what are you doing?
What were my actions?
so what?
What new questions do I have?
what's happened to me?
What was the result of my actions?
I steeped you once, twice, thrice. I labelled you and kept an untouched piece for comparison. I left you to dry and dissected you as per usual, then I looked at you under the microscope. I took the chance to look at my earlier experiments as well, see up close how my arts and crafts project affected you.
I've let you rest easily and lie still, taking what I have for you. Now it's time for you to stand on your own. I want to fold stitch glue you, treat you like a real arts and crafts project. Maybe that will give you some hope.
We have established a new trust, you aren't as fragile as you seem. Yet you still rip so easily from an accidental tug. What else is hindering you? Could I make you even stronger?
what else do you need from me?
What does this mean for next steps?
It's true! To my eye, it seemed like you didn't change in the slightest. You got a little tan maybe, but your structure looked intact. I was a little disappointed at the start, expecting some kind of half torn half melted half ruined city, but I considered that that was ultimately a good thing. Even when others derided you, you remained resilient, you held yourself together. You were particularly beautiful with all those vibrant colours clinging to you, the way the dust hid within your pores, the paint dried between the cracks. It was wonderful to get to see this new side of you.
what do you want?
What did I aim to do?
Since I was going to the Living Lab anyway, I decided to put your renowned wet strength to the test. I read online that studies have shown you release tons of microplastics into my water when submerged at steeping temperature. I got a little afraid after that, thinking you were poisoning me. Not only did I want to see your structure up close, I wanted to see if you would deteriorate. Were you as fragile as everyone says you are?
who told you that?
What sources do I use to inform?
N.A.
