Mole people in tunnels in NYC
Apr 27th, 2000, 07:06 AM
#43
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Just when I was about to give up on the US forum as a hotbed of cranky, nasty, paranoid, judgmental nutcases -- you people redeem the whole thing with this great thread! Thanks!
However, I'm surprised no one has talked about the King of the Tunnels, the Beast (FOC -- friend of Catherine). He is now major producer for Stomp, a percussion group that got its start on his TV series hitting rails and pipes so that the mole people could echo-locate.
However, I'm surprised no one has talked about the King of the Tunnels, the Beast (FOC -- friend of Catherine). He is now major producer for Stomp, a percussion group that got its start on his TV series hitting rails and pipes so that the mole people could echo-locate.
Apr 28th, 2000, 08:16 AM
#45
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This would all be a lot funnier if there weren't, in fact, a group of people who do hide in the subway tunnels. You may have seen a recent TV documentary on the subject, showing their alcoves and heaps of raggedy belongings.
These are "fringe" people -- like street people with many of the same problems: they generally have poor mental health and often intellectual deficiencies, with no way to solve their own problems of life, like holding a job or applying for welfare or whatever -- AND SO they have no place to live.
Because the transit and metro police try to rout them out of their hidey-places (thinking they pose a danger to trains in motion), any paranoia already there is just made worse. Down there they are protected from weather (it's never more or less than about 55 degrees, wet but it doesn't snow) and from people chasing them off park benches or steam grates.
The thing about NYC or most any urban area now is that there are incompetent, "fringe" homeless everywhere. If it bothers you enough to change how you think about tourism in such destinations, perhaps it will bother you enough to help find a humane way to shelter such people where they can do themselves and others little harm.
These are "fringe" people -- like street people with many of the same problems: they generally have poor mental health and often intellectual deficiencies, with no way to solve their own problems of life, like holding a job or applying for welfare or whatever -- AND SO they have no place to live.
Because the transit and metro police try to rout them out of their hidey-places (thinking they pose a danger to trains in motion), any paranoia already there is just made worse. Down there they are protected from weather (it's never more or less than about 55 degrees, wet but it doesn't snow) and from people chasing them off park benches or steam grates.
The thing about NYC or most any urban area now is that there are incompetent, "fringe" homeless everywhere. If it bothers you enough to change how you think about tourism in such destinations, perhaps it will bother you enough to help find a humane way to shelter such people where they can do themselves and others little harm.
Apr 28th, 2000, 04:08 PM
#48
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I have to agree with Randy that this thread isn't trying to make light of social problems in NY or any other city. If anything, having lived in NYC for 7 years, I have to laugh at the idea that mole people might be the most "creepy" thing one could encounter in the city. If Ann thinks that mole people she'll never see are the worst thing she'll experience in New York, maybe she shouldn't go there at all.
May 1st, 2000, 11:35 AM
#49
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The Sunday (4/30) NY Times had an item about a documentary film opening at the end of the summer:
DARK DAYS
Homeless people living in midtown Manhattan train tunnels. It won two prizes at Sundance.
In case anyone is interested in who actually lives under NYC and why. I also recommend the book Grand Central Winter, by a former addict who lived onder Grand Central Terminal and turned his life around through writing.
DARK DAYS
Homeless people living in midtown Manhattan train tunnels. It won two prizes at Sundance.
In case anyone is interested in who actually lives under NYC and why. I also recommend the book Grand Central Winter, by a former addict who lived onder Grand Central Terminal and turned his life around through writing.
May 29th, 2000, 01:07 AM
#51
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I recent read an interesting book called The Tunnel which had many large black and white photos of men (and one woman)who live in the train tunnels in NYC. It was mostly a photography book and it's recent (like a few years old at most) but it also tells the story of many of these men. Most of the men were either illegal immigrants from Spanish speaking countries or black Americans. Many had drinking problems.
They say they stay there cause its warmer and safer than being in the streets. Some even try to grow a few plants under places where a bit of sun comes through! And they decorate the houses they make on the inside (some of them do). The book is really well worth reading and its a serious book. These people really are down there but they are not moles.
They say they stay there cause its warmer and safer than being in the streets. Some even try to grow a few plants under places where a bit of sun comes through! And they decorate the houses they make on the inside (some of them do). The book is really well worth reading and its a serious book. These people really are down there but they are not moles.
May 29th, 2000, 01:57 AM
#52
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"Dark Days" won the biggest awards at Park City film festival. Here is from a review of the film: The films director (Singer) started hearing wild rumors about the tunnel squatting communities and his curiosity piqued, he ventured underground, eventually focusing his attention on just one tunnel that stretches north from Penn Station past Harlem.
Instead of the cannibalistic sub-human race lurking in Gotham's bowels popularized in urban myth, Singer found a handful of troubled, endearing people with a humbling ability to survive
Instead of the cannibalistic sub-human race lurking in Gotham's bowels popularized in urban myth, Singer found a handful of troubled, endearing people with a humbling ability to survive
May 29th, 2000, 06:31 AM
#53
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Dearest ann,
You must not come to NY. We mole people--by the way we are stockbrokers by day, thats why market closes so early--prey on innocent young things like you. When we are not munching on your bones, we are getting you to invest in internet funds! If you are unlucky, you could actually become rich & have to pay $3000 in maintenance to live in a milion dollar studio once thought habitable by our close cousings the
subterranean kvetcheronians.
Thank Mole u didnt come before visiting the forum
You must not come to NY. We mole people--by the way we are stockbrokers by day, thats why market closes so early--prey on innocent young things like you. When we are not munching on your bones, we are getting you to invest in internet funds! If you are unlucky, you could actually become rich & have to pay $3000 in maintenance to live in a milion dollar studio once thought habitable by our close cousings the
subterranean kvetcheronians.
Thank Mole u didnt come before visiting the forum
May 30th, 2000, 09:54 AM
#54
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Hey can I rent one of those studios? You see I am a humble British billionaire interested in luxury accomodations in NY. I have already been advised that the Plaza is not worth the $$$. Now I need to find a place that will impress the socks off my companion. One that has a modern jacuzzi, post 1990. Are there any subterranean luxury digs available?
May 30th, 2000, 01:00 PM
#56
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Actually, there was a film many years ago documenting this very same subject, its title is "C.H.U.D." and is likely available in most rental shops (it may be mistakenly under the Horror section).
Anyway, this will give you the real scoop on the folks living below the city streets, their stuggles to stay alive, and their tactics for survival. You may want to watch this before booking a trip out to the city.
Anyway, this will give you the real scoop on the folks living below the city streets, their stuggles to stay alive, and their tactics for survival. You may want to watch this before booking a trip out to the city.
May 30th, 2000, 01:24 PM
#58
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Merc: The subterranean luxury studio you're looking for is probably located at Trump's Mole Palace, deep in the bowels of Midtown. Interestingly, its lobby is located on the "top" floor, with descending floors bearing higher numbers. Indeed, the penthouse is in the sub-basement. When it first opened last year, savvy New Yorkers could not wait to "get down". Now, there are several other luxury dwellings available, but the Trump Mole Palace remains about as low as you can get.
