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Okay, but isn't it likely that the outcome of those scientific investigations will be that the Himalayan foothills should not be inhabited at all, except maybe

Okay, but isn't it likely that the outcome of those scientific investigations will be that the Himalayan foothills should not be inhabited at all, except maybe a couple of places? What I mean is: Sure, politicians and contractors could do better, but I believe the primary reason for villages and bridges in those valleys is that people want them there. Standard of living is exceptionally low and this is just one of many hazards.

srean 1mo ago
> Okay, but isn't it likely that the outcome of those scientific investigations will be that the Himalayan foothills should not be inhabited at all, except maybe a couple of places Yes and that is broadly the safe option. One can build on geological stable high grounds. They are rather and more difficult to build on. We know what happens when we don't. > Sure, politicians and contractors could do better It's not mistake of the "oops a typo" variety. They are knowingly making a freakton of money by endangering the people who ought to know better. I agree sometimes the poor might not have viable alternatives that they can fund with their own bank balance but it seems this is where the governments should step in to fund alternatives. But why do that when there is easy money to be made.
- repelsteeltje 1mo ago
  While I usually prefer to attribute incompetence rather than malice, it's hard to deny corruption is a likely factor here too. But the "freakton of money" aspect IMO needs nuance. I wager that the wealth of those cronies doesn't come close to my western living standards, so who am I to judge?
  - srean 1mo ago
    I am not knowledgeable about Nepal so I wouldn't know what role corruption played in this particular case. Nepal is literally between rock and a hard place. But in my country, India, there is plenty of this kind of corruption going on. EDIT: > I wager that the wealth of those cronies doesn't come close to my western living standards, so who am I to judge? They are in no way implicated in this particular case but corruption in India can pay very handsomely https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinod_Adani#Career https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinod_Adani#Career Lookup his brother too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautam_Adani#Career https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautam_Adani#Career (read the second half closely)
- newsclues 1mo ago
  Why humans settle in valleys? Is a question you should ask
  - srean 1mo ago
    Not all valleys are equally dangerous. The question is why people build new on known dangerous places. The new is an important word. They do because the future is not priced in (make insurance mandatory?) and because of acts of corruption that actively promote/incentivize development in hazardous areas by rewriting zoning, repricing permits, rewriting saner policies.
    - newsclues 1mo ago
      Have you ever been in a river valley in a mountainous region? Hard to build on the mountain, and the valley has transportation, easier to build, fertile land, food and water. It’s very obvious why humans settle where they do (despite the risks).
      - srean 1mo ago
        > Have you ever been in a river valley in a mountainous region? Brought up there.
      - pmontra 1mo ago
        And all the good places have been taken centuries ago.
        cucumber3732842 1mo ago
        And most of this "well obviously nobody should build anywhere where there will be serious destruction every couple generations" type sentiment ultimately just to funnels wealth and power to whoever took that good land previously.
        pmontra 1mo ago

srean 1mo ago

> Okay, but isn't it likely that the outcome of those scientific investigations will be that the Himalayan foothills should not be inhabited at all, except maybe a couple of places Yes and that is broadly the safe option. One can build on geological stable high grounds. They are rather and more difficult to build on. We know what happens when we don't. > Sure, politicians and contractors could do better It's not mistake of the "oops a typo" variety. They are knowingly making a freakton of money by endangering the people who ought to know better. I agree sometimes the poor might not have viable alternatives that they can fund with their own bank balance but it seems this is where the governments should step in to fund alternatives. But why do that when there is easy money to be made.

repelsteeltje 1mo ago
While I usually prefer to attribute incompetence rather than malice, it's hard to deny corruption is a likely factor here too. But the "freakton of money" aspect IMO needs nuance. I wager that the wealth of those cronies doesn't come close to my western living standards, so who am I to judge?
- srean 1mo ago
  I am not knowledgeable about Nepal so I wouldn't know what role corruption played in this particular case. Nepal is literally between rock and a hard place. But in my country, India, there is plenty of this kind of corruption going on. EDIT: > I wager that the wealth of those cronies doesn't come close to my western living standards, so who am I to judge? They are in no way implicated in this particular case but corruption in India can pay very handsomely https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinod_Adani#Career https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinod_Adani#Career Lookup his brother too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautam_Adani#Career https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautam_Adani#Career (read the second half closely)
newsclues 1mo ago
Why humans settle in valleys? Is a question you should ask
- srean 1mo ago
  Not all valleys are equally dangerous. The question is why people build new on known dangerous places. The new is an important word. They do because the future is not priced in (make insurance mandatory?) and because of acts of corruption that actively promote/incentivize development in hazardous areas by rewriting zoning, repricing permits, rewriting saner policies.
  - newsclues 1mo ago
    Have you ever been in a river valley in a mountainous region? Hard to build on the mountain, and the valley has transportation, easier to build, fertile land, food and water. It’s very obvious why humans settle where they do (despite the risks).
    - srean 1mo ago
      > Have you ever been in a river valley in a mountainous region? Brought up there.
    - pmontra 1mo ago
      And all the good places have been taken centuries ago.
      - cucumber3732842 1mo ago
        And most of this "well obviously nobody should build anywhere where there will be serious destruction every couple generations" type sentiment ultimately just to funnels wealth and power to whoever took that good land previously.
        pmontra 1mo ago