Sven Slootweg @joepie91@pixie.town

According to the microplastics review of textiles on https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2022.109901 :

> Bio-based cellulosic fibers such as cotton, viscose rayon, Lyocell and non-cellulosic fibers like poly lactic acid (PLA) are biodegradable; thus, they degrade in the environment much faster than synthetic fibers such as polyesterm

There are many other factors that impact how many microplastics you shed (e.g. top-loading washing maschines are ~7x harsher than front-loading). See the article for details.

Viscose (rayon/sabra silk/cactus silk) has the disadvantage of carbon disulfide pollution; lyocell is basically a less impactful way of making viscose. Cotton is an ok natural fibre and it's cheap and comfy, but it's terrible as functional wear due to absorbing way too much water, and the agriculture tends to be intensive, plus some of that distinct cheapness disappears if you try to guarantee it wasn't processed by Uyghur slaves.

Any of these are, in my estimation, much preferable to anything to do with polyester or plastics in general. So my order of preference would be:

local natural fibers (linen, hemp, nettles) > cotton > lyocell > viscose >> polyester/PET/nylon/etc.

cotton is particularly dangerous if wet when the weather is cold, or wet when it's hot and moist. (it can actually be helpful in dry heat). lyocell is probably the best alternative to synthetic sportswear if you don't want to or cannot use linen, for example for sports bras or gym leggings.

oh and 100% plant latex is biodegradable, though the extraction industry can be sketchy. but could be an excellent alternative if you're not allergic and need a tough waterproof layer, traditionally in stuff like motorcycle jackets or rain boots; but it's not breathable at all and I wouldn't like, hike in a latex jacket.

there's no good substitute for outdoor wear that is not made of animals or plastic. rationally speaking the best alternative is to buy used pieces of wool and leather in the aftermarket, so you don't add demand to their terrible industries; but handling the products of animal abuse makes me depressed, and plus if this becomes a thing that lots of people do, the aftermarket becomes part of the demand, too. the most ecological alternative is to move somewhere you don't need to worry about hypothermia that much.

realistically speaking I'll just continue to wear the synthetic outer layers I already have in winter. at least outer layers have to be washed rarely, so the microplastic shedding gets minimised. it's that or getting into oilcloths…

linen has a reputation as a summer fiber but the same properties that make it so great for summer also work fantastic as natural base layers in winter. I've also worn it aesthetically as a second layer over thermal underclothes. I haven't found attempts to make it warm or wind-resistant by doing thick and tight weaves like ventile. the way it's usually sold, it will be fully breathable and quick-drying, but neither wind- nor waterproof. (but notice that the hardcore hikers and backpackers will recommend you to pick quick-drying clothes over trying to achieve full waterproofness. a windproof layer remains important.)

why is the Fediverse Chick DMing me asking for my opinion about Lockheed Martin pride socks

I might flesh these thoughts out a bit more in a blog post in the near future, but only if I have time. I think leftist commentary on what the EU does is in sad short supply in the last decade+

The EU has decided on dealing with necropolitics in multiple ways. Doubling down on the old world order and a (popular! Even on the so called "left") devotion to neocolonialism and white supremacy. The popular narrative you must have seen is that the Moloch of the United States army is retreating from the continent, and so we must "pick up arms" and re-arm to become more ready for the threats of tomorrow. But have you considered what that materially means? What this money is being put to and what effects those things tend to have on societies. The EU is basically claiming that it wants to (at least partially) take over the mantle of world police, pump more money into its own military industrial complex, and grow its power projection globally. But it cannot grow its recruitment easily, most armies in the EU are professional volunteer armies, so unless they want to reinstate the draft I don't see how manpower will increase. So techno gadgets it is I suppose, tools of more destruction, devotion to at best blowing up our own resources. A society funded from the top to incentivize people working on machines of death directly or indirectly. And a huge incentive to go down the road the US has already tread, impoverishment to lead people into the pipeline to work for the military.