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and fireflies UGH

Spending my summer in a city area this year and this is BS!

I miss the frog noises :(

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this 'being really tired after work' thing is really getting in the way of this 'pursuing my artistic hopes and dreams' thing has anyone else noticed this

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There's nothing funnier to me than the Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook sign change

idk exactly when they changed it but this is what is was when I went in 2018:

(cute, nice, kinda touristy, aesthetic)

And this was next time I went in 2021:

(red, ugly, straight forward, guy throwing up)

~🌸Enjoy the view from here☺️~ vs 🤮 W A R N I N G 🤑

truly a "we weren't effing joking" of graphic design

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I am getting so SICK of people misusing and overusing "unreliable narrator" STAHP please!

Words mean things! Don't invoke literary devices if you don't actually know or care what they entail. Esp if you aren't even doing actual analysis

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Look I know how this works lol, I know how it goes with blorbos and whump. But still, every time I'm like... he HAD better before yall showed up 😂

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What happens to Echo after TBB? (some thoughts)

So. I'm sick of people acting like Echo's death is inevitable in our quote-unquote "clone rebellion show." Because I reject the idea that anyone HAS to die just because of prequel constraints

So here are some ideas/headcanons I've built up about Echo's fate post-tbb finale:

-First off, the clone rebellion to me is focused mainly on rescuing clones from the Empire

That's more local, personalized stakes that don't necessarily impact the outcome of the whole war (which is why it's a FANTASTIC premise for a show set during this time period, but what do I know). So I see no reason why they can't succeed, to the best of their ability. I say they reach a point where it is "enough", they probably aren't able to get overall clone rights but they've set up safehouses and settlements, esp on Pantora, and Rex retires with Wolffe and Gregor (perhaps in part to take care of them; maybe Wolffe had a rough time leaving the Empire (why he ends up so paranoid) and needs some space and extra support). Rex has done his part and is ready to rest, and he passes the reins of the Underground Network on to Echo, who has shown us that he's also concerned about the Empire and the galaxy as a whole and decides to keep fighting.

-Because of the Vader parallels, I think Echo should play an important role in the formation of the early rebel alliance so we can deliver on Echo as a positive rebellion foil to Vader. Idk exactly what that would be, but we see the Network helping Chuchi and Senator Singh meet up and talk about joining forces, and Chuchi's got connections to Bail Organa (who's connected to Mon Mothma and Luthen, etc) so it's not too far of a stretch.

Also, clones like Emerie and the Network's other "contacts within the Empire" (aka clone double agents which is sick as hell and way overlooked (and a VERY COOL premise for a subplot, but what do I know)) would have a lot of valuable intel about the Empire (structure, security, strategy, etc) to pass on. Honestly it would make less sense if they weren't involved in the beginnings of the Rebellion in some way.

-In the Rebellion, I see Echo being a main strategist and trainer. Bc we saw how well he taught Omega, and it would be the best way to utilize that clone military expertise (far superior to stormtroopers), and spread it around to have as much impact as possible.

In this early stage so far we've seen Saw Gerrera's group who are separate from the main Rebellion, and we've seen a bunch of Senators. So what about the military organization side of the Rebellion, where did that come from? (mind you I haven't watched much of SW Rebels or Andor s2 yet) I think that could be a really cool legacy for the clones! That Echo and the others from the Network were there building up the roots, quietly behind the scenes helping put the Rebellion together and passing on their skills and training to the next generation of fighters (esp as they start getting older (though tbf 60s isn't THAT old for people who stay in shape. Like my boy Donnie Yen was 53 in Rogue One, and he's 61 now and still kicking ass, but I digress))

And you know, it'd be especially meaningful not just because this is a fight the clones are actually choosing, but also because they'd be taking what was forced upon them (their training and life of violence as soldiers) and turning it around to fight back against the regime they unwillingly helped put in place. Palpatine created and enslaved the clones for his own gain. He used them as mere weapons and discarded them once he got what he wanted. But they escaped and survived, they fought for each other, reclaimed their autonomy and came back to bite him (just like Echo did with the Techno Union) (oh my gosh someone please make this show! gahh)

-Also Echo's the one who told Omega they could use more pilots and we all know it (come on, she even phrased it the same way he did when he left)! I 100% accept this lovely art by @moriaarts as truth. I can just tell the day the Rebellion gained the force of the reunited chaos duo that the Empire never stood a chance (tearing up, it's fine)

-Now, I personally have no qualms with Echo living to the end of the war, but if he must die fighting: it could be in any critical mission or battle, but my thought is that he could get a Rebellion retcon like Rex and be among the volunteers Cassian pulls together to support Jyn in getting the Death Star plans from Scarif

It just seems like something he would do (the moment is very in line with 'more than just a number' clones thinking for themselves, doing the right thing, not just blindly following orders). And this type of sacrifice (crucial to the overall cause, but also the forgotten, boots-on-the-ground, everyday heroes of the Rebellion) fits very well with Echo and the spirit of the clones in my mind.

This was just a thought I've had for awhile, but then I just rewatched Rogue One and uh...

so... yeah confirmed, that's when I knew I had to make this post

(and then timeline fits so yall can keep your sad headcanon about Echo base being named after him)

(also bonus pain is that Omega would probably be among the pilots fighting in space above Scarif)

-Alternatively, if he doesn't die here: I think Echo could end up focusing on helping Alderaan survivors/refugees, and helping them preserve their culture and rebuild (looked it up and there is something similar in the Eu, so obviously Leia would still be at the head of this effort, tho). One, since Bail and Riyo are senator friends, and Bail is the GOAT, I find it likely the Network worked closely with him too and maybe even had some bases or clone settlements on Alderaan. And two, I also hc that the Network works on keeping records of clones and their culture/history, and since Echo has experience in that as well as rescue missions and etc his skills/knowledge would be helpful here. I think it makes sense that he would recognize that Alderaan is in a similar plight as the clones (whose home was also destroyed on Tarkin's orders btw) and would want to help them, especially if it's returning the favor/in honor of Bail. (And then we can get Echo and Leia bonding over how much they hate Tarkin lol).

(oh oh and then! post credit scene where Kix meets Leia in the Resistance, and she takes him to like a museum on New Alderaan dedicated to the clones and preserving their records, and he gets to see that his brothers found peace and their memory lives on (but well... what do I know, right?))

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Spending my summer in a city area this year and this is BS!

I miss the frog noises :(

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Been re-reading All Systems Red quite a bit (for video essay reference) and there's a really cool detail that stood out to me:

-Murderbot's status as a rogue is vital to the crew's survival. There are multiple instances where if it had not hacked its governor module they would have died, most important being the download package it refused

-Mensah's status as a planetary admin is also vital. This throws a wrench in GrayCris' plan, as they hadn't expected someone so important to be there and now the investigation would be more intense. This only happened because of Preservation's rule that political leaders continue their regular work

They only survived, i.e. this story only happened, because of what sets Mb apart from other SecUnits AND because of what sets Preservation apart from other systems. (Which isn't even to mention PresAux treating Mb as a person, allowing them all to work together. Valuing its life = saving it and removing the combat override = Mb is still around to protect them, etc)

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Fun? thing that happened at con

At one writing panel I went to someone said:

"An anti-hero is a hero that doesn't change"

and at another the very next day someone said:

"An anti-hero is a villain who grows"

so

there's that lol

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So uh...

don't think these meds are working yet lollllll

Lol the absolute STATE of my half-diagnosed adhd:

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We also really have to consider both the degree and manner in which these other cultures/groups interact with and influence the clones:

Clones are brought up in an extremely isolated environment on Kamino from the age of 0-10, then fight in the war scattered across the galaxy for up to 3 years. So for a first-gen clone who survived the entire war, the ratio is 10:3 years on Kamino vs deployed; 10 years interacting with Kaminoans and trainers vs 3 years interacting with Jedi and the galaxy/Republic as a whole.

Kamino is the formative years and the majority of their lives; deployment is after they are already fully grown and trained/educated. Kamino is strictly controlled and largely uniform; the War is post-diaspora, varied, and more open in terms of exposure and self-discovery/expression.

It's also 1-2 Jedi to whole battalions/legions of clones vs training in batches of 4-5. Like we know the Jedi formed some personal relationships with clones, but there's still millions of them and the majority of clones probably only distantly know ~one Jedi, and only really to receive orders.

Which also brings up the fact that all of these main influences are fairly limited to specific, prescribed roles:

-Kaminoans interact with clones primarily as creators/owners; as scientists, medical doctors, and probably educators, etc

-Trainers interact as military instructors, which sometimes can mean mentoring but also includes discipline and punishment

-Jedi interact as generals/commanding officers, to lead and give orders

Of course there's variation, and we see ways each group can expand upon those roles (e.g. Nala Se caring for Omega, Skirata becoming more of a father figure to his trainees, Jedi befriending their troops/Yoda mentoring a bit, etc), but there is still a built-in purpose behind those relationships. And, crucially, there will always be some presence of the chain of command and the clones' status as their subordinates coming into play. I think there's a degree to which its impossible to completely remove the hierarchy, formality, and context at the basis of their interactions.

Except! In how the clones have bypassed those restrictions with each other by choosing first-and-foremost to define themselves as brothers. And amid all the influences/environments, the people they'll interact with the most, their whole lives (through training and deployment, and most often in informal settings/off-duty) will always be other clones.

#they are a military #they are an enslaved people #they are clones of this one dude who are all within ten years of age of each other #they have so many perfectly normal and also deeply weird and fucked up aspects to their lives that Create Their Culture #they aren't blank slates they are living life and forming opinions from the time they can think and that is kinda the point - via @independent-variables

Yes ^ exactly! Because honestly, when you really dig into it, the clones as a social/cultural group are so unique from anything we see in-universe or irl. We don't really have any exact equivalents to compare to or use as a frame of reference. And it is just so much more realistic and interesting to approach it as such! Again, cultural exchange and adaption is totally valid, but I think it's important to recognize that:

1. The bringing together and mixing of those influences can be an important aspect of Clone culture in itself

2. There are also a lot of ways in which Clone culture clashes with Mando and Jedi culture, sometimes in direct antithesis (like Jedi valuing peace and all life as sacred, or Mando emphasis on parenthood, something @noperopesaredope touches on in their fic/essay here)

3. Some of the things that are most important and unique to Clone culture (like their communal brotherhood, and the way they do names) are completely independent to them and their environment/circumstances. And fundamentally so! In such a way that it can actually lose a lot of significance if seen as coming from somewhere else instead

For example: the clones' sense of individuality being 'taught' to them by the Jedi (rant about that here), or Anakin being the one to start naming clones (which apparently was a thing in a comic and I do NOT approve, bleh!). Biggest one for me is the clones painting their armor. If that comes from Mandalorian tradition then it holds an entirely different meaning and imo really detracts from what it means for the clones in show-canon: an expression of individuality and creativity, but specifically as personal customization of the same template. Showcasing their individuality through what each clones brings to the blank white armor they all share, especially in comparison to the blank uniformity of their stormtrooper counterparts.

I personally have mixed feelings on "Mandoclones" (bc I think it's multifaceted with many things to consider) but what bothers me is when I see stuff along the lines of:

"Clones shouldn't just be copy pasted Mandalorians! But you know where they would get their culture from? The Jedi!!"

Bc like what about the clones just being their own thing??

Saying all their culture is just Jedi culture doesn't make it any better, all you did is replace who they are 'copying' culture from. (And then you realize this is probably just using the clones as a thinly veiled front for a Jedi vs Mandos debate...)

Do I think the clones could have taken some influence from their Jedi generals, the main people they interact with outside of their brothers? Yeah!

Do I think that applies just as much (if not more bc the exposure is earlier, longer, and more direct) to their trainers on Kamino (who in Legends are mainly Mandalorians)? Also yes!

And, it could also be true for other trainers who aren't Mando. And other peoples and cultures the clones interact with when they are deployed and traveling to a bunch of planets across the galaxy.

But regardless of any and all of these influences:

The clones still have culture OF THEIR OWN

It just really irks me whenever I see insinuations that they don't, as if they are nothing more than completely blank slates that can only take influence from others (like even in fic sometimes I'll see lines like "the clones have no culture"). Which is literally not even true to what we see in canon, and fanon depictions (and you know, just not how culture works!)

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Okay I don't really wanna go at it or be a downer or anything, if you liked it that's cool. But I did tag this 'murderbot tv critical' so *shrug*

Counterpoint:

-That's not really that much of a show of trust to me, esp since they specifically said over and over that they had no other choice. And Mb explicitly lied about its plan bc it didn't trust them to handle it.

-We/Murderbot already know they care about each other, they've been like this the whole time. The question is if they care about Murderbot. And leaving it there to go hug the others instead of showing any urgency about its injuries, and (arguably) only caring now that it saved them, actually feels pretty selfish

-That's exactly why this moment bothers me. It got hurt to save Mensah (and unlike in the book there's no reason to believe it did that bc it cares about her, not just out of obligation) and then Mensah walks away for the reunion. That felt like leaving and ignoring it, the exact thing it fears. Yes THEN they looked worried and starting coming over, but idk at the least it's just nowhere near the impact of this scene in the book with Mensah shouting "We're not leaving you!"

And digressing a bit: If this is what finally gets Gurathin to accept Mb after he's still been so stubborn about it... kinda feels like that reinforces 'you're expendable, your worth is sacrificing yourself to save others'. Like 'good job fulfilling your purpose, now I value you. (but not all the other times you protected us, that made me trust you less for some reason)'

And really, I think the problem is that they (or at least Gurathin) don't actually seem to view Mb as a person (which is supposed to be the WHOLE point of what makes Preservation stand out!). A machine with feelings maybe, but still a machine. Bc last episode when Gurathin outs the Ganaka Pit backstory he's all "maybe you're just a defective unit, one thought away from killing everyone." A machine at the whim of faulty programming. Versus book Gurathin who in his suspicion and distrust is granting Mb personhood and autonomy: "I do think of it as a person. An angry, heavily-armed person who has no reason to trust us." A person with agency and opinions, capable of doing harm just like anyone else.

Idk maybe I'm being harsh. I can see what they were probably going for with that moment. But still, why would Mb getting extremely hurt to save someone (which it's already done multiple times, like with the combat override module) change Gurathin's mind about its personhood? If anything that's just fulfilling its intended purpose/'programming' as a SecUnit

Kay there's a lot of things I could say about the show, but what it basically comes down to atm is that I do not think they earned "My clients are the best clients" at all in that moment, and I do not see how in the remaining 20 minutes they could possibly earn "Mensah, my favorite human" (and that makes me sad)

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In the book, Murderbot says "My clients are the best clients" when it wakes up and discovers that it is 1. not dead, and 2. not under the control of a combat override module. It says that because Pin-Lee and Overse expertly removed the override, maintaining its freedom. It says that because it thought the only options were be taken over and forced to kill the people its supposed to protect (same as its worst trauma) or sacrifice itself to prevent that from happening, and its clients saw a third option to prevent both and cared enough to spend time and resources doing it. Because its clients are scientists who are "quick on the uptake" and competent and proactive. Because it's clients are not Corporation Rim opportunists but genuinely kind people who value and respect it as a person.

In the show? Murderbot says "My clients are the best clients" as they are hugging each other while it bleeds out alone in the dirt.

Kay there's a lot of things I could say about the show, but what it basically comes down to atm is that I do not think they earned "My clients are the best clients" at all in that moment, and I do not see how in the remaining 20 minutes they could possibly earn "Mensah, my favorite human" (and that makes me sad)

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Kay there's a lot of things I could say about the show, but what it basically comes down to atm is that I do not think they earned "My clients are the best clients" at all in that moment, and I do not see how in the remaining 20 minutes they could possibly earn "Mensah, my favorite human" (and that makes me sad)

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Murderbot: I need someone to help me here

Murderbot: the only people available are bestie and worstie

Murderbot:

Murderbot: [calls them both]

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once saw the sorta reverse of this on campus, in which the guy with a broken leg was on one of those scooter things and his friend was running to keep up with him lol

drawing people i see in the city (59/?)

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Sorry yall but the hug emoji peaked on classic gmail in like 2011 and everything since then has apparently been a downgrade

tracked it down and made a gif

Look at it, it's adorable!

🤗 i dont like this emoji. this is not a hug to me. this is someone doing condescending jazz hands in my general direction when i am in need of affection. not comforting.

🫂 i love this emoji. this is a hug. we are hugging and its nice. and as a special bonus they appear to be my old friends from the msn messenger logo? very comforting.