Karen Attiah
@karenattiah.bsky.social
Fighter. Neo-Swoletariat.
Ex-Washington Post.
Substack: https://substack.com/@karenattiah?r=2bz6j&utm_medium=ios
Rogue Radical Professor: @resistanceschool.bsky.social
Ex-Washington Post.
Substack: https://substack.com/@karenattiah?r=2bz6j&utm_medium=ios
Rogue Radical Professor: @resistanceschool.bsky.social
Pinned
This Wed, Dec. 3rd 6 pm EST at @busboysandpoets.bsky.social :
Join me, @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social, @mehdirhasan.bsky.social of @zeteo.com, & @versharma.bsky.social formerly of @teenvogue.com -- as we discuss building power outside of institutions.
RSVP: www.busboysandpoets.com/events/th-ev...
Join me, @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social, @mehdirhasan.bsky.social of @zeteo.com, & @versharma.bsky.social formerly of @teenvogue.com -- as we discuss building power outside of institutions.
RSVP: www.busboysandpoets.com/events/th-ev...
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Constant deprivation is treated as a fact of life. The legal system is widely treated as a joke. The “I know a guy” economy flourishes. People ask me how they can win the favor of elected officials or gov’t employees, working around a system said to be sacrosanct but understood to be crumbling.
December 18, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Constant deprivation is treated as a fact of life. The legal system is widely treated as a joke. The “I know a guy” economy flourishes. People ask me how they can win the favor of elected officials or gov’t employees, working around a system said to be sacrosanct but understood to be crumbling.
Reposted by Karen Attiah
I grew up in Eastern Europe during the last gasps of communism and the U.S. is starting to feel the same
December 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I grew up in Eastern Europe during the last gasps of communism and the U.S. is starting to feel the same
Reposted by Karen Attiah
as someone who used to work in a dying mall, I can't disagree
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 11:42 PM
as someone who used to work in a dying mall, I can't disagree
Reposted by Karen Attiah
I grew up a mile from a mall that died when I was in my teens and this is so fucking accurate. We’re already at the “everyone is afraid to go there because of the crowd” phase.
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 18, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I grew up a mile from a mall that died when I was in my teens and this is so fucking accurate. We’re already at the “everyone is afraid to go there because of the crowd” phase.
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Our chief export is now used Sega Genesis games.
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 18, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Our chief export is now used Sega Genesis games.
Reposted by Karen Attiah
the shitty churches and desperate recruiting centers kind of give it away
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 18, 2025 at 1:13 AM
the shitty churches and desperate recruiting centers kind of give it away
Reposted by Karen Attiah
They’ve walled off the wing where Sears was, only thing still left where Penny’s was is a random shoe store next to a karate place.
They’re not even bothering with the “Another Great Store, Coming Soon” anymore.
They’re not even bothering with the “Another Great Store, Coming Soon” anymore.
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 18, 2025 at 2:16 AM
They’ve walled off the wing where Sears was, only thing still left where Penny’s was is a random shoe store next to a karate place.
They’re not even bothering with the “Another Great Store, Coming Soon” anymore.
They’re not even bothering with the “Another Great Store, Coming Soon” anymore.
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Dilapidated, half empty because the rent is too high, only still occupied and frequented by creepy divorced dads that still shop at Spencer’s Gifts and whose kids won’t talk to them, yeah, sounds about right.
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Dilapidated, half empty because the rent is too high, only still occupied and frequented by creepy divorced dads that still shop at Spencer’s Gifts and whose kids won’t talk to them, yeah, sounds about right.
Reposted by Karen Attiah
The strip mall thing is different. Strip malls were where mom and pop stores and immigrant/ethnic restaurants thrived. Those arent decaying theyre being bulldozed and replaced with national chains. What used to be a taqueria is now Chipotle. bsky.app/profile/kare...
America is giving decaying strip mall energy.
But I will still go to the Sbarro's in the food court and hit up the Dippin' Dots stand, though.
And get some Cotton Candy Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream while the fun lasts.
But I will still go to the Sbarro's in the food court and hit up the Dippin' Dots stand, though.
And get some Cotton Candy Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream while the fun lasts.
December 17, 2025 at 10:18 PM
The strip mall thing is different. Strip malls were where mom and pop stores and immigrant/ethnic restaurants thrived. Those arent decaying theyre being bulldozed and replaced with national chains. What used to be a taqueria is now Chipotle. bsky.app/profile/kare...
Reposted by Karen Attiah
A vacant parking lot surrounding a huge building that used to be a temple of consumption where you'd hang out all day only now there's nothing there aside from a Cheesecake Factory and a Macy's whose only purpose is picking up/returning stuff you bought online.
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
A vacant parking lot surrounding a huge building that used to be a temple of consumption where you'd hang out all day only now there's nothing there aside from a Cheesecake Factory and a Macy's whose only purpose is picking up/returning stuff you bought online.
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Pier 1 Imports Ass Country
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Pier 1 Imports Ass Country
!
This is doing a disservice to abandoned strip malls. At least they generally have small enough storefronts that they can be reused. When a giant Shopping Mall goes, there's not really a way to save it because the space are so massive.
That's what I'm afraid will happen to the US.
That's what I'm afraid will happen to the US.
December 17, 2025 at 10:09 PM
!
Reposted by Karen Attiah
a dying mall where the food court is on the second floor and abandoned except for cinnabon and the only “stores” on that floor are military recruiters. the first floor has a picture frame shop, evangelical shirt store and a kiosk that sells hair straighteners and remote control helicopters.
December 17, 2025 at 9:06 PM
a dying mall where the food court is on the second floor and abandoned except for cinnabon and the only “stores” on that floor are military recruiters. the first floor has a picture frame shop, evangelical shirt store and a kiosk that sells hair straighteners and remote control helicopters.
Reposted by Karen Attiah
A whole country with nothing left but the booths in the middle where they sell Temu-level knickknacks and one weird storefront that sells off brand luggage, purses, and smoking paraphernalia.
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:38 PM
A whole country with nothing left but the booths in the middle where they sell Temu-level knickknacks and one weird storefront that sells off brand luggage, purses, and smoking paraphernalia.
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Explaining the end of empire to an American: okay imagine a mall
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Explaining the end of empire to an American: okay imagine a mall
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Dying malls are among the most uncanny liminal spaces...
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Dying malls are among the most uncanny liminal spaces...
Reposted by Karen Attiah
desperately clinging on to consumerism, becoming more and more filled with vapid scams, people are staying home rather than sharing public space, and nobody is taking care of the common spaces and public services
yeah
yeah
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:40 PM
desperately clinging on to consumerism, becoming more and more filled with vapid scams, people are staying home rather than sharing public space, and nobody is taking care of the common spaces and public services
yeah
yeah
Reposted by Karen Attiah
It is...but then also there's a correlation between malls dying and the same corporation putting the same ass stores in every super mall in the metro area- no variety.
(Turns to the camera) Yes dammit, I'm talking about YOU, Simon...
(Turns to the camera) Yes dammit, I'm talking about YOU, Simon...
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:42 PM
It is...but then also there's a correlation between malls dying and the same corporation putting the same ass stores in every super mall in the metro area- no variety.
(Turns to the camera) Yes dammit, I'm talking about YOU, Simon...
(Turns to the camera) Yes dammit, I'm talking about YOU, Simon...
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Georgia is the crappy DMV they used to fill up the space left behind by the loss of an anchor tenant. You could tell that not even the camera towers want to be there
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Georgia is the crappy DMV they used to fill up the space left behind by the loss of an anchor tenant. You could tell that not even the camera towers want to be there
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Daily our front porch looks like a loading dock at a warehouse and my wife who does the shopping never sets foot in a bricks and mortar establishment
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Daily our front porch looks like a loading dock at a warehouse and my wife who does the shopping never sets foot in a bricks and mortar establishment
Reposted by Karen Attiah
Reposted by Karen Attiah
California is the movie theater attached to it that is the only thing left people go to
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:05 PM
California is the movie theater attached to it that is the only thing left people go to
Reposted by Karen Attiah
and the only people who disagree are the LLC'ers running those cell phone accessory carts who call us brokies and haters cause we have 9-5s
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:06 PM
and the only people who disagree are the LLC'ers running those cell phone accessory carts who call us brokies and haters cause we have 9-5s
Reposted by Karen Attiah
LoL, real talk.
I'm just passing through cuz I got some free time and I'm just wondering how long I'll even be able to get in and stay.
I'm just passing through cuz I got some free time and I'm just wondering how long I'll even be able to get in and stay.
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
LoL, real talk.
I'm just passing through cuz I got some free time and I'm just wondering how long I'll even be able to get in and stay.
I'm just passing through cuz I got some free time and I'm just wondering how long I'll even be able to get in and stay.