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John Scrubs

@alwaysbacklight

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Professional undertaker of extremely optional activities.

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Tianjin CTF Finance Center, China. by @alwaysbacklight

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a year ago

MTR, Hong Kong. by @alwaysbacklight

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a year ago

Old Bay Bridge, San Francisco to Oakland by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago

It’s not uncommon for explorers to go viral for their illicit activities. Usually, this fame is fleeting. After an initial burst of excitement and online discourse, the world moves on. Aside from a temporary surge in interest and the occasional tightening of security, little ever changes in any lasting way.

But Mauritania was different.

Unlike our past undertakings, riding the freight trains across the desert was, somewhat unusually, legal. An oddity in a world where these adventures typically skirt the law. So when the video exploded, it didn’t take long for major content creators like Bald & Bankrupt, Yes Theory, and others to follow suit. They produced their own videos, drawing even more attention to the journey. With each new upload, the ride seemed increasingly accessible. Soon, even risk-averse travelers realized just how easy it was to hop aboard.

Then the vultures descended.

Guides began offering paid tours. Media outlets staged glossy production shoots. Influencers turned the train into a backdrop for engagement-driven stunts. There were even stag parties. What was once an obscure, rugged adventure had become just another viral spectacle, fuel for content creators, perfume advertisers, and commercial productions.

Do I regret my actions? Absolutely. On one hand, there’s a strange sense of pride in having created a global hotspot, a place that captured the world’s attention. But when I weigh the consequences, the disruption, the backlash and the unintended fallout, it’s clear that the negatives far outweigh any fleeting sense of accomplishment.

What felt like an innocent pursuit at the time has, in hindsight, invited some of the worst kinds of “influencers” into the region. And from what I’ve been told, their presence has been deeply detrimental to the locals who rely on the train for their livelihoods.

Rumors are now circulating that local authorities have finally had enough. Reports suggest they’re cracking down, fining tourists and pulling riders off trains in an attempt to regain control. Whether these measures will be temporary or lead to lasting change remains to be seen.

Photo : We'll Make Ya Famous, Mauritania. by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago

Rankine Tailrace, Canada. by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago

Bucharest, Romania. by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago

COVID-747, Spain. by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago

Kiev-Class Carrier Minsk, China. by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago

The Cave, Stockholm. by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago

FC Colbert - C611, France by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago

Pepperoni Passion, Milan. by @alwaysbacklight

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2 years ago