Due to the current instability of the snowpack and need to prioritize first responder access to the area, members of the public are prohibited from entering the closure area during search and rescue operations.

In order to continue recovery operations, emergency personnel will need to use snow machines, aircraft, various other heavy equipment and possibly explosives to mitigate further environmental hazards to the safety of first responders conducting recovery efforts.

“It is our top priority to ensure the safety of first responders during this recovery mission and aid in the return of each victim to their families,” said Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Chris Feutrier. “Our deepest condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones from this tragic incident. Our sincere appreciation to all first responders, law enforcement and partners that are supporting this recovery.”

The Castle Peak Avalanche Closure area applies to National Forest lands between Castle Peak to the South Fork of Prosser Creek. The closure prohibits the following:

-Going into or being upon any National Forest System Lands in the area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety as shown on the closure order map.
-Being on a trail within the closure area.

This closure order is effective Feb. 20 through March 15, 2026. The closure may be rescinded earlier if public safety measures are mitigated. The full closure order including a detailed closure area description and map can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/alerts/castle-peak-avalanche-closure

#tahoe #disaster #SearchAndRescue #SAR #avalanche

"....The boundary of the Castle Peak Avalanche Closure Area begins at the junction of Forest
Trail 14E24 and the South Fork of Prosser Creek in Section 32, then continues north and
then west along Forest Trail 14E24 to the junction of the North Fork of Prosser Creek,
then travels north and then east along the North Fork of Prosser Creek to the Forest
boundary in Section 22. The boundary then continues south along the Forest boundary to
its junction with the South Fork of Prosser Creek, then travels west along the South Fork
of Prosser Creek to the starting point, as shown on the map attached as Exhibit A...."

#avalanche #closure #disaster #tahoe

Castle Peak Avalanche Closure Map

#avalanche #disaster #tahoe

https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r05/tahoe/publication/alerts/17-26-04%20Castle%20Peak%20Avalanche%20Closure%20Order.pdf

"....The boundary of the Castle Peak Avalanche Closure Area begins at the junction of Forest
Trail 14E24 and the South Fork of Prosser Creek in Section 32, then continues north and
then west along Forest Trail 14E24 to the junction of the North Fork of Prosser Creek,
then travels north and then east along the North Fork of Prosser Creek to the Forest
boundary in Section 22. The boundary then continues south along the Forest boundary to
its junction with the South Fork of Prosser Creek, then travels west along the South Fork
of Prosser Creek to the starting point, as shown on the map attached as Exhibit A...."

#avalanche #closure #disaster #tahoe

Castle Peak Avalanche Closure Map

#avalanche #disaster #tahoe

https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r05/tahoe/publication/alerts/17-26-04%20Castle%20Peak%20Avalanche%20Closure%20Order.pdf

U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest

In response to a backcountry avalanche that occurred Feb. 17, 2026 resulting in multiple skier fatalities, Tahoe National Forest has issued the closure of all National Forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area near Truckee, Calif. The closure is required for public and first responder safety and to provide for the recovery of the victims. Due to the current instability of the snowpack and need to prioritize first responder access to the area, members of the public are prohibited from entering the closure area during search and rescue operations.

In order to continue recovery operations, emergency personnel will need to use snow machines, aircraft, various other heavy equipment and possibly explosives to mitigate further environmental hazards to the safety of first responders conducting recovery efforts.

“It is our top priority to ensure the safety of first responders during this recovery mission and aid in the return of each victim to their families,” said Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Chris Feutrier. “Our deepest condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones from this tragic incident. Our sincere appreciation to all first responders, law enforcement and partners that are supporting this recovery.”

The Castle Peak Avalanche Closure area applies to National Forest lands between Castle Peak to the South Fork of Prosser Creek. The closure prohibits the following:

-Going into or being upon any National Forest System Lands in the area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety as shown on the closure order map.
-Being on a trail within the closure area.

This closure order is effective Feb. 20 through March 15, 2026. The closure may be rescinded earlier if public safety measures are mitigated. The full closure order including a detailed closure area description and map can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/alerts/castle-peak-avalanche-closure

#tahoe #disaster #SearchAndRescue #SAR #avalanche

"...The bodies of eight had been left on the icy mountainside, and a final member of the group was still missing, presumed dead among the blanket of snow. ..."

#avalanche #disaster #SAR #SearchAndRescue

Nevada County Sheriff's Office

"In response to our ongoing avalanche victim recovery efforts and the safety of our teams and the general public, U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest has issued the closure of all National Forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area near Truckee, Calif. from Feb. 20 – March 15, 2026.

“Due to the current instability of the snowpack and need to prioritize first responder access to the area, members of the public are prohibited from entering the closure area during search and rescue operations,” the statement reads.
Please respect the closure notice and remain out of the area."

#truckee #SearchAndRescue #SAR #disaster

"...The bodies of eight had been left on the icy mountainside, and a final member of the group was still missing, presumed dead among the blanket of snow. ..."

#avalanche #disaster #SAR #SearchAndRescue

CNN 2/19/2026

Search to recover bodies of skiers killed in avalanche hindered by another day of heavy snow and risky conditions

https://lite.cnn.com/2026/02/19/us/california-avalanche-skiers-lake-tahoe-thursday

#SearchAndRescue #Tahoe #disaster #Avalanche