devyuence - Tumblr blog

[devyuence]

cute chef and my neko-chan design

so i designed a neko-chan sticker sheet for a friend for LOLfanfest. we did not know how it happened but the said sticker sheet reached one of gmmtv's makeup and hair stylist and even stuck it on the mirror.

you know what melts my heart? the mirror was featured in the cute chef boys, bookie (072723) and mix's (110623) ig stories. even if they do not know i exist, i'm happy that it seems that they are fond of it.

[devyuence]

How That One Only Friends Thread Demonstrated How Misinformation Operates: A Case Study (LOL)

Disclaimer: This is not really a case study but an analysis and venting room. Lol. If you are new here, this Tumblr account was originally made for my college majors so woop de woop. I am actually about to sleep but there is this one post in X about Only Friends that made me get up and type this post. I do not want to bring drama from other platforms but yenno.

If you are going to raise your brows at me for writing this, sue me, I guess. On what grounds though? Anyway, I will also not drop names like we only assign aliases akin to psychology case vignettes. After explaining the context, I will also delve into the audience's reaction to the said thread. I may be reading too much into this, actually no, because I made this yawn. I am typing this without a filter.

Anyway, this going to be a long-ass post...

Context: There is this one big account from X who is an avid viewer of Only Friends. As far as I know, big accounts are users who have a following of a thousand and above. Let us name this account user AB. According to the pinned tweet of the AB, they will translate for their fandom--the catch is, they will only translate specific scenes of the couple/ship they support. If they see that it is not related to the ship, they will cut it.

AB's Claims (aka their translation of the book):

Boston is in love with Top. Top got Boston's heartbroken that he started sleeping around and developed commitment issues.

Boston is mad at Top so he pushed Mew to Top because he thought the two would not take each other seriously--particularly Top because he is used to one-night stands.

Boston did not want to hurt Mew.

Boston is just a pookie and misunderstood character--this implies what he did to Top just makes sense

Counter-claims (from the same OF novel)

Boston sleeps around EVEN BEFORE he met Top

It was mentioned in the book that the reason why Cheum, Boston, Ray, and Mew are friends is because they are all rebelling against the standards set by society. Fact 1: It was actually established in the book that Boston hates living in the shadow of his father who is a respected politician. Fact 2: Boston sleeps around and is popular for giving people benefits. As such, he was threatened once to be exposed by the senior with whom he had an encounter. Said senior wanted them to stay for some time so they could brag about dating the politician's kid.

2. Will not argue with this one but come to think of it, Boston knows what he is signing up for. It was mentioned countless times that Top sleeps around and thinks of people as one-night stands. Top even created a rule and once they exceeded that certain time period, bye bye. The same goes for Boston. Even in the series, Boston does not want to have romantic relationships.

3. Boston ACTUALLY wants to hurt not JUST Top but Mew

If you looked for snippets of the novel, Boston actually called Mew bland. BLAND. Idk but calling your friend bland just because you think you are the BEST and is jealous is hmmm...

This leads us to...

4. Boston is not a pookie character, folks, and it is okay to admit it

He actually SAed Top. It was even stated in his POV that Boston forced himself to Top because he wanted to show him that he was better than his bland friend Mew. Yep. He is mad. He is jealous. He called his friend bland at that time because insecurity reared his ugly head.

To be honest, people have favorites and biases. I have one. You have one, too.

What I did not actually like is how AB specifically stated that they would not translate the parts except their favorite ship but cherry-picked translating aka interpreting Boston and Top's relationship.

As such, there are specific parts that are lost: like how AB did not include the part where Boston SAed Top. In the novel, it was much more detailed. Top actually had difficulties breathing to the point of almost losing consciousness. Yep, that is how extremely unsettling it is in the novel. He pushes his lower body to Top even if does not respond to him--because at that time, he is already in love with Mew.

So why am I writing all of this? I mentioned that everyone has biases but why? It is because I disliked misinformation and at the same time, I find it amusing how a simple fan's sentiments of Only Friends is actually a prototype of misinformation operations that can be/is applied in political spaces.

How is it similar to how the dissemination of misinformation works?

ONE: The thread has a deliberate omission of some information. Certain parts of the translation are cherry-picked because of their biases and yes, this is not the first time AB demonstrated their dislike for TopMew. This time, it is done in a subtle manner.

TWO: The thread evokes certain emotions in the audience. Like I've said earlier, we all have biases and certainly, we feel sad for our favorite character or celebrity especially if we think that they are underdog. An exemplary example of this is the way people feel sympathy for underdog politicians.

See how the Philippines voted for Duterte because he is a simple man who had no machinery but an honest mouth (actually just foul-mouthed and straight-up crap anyway). They also reelected Marcos Jr., aka the son of the dictator Marcos Sr., to the position. All because of misinformation.

In Only Friends, only Boston and Nick have no definite endings. Now that the two pairs ended up together but not them, fans of the ship are more vulnerable and easily swayed by emotions.

The comments of the users who interacted with the thread goes along the lines of: "Wow! I hate Top even more!" "Boston is just a baby who is misunderstood!" "He is my pookie. Sadlyf." "They did my baby Boston dirty."

THREE: The said emotions and ingrained ideas by the sources make it easier for people to ignore fact-checking and consume only what is available to them. You might think that I am unfair for comparing fandom reactions and sentiments to much serious world problems but like I said, this is a prototype. A mini reflection. Almost.

The most frustrating part is that some people do not bother to fact-check it--like if AB really has a book and is translating it based on the content OR AB is actually interpreting it, adding and subtracting things.

In addition, AB cannot give the page number of the source material so those who have the novel can check if what they are saying is true.

I mean this is not an isolated case. Even K-POP fandoms and the like are like this.

It just happens that this case unfolded in front of my eyes like wow. I need to write/type that. LMAO.

FOUR: AB's thread is a mini echo chamber

Once a fan/internet user is trapped in their own echo chamber and only sees things they like, they will most likely think that everything is true and what they believe is true is true. This is similar to algorithms used in misinformation and disinformation operations.

Going back, if you checked AB's post, a lot of people liked it and retweeted it. It has high engagements because AB is a big account. Let us face it, not everyone has the money to buy a book and they will consume what is available to them. The very same people are the ones who will engage with the post and retweet the hell out of them to show support.

Those who will correct the information AB has given will be ignored because people choose to believe the source. Like who cares if AB is wrong? It satisfies my ego too. Lol.

This is why YouTube removed the dislike button because it is a way for people to silently agree or disagree on something. This is also true for X.

The said echo chamber makes misinformation easier to spread. What is worse is if the source has a stable following aka large audiences.

I know, people will raise their brows and say that I am in an echo chamber too by liking Mew and to a certain extent TopMew but hahaha. Anyway...

If you are still reading this, wow! I hope you are still okay. Lol. I am sorry that I analyzed this thing way too much (in reality, I do not, I am actually typing the first thing I can think of).

I am sorry not sorry that the thread and the fandom behavior is just something that I had to bring it here and write. If people will criticize me for this, then, please be my guest. Lol.

Like did user devyuance just compare a thread to misinformation? Why not other threads? Why this one? I mean, this is something that I know of soooo. Wild? I mean, I just said what I said. The reason why my username is devyuance is because of deviance.

Sidenote, if you are still a college student in social sciences and searching for a research topic, you might want to delve deeper into this!

Raise your brows. Idc. Bye.

[devyuence]

Intricate Rituals The Series Part 1

[devyuence]

Saw this post by @tomatoland (thank you, lovely) on how Force gives signals to Book whenever they kiss so he will remember how to take a breath.

This reminded me of the iconic AkkTheo balcony kiss from Enchanté Notice how Force subtly moved his fingers. I zoomed it in if you cannot see it.

Then we have TopMew kitchen make-out in Only Friends.

Same story, folks. Force really gives a signal to Bookie by tapping the back of his neck.

The previous observation made me look carefully at the OurSkyy 2 X ABAAB episode 2 4/4, and look at what I found.

In case you missed it, Book looked breathless after the kiss.

This led me to rewind the specific part of the EP and violá!

Gun's hand moved to the back of Cher's neck sometime during the kiss. Who knows if he made the signal because it is followed up by a close-up shot.

Anyway, these are some of the things that I liked about ForceBook--their chemistry, as well as the level of trust and care they have for each other.

[devyuence]

Do you ever think about how ForceBook have to have a signal so Book will remember to breathe during their kisses?

Or this interview during ABAAB

Because here even though the camera was focused on their backs and not on their faces, Book’s head is totally turned towards Force… so 👀

[devyuence]

Guess who is the writing team's favorite character in Only Friends? Easy edition

Let's lay out every single thing we know about the characters in the series:

Boston: Playboy and likes to have sex with everyone no matter who they are, hates betrayal, loves photography, has problems with his dad who is a politician, initially a free-loader in their group project but started to contribute, does not care about repercussions to his actions because he's going to NY.

Nick: Obsessed with Boston and willing to be nasty for him, works at the electronics shop even if that is not his dream, willing to be with Dan or whoever but goes back to Boston if he can

Top: Top-tier, asshole, smug, rich AF, has trauma with fire and smoke but not explored well, not used to sleeping alone that he needs pills, drugs or Mew, CHEATER (as what people say), playboy but we haven't seen him kiss another dude in this series except Mew and Boston

Mew: Virgin and cute, table-keeper aka care-taker of the gang, has two moms, likes to read, wants to have good grades, knows what he wants, got LASIK, willing to party and use drugs after getting his heart broken by a top-tier guy, self-confidence got destroyed, dated his best friend but did not work

Sand: Poor boy (not really but sort of), singer who is in a band, works every day that we even have a breakdown of his source of income, sells plum wine but is cautious because it is prohibited, has an ex and mad at Top for stealing the said ex, has a mom who works in a club and a dad he has never met, dreams of traveling and going to music festivals, mentions songs and bands he likes every chance he can that audience can make a Spotify playlist for him, addicted to Ray no matter how Ray treats him like a door mat for the most part, willing to throw Nick under the bus and steal that recording to have his revenge on Top, paid by Ray's dad, has a dedicated Birthday episode

Ray: Rich that a simple project turned to be a large-scale hostel one, uses drugs, always want to pick a fight with everyone (as established in EP1), hot-headed, chronic alcoholic, has attempted throughout the show to drunk drive, crashed the car that he had to go to community service, treats other people like shit (looking at Sand), obsessed with Mew and/or the idea of Mew, multiple offender of kissing people without their consent, had the guts to force people to have sex with them, goes to people's houses unannounced or gate-crashes campings just because he wants to, CHEATER and two-timer (Top and he are in different fonts but is more nuanced and developed than Top due to screen time, anyway move on), gaslit Mew during their talk that even if they are both at fault Mew is the one who is extremely apologetic, has daddy issues that people can relate to, have extensive mommy issues that are left to be resolved but serve as way for the viewers excuse his behavior, has been given several breaking down scenes to fully sympathize with him no matter what happens

Tell me, based on what I wrote, who is the showrunner's favorite character/s? Tell me who is the character that is fully developed in the writing room? Raise your brows but I am letting this list speak for itself.

[devyuence]

another controversial take: every character is developing at the expense of topmew's

this is going to be an itemized rant and my thoughts are messy rn but sue me, i guess. feel free to raise brows but if you can get to post rants, i can too.

1. boeing should've been introduced episodes ago (not in the latest ep). as much as i liked raymew closure aka ray realizing that mew is not in love with him no matter what, boeingmew would have made even more sense. but then again, if we never had that raymew scenes, ray will not have that character development, progress with sand, and sand's character development.

2. as much as daddy dan (lol) is a plot device for boston to realize or act on his feelings with nick, mew's revenge played a part. he 'somehow' became apologetic, it's evident on his face during the confrontation scene, for stirring up things in his friend group and arguably starting to value things that he used to be so nonchalant about because he is moving away.

3. now that points one and two are established, can you see that the other pairs except topmew are progressing? not only their relationships but the characters are progressing, having arguable character development idk, or developing.

do we have the word "progress" on topmew as a pair?

do we have the word "progress" on top and mew as individual characters?

zero. nada. zilch.

it's like the writing team thought: "ah, in episode 5 onwards, let's develop everyone else except topmew. tone it down aka cut the scenes because people will hate them. tone it down because mew should not overreact in the burning of drawing scene. tone it down. tone it down until the scene drown and disappeared like titanic. tone it down until it goes down the drain."

apologies. i love mew and i am his number one defender but his character in the recent eps is stagnant and the latest one? ooc at that. at the same time, i feel bad that he is straight-forward and knows what he wants but becomes a stagnant character going back in circles. it's like everyone around him starts to have character development or redemption but he is reduced to, according to some viewers, an annoying brat. yeah, this is what happens when you toned down book's crying during his confrontation scene with top showing how he loved top so much as well as not showing more scenes that mew is really hurt and felt betrayed. he didn't have a proper breakdown aka crying scenes on his own but instead jumped on revenge era. the things are not grounded. people cannot sympathize with him because they do not fully know top and mew. they lack screen time to show who they are as individuals and as lovers. but that's just me.

what pisses me off the most is that he becomes a stagnant character and in the process, top is also hindered to progress. i mean, you know that at the beginning, i don't like top but he made his way on my fave list.

top was considered by others as someone without depth (at least that is what majority says no matter how much people explain top's nuances anyway). he is boring, bland, playboy, someone who is smug. i mean, when every character in the show gets to cry out loud and scream their hearts with proper build up except one or two, you will find them boring. book mew crying his heart out in the confrontation scene but was toned down? force top crying about him and mew at the silent disco while discarding the scene where he tried to find someone new but he cannot because he loves mew so much? like why are other emotional and crying scenes have proper build up and more nuanced but top, this is coming from a not-so-fan of top before, and mew do not have?

it's funny because top is reduced to mew's ex or lover (what are they anyway rn?), who (mew) happens to be reduced as a plot device for the character development or redemption of ray and boston, which had a domino effect on sand and nick's character.

ah. my lovely top and mew, especially my favorite, mew. i'm sorry that you are reduced to this which could have been fixed should people have more backbone and your characters have been thoroughly discussed in the writer's room.

anyway, i had low expectations on this show because as much as i liked the director, expectations lead to disappointment. now, im not expecting anything from this show. topmew is barely salvageable and is hanging by a thread. and if we don't see top's trauma next episode but more of NC scenes (i'm okay with it but to use it to appease fans is not), i'm sorry but... heh.

you know what is funny? for topmew to be based on real people, lovers at that, only to be reduced as plot devices and have a terrible state aka stagnant in the recent episode is peak comedy.

[devyuence]

Are you really picking Ray? Why not?

[devyuence]

if you are one of those who insists that ray is not responsible to mew's path to self-destruction because he is an adult, then congratulations, you can now finally understand why people are defending mew in the previous episodes because he is not ray's babysitter. they are adults. cut the double standards.

thank you very much.

[devyuence]

the episode 6 of only friends is yet to drop but i can already imagine the think pieces and threads against mew for tonight (or today depending on where you live).

another day, another defense speech for my beloved😌

[devyuence]

On ships, shts, and riches: long random musings

I am back with another entry. Anyway, Imentioned in my previous blog post that as much as I adore ForceBook, I do not mind if TopMew do not end up together. The reason is that I am the type of viewer who seeks fulfillment by rooting for fictional pairings that deserve each other.

On ships

I want endgames that will make me say: "Ah, they deserve each other" and it goes both ways. If the pairing is good for each other, I will definitely say "Congratulations, my favorite soft and warm fictional babies. I hope you are happily married with your cats and dogs in a homey apartment." Same way for miserable and 'problematic' fictional couples. I will definitely tell them: "You deserve each other, children. I am rooting for whatever you do after this series ends but please do not let each other go. Be toxic for each other and do not bring an 'NPC' in your relationship."

I want to root for couples because they deserve each other. Not just because they are played by a fixed ship.

I want to root for couples because they deserve each other. Not just because they are played by a fixed ship.

I want to root for couples because they deserve each other. Not just because they are played by a fixed ship.

And as Cnetz has said, important things must be said thrice.

On shxts

I want mess because Only Friends is a messy show with messy characters.

In relation to this, I know people might call me a walking contradiction because I want it to be messy but is Mew's defense lawyer but that is beside the point.

Going back, if this is a mess and P'Jojo's team got permission from the management to go all out--I hope they go all out. You know mess as in messy rooms that got featured in Clean House TV show where you get all sorts of junk piled up. Not messy as in those with staged 'clean with me' videos by influencers. That or short videos featuring a Chinese woman, whose husband's ex for some reason will visit their house, so she will throw fruits and dragon seeds on the floor and clean it with smart gadgets. I love those videos but you are getting me, right?

We are still in EP 4 and as much as I say that things will go south, I am not really sure whether it will really go south until the Earth's core. The reason--first point: the fixed ships. Yep, including NeoMark in this case. I know that the couples will end up together or just, you know not really endgame but fulfilling or open-ended. And I am not going to lie to you, I (as in me only, not you, in case you get defensive of your ship) will find it disappointing if couples end up together just because...

FANDOMS WILL GO INSANE.

Like if you take a quick look at the Only Friends YouTube comment section, most commenters will tell you that they never care for other couples and just want their favorites to be endgames or they will be mad. I mean who doesn't want to see your favorite real-life ship playing fictional characters smooching on the screen with a happy ending?

Not me if they do not deserve each other and just ended up to pacify people.

On riches

As we all know, in Only Friends, the team looked for pairings who they thought would fit perfectly for the roles--except NeoMark. The two are wild cards. Anyway, the thing with casting popular ships in an ensemble will definitely give you a sure hit--money or recognition, or recognition funded by money aka dedicated fans who will nominate and vote for selected award shows (with voting system).

However, an ensemble is a double-edged sword, especially if the fandoms involved are established and composed of shippers. For example, MSP worked because, at that time, the casts did not have core fandoms and shippers. The majority also understands that every character is essential in that show. This explains why aside from those kids being awesome performers, everyone in the cast is included in the fanmeets and tour. Even if others have a minor role.

You will barely see people saying that Ship X should be the lead instead of Ship Y and that We should skip Couple X scenes because they only want their favorite couple on screen. But in Only Friends? Ah, it's a mess. The same goes for Moonlight Chicken. 👀

As to why it is a double-edged? You are guaranteed with viewers but the headache is more insane. Directors are probably drinking right now and trying not to pull their hair over edgy fans.

In addition, I really think that the fans-production team relationship in shows, especially if composed of established ships, is always paradoxical. I have yet to watch MLC (I am sorry but it's on my watchlist) but this is very apparent in Only Friends. Paradoxical in the sense that viewers think that their favorite characters' endgame is at the mercy of the director but also think that they are over the production because some fans can get entitled and say "I will not watch your show anymore because you are breaking up my ship."

This is also true for the production team. I am sure the OF team does not think that they have total control over their craft. Sure, they have control over music scores and shooting locations but they have to take into consideration if the fans will go insane and if it is bad for business if everyone has a bad ending.

Well, I am just a normal internet user and my thoughts are just well, thoughts. People will not be affected by it. Unless you are raising your eyebrows at me now.

Yeah, it's just my tiny hopeful side of me speaking. I know business is business. At the end of the day, it's always about ships, shxts, and riches.

[devyuence]

Controversial take: People's hatred for Mew is related to their attachment to real life ship which takes the fun out of Only Friends (at least on their end)

This is going to be my random thoughts and I had a couple of shots of gin and tonic while writing this so excuse me. I am gonna mix up the real-life and fictional scenarios so sue me, I guess.

Before anything else, I like ForceBook a lot but I can understand if TopMew will not end up together. For the most part, I see Top as a person I can never like in real life and you cannot blame me if he just gives me bad vibes.

However, I want to know more about him and how their story unfolds. I actually want TopMew to pull a 188 Men's Group wife-chasing crematorium trope (look it up) or an ending like Cruel Intentions.

In addition, even if I will be proven wrong soon, I will still defend Mew. He is just complex and reminds me of myself. Someone who just wants to graduate with flying colors in an Asian society (SEA to be exact) then came along Boston pestering him about his virginity.

Now you know my biases, let's get to the real reason why I used the said title.

People are hating Mew for cock-blocking Ray and Sand. Calling him names and anything but never Ray. Never Ray. I am actually glad that happened because at least Sand knows that Ray is still hung up on Mew—even if some viewers will say that it is not love but more of the idea that he loves Mew. Again, Ray is still hung up on Mew (or has lingering feelings) and I am glad he stopped what they are doing. At least Sand had a heads-up, a warning that he is just a rebound.

If we go back from last week, people hate Mew for ditching Ray and P'Jojo had to explain that Boston and Syrup forced him to go home with Top. You will not see people making threads gaining hundreds of likes of how Boston is a bad friend for Ray—it is always Mew that is the face of betrayal. Never Boston because he is not a threat. Or Neo. Or Mark. Unless Nick hooks up with Sand. Lol.

This leads me to the conclusion that some of the viewer's hatred for Mew (or Book) stems from how he intervenes with the existing ship. People nitpick everything he does. Some shippers feel threatened about his existence—may it be in the series or real life. His ghost ship with Khao (or Ray with Mew) annoys the hell out of people. In some clips with Khao and Book sailing RayMew, fans are saying First is jealous and Khao should pay attention to him. This is somehow converted to how people pity Sand even more and dislike Mew in the series. Ray can be an alcoholic and Mew saves his ass multiple times but Ray can never do wrong. Even if he wants to drive while drunk. Never Ray because Ray is Khaotung. LOL.

Some are also saying that only Ray cared for his friend group when in the very first episode, the first cut at that, Mew is picking up Ray's drunk ass. Hell, he even reprimanded him (R) for picking fights while drunk. Now, people are saying that Ray should have continued the deed with Sand instead of taking care of his friend who does not care about him. That or people throwing a pity party for Ray by being a true friend when it was implied that Mew is always the table keeper, taking care of his drunk ass and it did not happen only once.

I know some of you are raising your eyebrows right now but I mean, everyone just tends to nitpick about Mew. Or Book. Before, I had seen people calling him bland and boring. Like a cardboard without personality. People are like: How the hell Ray even like him? Now that he is showing his true colors, people are calling him scheming and manipulative.

When Mew did not let Top go further from his advancements, some are criticizing him for acting like a kid and virgin (he is btw). When Top did not pick up his calls, people are saying that he is evil and manipulative. That he deserves it. When Boston does something problematic, people will say he just have insecurities and unresolved daddy issues. When Nick installed that in the car, people will say that he is just in love and obsessed. When Ray wants to crash his car, it is because he has mommy issues. That they are just kids and needs guidance but Mew? Mew is hated for acting like a kid aka stopping Top when he realized he is not ready. That he deserves getting cheated on. That he is the most evil guy. Hell, even Top, according to viewers cannot be an assault victim because he is not played by an actor who is a crowd favorite.

See what I mean people? Like make up your minds. You love to psychoanalyze other character's personalities and why they are behaving but Mew (even Top) has no excuses. Heh.

In addition, people are questioning why Mew did not call Syrup or Boston. Bruh, Syrup cannot drive. Boston is yeah, Boston. Also, some viewers say that Ray does not really love Mew but is in love with the idea of him or because Mew cares for him. Some even theorized that he has an Oedipus Complex. Now tell me, Mew does not care about Ray but the reason why Ray is still hung up on Mew is because he is caring? Make it make sense, please.

Some viewers will disagree with me, especially those who have a strong attachment to their own ship, but I wonder if they are still having fun going through hoops and hoops and throwing pity parties over characters? I, for real will still defend Mew but I acknowledge that he is gray. I wonder if they will combust if we get a RayMew kiss in the next episode? I wonder how they feel seeing everyone in the Only Friends casts are friendly with each other?

Anyway, I just said what I said.

If your hatred for a character is unreasonable and you see him as a threat (esp in real life). I think you need to reevaluate and ask yourself why. Or maybe you just need a Sand, a shrink. Either way, everyone in OF needs therapy.

Cheers to people who consume this drama for pure bliss and whatnot. The not-too-invested crowd with real ships. The messy crowd.

If the show is not for you and you want chummy cutesy BLs, you can save yourself, honey. This is Jojo we are talking about. If you think that you have the right to watch despite nitpicking everything (I mean we all have the freedom), okay. Please feel free to do so.

However, if you think this will not affect how others, even the directors, will see your fandom, I am speaking in general, well, you are in for a ride. Idk, be sensible I guess.

I do not even know how from an OF meta, I ended up saying something about fandoms. Guess alcohol in your system really does wonders. I will never hate the actors for their fans though. I just think that this is something that people need to think about.

Like if you have seen the reception in the F app and T app, it's more welcoming but the former chicken app? It is a more restrictive echo chamber that dismisses discussion because again, it is dominated by big accounts of shippers.

We are only in Episode 3, I hope everyone is ready for the chaos not just in the show but in the fandoms.

Anyway, I am done editing this. Hate me but I said what I said.

PS. For the Mew defenders out there, hi! I love you! For my cutesy Forcebook fans, how is it that we like unproblematic besties? Toughen up though! It's gonna be a war zone.

From your resident Mew defender until the end

XOXO, Yue.

[devyuence]

Alcoholism of Baron Geisler: Socialization and Psychological Explanations? Why Not Both?

A talented actor known for his iconic villain roles and ‘bad boy’ persona on and off camera, Baron Geisler is perhaps one of the most controversial actors in the Philippine media. Who does not remember the sexual harassment cases filed by Cherry Pie Picache and Yasmin Kurdi against him? How about his infamous feud with Ping Medina where the latter accused him of urinating on the actor during a scene for a film last 2016? It is important to note that these incidents happened under the influence of alcohol. This poses a question: How can we explain the deviant behavior, particularly the alcoholism, of Baron Geisler?

This essay attempts to explain deviant behavior using the psychology and socialization theories to provide not a contradictory but rather a complementary perspective. It argues that people, especially those who commit deviant acts, are not entirely dictated by their mental state. Moreover, they are not passive beings who simply absorb information from others.

According to Clinard and Meyer (2011), the psychological model views deviance as an illness that needs a cure. They also use illness in two ways. On one hand, a deviant act such as alcoholism is viewed as evidence of an illness. Meanwhile, other scholars cite the concept of illness to explain the deviant act.

Geisler admitted that he is diagnosed with bipolar disorder (Lozano, 2012) and clinical depression (Cepeda, 2019). His father’s death took a toll on the actor who was only 20 years old at that time. From the psychological standpoint, it can be said that his alcohol abuse is a sign of his worsening mental health condition. At the same time, his diagnosis combined with the periods of high stress is seen as the reason he turned into alcohol. While these explanations give us an idea of why Geisler committed such a deviant act, it fell short and reduces him to a single label: alcoholic. It ignores the experiences and challenges that made his condition worse. In addition, it suffers from circular reasoning and cannot pinpoint what is the real cause and effect of the problem.

In line with this, Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association, explains how people commit delinquency and criminal behavior through interaction with others. According to Sutherland (1992), deviant acts represent learned behavior in the process of communication and the primary learning of the behavior occurs within personal groups. 

In 2018, Geisler made another headline after a brawl with several family members. According to him, he broke in and got bugbug by his own family. The actor even made a sarcastic remark saying that it is the way his siblings show their love (Hallare, 2018). In addition, he admits that he surrounded himself with people who are also into alcohol and drugs to cope with his depression (Cepeda, 2019). This shows how individuals can be influenced by the environment and how their behaviors are shaped by the people around them.

However, this does not mean that socialization or the learning process is the sole reason why Geisler got engaged in alcoholism which resulted in other deviant acts. To put it from another perspective, learning does not guarantee that one can easily unlearn a deviant behavior to learn a new one. In his own words: 

“People do not know this, but I’ve entered all sorts of institutions many times in the past. I used drugs heavily, most people do not know this, and I lied. I deceived so many people because I was in denial of my problem, of my disease.” – Baron Geisler, 2019 Interview

The case of Baron Geisler’s alcoholism shows that people who commit deviance are not simply dictated by their mental health and internal states: they can make their own choice. It just happened that alcohol became Baron Geisler’s outlet to deal with his problems. At the same time, they are also not passive beings that simply absorb information from other people through the process of communication. This essay shows how the interaction of several factors such as psychological conditions, experiences, and interaction with others play an important role in shaping one’s behavior. Moreover, it shows how theoretical explanations of deviance do not need to exist in a vacuum but can be combined to draw meaningful insights. It reminds us, scholars, to entertain multiple perspectives in dealing a behavior or phenomena.

References:

ABS-CBN News. (2012, November 12). Baron Geisler Admits He Is Bipolar. https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/12/12/baron-geisler-admits-he-bipolar

Cepeda, C. (2019, June 27). Baron Geisler recalls painful battle with depression, drug use, alcoholism. INQUIRER.Net. https://entertainment.inquirer.net/335599/baron-geisler-recalls-painful-battle-with-depression-drug-use-alcoholism

Clinard, M.B., & Meier, R.F. (2011). Sociology of Deviant Behavior, 14th ed. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.  

Hallare, K. (2018, March 4). Baron Geisler battered, left bloodied by family members. INQUIRER.Net. https://entertainment.inquirer.net/264172/baron-geisler-gets-battered-family-members-p2fb

Sutherland, P. A. A. (1992). Cognitive Development Today: Piaget and his Critics (1st ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.

[devyuence]

The Processes of Role Taking: The Case of Putin’s Deviant Behavior Towards Ukraine

The NATO membership application and Neo-Nazi prevention are perhaps the well-known explanations for Putin’s ruthless decision to invade Ukraine. While these explanations provide a good overview of the structural causes of the conflict, in an international arena where state actions reflect the political leader’s behavior, it falls short by disregarding individual identities. In line with this, this paper gives three processes that may lead to Putin’s deviant behavior.

According to Clinard and Meier (2011), deviance is associated with roles that people are expected by society to fulfill. In the case of Putin, as a president, he is expected to protect Russia from potential threats of foreign invaders and to take advantage of opportunities for the country’s benefit. However, this role-taking also implies processes that can affect the likelihood of deviant behavior. The first process states that holding attitudes toward delinquent solutions to problematic situations will affect the likelihood of deviant behavior (Mead, 1938). Thus, it is also expected of an individual to justify the behavior in front of a law-abiding social group. In the case of Putin, he saw the West’s relationship to Ukraine, as problematic and a threat to Russia’s security. The reasons he provided gained sympathy from others, justified his violent actions towards Ukraine, and made some critics reconsider his explanation.

The second process is the anticipation of the actions of significant others to deviant behavior. According to Mead (1938), the more negative the anticipated reaction, the lower the possibility of deviant lines of action. Putin’s actions may have anticipated a negative reaction from the Russians but there is a need to recognize that the country is ruled by an authoritarian regime. Normal citizens do not have the power to express dissent in public due to harsh punishments and sanctions posed by the government. Furthermore, dissidents have become a cautionary tale to the public as 58 journalists who are critical of the government were killed since 1992 (Oates, 2022).  

Lastly, deviant behavior can occur in the absence of reflective thoughts through habitual responses that an individual has established through past experiences. Through the strict control over the masses and power over state apparatuses, Putin is not afraid of the backlash for his actions. In addition, his successful annexation of Crimea, a ‘former’ territory of Ukraine, in 2014 gave him the idea that he will succeed once again despite the resistance of Ukraine and opposition of other countries.

In summary, the development of Putin’s deviant behavior in the relation to the war on Ukraine did not happen overnight. It is an ongoing process tied with time and history, not only of the individuals but by the context or environment in which they lived. Deviance does not exist in a vacuum but rather follows a sequence of action, reaction, and interpretation.

  References:

Clinard, M.B., & Meier, R.F. (2011). Sociology of Deviant Behavior, 14th ed. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Mead, G.H. (1934). Mind, Self, and Society. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago.

Oates, S. (2022, March 24). Putin’s control over Ukraine war news is being challenged by online news and risk-taking journalists. Nieman Lab. https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/03/putins-control-over-ukraine-war-news-is-being-challenged-by-online-news-and-risk-taking-journalists/

[devyuence]

Relativity of Deviance: The Case of Private Messages

According to Turculet (2014), the extent to which social media platforms administrators can access profiles has become a critical concern as cases of privacy violations increased in recent years. Subsequently, it has also become a new topic for ethical and legal considerations. Now, it poses a question: Can we consider mocking and making fun of marginalized sectors through private group chats deviant if it is exposed by invading people’s privacy?

In 2018, members of Upsilon Sigma Phi or Lonsi, an arguably well-known fraternity, found themselves at the cusp of a storm as leaked group chat messages were posted online. If one will conduct a simple search for #lonsileaks on Twitter, it will yield a bunch of screenshots from group chat messages featuring bigotry, homophobia, misogyny, and even Islamophobia (Caña, 2018). 

Lonsi’s act of swearing and making fun of vulnerable sectors caused an uproar in the UP community. The said act even pushed several organizations to release statements condemning fraternities. In a Twitter post by the Philippine Collegian, UP Diliman students gathered at the AS Parking Lot to register calls for the end of misogyny, patriarchy, and fraternity-related violence amid the leak of online messages involving the members of Lonsi. 

Based on the reaction of the public, particularly the UP community and organizations catered to the marginalized, Lonsi members committed a deviant act. Furthermore, netizens who are not affiliated with the school express their dissatisfaction with the actions of the members. However, for the members of the fraternity, what may seem problematic to outsiders may be a normal thing for them. One may even go as far as to say that fraternities breed and justify toxic masculinity and patriarchy because their core values and principles stand the test of time. To recall, Lonsi was established in 1918 when progressive ideas are not accepted. 

To add another layer to this issue, while other people consider Lonsi’s act inappropriate, some criticize the leaker as unethical. This now begs the question: If leaking private messages is unethical, what about harmful conversations targeting vulnerable sectors behind closed doors? Should they be kept secret or should be publicized? Who gets to decide when a private message leak is necessary or not? This is where the relativity of deviance comes into play.

According to Clinard and Meier (2011), deviance is a relative phenomenon based on norms-- they are limited to a specific context. This means that time, place, and groups involved play an important role in identifying what can be considered deviant behavior. In the Upsilon Sigma Phi scandal, the whistleblower’s action of exposing fraternity members who have connections can be considered bravery. However, if the said whistleblower is also a member of the fraternity, from the standpoint of the long-standing organization in question, it is a deviant act to betray the organization to which they owe allegiance. 

To make matters complicated, the messages were obtained using illegal means which makes the action morally questionable. An article published by Daily Tribune entitled ‘Privacy, fraternity and social media’ criticized users who spoke of morality regarding the issue but were oblivious that a breach of privacy rights took place. It even went as far as saying that from a moral perspective, the public outrage should be directed towards the malicious breach of privacy instead of the private cyber correspondence. 

This excerpt was taken from the Tribune article.

The contrasting opinions of the internet users about the scandal and privacy breach show how various groups of people frame an action differently. Exposing misogynist, racist, and problematic private messages may be applauded. However, there are cases in which it is heavily frowned upon. A good example are the female users who expose their ‘cheating’ husbands on social media. While they may gain sympathy from other internet users, they are also subjected to scrutiny by the conservatives for airing dirty laundry. Given the relativity of the leaks of private messages goes beyond the issue of what is culturally accepted, I think that we should also frame the issue from the moral and legal points of view, especially if it is a deliberate act.  

The Upsilon Case is a complicated issue that can be summed up with the phrase: fighting deviance with another deviant act. Lonsi’s hate speech towards the marginalized groups is considered deviant because it went against societal norms. Furthermore, from another perspective, the members are only considered deviant because they got caught. To prevent the misogynist and rude remarks from happening again, I think that the state and government agencies (DepEd and CHED) should place importance on strengthening values education and cultivating respect. In addition, there is a need to empower women in all facets of society in order for people, especially for men, to realize that we are all equal.

At the same time, the invasion of privacy and usage of third-party applications is a deviant act regardless of the intention. In this case, what we need is to educate people about the proper and responsible use of social media.

To end this, it is important for us to reflect on who holds the power to make a judgment of what is deviant or not, how norms and judgments were formed, and how WE, as individuals, have a contribution to perpetuating the system that oppresses others.

Reference:

Clinard, M.B., & Meier, R.F. (2011). Sociology of Deviant Behavior, 14th ed. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.  

Concept News Central. (2018, November 30). Privacy, fraternity and social media. Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/12/01/privacy-fraternity-and-social-media/

Guno, N. V. (2018, November 24). #LonsiLeaks: UP frat linked to group chat of sexist, racist, anti-poor slurs. INQUIRER.Net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1056522/lonsileaks-up-frat-linked-to-group-chat-of-sexist-racist-anti-poor-slurs

Serato, A. C. (2019, October 17). Fitness coach gets backlash for exposing alleged indecent proposal from actor Alex Diaz. PEP.Ph. https://www.pep.ph/news/local/146917/fitness-coach-backlash-alleged-indecent-proposal-alex-diaz-a718-20191017

Turculeţ, M. (2014). Ethical Issues Concerning Online Social Networks. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 149.10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.08.317.