There were hundreds of squatted houses in the Western part in the 80ies. This did not only change the “look” of the city but also the attitude towards common good. And in the 90ies the Techno and Love Parade movement reached its climax. And again it started in Berlin and spread out all over Europe.
Since – let’s say – the last five years there is a new movement and more and more young people from all over the world are coming and staying. ‘Arm aber sexy’ is still attractive. Compared to the other capitals in the world Berlin is much cheaper regarding living and studying. And Berlin has always been a free minded city with no curfew: There are so many things to do and to discover. For someone coming from a conservative background, it can be mind blowing. But…
… a lot of the ‘New-Berliner’ – tourist, immigrant or expat – see the city as a big playground. In the center districts like Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Prenzlauer Berg you always find people partying 24/7. And drinking, smoking, injecting or using whatever is necessary to keep going, has become a common sight in public: In the streets, parks, playgrounds, on bridges – anywhere. Also sleeping in public – in the streets or U-Bahn – is semi-normal.
The places I once enjoyed I’m now avoiding. There is filth and trash everywhere. Throwing and leaving what you don’t need anymore or what doesn’t belong to you has become a habit for too many people.
WTF! NO – clean up! If you see a bike thrown on the ground, pick it up! If you see litter in the street, pick it up! At least once a day. Someone has to start and we know we can only start with ourselves, NOW. Thank you!
BASIC TRAINING by Stanley Kubrick
1. If you open it, CLOSE IT!
2. If you turn it on, TURN IT OFF!
3. If you unlock it, LOCK IT!
4. If you break it, REPAIR IT!
5. If you can’t fix it, CALL SOMEONE WHO CAN!
6. If you borrow it, RETURN IT!
7. If you use it, TAKE CARE OF IT!
8. If you make a mess, CLEAN IT UP!
9. If you move it, PUT IT BACK!
10. If it belongs to someone else, GET PERMISSION TO USE IT!
11. If you don’t know how to operate it, LEAVE IT ALONE!
12. If it doesn’t concern you, DON’T MESS WITH IT!
