The pond turned into a latrine is the perfect metaphor for today’s mass tourism. Thoreau’s Walden Pond, which is only half an hour’s drive from Boston, MA, is invaded every year by half a million “incontinent tourists”, more than double those visiting Guyana or Bermuda… and apparently, things get really wild…

More than half of the summer phosphorus budget of Walden Pond may now be attributable to urine released by swimmers, while a footpath to Thoreau’s cabin caused large amounts of soil to wash into the lake.

Despite all this, the site has a high rating on Google Maps and, judging by the reviews, the real issues are elsewhere. According to most visitors, Walden Pond Reservation remains “a true transcendental experience” and “a must visit if you are an American Literature fan”, but there are no showers, parking sucks, the staff is unfriendly, and well “ice mocha has way too much mocha syrup”.

Not exactly what Thoreau had in mind when he wrote “Walden” in 1854…

Dutch airline KLM treats tourists who fly to Amsterdam as dumb children… and they are probably right. The following video looks like a spoof trailer for a new Black Mirror episode but is actually meant to introduce the KLM Care Tag.

Far from being a joke, this GPS tracker with a maternal spirit was designed to help solve the problem of overtourism in the Dutch capital by inviting tourists to visit less crowded places, as well as helping them to cross the street. In short, sweet remedies for extreme evils. The Care Tag won’t make Amsterdam more livable, but it’s at least an interesting attempt to start tackling a growing issue.