Greenland is a beautiful nightmare

Aerial and On-the-Ground Impressions of Greenland

• Several commenters describe flying over Greenland (often on Seattle–Europe routes) as uniquely beautiful: vast fjords, ice, and an absence of human presence unlike most of North America.
• Those who have visited describe dramatic landscapes, glaciers, ice fjords, and stark color contrasts (rock, ice, painted houses) as the main draw, not urban or cultural attractions.
• Others compare it to northern Norway, Iceland, Svalbard, Alaska, northern Canada, and the Faroes: remote, humbling, and emotionally grounding rather than depressing.

Harshness, Bugs, and Accuracy of the Article

• Some argue the piece overplays how “inhospitable” Nuuk and surroundings are, especially in summer: they report green hills, inviting hiking, and less apocalyptic conditions than described.
• The “no trees, just rock and snow” line is criticized as only true near the airport or in winter; others note Greenland is indeed famously treeless overall.
• The mosquito/midge swarms are widely confirmed and compared to Scotland, northern Minnesota, Alaska, and interior Arctic regions.
• A few readers felt the author arrived with romantic expectations and then swung too far into cynicism and “why bother?” energy.

Geopolitics, CIA Activity, and Annexation Talk

• Linked reporting about CIA “influence operations” in Greenland sparks debate:
  • One side characterizes it as meddling to undermine anti-annexation or pro-Denmark sentiment, predicting bad outcomes and invoking U.S. history of covert violence.
  • Others argue that calling it “getting rid of people” is misleading; current evidence points to political influence, not confirmed assassinations.
• There’s discussion of U.S. strategic interests: minerals, especially the Northwest Passage and Arctic sea lanes. Some fear a new “cold war” dynamic with Canada.
• Views on “inevitable” U.S. ownership diverge sharply:
  • Pro-inevitability commenters cite Greenland’s dependence on subsidies and U.S. defense role.
  • Opponents stress self-determination, existing NATO/EU protection via Denmark, and see annexation talk as hostile and unnecessary.

Economics, Sovereignty, and Comparisons (Greenland, Alberta, Others)

• Several comments compare Greenland’s reliance on Danish subsidies to fiscal transfers within countries (e.g., Swedish regions, Canadian provinces).
• One thread analogizes Greenland’s situation to Alberta’s resentment of Canadian federal policies and transfer payments, and floats ideas like:
  • Alberta hypothetically joining the U.S. (countered as economically and socially worse for most residents).
  • Adopting a Norway-style sovereign wealth fund model to escape long-term oil dependence.
• For Greenland, numbers cited in-thread suggest a sizable Danish subsidy per capita; some argue independence is fiscally impossible, others say government services would just scale down.

Denmark–Greenland Relationship

• One question asks why Denmark “still bothers” with Greenland given costs and autonomy demands. Answers emphasize:
  • Deep historical, familial, and social ties.
  • Strategic benefits (Arctic access, sea routes, resources).
  • The general principle that states don’t shed less-profitable regions simply on net-transfer math.

Sled Dogs and Animal Welfare

• The anecdote about frozen sled dogs being thrown off a cliff triggers strong reactions:
  • Some condemn it as clear cruelty and disrespect for animals, arguing that letting dogs freeze while chained reflects a deeper moral issue.
  • Others contextualize it as a different world: sled dogs routinely face harsh conditions, are sometimes killed if they slow the team, and disposal methods don’t necessarily indicate how they died.
• Another commenter with personal ties to Greenland describes sled dogs as extremely happy when running or eating, used pragmatically (even towing a broken car), and central to local life.

Architecture and Materials in the Arctic

• The article’s remark that “Danish buildings are wood” is challenged; commenters note wood is a broader Nordic/Arctic choice, mainly for insulation and availability.
• Wood is defended over steel/concrete due to thermal-bridge issues and cost/skill constraints; metals attract condensation and bleed heat unless carefully detailed.

Indiana and the Midwest Tangent

• The author’s dismissive metaphor about Indiana as a place “people got too tired and stopped” sparks a long side discussion:
  • Some feel personally insulted, arguing Indiana (especially the dunes and southern parts) and the broader Midwest have real natural beauty and fulfilling lives.
  • Others, including former residents, say the “good enough” characterization rings true historically (settlers stopping mid-journey) and culturally for many small towns.
  • The thread evolves into a broader rural vs. urban perception debate and the hazards of casually degrading entire regions.

Remote Places as Emotional Reset

• Multiple commenters reflect that harsh, sparsely populated environments (Greenland, Tromsø, Faroe Islands, northern Canada, Alaska, interior Iceland, Svalbard) can induce a powerful sense of smallness and peace.
• Several describe such trips as life-changing breaks from high-pressure tech/startup work, with some saying this feeling of insignificance in vast nature helped dissolve personal anxieties.