#all constructive discourse on this subject welcome

[etz-ashashiyot]

About Me/FAQs

You can call me Avital. I am a non-binary traditional egalitarian Jew living in the US. Any pronouns except they/them are fine. (!היא/את בעברית, בבקשה. תודה)

I really appreciate human interaction. That being the case, if you follow me and I don't already follow you, please send me a DM with the following:

What you want me to call you (internet name, username, nickname, whatever)

What brought you here and made you want to follow me

Something random about you that you feel comfortable sharing (pet pics are always welcome too <3)

I had a whole lot of other rules on my previous blog to weed out the faint of heart, but I genuinely don't know how well that worked, so instead I will simply put roughly the same information below as resources and recommended reading. Fair warning: I will operate from a baseline assumption that you've done the reading and therefore will not be explaining anything in them.

I also had a listing of my firm opinions and other miscellaneous information. That got long and unwieldy, but a lot of people seemed to appreciate it, so I will post roughly the same list under the cut.

The current username refers to my current symbol of a tree of lanterns in the starlight. This is related to my desire to create self-symbolism, old school style (like I really want to create a family crest, a flag, a seal, and other heraldic nonsense. Why? Because it delights me, of course.)

This page is under construction and subject to change at any time.

B'vracha,

Avital

Recommend Reading

For followers who are Christian, were Christian, are non-Jews who grew up in a Christian culture and/or have only learned about Judaism through Christianity, these links are very helpful in unpacking some of the antisemitism you were taught:

Better Parables (specifically the article about Pharisees, but read the rest of the site too, it's great)

Antisemitic readings of the Temple table-flipping incident in the New Testament

The current Israel-Hamas war and just המצב discourse in general require a lot of background knowledge to discuss intelligently, and not just propaganda. There is a LOT of antisemitism in the public around this topic and it is having serious real-world consequences for Jews all over the world. The mis- and disinformation is causing problems for everyone involved. Islamophobia in the West has increased as well. If you're going to engage in this discussion, I am respectfully but forcefully asking you to read the following sources. They are useful regardless of where you fall on that political scale.

There Is No Magic Peace Fairy

Ways to help: [1], [2], [3]

Muslim organizations advocating for peace, education, positive interfaith relations, and fighting antisemitism

This is perhaps my best summary of my own feelings on the whole thing

Is your pro-Palestine activism hurting innocent people? Here's how to avoid that

Please learn what Kahanism is, because it actually is what people think Zionism is. Zionism is simply a desire for Jewish self-determination in our ancestral homeland of eretz Yisrael. Kahanism is a type of racism that cloaks itself in Zionism but is fundamentally bigoted.

A non-exhaustive list of antisemitic incidents, attacks, and pogroms during [OP's] lifetime

An exceptionally long and thorough explanation of antisemitism and antisemitic violence throughout history

Why The Most Educated People in America Fall for Antisemitic Lies by Dara Horn (tumblr link in case the article link gets broken)

This explanation of the atrocities endured by Soviet Jews and how the legacy of Soviet antisemitism undergirds western "antizionism-not-antisemitism." If you call yourself an anti-Zionist, this is required reading.

An excellent overview of the basics

This is nowhere near complete information, but it's an important start. I will very likely continue to add resources as they become available and would love to create a primer on this topic more generally.

If you don't believe that October 7th happened or wasn't that bad, or really any atrocity denial please read this article from a reporter who was shown the actual footage, as well as this article documenting its effects on him.

If you are still in denial about the pattern of gender based violence, sexualized torture, and widespread rape as a war tactic committed by Hamas on 10/7, you are legally required to read this article.

About the blog:

I’m going to try my best to keep this blog to primarily Judaism, comparative religion and theology, with the occasional side sprinkling of queer & trans stuff, BUT it is absolutely a personal blog at the end of the day.

I talked about Israel and המצב stuff a lot on my previous blog and will likely continue a bit over here too. I welcome a broad swath of opinions, so long as they objectively treat all parties involved as human and deserving of safety, stability, freedom, dignity, and peace. That is apparently a large ask these days, and a not-small part of why I keep talking about this issue. Please be part of the voices that give me hope for the future, okay?

Minors can follow and interact but please keep in mind that I’m probably closer to your parents' age than yours if you do want to interact with me directly.

Interactions:

Rude asks will be deleted. Harassing blogs will be blocked and probably reported.

I consider anything even remotely in the vicinity of trying to proselytize to me to be “harassing,” or at a minimum, rude. Just FYI.

Otherwise, nice interactions are welcomed.

Banter is encouraged; trolling will be ignored

If you are a goy and want to argue with me about Jewish theology, you have to match my perfect score on this popquiz, no cheating by looking things up during the quiz. I learned Judaism as an adult mostly through self-study so you have no excuse. If you're invested enough to argue with me you're invested enough to do the reading homework. (To clarify: I'm happy to explain Jewish stuff to anyone who is sincerely asking or just have a friendly comparative theology discussion or whatever. But I have zero patience for those who want to argue with me about basic shit claiming they know more than me, especially if what they're claiming they "know" is not only wrong but antisemitic and wrong.)

If I don't respond to your interaction, there's a strong chance that I (a) have no idea what to say and am thinking about it, (2) totally meant to respond and just forgot after the notif disappeared, and/or (3) got incredibly busy. It's not personal! Please don't be shy about following up with me if you like. I promise that if we have a problem that is fixable, you'll know. If we have a problem that is not fixable, you'll be blocked.

I am currently learning Ivrit and am delighted to have interactions in Hebrew. Please feel free to message me, reply to posts or reblog, submit asks, etc. in Hebrew and I will do my best to read and respond to it. (Responses will be slower, but not for lack of appreciation of your thoughts!)

Anything else, just ask.

Hard stances:

You're not going to change my mind on these things; I've looked at the evidence, my personal experiences, and thought about them long and hard, and I am not going to be swayed by an internet rando. I can (often, but not always) co-exist just fine with people who I disagree with, but if seeing my posts about this is going to upset you, just do us both a favor and block me now please.

I am deeply distressed at how many people are choosing to live in a "post-factual society" where the truth is based on truthiness vibes and the politics are based on the quippiest of slogans. I don't care who's doing it, misinfo, disinfo, propaganda, atrocity denial, and gaslighting are BAD. There is no nuance here; these are bad things. They are bad if they go against your cause and they are bad if they "support" your cause. No cause is better than the truth.

If we cannot have a discussion where we are operating from the same baseline reality of verifiable facts, we cannot have a productive conversation and I will not engage with you. We can agree or disagree on a lot and that is fine, but facts matter.

If you cannot be reasoned with in accepting verifiable facts as reality, you need help. I'm serious. That is cult behavior. Get off tumblr and get help.

I don't know how to tell you that you should care about other people. If you don't see the inherent worth in other human beings' lives, I can't fix that. Go take that struggle to G-d and heal your soul.

I support the right of the Jewish people to self-determination in our ancestral homeland of Israel, the same way that I support other indigenous groups' right to self-determination in their ancestral homelands. If you don't, I'm going to need you to examine why Jews should be singled out of every other group to be denied this right or denied support in seeking it. That said, I definitely do not agree with many of the decisions made by the Israeli government, especially (but far from exclusively) regarding their treatment of Palestinians. I think both Jews and Palestinians deserve to live in peace, safety, freedom, dignity, and self-determination for both. No one is going anywhere; any real solution must recognize that. I tend to favor this proposal by A Land for All as an ideal (and given the grassroots nature of this idea, I think it could work pragmatically too, if the political will exists on both sides.)

I reject the Zionist/anti-Zionist dichotomy altogether for a number of reasons: 1) It impedes conversation because too many people agree but will never know it because they refuse to talk about what they actually mean by those labels and instead make assumptions about the other group. 2) It inherently puts the validity of an existing state up for debate rather than looking at real solutions for the future. You cannot unmake the state of Israel without widespread atrocities, but you can figure out options for everyone to live together in peace and heal from the collective trauma. 3) It also makes it way too easy to play Good Jew/Bad Jew and "Zionist" has basically become the slur de jour for "Jew." It sucks that people took a Jewish word for an important Jewish concept and made it synonymous with "bloodthirsty racist," but personally I don't think arguing over that at this exact juncture in time is helpful.

Bottom line: I'm a humanitarian and a pragmatist, and I care about all the people who call that part of the world home.

Update: for real, if you have trouble seeing Israelis and Palestinians both as human and deserving of safety, dignity, freedom, and inherent worth as living human beings, I don't want to know you. I don't want to talk to you. Go fix yourself.

🌻 I stand with Ukraine 🇺🇦

Free Iran from the Islamic Republic // Women Life Freedom

Abortion is a human right and should be safe, legal, available on demand, and shameless. It's a necessary medical procedure and it's completely barbaric that we're still talking about it as anything else.

Birth control, abortion, and no-fault divorce are actively positive parts of society and building healthy families.

Transition care is healthcare and also a human right. Allowing people to transition prevents self-harm and suicide, and has an extremely high efficacy rate with an exceptionally low level of risk or regret. We now have well over a century of data on this.

That said, detransitioners who are still supportive of trans people/aren't transphobic are more than welcome here, as any exploratory process deserves the right to say, "Interesting! But nope!"

Transunity, ace/aro positivity, and just inclusionism in general, 100%. Fuck off with anything else.

Queer might be a slur in the mouths of some people, but my identity isn't. Don't reblog my posts if you're going to tag it with "q slur" or "q word" or censored in some way. I'm not Gay as in "I prioritize cis men over the entire rest of the community" but Queer as in "my personal labels are none of your business but my political stance on queer liberation sure as fuck will be."

If you don't vaccinate yourself and your kids for any reason other than medical necessity, and especially if you promote anti-vaxxer views and the associated pseudoscience, you are actively harming the most vulnerable members of society for entirely selfish reasons and that makes you a bad person. I hope your kids bypass you to get vaccinated.

Wear a mask 😷

[genderqueerdykes]

part of me wants to revive my old ace/aro positivity/advice sideblog and part of me still hurts and shies away from it because of the discourse and some of the shit i went through on that blog just for daring to say that aces and aros are queer.

how do you do it? how do you keep a blog like this going when there's just constant nasty bullshit coming in? i miss running it and i miss being the one who got to tell people who weren't sure who they were that they could be whatever they felt and that they were welcomed and loved. but i do not miss regularly getting told to kill myself or that i need therapy.

you know, that's a very good question, i haven't thought about that

it is very hard and i'm sorry people have treated you that way. i don't know why people are so determined to be as rude as possible about aspec people. like folks are just ruthless and it makes no sense because romance and sex are so normalized in our culture that people who step outside of what is considered "normal" for human attraction are very much queer. someone who refuses to partner because it doesn't interest them is very queer. someone who enjoys erotica but not sex is very queer.

it is hard, i will give you that. i do receive a fair amount of nasty messages, but i've noticed they've decreased recently because periodically i go into the terf and rad fem tags to block everyone who is participating in those communities. i'm very proactive with the block feature, i will use it if i feel unsafe, uncomfortable or like that person would be unproductive to interact with. i naturally have a sort of confidence to me that comes with my autism. i know i'm right about what i'm talking about (most of the time). if someone wants to challenge me, that's their business, but i'm generally very sure of myself and what i want to say

i am also heavily medicated, so keep that in mind. i do take several medications for anxiety, bipolar disorder, and so on. so a lot of the time my emotions are kept in check by my meds. i've been in therapy for a very long time and if things arise i can talk to my therapist or friends about it. generally online trolling doesn't bug me because i've spent most of my time online ever since i was a kid. i'm very used to the patterns that manifest when people want to bother someone else. i don't like giving rude people what they want

i remind myself that rude people are entitled. they expect the world to work the way they want it to, but that's just not how life goes. i also have DID, which means i have other people living in my head with me that can take over if i get too frustrated. generally i quickly journal out my feelings, delete the ask, and then move on. the greatest piece of advice i can give you is that you do *not* have to answer every single ask or message. if an ask pisses you off so bad that you can't formulate constructive thoughts on it, just delete it. you don't owe internet strangers anything

generally i'm very socially oriented. i really, really enjoy talking to people. because i've always had very progressive beliefs, i'm very much used to people trying to challenge me on what i know about the world and how things work. i lived with republicans and libertarians early on in my life and saw the fascist patterns in their behavior and wanted nothing more but to discuss how life really can be more gentle, welcoming and opening.

after i started this blog, i realized that there are people who are hellbent on misunderstanding you and that's something you just have to cope with. it's literally impossible to make people all think and feel the same way on a given subject, humanity is too diverse for that. there will always be someone who wants to misunderstand what you're saying in order to suit their own narrative. once i was reminded of the strawman fallacy, i began to realize that so many people literally just make up people to be offended on their behalf. people make up problems where they don't exist. some people literally wake up in the morning to do this and you can't change it- and that's alright. you can always block and ignore them. just because they got under your skin doesnt mean you owe them anything.

honestly, sometimes a person is cut out for it, and sometimes they're not- not saying you're not. it's *very* hard to do this, don't feel like you're a failure or anything. it's very exhausting at times. i take breaks and answer asks when i can for that reason. i don't want a schedule. i don't want to force myself to do this every single day. it's a job, but it's not. i like being an activist. i like helping. and i like changing people's minds. i don't mind having stressful conversations, because they're the ones people avoid the most. i've never been scared of having "tough" conversations. again, my autism helps me out in this regard

i think at the end of the day it's my love for other people that drives me. i've always been selfless and put others before myself. i really care about community and people uniting, it's literally my goal and passion in life. i've always wanted to become some type of figurehead in the community who is here to help. so for me, it's aligned with what i want to do in life. i'm aware that i have to take some blows in order to do it, so i do my best to take em on the chin

i hope that made sense or helped at all. i'm here to try to help spread awareness for folks like you who maybe can't due to mental health reasons. it's absolutely okay to not be able to keep up with it because of the amount of absolutely rude comments. i do what i do for people like you. maybe in time you'll be able to do so again. good luck out there! take care of yourself

[ahiddenpath]

Fic writers say reviews are important, but what do I do if I don't know what to say?

This is a valid question! Apologies for sitting on it for a few days. I am concerned about coming across as guilting people or making something sound easier than it is, but I do think it's a great q. So...

Disclaimer: My desire to guilt readers who don't review is exactly 0%. My desire to earnestly answer this q in good faith is 100%. I can only give my subjective personal opinion. And I will do so beneath the cut!

Reasons why readers might not review:

Readers are not necessarily writers

Meaningful analysis of a narrative (character analysis, discussion of theme, discussion of narrative structure, etc) is difficult. And like... Even if a reader has those skills, they might be reading the fic for entertainment, and not want to utilize that skill/do that work.

Solution

Short, simple, encouraging reviews. Something like, "Great job, I love this!" or "What an interesting story, excited for more!" or "I've been looking forward to this, thanks for sharing." As a reader, you don't need to approach reviewing as a critic or an analysis. Just offer simple encouragement. This reassures the writer that their work is being read and enjoyed, which enforces that sharing their work is worthwhile.

Readers are afraid that their reviews will be misconstrued or interpreted in bad faith by the author.

Existing online is becoming more harrowing and confusing by the day. There have always been trolls, which I define here as people looking for a fight with no real interest in the reason for the fight. But these days, it's even worse than that.

We've probably all encountered folks online who police the phrasing and supposed intentions of another person's posted content, whether it be a fic, an analysis, or a comment. As you read above, I made a disclaimer to say that I am trying to present a good faith presentation here that respects everyone. The fact that I felt the need to say that really speaks to the status of online discourse right now.

We all encounter things online that we find offensive/objectionable/triggering/not to our tastes. The healthy response to that is to add those tags to our block list so those posts won't show up on our feeds, or to block the user if they don't tag in a predictable and consistent way. As "in real life," we can only control our own behavior. Attempting to argue with the poster will either make you look like an ass if it turns out that their intentions were good, or start an argument with someone who actually IS being a jerk, or at least who has heightened emotions and is volatile right now.

It's just a poor use of our limited time on earth.

Solution

As fic reviewer, the way to avoid unintended offense is to stick to simple, positive reviews when reviewing an author you have not interacted with before. As you get to know them, you can begin branching out if you'd like.

We live in late stage capitalist hellscapes, fascism is rampant, and I am a little bean who is so so tired.

God, do I feel you on this one. I am also a little bean who is so so tired. I won't use the solution tag here because like. Hahahhaahaha. A solution??? To this???? Related to fanfic?

But I suppose, as a fandom writer, I'd gently remind readers that the folks who make fandom related art in all formats are also tired little beans. Without encouragement, we might stop sharing our stuff, not out of spite, but out of sheer exhaustion.

I'm going to pivot topics from why readers might hesitate to review to what I think fandom writers are looking for from reviews- and what we are not looking for. I can only speak for myself, so please take this as my subjective opinion.

My thoughts on constructive criticism from readers

If the writer specifies in an author note or summary that they welcome constructive criticism, go for it! If not, simply ask the author in a review before proceeding. Meaningful constructive criticism is a skill, and it takes a lot of time and thought, so don't put yourself out if the author is not interested.

A lot of fic writers are here to play; AO3 and FFN are not creative writing workshops. A lot of us are interested in growing, though, so please feel free to ask!

What is and is not constructive criticism?

I don't want this to become an essay, and I am wary of treading into the "assuming bad intentions" zone, so I will be brief. Constructive criticism explores literary concepts like characterization, theme, narrative structure, etc. Constructive criticism is not telling the author your personal preferences. If you tell the author that you prefer w theme, x trope, y character, or z ship, this can read as asking for a free commission. Kindly find someone who is open for requests or commission a writer. It's okay and wonderful to be excited about where the story might go and to speculate! But if someone gifts you chocolate chip cookies, maybe uhhh don't mention that you prefer snickerdoodles unless they ask.

What is the "best" kind of review?

The best kind of review 1.) exists and 2.) is positive and encouraging. This is (what I personally believe is) the most broadly applicable statement. For folks who specify that they want constructive criticism and/or proofreading help, then it's that.

I personally think that the best way to review is to mention something specific from the update that stood out to you. Even if you don't have the spoons or desire to articulate why, knowing what is resonating and working is awesome! But what most fandom creators need is to feel that they are being heard, so the simple reviews ("I love this! This is great! Thanks for the food!" etc etc) are treasured.

That's all I can think of! It's kind of you to care and to ask.

[demonicsimping]

My Rules

You're Welcome To...

Ask questions pertaining to Hazbin Hotel.

Request scenarios, headcanons, memes, etc. on ships - platonic and romantic -, for ships I am keen on.

Give constructive criticisms, suggestions and ideas.

Interact with me in a civil manner.

Bring attention to me of Hazbin related fan-content, provided it's related to things I like. I'm more than happy to see more content I like.

Expect me to place content warnings on stuff, and also the appropriate tags, including ship tags. If you would likely me to add a specific tag, politely message me and I'll see if it's the appropriate thing to do.

At any point unfollow me, take back your likes or blacklist certain tags I use for certain things if anything does not sit well with you, I will not shame you for having limits and boundaries, or for changing your mind about me.

You're Not Welcome To...

Expect me to respond to everything or to give you exactly what you want all the time. I do this for free, I have my limts, I have my life, I am not the best at keeping to deadlines, etc.... so, like... you know, be aware of that.

Harass, guilt or manipulate me. If you intend on criticism, I will not acknowledge said "criticism" if it is done in any sort of manipulative way.

Interrogate about my age, gender, sex, orientation, nationality, etc. Any details I give about myself I will give on my terms. Besides, personal information - like address, age, etc. - should not be shared on the internet.

Ask me to write about under 18s in sexual situations unless it's strictly non-consensual, and even then, I refuse to be explicit since CSA is a thing people deal with, but I won't indulge in trauma porn on this blog (Also, in those cases, there will be a content warning). Any characters will be 18+ in my writings. Mind you, this shouldn't be an issue, because all Hazbin characters that we see in the show, to my knowledge are 18+ and I refuse to change that. You can ask me to explore their childhoods, but those will not include sexual/romantic interactions.

Expect me to write for any and all ships, characters, etc.

Except me to respond to anything not related to Hazbin Hotel. If I do, that's entirely my decision.

Bring attention to any sort of discourse, argument, drama, etc. I do not care for it, and there is enough of it already accessible to me, without me needing to see more of it.

Drag politics or religion into our interactions. Yes, I get that Hazbin Hotel is basically animated Bible fanfiction with a sprinkling of buddhism and jewish lore, but that's all it is and needs to be. I don't care whether you're red or blue, I don't care whether you worship Yahweh, Zeus or Santa Claus, I just care that we all safely enjoy this fandom. If you post your views revolving around those things on your blog, you do you, but don't expect me to interact with or respond to that content either.

This is just a general list, and it is subject to getting updated.

[rurounihearted]

Independent. Highly Selective. Multiship/Multiverse. Private Roleplay blog for Kenshin Himura from Rurouni Kenshin. This blog will run off of both canon and a lot of headcanons. All headcanons are shared with SHANELLE, KEITH, CRESS, THE CURATOR, and SHAE. Anything of mine you see posted by them, WAS NOT STOLEN. They have explicit permission to use anything I make whether it be GRAPHICS, HEADCANONS, or ANYTHING ELSE that falls under such matters.

Blog still under construction! Until it’s finished construction, here is a easy rules post for you:

I am private. I may follow, i may not. no offense to anyone.

Don’t try to push ships on me.

Don’t think whatever my muse says to yours is how I feel. muse =/= mun.

Crossover fandoms are acceptable so long as I know the fandom.

I am of age. Smut may happen on this blog, as well as themes of gore, rape mention, abuse, and other triggering things. All such things will be TAGGED and put under READ MORE for viewer discretion. If you clicked on something while knowing it was tagged for such, this is your own doing and not my problem.

OCs are accepted so long as they have an about page and are fleshed out. I’m extremely picky over them so don’t feel offended if I don’t follow you.

I’m extremely busy, I will reply when I can. Reminders are welcomed, hounding is not.

m!as are not allowed.

No godmoding. if you need to have my muse do an action in your reply, IM me first to see if it checks out. Other than that, standard RP ettiquette applies.

Please be patient with me, I am late getting into this series and have been watching the reboot as it airs, but rest assured I have still done my research

On an additional note: I am well aware of the discourse surrounding the mangaka of this series. It should go without having to say this but I do not CONDONE his actions. But I do believe you can enjoy a person's WORK without approving of THEM or their ACTIONS. Any hateful discourse brought up on this subject to me will be ignored. I simply here to write a gentle man, not contemplate the failures of humans in society.

[dykehaus]

real housewives of new york ranked by lesbianism as definitively decided by me

from “gayest” to straightest ( & yes im ranking all of them)

1) Bethenny - if you ignore the fact that she’s definitely heterosexual, she’s the gayest of the bunch. mommy issues, friendship breakups that play out like DIVORCES (jill... carole...). might just be that she’s a scorpio but the vibes are off the chart (she said.. with an obvious B bias). 

2) Carole - i actually think she might be a bisexual closet case for real but i’m a B stan so i’m knocking Carole down one spot for that s10 nonsense. latches onto female friends and morphs into them (see her friendships with Heather, then with B, and then with Tinsley... i rest my case) and her approach to men and her relationship with Adam is a head scratcher. has two cats. only one who might kinda actually be gay. 

3) Heather - sporty girl vibes. nice demure husband. throwing that axe in montana. weirdly competitive. designs women’s underwear. that moment where we learned she def likes a threesome. deserves a high ranking here. 

4) Sonja - would use the split attraction model if she was born in the 90s and call herself like heteroflexible or something equally rotted. her preference for gay/borderline gay guys and macking on female friends while drunk and her jealousy over that bethenny/barbara kiss puts her clear and away in the top five though.

5) Jill - before you protest that she simply does not have the chops to be lesbian-adjacent... may i remind you: her forever fixation on bethenny is heartbreaking like bethenny is the one who got away in like a heterosexual way but still... the devotion... jill... Also, I loved Bobby Zarin he’s the best of the RHONY men so, she gets top billing. no apologies. 

6) Alex - she and Simon are both sexually fluid and probably swingers in Australia right now. #GoodForThem

7) Aviva - her weird inability to play nice with the other girls, crazy jealousy issues, inappropriate father who she idolizes, and the leg stunt gives her a “leg” up over some of these other ladies. she was maybe not so secretly a freak and i could see her being down as long as the lesbian sex wasn’t in an elevator or airplane.

8) Cindy - who? jk. she was into the arts and lived “downtown” right? she had a horse party. so i’ll give her a middling position here. her fashion kinda gave off lesbian aunt vibes and she had those twins on her own right so that’s p gay.

9) Leah - well, she’s the new girl but based on her being friends with cat marnell that puts her in the crackhead straight girl category so she’d probably have sex with a girl for adderall or something in a pinch. just deranged enough for me to put her here for now. 

10) Jules - had no idea where to place her and almost forgot about her on this list but if what bethenny said about her getting on the show just to get divorced is true then that’s a stunt and that’s gay enough to put her higher than these next ladies. also her husband was two feet shorter than her. 

11) Dorinda - OK so Doris is like the drunk mom of a group of drunk moms which makes her hard to place but i do like her Princess Di hair and that house in the Berkshires looks like where i would place a lesbian commune so there! 

12) Luann - wannabe grand old dame but she does bring the drama. not a single lesbian bone in her body other than perhaps her vocal cords which give her such a low voice. straight but not, like, uncool.

13) Kristen - bland and blah and straight straight straight. former catalogue model with mean bald husband.

14) Kelly - a lesbian would never go running in the street with the cars we’re very practical. on or off her meds, STRAIGHT... AND CUCKOO. 

15) Tinsley - the straight girl who called you a dyke in junior high and still wears the same clothes thirty years later. i have nightmares about this kind of woman i grew up in the south so i just can’t deal with her or her fox news anchor looking mother periodt. 

16) Ramona - the most demonic straight woman on the face of the planet. she makes for great tv but not sure i’d go near her in real life out of pure fear.

[srbachchan]

DAY 5244

Kuer , Hyds                     June 21,  2022                     Tue 11:09 PM

💜 , June 22 .. birthday .. Ashwini - Sydney EF of Australia .. and .. Ef Dr Prashant Naik urf Zico Naik from Surat .. greetings .. AND .. It is also .. birthday .. of .. Ef Asmaa Ghansar .. niece of Ef Altaf Kondkar from Ryad .. Her birthday : 22nd June 2010 .. She has been waiting for her wishes since more than 3 years .. no more .. it's up on the Calendar now .. and welcome to the Ef Family , Asmaa .. Wishes and love .. 🌸🌸🌸

.. and when the day is gone and done , then shall we meet again to fill the coffers of the mind Ef in anticipation of the subject of discourse being that which engulfs the entire fraternity .. or so we hope and pray ..

we hoped and we prayed , as do I for  the peace and calm of the many that suffer, and give them the belief that all shall be well .. it is a process that one prays turns the tide of the many that receive it .. but we all know that the ultimate strength and life lies with the on above the Almighty ..

no .. on this very rare occasion of a day that has a prelude titled ‘off’, we long for it to arrive and when it does the inability to use its presence in a justified example of fruitful indulgence .. nothing works at all  .. it merely sticks around buzzing in the ears that the entire 24 is yours .. do , see, speak, venture , write , observe , think , meditate , hibernate .. and surprisingly Google Doodle dears has not heard of the word hibernate , for it underlined it twice which as we all know by now it telling us ‘you have the wrong spelling’ ... and despite re visiting the site of dictionary , it still underlines and just when you begin to yell at Googs .. we discover he was right and I was wrong .. the i was being put down as an e  .. 

ok .. done and dusted off my lap onto the blacks and the squares of the finite world to convey my sincerest greetings to the extended in the long hours of the DAY .. in some regions .. but mostly in the time lines of the country of birth .. how the earth of the birth be the ultimate possession of all possessions .. 

so a scroll down the lists of the tunes of the i .. iTunes , to discover that a million rough collections of the efforts at Saptaswar, do actually seek attention blessings and construct reformation .. 

reformation , listens carefully and does break loose from its anchors to let us know that due to certain unforeseen circumstances - haha, sounding like an aggressive adamant defence divorce lawyer - there is another break in the morn .. the reason .. well , not allowed to speak .. so there .. 

so ..

contemplation .. reading of pending scripts .. re listening to those forgotten tracks and eating less in absolute control  .. cookies of the chocolate kind coming from the ‘..bucks’ banned .. well .. for a few hours .. they are rather delicious aren’t they .. 🤪🤪🤪

to be not far distant from the immediate need or requirement is the order of the aged 80′s .. raise an eyelid and the time be visible .. extend a finger and the tissue box, the mobile, the whatever .. be in immediate want of readiness .. 

the ability to walk without the wobble , the ability to open the cap of a bottle and not drop it , the ability to put on your socks without dropping off the chair or stool , to lean closer to make out what the associate has just spoken, the ability to walk into a room and know the reason for being there .. 

and several more .. 

so the ‘whooole thing is that’ yelp , is giving indications that the brain matter consultation that was described somewhat briefly in the DAY before this DAY , was an abbreviated missive extraordinaire on memory losses of the moi ..

and the possibility of it moving in with several other self opinionated guys that wear the same overcoat .. !!!!

Good night dears all .. 

got to open the flight tracker ..

Amitabh Bachchan  

.. and I have no idea why I have put this up .. 

THE BRAIN .. 😳😳😳

[musette22]

So the Seb hate train is starting over Pam&Tommy on Twitter after a tweet from an film update account linking the eonline article where a source says the show is very painful for Pam. We know she doesn’t want to be involved, but what is the point of all these sources speaking on her behalf? Should I take them at face value or wait for her to confirm? I think I’ll watch the show and make up my own mind. Either way I’m going to stay off Seb’s tag on Twitter until the show is over because people on there believe righteous anger allows them to behave abhorrently. I’ll just hide out here on your blog. Seb should too!

Hi darling! Thanks so much for your message. So, I'm getting a lot of asks about this at the moment (thanks to everyone who's sent me one, so far!) But I'm just going to answer this one for now and say everything I have to say on the subject at this point, if that's ok, because otherwise I'd just be repeating myself and filling this blog with discourse, and I'd prefer not to.

I'll put my full reply under the keep reading tag, because it's long! But I wanted to get this right, so that I can refer people to this reply when the subject comes up again (which it inevitably will) instead of having to write it all again! I've (very pretentiously) applied some headers to the below, so that anyone who's interested could also just skim it and focus on the bits that are relevant to them instead of reading the whole thing lol.

Let me just start by saying that I very much agree with your decision to stay out of Seb's tag on Twitter for the duration of the show, and also make up your own mind by watching the show! You're very welcome to hide out on my blog for the next few weeks, and I'd be honoured if Seb wanted to do the same, but also mortified because I yell about his cute little nose too much so that's embarrassing 😂 In the next parts I'm not addressing you specifically, nonnie, but the general you, just to be clear!

Haters gonna hate & protect your peace

But yes, basically, we all knew this was going to happen, once the show's release date came nearer. It's not a surprise that the haters are seizing their chance to jump on Seb's case again now. I fully expected them to, because they're really goddamn predictable.

That's not to say, by the way, that I think everyone who doesn't like the idea of this show, or wishes it hadn't been made, or that Sebastian hadn't taken the role, is a hater. That's absolutely not the case; I fully understand people's reservations (I have plenty myself). But the people who are disproportionately targeting Sebastian, and are saying nasty stuff about him that's unrelated to the show just for clout or to jump on the bandwagon etc. etc.? Those are just dumb haters, and they're not worthy of our time or attention.

I do very much understand that seeing Sebastian hate is upsetting and frustrating, and I also understand the urge to see what people are saying, or to argue with them to make them see what they're saying is wrong. But in my experience, 9 out of 10 times (if not more), the first only makes you miserable, while the second is useless. Those people aren't looking for a constructive discussion - they just want attention, clout, to belong, or to be mean, and they're not going to let you change their minds. And if you know you're sensitive to seeing negative opinions about your faves (as I am) then please do yourself a favour and don't go looking for it. Stay out of the Seb tag, block any nasty people you inadvertently do come across and focus on the spaces where you know you'll find likeminded people. It really does work and it really will make you feel loads better (I'm living proof!)

Minnie has feelings too (lol)

And just for the record - I do all the above because seeing negative opinions about my faves upsets me too, so I completely feel you guys. While I understand, though, it does also mean that it's quite hard sometimes when people come into my inbox to tell me about all the negative stuff they saw on Twitter - which I steer clear of for a reason. This isn't me telling anybody off, by the way; I'm just telling you guys in the hopes you'll understand and be mindful of it, going forward.

I try really hard to keep this a positive space, because I truly believe that focusing on the positive is a more worthwhile use of my time and energy than focusing on the negative, however frustrating those negatives may be sometimes. I don't mind the occasional rant or vent or difficult discussion, I do that too sometimes, but it's when it becomes a recurring thing or a trend that it gets tricky for me. Which is why in this case I'm choosing to just answer this one ask for now, instead of all of the asks I've gotten/will get on the subject over the course of the next few weeks. I probably will answer some more occasionally, but not all continuously.

How will this affect Sebastian?

If you're worried about how the dissenting voices and hate will affect Sebastian personally: I am too, to some degree. But Seb undoubtedly knew that this show would stir up controversy, and yet he decided to sign up anyway. So he knew what he was getting into, and I'm sure he's knows better than to stalk social media platforms during this time. What's more, he's (unfortunately) already been through worse, and we've seen he's come out on the other side just fine, maybe even stronger. He'll most likely avoid the discourse as much as possible, and it will die down again eventually (it always does, until the next thing happens) and he'll be ok!

If you're worried how this controversy might affect Sebastian's career: don't be. Sure, he might lose a few fans, but he'll gain many, many more. When it comes to issues like these, there's really no such thing as bad publicity. Casting directors and other industry professionals care about people's skill and marketability, not about the ethics of their professional decisions. They know that if Sebastian hadn't signed up to play this part, someone else would have, and they also know that playing a bad guy doesn't mean Sebastian is also a bad guy (because they understand the concept of acting, unlike many fans). Moreover, the early reactions to it from people in the industry who've previewed some episodes have been largely positive, so I actually think that despite the controversy, this is going to do big things for Seb's career.

The show itself

I've also seen some new statements by 'sources' about Pamela's alleged opinion on the show, but I'm not going to put too much stock in those, because lord knows it wouldn't be the first time people sell or promote fake stories to the press for money or their own fifteen minutes of fame. That said, however, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Pamela truly does have an issue with this show. It makes a lot of sense to me that she would, but unless she speaks out about it herself (and I feel like she probably will at some point), I'm not going to discuss the rumours on my blog. Like you, nonnie, I will instead watch the show and make up my own mind about it treats Pamela and her story (and I hope to god it will be done sympathetically).

I won't deny that I also would have preferred it if they had never made this show in the first place, because despite the professed good intentions of the writers and producers etc., it does feel kind of iffy to me too. However, the show has been made, and while I wouldn't have watched it if Sebastian hadn't been in it, Sebastian is in it and it's a project that I believe could be a very significant turning point for his career. So I'm watching it, for Sebastian, and I'll be hoping and praying it doesn't fuck up (much more).

If you're not comfortable watching the show, or you don't think it's worth watching even for Sebastian - that's absolutely fine and super valid. Nobody has to watch this show or consume content about it. We all get to make that decision for ourselves, and I don't blame anyone for opting out, and I'm sure neither would Sebastian.

I have been and will be tagging any content to do with the show with 'pam and tommy', so anyone who wants to avoid that content but not unfollow me can blacklist that tag. Alternatively, anyone who wants to unfollow me over this is very welcome to do so, without any hard feelings. I'm all in favour of protecting our own peace and curating our own fandom experience! Anyone who sends me hate over this, however (which has already happened a few times), will be blocked without a second thought.

Fan blog vs discourse blog

Lastly, I just want to say that this is first and foremost a Sebastian Stan (and Chris Evans, and Steve and Bucky) fan blog - not a discourse blog. This place is meant to celebrate these guys and their work, and I want to keep it that way at all costs, or I don't really see the point of it, you know? This is supposed to be my happy space (and hopefully other people's also); a good and positive addition to my real, personal life. If the struggles ever started to outweigh the snuggles on this blog, it wouldn't be worth it running anymore, imo. But since I have WAY too much fun here, I'd prefer it if that never happened!

Alright, I think that's all I have to say about this for now. I hope this clears some things up. If anyone still has any specific questions for me, don't hesitate to let me know, but please be mindful of what I said under the heading 'Minnie has feelings too' (lmao I'm so sorry for how pretentious that sounds but I figured it would do the trick lol).

Love you all! ❤️

[nightswithkookmin]

You need to back up your ON break up theory with more than just fake subs and vague statements about 'claiming behavior'.

During the period you allege they were broken up, Jimin pulled Jungkook in a hug on run behind, Jungkook called Jimin sexy at a press conference, Jimin and jungkook did that whole 'how does it feel to be in the same unit'/'time to change' flirty thing, Jimin grabbed Jungkook by the lapels... and more. Begging pardon but if they were grieving the loss of their romantic relationship while trying to be professional colleagues and pals.... isnt that sort of insensitive? Like I know you admitting you might have read it wrong and have changed your view in light of new footage might be a blow to your ego, but I don't think you are thinking rationally when you insist on this break up theory. It's sad because I found so much meaning and connection in some of the stuff you have written, particularly pertaining to internalized homophobia, racism, mysogynoir and bts changing over time to become more enlightened, but your devotion to this ONE theory, and defensiveness whenever it is (rightly imo) challenged makes me wary of your theories in general, which might be extremely unfair to you, as a thinker. Your log is really funny and great in a lot of ways so i cant really quit you.

Ahhhh it's been a while I got one of these...

Hello, how you doing! Lol. Silver is that you?

Chilee, it's the name calling for me.

Ego, irrational, charlatan, Tuktukker- I'm desensitized to such ad hominems at this point. You don't throw words like these around and expect me to sit at the table and talk. Imma yeet myself out real fast. Lol.

There's just something different, wholesome almost, about this post though. Sounds constructive I think. Or maybe it's because I just woke. Chilee. Lol.

It doesn't feel at all like you are attacking me. It's strange...

You're gaslighting though but it's fine. I've built a resistance to that from years and years of dealing with my abductors or family. Potato potahto.

I often put my sanity before other's insanity which is why I don't indulge posts such as these and I'm not sorry about that. I mean is this an Ask or Submission? I don't- what am I supposed to say? What is the call to action?

Sigh.

If I come across as defensive sometimes, 10 out of 10, it's probably because the person on the other end is being offensive. Straight up. Cause and effect, the science don't lie.

You don't expect me to not defend when I'm being attacked. That's just tacky.

I don't think there's anything wrong with challenging views and notions because at the very least, that's about the exchange of ideas and I welcome it.

I set the limits at the racial slurs, the mocking tones, the emotionally charged rants meant to disparage me and my entire ancestry rather than argue a point, the interference with my personal life and business all because I hold a different view on a topic, the doxing, gaslighting, the bad mouthing, spreading lies about me, turning my friends against me, stripping away my rights and copyrights, harassing people who enjoy my work among- other things.

I usually exercise my right to self preservation in these instances- imma block, delete, ignore, forward or clap back. Word. Lol.

I'm sorry, but if you have to attack the individuality of a person to argue your point, you've lost the argument and you never had one to begin with.

Take for instance, the bit you wrote about me taking a blow to 'my ego' - do you see the problem with that?

What has holding a view different from yours on a particular subject got to do with the ego?

Do you mean to say the only way I can hold an opinion different from yours on a matter is if I were hubristic?

Are you projecting? What's happening? Lol

And if I call you out for this, I'm defensive? Way to add gaslighting to your bigotry and intolerance of opinions that don't align with yours. No offense.

I give myself permission to hold unpopular views. I give myself permission to think differently from others. I give myself permission to see what I see and believe what I believe and form an opinion on what I see and believe divorced from others' views and based on my own understanding of the workings of this world or in this case Jikook.

No amount of name calling will change this fact. We see things from different perspectives after all.

You need to back your ON break up theory with more than just fake subs and vague claims about claiming behavior.

Lol. Fake subs? You mean the Hajima bit from the On comeback special I put in my video? Interesting.

I think I see what you mean about my break up theory and I agree to some extent. Like, come up here with charts and paragraphs and excel spreadsheets on why I think Jikook were broken up?

I would be happy to do that kind of analysis.

I think the problem for me here is, I feel tasked to convince rather than to share my opinion on the matter or even expand on my theories for discourse sakes and that makes me really uncomfortable.

Not to psychoanalyze you, but I feel when you ask this of me you are not just asking me to divulge my thoughts on a topic but to disabuse you of your own biases surrounding the topic.

I don't think this is about my opinion at all. I think it's about your own beliefs about Jikook. And there's nothing wrong with that. If you believe in something you need to stand for it. Just don't mind if others do same and don't call them names for doing so. Because if you do mind, then that's bigotry.

The fact is my opinion contradicts your beliefs about Jikook and you either want to punish me for it hence the slurs, are in denial, or you want to believe my point of view- can't really tell.

I think there is a limit in general to how far I can prove Jikook in anyway and that has nothing to do with lack of evidence, my ego or my rationality. And yes, I often shroud my beliefs in vague expressions because I don't want to set myself up or open myself up to legal suits. I can only prove Jikook to a point and nothing beyond my belief. Beyond that, I would be skating on thin ice and making bighit a tad richer.

During the period you allege they were broken up, Jimin pulled JK in a hug, grabbed Jungkook by his lapel, JK called Jimin sexy, they did the flirty challenge...

So if I understand you correctly, all these is what makes Jikook a couple to you and indicate they are dating?

Alright then.

Hobi calls Jimin sexy all the time. BTS calls eachother sexy all the time. I don't think that's a sign they are in a polyamory.

Jungkook plays with his hyungs' dick and ass and talks about falling for them most times. I don't think that makes him gay or in a relationship with any of them.

Lemme just cut to the chase. I've reached my photo limits. I have said a countless times now, that I don't view skinship and all these interactions you've pointed out as indication two people are dating- especially not two Koreans working within the homoerotically charged space of Kpop.

And I have given out a few of the metrics I use in considering whether any ship in BTS is real over the course of my blogs- intimacy, exclusive behaviors such as and not limited to claiming eachother and exercising certain rights and authorities over eachother and against the group, stress trails as a result of keeping their relationship a secret, the microaggressions, breaching the fourth wall and others.

I think what this comes down to is differences in perspectives on a fundamental level. Not egos.

I don't see the things you see as the signs Jikook are real and dating, as signs Jikook are real and dating. If I did, I would be seeing every ship in BTS as real but I don't.

And you consider the metrics I use in ascertaining Jikook as vague something something. I think we are at an impasse.

But explain the bit about 'insensitive' to me please. I would love to engage in that discourse. Why would it be insensitive for two exes to act cordially with eachother within a workplace in the aftermath of a breakup?

Then the bit about grieving...

So grieving is one of your metrics for accessing whether or not two people are broken up?

That's interesting. I mean I don't disagree but I also don't think Jikook are gonna come to work with oversized pajamas, dark shades, boxes of tissues and a blanket slung over their shoulders because of a broken heart... it's 2020 not Manila. They've grown, are learning and getting better at dealing with their emotions on camera because, as Suga pointed out, they are aware the least bit of tension translates to the screens.

I mean Jimin said it himself in his 2020 interview, he's learned to react less intensely to certain things. And sometimes, he tries to downplay certain things. He tries to perform Jikook when Jikook are not in a great place. It's only in recent times, On era, where JK has opted out and not gone along with it.

I think he does that and uses their shared 'Jikook agenda' and performances of Jikook as a means to fix things or break the ice between them at least.

But clearly Jk wasn't having it that day as he kept putting up boundaries with Jimin throughout that Run episode- unless of course you are disputing this as well on the grounds Jimin dragged his ass into a hug. Chilee.

I think most people wouldn't have felt there was something off with Jikook in that On period at all had it not been for Run 116. It's similar to how, had it not been for Jimin's birthday saga, the Esquire shoot behind scenes and Grammy reaction video, no one would have felt there was something going on between Jikook in the October timeline.

I think we would have seen and felt the less interactions and professionalism between them in the aftermath of it but for the most parts, moments like the couch scene in the Grammy reaction video wouldn't have made sense to any of us especially as we had just witnessed JK in the ON:E concert rushing to comfort and console JM when he was tearing up at the end of the concert.

At least when he pushed JM into a ditch somewhere in the dark in Soop we know he had been drinking and they were playing competitive sports. Even with that he still showed some concern when Jimin fell and injured himself afterwards.

I think we would all be wondering if Jikook were fanservice at that point, a fanservice relationship where JK only consoled Jimin when he cried infront of thousands of people at concerts and nibbled his ear while he was at it.

And I think we would be on opposite sides of the argument: me, arguing Jikook were experiencing a hiccup in their relationship and you, rationalizing that moment with anything from 'JK don't have to be at JM's beck and call' 'he is an introvert who is shy to show affections publicly' to even something about the weather.

But I would have looked at this moment from the October pop up video behind scenes and assumed JK was mad at Jimin for something JM had done and had done something in retaliation and was now feeling sorry he did.

And I would have based it off of this moment, or a countless similar ones from around On era or the previous eras where JK had done this exact same thing- frozen in place and staring at Jimin in the middle of a shoot or interview after sliding his hands down Tae's chest, clung on to the others unnecessarily to get a reaction out of JM.

Would I have been right? It really doesn't matter to me as long as it makes sense to me. I ship Jikook in a way that makes sense to me. Jikook are gay, in a gay relationship with each other and are human like anyone of us- that makes sense to me. Whether I am right or wrong.... who cares and why does it matter?

Personally, I think the only person grieving in that period was JK not JM and I don't think he grieved for long before he switched off his humanity and went stone cold tit for tat terminator on JM and BTS's ass. Lol. He had JM looking all kinds of subdued in that era. Lmho.

People grieve in various ways. In my opinion. For Jimin, I feel he puts on a strong facade most times when he has to film during such times and lately I feel he masks his emotions with anger.

Jk masks his pain with anger too sometimes but I feel in recent times, he is leaning more towards indifference. I think he tries not to be as affected by certain things as compared to the early half of 2020...

But I understand what you mean when you talk about grieve. I think for me rather than look for physical evidence of grief like a sad face, a tear drop dripping down a face, I love for vulnerability in them.

JK's is easy to tell because he tends to open himself up to others such as Tae or Jin or Hobi- and I don't mean like his interactions with them. I mean he leans on them for moral or emotional support.

In the Holiday remix video where he was hiding behind Jin, I felt he was feeling very vulnerable and exposed after that intense moment with Jimin.

It's what he does when he is feeling vulnerable. He turns to others especially Jimin and if Jimin is the cause of his vulnerability he turns away from him like he did within On era or even in Run 116.

When he is in a good place with Jimin, often he is closed off to the others. Jimin does the opposite. He shuts himself up entirely from the group. I don't think he likes to go through his pain by himself.

I've always found that bit fascinating about them. Jk opens himself to people when he is at his lowest while JM closes himself off when he is at his worst.

It played out in their rainy day fight as well. In JK's vulnerability, that's when he let Jimin in, lowering his walls while JM on the other hand closed himself off to him.

Can you give me more than they were together in that period because they played with eachother's lapels?

You don't think I'm thinking rationally when I insist on my theory? Uhmmm... okay? What is rational in this case?

Listen, I recieve a lot of hate for my 'irrational thoughts and opinions' out in these streets. I've lost potentially great friendship on this platform because of it. As I type this, there is someone in someone else's DMs persuading them not to read and engage with my posts because I'm extremely evil I think Jikook break up from time to time in their relationship.

If I genuinely believed in the slightest least or had the least doubt that Jikook were together in that period I would change my mind on the topic- damn my pride and ego. It simply isn't worth the hustle.

If it helps your sanity, please stop reading my blogs. My blogs are not for everyone. It makes some people happy, it makes some people mad and some people experience both.

My gratification is in sharing my thoughts and chronicling Jikook's journey for my own appeasement and support of Jikook. I owe it to them as a believer and a supporter to humanize them as much as possible.

I do not seek to convert others, change minds, or convince anyone of my opinions or to disabuse anyone of theirs.

Let's just agree to disagree on the matter please. Or if you can drop the ad hominems, I would be more than happy to go back and forth with you on this very topic. It's actually shaping out to be one of my favorite Jikook eras. I love me some terminator JK. Lol.

Signed,

GOLDY

[lowkeyorloki]

quick and random q for no reason at all other than my own interest :) what's your opinion on 'separating the art from the artist'? (like should they be separated in your opinion)

Hi anon! Thanks for the ask, I love discussion and discourse. You’re welcome to approach me for my opinion on anything - the only reason I’d refrain from answering would be if I felt like I didn’t have enough information on the subject to give an appropriate response. I’m a HUGE proponent of differing opinions and conversation. 

Also, just because we delve into morals a bit here, I’m an Ethics minor. It feels relevant to say that.

Ultimately, I think it depends on what the art (or media) is. I used to see this as a very black and white issue, but as I’ve gotten older and become a little less extreme in all my beliefs, I’ve realized this is something that resides in the gray area (like most issues). 

Basically, if there’s a way to consume the media in an educational way, I think that’s worth pursuing. For example, I HATE the book 1984 by George Orwell. I think the writing style is tedious, I think Orwell had a superiority complex, and I think the portrayal of Winston’s treatment of women is absolutely abhorrent (mostly because Winston is supposed to be the good guy, and his views towards women is never said to be a bad thing). I used to think because of that last reason, the book shouldn’t be taught in schools. 

Now, I would absolutely support swapping the book out for a novel written by a woman or POC, but that’s not what this conversation is about. When I really started to analyze the text, I realized that going over Winston’s behavior with a class and explaining why what he did/thought was wrong would be hugely beneficial. It would teach young boys not to internalize sexism like Winston does, and it would lay the foundation for them to see, recognize, and address shitty behavior. Furthermore, then the lesson of censorship of 1984, which is a super important one, isn’t completely wiped away and rendered useless. In my mind, there’s two lessons being taught this way. 

It gets a bit different when 1) we aren’t taught about the media, ie, the audience is given no guidance, and 2) the creator of said media isn’t dead. A lot of times, for me personally, the deciding factor of whether I’m going to keep consuming something comes down to if the creator/art is problematic or morally corrupt. Because morality is subjective, it’s hard for me to defend that point. What you find problematic I might find to be an actual bad thing, and vice versa.

But let’s talk about things within the context of the Loki fandom, because this is a Loki blog. It’s no secret that as a general statement, reader insert fics are written for a very specific audience, and more often than not, authors end up alienating POC readers for adding descriptions of y/n’s “pale skin” or “blushing cheeks” etc. etc.

There have been a lot of Loki authors who have had readers kindly approach them saying, “Hey, this detail makes it really hard for me to see myself in the fic. Would you mind taking it out?” And so far, I have only seen authors react defensively. They’ll launch into a speech about how what they create is free, how they ask for feedback that’s constructive, and overall create a victim mentality. Now, those points are valid, but only if you’re getting HATE. Hate and genuine feedback are very different things, and I’ve never seen any author get hate in this situation that we’re currently talking about. 

In cases like this, I unfollow these authors and I never like or reblog their fics again. I could absolutely continue to consume their writing: it’s not like those descriptions are going to appear in every single fic they ever write, and I’m also not directly impacted by this issue (I just have. You know. Empathy). However, I will not support someone in any capacity when I observe them belittling and hurting other people for going to them with valid and kindly presented feedback (ESPECIALLY if the group giving constructive feedback is marginalized). If I were to consume those author’s works, if I were to boost their note count in any way, I am telling them the following:

Your behavior is okay. 

And I don’t think it is. When I observe people hurting others and refusing to correct their behavior, I’m not going to give them that implicit reassurance that they didn’t do anything wrong. 

The crux of the “should we separate the art from the artist” argument for me is that we usually (usually) should NOT separate the two because in some way, the artist benefits from your consumption. And if what they have done is genuinely harming people, they have to be held accountable. More often than not, the only way to do that is limit your consumption so there is an impact on their (job, hobby, morals, mindset, etc. etc.).

Of course, I always support and encourage talking to the artist first in some way. It’s when they reject help and education I think it’s time to stop supporting them.

Let me know what you think of my answer, and anyone else is free to weigh in as well :)

[citynewsglobe]

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[crown-anon]

hi!! I write things sometimes :)

I'm gonna revamp this post soon. I'm working on a google form for requests so you don't have to go through all the rules every time you want me to write something. I know they're easy to forget!

general rules

I write most genres. even if I've never heard of it before, I'd probably like writing it

I write AUs, but I'm not very knowledgeable about them. I'll ask you to explain an AU in more detail if I've never heard of it before

I write for existing ships and reader inserts. I'm neutral on the pro/anti ship discourse, and whether or not I'll write a toxic relationship is really on a case-by-case basis. ask first

I write headcanons (bullet list format), imagines (short with several paragraphs, dialogue, continuity, etc.), and one-shots (like imagines, but a lot longer & more structured). specify your desired format in your request

I write multiple separate relationships ("multiple characters") for headcanons and imagines, at your request. in general, the more separate relationships, the shorter each headcanon/imagine will be

I write poly relationships! when requesting multiple people for headcanons and imagines, specify if you mean poly. otherwise, I'll assume you mean multiple mono relationships. I also write poly in one-shots

I write references to past abuse ambiguously in the context of healing and recovery. flashbacks included

I write self-harm and gore, past and present, if you want. I find it cathartic

I don't write for woman or she/her readers. it makes me really dysphoric. I assume readers are gender-neutral, so specify if you prefer something else, please

I don't write for OCs. I'd like to keep my reader inserts as inclusive as possible for any audience who desires to read them, not just the original requester

I don't write ongoing abuse. yandere is abuse

constructive criticism is welcomed and desired!!

if I produce any content that makes you uncomfortable, ask me to tag it and I will :) we do not have to be mutuals, reader comfort is my top priority. I'm starting out with the AO3 rating and content warning system for now. eventually this post will contain a tag list for your convenience

if there is a request that I don't want to write for whatever reason, I'll answer it and address it. I know it feels bad to be left waiting and wondering

if you as a requester want the reader to, or pointedly not, express their gender a certain way (like makeup and dresses, or suits, or whatever, especially if it's GNC for their gender), let me know so I can incorporate your preferences in the writing!

I'm still in school, so…go easy on me, haha. but I graduate this spring so fucking POG. even so, my posting will be irregular and unscheduled because mental illness 💔 so be prepared for that

in the future, I want to write for many fandoms! they will all have their own subsets of rules, as follows:

minecraft youtube (MCYT) rules

I currently only write for the dreamwastaken, GeorgeNotFound, and Sapnap. this is subject to change in the future as I consume more MCYT content and become more acquainted with other creators. I don't think I could do them justice at this time

if a content creator sees this and is uncomfortable with something here, 1. I am so, so sorry, & 2. DM me and I'll remove it :)

I haven't had the time to watch dream SMP, so I can't write for the characters, I only write for the real life people right now. this is subject to change. I will, however, write for them in a minecraft setting if it is wanted, just not in the actual SMP. and no spoilers, please!

I use their real names (unless they've said it makes them uncomfortable). if you're requesting something and you want me to use their screen names instead, please specify

enjoy your stay!! xoxo

edited 10 March 2021

explicit content will be tagged "#limeade-zest," so block that tag if you don't want to see it.

explicit rules (under the cut)

I write dubcon in most cases, usually only with implied consent (e.g. anything that was negotiated in advance, like somnophilia)

I write most kinks. if you're requesting smut, specify which, if any, kinks/dynamics you wish to include

I don't write dom/little, as it is a trigger of mine

I don't write noncon or CNC. you can thank the trauma for that one!

I don't write tickling. I refuse to associate that with sex. I just can't do it

I don't write unsanitary kinks. (is spit-as-lube unsanitary? spit-as-lube is alright.) I specifically mean things like coprophilia, emetophilia, and urophilia

on the subject of anatomy, if you as a requester want me to use certain language when referencing the reader's body, please specify! I do write for readers with AFAB bodies, as well as (obviously) AMAB bodies and transmasculine bodies at any stage. I would love to include intersex, but I am not very knowledgeable on that, so bear with me, please

enjoy your stay!! xoxo

edited 10 March 2021

[justaddgame]

Cooldown: The Other Monster in Monster Hunter

I don’t remember which monster it was, but just mere moments after its introduction there was this sudden “Aha!” moment as this nagging feeling I’d been having during my early hours with Monster Hunter Rise finally clicked. My Hunter was staring out into the depths of Shrine Ruins as he shouted to his cohorts “Let’s do this!” and this mystery feeling I had been wrestling with before finally had a shape to it. While the nature of Capcom’s popular Monster Hunter franchise appears cruel to some, I think there’s something worth considering that could help add a layer of depth for those wary to give a try.

We are the other monster in Monster Hunter.

The Other Monster in Monster Hunter Rise

Allow me to explain. The launch of Monster Hunter Rise on Nintendo’s Switch this year was met with critical acclaim from both critics and fans alike in a landmark entry—recently shipping 7 million units worldwide—in the long-running Capcom franchise that was born decades ago on Sony’s PlayStation 2 in 2004. Soon after its release in late March, however, I noticed a familiar conversation had developed among a few online outlets over concerns of the game’s main hook. Calling itself Monster Hunter leaves no surprises, and for some it evokes an uncomfortable feeling of relentless slaughtering. I think it’s worth considering the persistent theme existing throughout the series that depicts the monsters as something to be respected as much as they are feared. Because of this, nothing is wasted upon a kill, whether it’s in the use of new gear or vital materials to improve the lives of the community.

Still though, this discourse that surrounds the nature of the game seems to have persisted. Honestly, I get the feeling. I don’t think it’s unnatural at all to feel sorrow for the slain as you stand over them triumphantly. In Capcom’s defense, the monsters are endless—even the flagship monsters that adorn each game’s cover art—and the context behind the quests is often in the aid of the community under threat somehow.

Whatever your feelings may be on the subject, however, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for some to be put off by the context of these games. But my hope is for just one like this to find comfort in visualizing the Hunter in a different light. During my time with Rise so far, I like to think of the Hunter sharing a deeper connection to Monster Hunter’s world than as just a brutal killing machine.

My opinion? Hunters are no different than the rest of the monsters.

The Brain Thinks, The Limbs Fight, The Heart Races

I keep saying that, but what does it mean? So far it sounds like I’m only confirming those fears, right? But I don’t mean a monster in the tyrannical nature, but instead something like anything else you’d come across in Rise’s numerous quests.

In Monster Hunter Rise, players take the role of a Hunter within the village of Kamura, which has been bearing the brunt of monster attacks, all while a greater threat looms from the shadows. Like previous entries, you don’t have to take the task on alone. Palicos, the anthropomorphic felines of the Monster Hunter world, can be called upon to assist you in these hunts and provide numerous advantages in your quests. New to Rise is the Palamute, canine companions that are not only combat trained, but provide extra maneuverability to hunters allowing them to ride away from danger and climb to great heights much faster than on their own. The Hunter remains as the lead of the party, but this partnership is more ingenious than it appears on the surface.

In fact, I think it helps to illustrate the bigger picture: Hunters are not just mindless antagonists to the wildlife. On the contrary, one of Monster Hunter Rise’s fiercest monsters is the trio of Hunter, Palico, and Palamute and also one of many within the greater ecosystem. Each member provides a functional part and adds up to a greater sum to create something that as fearsome as any other monster.

First, take the Hunter, who provides advanced weapon handling skills as well as the vast knowledge of Rise’s bestiary necessary to topple each one efficiently. The Palico, meanwhile, provides crucial support when up against overwhelming odds. For example, think of some of the real-life animals and insects out there that have a defense mechanism—poison, quills, webbing, stingers. That’s the Palico. It’s the Hunter’s mechanism by way of laying traps and afflicting statuses to slow their target. Finally, the Palamute provides transportation and operates like a hidden hand to the Hunter, often distracting the monster so the other limbs can move in.

Working together as one, they create a unique and powerful team that’s awesome to observe and more so to be a part of it. One bout with the wily Bishaten and you’ll begin to appreciate the similarities these three share with the other monsters. When it comes down to it, they all rely on tails, claws, and whatever other tools are in their arsenal. The difference in appearance is merely for show.

Thriving in What Feels Like Home

This characterization only gets stronger as you take your first steps outside Kamura’s walls and into the Shrine Ruins, Rise’s initial area of exploration. It’s difficult to get a sense of these characteristics while spending time in the village, but this changes once out in the wild.

This is especially true for both Rise and its predecessor, Monster Hunter World, which first adopted open environments for players to freely explore, as opposed to individual zones from previous entries that loaded on demand. Quests are generally limited to a generous 50 minutes, and though you’re not likely to spend it all on one quest, especially given Rise’s ramped-up gameplay, it can be time well-spent gathering materials, studying the land, and engaging the wildlife.

But I think it’s in these two games where this extra time can be truly appreciated.

Like every other monster, Rise gives the player the opportunity to live on the terrain, if only briefly, and tap into the monstrous side of their crew. It’s the natural environment for a Hunter, where any restrictions fall away, and they can do what they do best. These moments are best illustrated by Rise’s soundtrack—lying still in the background while environmental ambience fills the void during gathering expeditions—before crashing in at the moment you’re spotted by something larger than yourself. After spending enough time out in the wild, Kamura begins to feel like a sanctuary from the dangers of reality. But that’s the most likely message, isn’t it? Any other monster has a place of security to retreat to, and Kamura certainly fits the bill for the Hunter.

The Titular Monster, Magnamalo, Stares Back at You

While the Monster Hunter series doesn’t necessarily dig down deep for a backstory to the player’s actions, it has been played around with here and there, while relying mostly on player actions. Rise is a more significant step this time around, with Capcom leaning on the tools provided by its in-house RE Engine to construct fun, if only a few, cutscenes to weave together enough engaging narrative in the single player component. Residents of Kamura have names as well as roles, and there’s a shared urgency to everyone’s efforts. Another one of those narrative elements is Rise’s flagship monster, Magnamalo, serving as something of a rival to the Hunter. You eventually tangle with it after a series of events foreshadowing the showdown, and the outcome serves as the game’s soft ending that leads into further adventures online with friends and strangers.

***Spoilers for Magnamalo’s fight***

I thought Magnamalo was a fascinating fight for several reasons, most of all because I saw things in this particular monster that wasn’t shared by others. For example, Magnamalo has a few characteristics that share an interesting similarity to the Hunter. First, we learn that it takes advantage of The Rampage, an event Kamura’s leader, Master Fuegen, alludes to as one of the greatest threats to Kamura’s survival. During these moments, several monsters siege the outer gates protecting the village in a coordinated attack. Magnamalo is apparently cognizant of this and is said to appear during these Rampages to feast on monsters, and we witness this ourselves as the story progresses.

Like Magnamalo, the Hunter participates in Rampages to acquire resources.

Upon coming face-to-face with Magnamalo for the first time, you may notice it fights with patience unmistakably like Hunters. Series veterans will be the first to tell you that best practice is to pay attention to what the monster is doing at all times in order to learn how to react. Magnamalo almost does something similar, choosing at times to fight at a distance, taking pot shots of energy released from its tail. It never seemed to be in a hurry until there was a sure opening.

In some ways, Magnamalo was like catching my reflection in the mirror. Our goals weren’t so unlike, and our methods were carefully crafted and considered. If Magnamalo, a monster, was like myself, how could I not be the same?

Don’t be Afraid to be the Other Monster

None of this is to say you can’t be uncomfortable with Monster Hunter.

I can understand people drawing real-world connections to the gameplay of Rise, I just wouldn’t take it that far myself. I can only take the context of the game and view it in my own perspective, and rather than concluding Hunters as sadistic, I choose to see them through the same lens as a creature like Magnamalo and the many others like it.

There may be other ways to help contextualize these games, I would welcome it. I think a counterpoint could be made from hunts never being depicted as sport, but, Arena Quests, admittedly, are hard to overlook considering these take monsters out of their natural environment. I can chalk that up to it being a video game—of course there’s challenges to do the thing as quickly as possible—and there’s numerous other things Monster Hunter does to gamify the experience all things considered.

I would like to see people try to crack that one. In the meantime, I’ll continue to believe, as I did in that moment on the Shrine Ruins cliffs, that we’re simply the other monster in Monster Hunter. Not a blight on nature, not an unfeeling killer, but a rival in a competitive environment for survival.

[writsgrimmyblog]

Queerbaiting, Commercial Masculinity and Queer Identity

I don’t want to get dragged into huge discourse, but I wanted to set out a couple of thoughts on labelling / not labelling and the way the word ‘queerbaiting’ gets thrown around, which drives me barmy.

Below a cut to save your dashes. If you want to chat about any of this I’m around for the rest of the afternoon / evening and happy to discuss, just drop me a message.

Queerbaiting. This term is relatively new and it has its origins in fictional narratives where writers explicitly target LGBT viewers / readers with protracted queer subtext without delivering meaningful representation. It has negative connotations and there is a distinction between queerbaiting and the potential for reading something queerly, the subversive pleasures of homoerotic subtext that don’t demand canon affirmation. The line between when something becomes a ‘bait’ and cynical marketing ploy depends on the facts of each specific case, which will include the audiences being targeted (and how) and the intentions of the writers / creators. 

Rainbow capitalism (pink dollar, pink pound) and commercial masculinity. To my mind these terms are far more useful in the context of assessing how a male popstar is marketed, particularly Western popstars with a boyband background. A non-music example of commercial masculinity would be David Beckham and the metrosexual man. This had its roots in the invariably white, ‘body beautiful’ masculine aesthetic of 1970s gay porn which valorised athleticism and muscle men. Designed to appeal to the gay and bisexual male gaze it simultaneously disavowed gay and bisexual male consumers and identities by expressly targeting the straight man to invest in the male grooming market (see: Mark Simpson, Paul Deslandes, Helen Shugart, Justin Bengry, Toby Miller and others). With regard to boybands specifically you will find pieces on marketing masculinity and how this commercialisation of the male body influenced early boyband marketing, together with marketing androgyny (Daryl Jamieson on the Backstreet Boys is one example). 

Can real people queerbait? It’s possible that an individual might be able to construct a ‘fictional’ celebrity persona that is like a queerbait, but it’s a very imprecise term in the context of real people and pop stars in particular because it comes after many of the studies referenced above that offer such important context. Queerly ambiguous pop/rock celebrity far predates queerbaiting research but has formed part of studies on the way gender is marketed in Western music and courting of the pink pound. To offer another gender flipside think of the female solo artists (the disco divas) who have such a strong resonance with LGBT communities. Just because LGBT people are investing in an artist who may or may not be queer themselves does not always automatically equal a cynical or appropriative marketing strategy. It’s way more complex than that.  

Harry Styles. It’s no surprise to me that with Harry’s musical influences, he would be attracted to the ambiguity that enables fans to read Harry the performer - much like his desire to leave lyrics open to interpretation - in a way that speaks to them and their own experiences, a way that makes them feel seen, welcome, safe. With the pop celebrity this can have a distinctively transformative and positive impact on queer fans which is specific to the performer on stage whose image (Bowie, Prince, Freddie Mercury) can often matter far more than their words. This kind of ambiguity isn’t a new thing and if you want to bring accusations of courting the pink pound at his doorstep you’d have to go way beyond yelling QUEERBAIT on Twitter. It can’t be as reductive a critique as saying ‘he waved a rainbow flag but doesn’t say much.’ It’s a much more complex analysis of his marketing strategies, specifically where and how he’s choosing to market himself. My personal take (if you want it) is that Harry is far less about courting the pink pound and gay / bi male gaze and more about providing a safe space for queer - predominantly female - fans and an image they can draw transformative queer potential from without him saying they are wrong to do so.

Labels, intrusive questions and subjective queer experience. The issue with ‘to label or not to label’, with asking the question or not asking the question, is that the way we respond to those moments will not, as LGBT people, be homogeneous. For some - I would suggest particularly those who experience LGBT identity in unsafe jurisdictions or have deep experience of the closet - the question itself might be triggering, a forcing of someone’s hand. For others who choose not to label themselves the desire to put people in boxes will be an affront, an outdated legacy of homophobic othering, the insistence of neat packaging for the non-queer reader, a way of dividing ‘them’ and ‘us.’ On the other side of the coin there will be people whose experiences of fluid sexuality (I’ll use bisexuality for ease but know I mean the broad spectrum of identities between ‘gay’ and ‘straight’) desperate for visibility, see a person with a huge platform coming out as bisexual as a massive win, a step forward, something that matters, and they’re hungry for it. No one has any right to demand that of any individual, but you shouldn’t beat yourselves up for privately wanting it, if you do, for longing to see it open and explicit in the public sphere. 

Ultimately with all of this you decide with your wallet. What we’re effectively talking about is marketing and public image. If you don’t like the image being presented to you, don’t invest. You don’t have the right to demand an individual give you any details about their gender identity or sexuality, but you do absolutely have autonomy to explicitly state (or not state) your own identity (if you are safe to do so). You can take comfort from or feel a kinship with celebrities through their music, the way they dress, the things they say, the messages they put out there and so on. You can decide what to do with your own identity and who you want to be, with or without explicit statements from any given celebrity. 

You can be both thoughtful and critical and simultaneously love and support your faves, you don’t always have to be wholly positive or wholly negative. Whatever you draw from the public celebrity persona we are shown might be very different to the things other fans take away. It seems important to consider that their reactions might come from a place of different experience and to listen to / understand alternative perspectives on something, even if you don’t agree, as the way we respond to so many of these issues will be influenced by our own experiences and queer identities.

[kimikotsuki]

Fandom discourse and culture has changed a lot over the years and I always try to err on the side of caution whenever possible.

The reasons writers create and share their work are varied and diverse: maybe they're trying to improve their writing and welcome advice, sometimes it's all about the ~ S Q U E E ~ because you loved the show/character and wants them in more situations, sometimes the reason is the ~ R A G E ~ about the direction canon took and you plan to murder it and use it's blood to re-write the story; this is more an illustrative than exhaustive list and sometimes there'll even be multiple reasons at once of course.

And sometimes, those reasons do not match or go well with any type of criticism, even well intentioned, constructive ones.

I saw an post on Tumblr that ilustrated very well another reason why one shouldn't simply assume that con-crit is welcome: if you go watch an amateur performance (in the most literal sense of the word of non-remunarated, regardless of quality of performance), one won't immediately presume afterwards to go to the artist and start critiquing it.

At the same time, I wholeheartedly think that one of the most wonderful, unique possibilities of fandom is the capacity for collaborative work between the authors of a story that is being posted as it's written and it's readers, culminating in an end product with quality that ends up being more refined than otherwise it would've been.

That type of interaction is even sometimes one of the main reasons people write fics, to not only create something, but also to share the act of that creation.

That works almost like making all the readers of a fic into beta-readers and can be a wonderful thing, but the post argued that the work done by betas is analogous to editing in published works, and that such a relationship is based on built trust, so while yeah, that dynamic between writer and all their readers could work, assuming and simply barging in is generally more harmful than productive.

When I adopted that new reasoning, I debated whether or not I should then mark all my bookmarks on AO3 as Private and make them inaccessible to anyone else, but in the end opted not to, mainly because even though I mainly write them for my future self, I also feel other readers can benefit a lot from knowing how the experience of someone who liked a work enough to rec it went, specially if while reading that fic they stumbled upon things they didn't like.

If there's one thing I learned from over 15 years of reading fics is that my tastes change over the years, and sometimes it's not even about the quality of the writing itself or even the progression of how polemic subjects are treated at any given time, but rather the moment that I am in changes how I receive the same work, such that tagging a certain work as one worth reading again later with no contextual information on the vibe I was riding when I did that will inevitably lead to a disappointment that is frankly an overreaction on my part.

That happened somewhat recently with a Frostiron fic I read a long time ago, in a moment where I was squeeing like crazy over the pairing (and it was a work of squee, so we matched really well) and it got on my list, but years later, when I was feeling nostalgic over the pairing and went to read my list of besties, the expectation I had was so great that the dichotomy between my experience back then and the one in the re-read were terribly big, even though it was a well written fic, squee and all, and the only real difference was that *I* wasn't squeeing over the pairing anymore.

And at the same time, I found that, in a way, this managing of expectations I do primarily for myself when I create a rec with the bad points of a fic that I loved can also be helpful for others, because even if it doesn't fit 100% since we're different people, I always thought the best recs I've always found were the ones that stated what were the cons of any given story, because those cons might not be something that bothered me like it bothered them or it even might end up being somewhat bothersome to me, but the pros outweigh them and, because I went in expecting to find those things, there's no disappointment in it, so they end up bothering me a lot less then it could've.

The other reason I eventually settled on not making my bookmarks private was actually because of those authors that seek improvement and welcome constructive criticism from all the readers who are invested in their story and value their thoughts and experiences while reading their work, because while yes, better to err on the side of caution and not go offering advice and opinions were those are not wanted, if we let that completely rule everything we do in fandom there will be a lot of loss in regards of this constructive, dynamic and interactive aspect so characteristic and wonderful to this type of media.

I know authors can have access to the bookmarks made of their fics, but unlike comments, it's not quite a space exclusively dedicated to them or even for interactions between reader/author.

In a lot of aspects, I'd even go as far as saying it's a space primarily for readers: it's not something that will culminate in a email sent to the author's mailbox, it serves mostly for filtering and ordering purposes (like when you're looking for fics to read and apply a filter to show only fics with a certain number of bookmarks or to order the fics shown from the greater to the least number of bookmarks) and also so readers can, reading these bookmarks, have a better idea on what's to expect from a work from different readers with different personalities and world views and ways to pereceive what was written.

And since it's a space the author *can* have access to *if* they want, it's possible for them to look at that place to see that con-crit while, at the same time, not being a place where that con-crit will get shoved in their faces if they *don't want it* and as such it seemed to me to be an overall respectfull and good compromise between those two points that seemed very important to me, and one of the only way I've found of making it known if that type of interaction is welcome, I'd be happy to head over to their comments and talk there.

If I'm marking it as a rec and commenting, I'm doing it because I think that fic absolutely is one of the best stories that I had the pleasure to read; however, the number of characters allowed in a bookmark rec are limited, so if I end up putting into it anything besides an incoherent keyboard smash, those things are going to be whatever points I feel are very important to keep in mind whenever starting to read it so that reading experience is the most enjoyable possible both for my future self who's going to look at that besties list and decide on what to read again as well as first time readers who might have seen the rec and will go in knowing somethings that, by their nature, don't tend to be things we tag for; they will have mostly what amounts to con-crit, so if you welcome this type of interaction or if the rec I made is bothering you in anyway, I urge you to get in contact with me through the fic mail I linked in my AO3 profile.

This post is getting linked there because the profile section doesn't allow enough characters for everything that I had to say about the subject.

As soon as I see the email, I'll either be happy to either tag the bookmark as Private so it won't be visible to anyone but myself if it bothered you or head over to your comments section so we can talk better about the points I raised if this type of interaction is something you welcome.

[novarose24]

Writings from Offline {Ep.3}

Advertisement Review

The Saravana Stores’ advertisement for the Diwali Season, was the most recent version of ads that followed the long tradition of hilarious ads from the store. It has come up with unoriginal but creative ideas to engage with the common folk. The advertisement makes the viewer subconsciously indulge in its proposition. From the actor, who is the owner himself, to the song and the setting used, everything is carefully constructed to please the audience; explicitly and implicitly making them buy into the idea that they are selling. Which is why it’s logic and knowledge that has gone into the making of the ad should be defended; its irrelevance, not so much.

The irrelevance would be the fact that the ad did very little, in my opinion, to actively endorse the product that it was selling. The tonal balance was off. The plot, that didn’t exactly exist, seemed to suggest the episode in the life of a glorious leader; the central character surrounded by people of all ages who rejoice him, much like Diwali, to which he almost becomes a metaphor to.

There are girls, a sign of validation in the patriarchal society, who are always cast in close proximity to the supposed hero. Towards the end the hero sports a moustache too, an obvious sign of success, masculinity and dominance, and the whole family comes together to celebrate him. This cliché de facto trope of Indian commercial cinema now becomes a familiar subject that the audience can latch on to.

Another familiar strand in woven into the narrative with the upbeat jingle which seems to be inspired by a millennial Tamil song. With easy diction and emphasis on “colour”, “family” and “home”, it even slightly hints on the glory of working hard and tries to moralize the viewers with the motivational message. The mixing of the Tamil and English serves the purpose of portraying modernity and humor eventually becoming pop culture themselves.

As Yamuna Kachri elucidates in her article, the mixing of the native and the foreign language exoticizes the language itself and adds light heartedness to the content.

“…the mixed lyrics that illustrate the playfulness accompanying the convergence of multilingual ingredients.”

She also says that this trend is popular among the middle class and upper-class families, a wide group to whom this ad in study is targeted to too.

“…amuse the audience and exploit for this purpose the meanings that the intersection of multiple languages of India make possible.”

” … portray upper-middleclass or upper-class families, the use of English in dialogs and songs has increased.”

 The music, the happy drum beat, that accompanies the song sets the mood for celebration. The energy of the music is captured by the camera too. The events rapidly succeed each other and the cuts are quick; a technique used to render energy and excitement. This strategy keeps the audience engaged and focused, it doesn’t bore them out.

The engagement is strengthened with the excitement and the joy which are clearly observable in the choice of colour. The dresses are bright to the point of being gaudy and the background is a romantic French café. The advertisement now becomes more engaging to the audience, who closely associate the idea of foreign to progress and the idea of an alluring land that is painted in movie songs. The clothing of the models and dancers, in dresses resembling that of an airhostess and sailors and the frequent costume changes circuitously advocate the same idea, thus drawing on the banal framework of songs.

The foreign elements represented are countered by the inclusion of popular culture propagated by Kollywood films. The towel flipping scene is a characteristic feature of actor Rajinikanth, a pop culture phenomenon, that makes the ad relatable. The moustache is also used for a similar purpose because of its coupling with power, tradition and success. By doing this the ad rings intertextuality and according to the article titled, “What are television advertisements really trying to tell us? A postmodern perspective”, the postmodern age ads sell intertextuality to sell their products. By connecting the emotions of a viewer to the ad, the marketers are able to manipulate the consumers to change their needs to buying the product.

“When a text is read, consciously or unconsciously readers place it in wider frames of reference of language and knowledge, cross-fertilizing a particular reading with other discourses drawn from their own socially, culturally and historically situated experiences.”

The representations that connect with pop culture help the viewer make connections to their own experiences and thus makes the goal of the advertisement approachable to the reader.

“…meaning is activated by the participation of its audience, whose interpretations reflect their own experiences, social situation and concerns.”

By honoring the pop culture that the target audience relate with, the advertisement sells well among the people because it touches the same sentiments.

The advertisement, being pastiche, therefore tries to draw the audience towards it - the object clearly, the relationship that the company desires with the audience. Being well established for a long while now, the company has little responsibility to inform the customers. Its aim is to relate to the audience and the present generation. By combing intertextuality and humor, it elevates the best things about the culture that existed before it. It glorifies the pop culture prevalent and draws inspiration from it to support itself. The use of Rajini’s style would be welcome among the audience. The use of a Tanglish (Tamil and English) song would be relatable to the youth who know both the languages and able to appreciate the mixing.

This is where we get to the explanation for the bad casting, bad acting and bad lip syncing. While most ads strive to achieve perfection, this ad, contrarily, trades off quality for connection. The idea, as I understand is that, the owner has stepped down from his position of wealth and fame to interact with his customers. Though people laugh at the ad and make troll videos and memes on him, they are unconsciously buying into the idea of entertainment that he sells. Humor in advertisements serves a very important purpose according to the article “Impact of humorous advertisements on customers’ behavior”

“The reason why humor has been widely used in advertising is due to its power of create liking towards the advertisement by from the consumer.”

This directs us to the argument of why this ad is bad. An advertisement is expected to sell the product and give customers information on the products. These is a display of the variety of dresses and jewelry available but the ad doesn’t seem to draw attention to the product or it’s aspects. The variety of dresses worn by the dancers and the models can be considered to be the display of the merchandise but there is no mention of price or features of the products. No sales or discounts are intimated. The ad does almost nothing for its primary task at hand. It seems its sole purpose is to advertise the owner and to serve his recognition among the public.

This exclusive focus on the ‘hero’ diverts the audience from the product and leads it down another lane. The ad becomes a phenomenon and ‘trends’ in social media. It becomes popular using the novelty factor. If this is what the team worked on, then they seem to have done a good job. But as an ad it has not reached any mark. Yet in some way, by having an unusual mixture of humor, intertextuality, cast and music in a way that no one has ever attempted, the ad has now become a pop culture phenomenon and truly won’t be forgotten.

  References:

1.    Stella Proctor, Ioanna Papasolomou-Doukakis, Tony Proctor; What are television advertisements really trying to tell us?  A postmodern perspective; Journal of Consumer Behaviour Vol. 1, 3, 246-255; 16th July, 2001

2.    Yamuna Kachru; Mixers lyricing in Hinglish: blending and fusion in Indian pop culture; World Englishes, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 223–233; 2006

3.    Dharmesh Motwani, Khushbu Agarwal; Impact of humorous advertisements on customers’ behaviour; International Journal of Advanced Research in   Management and Social Sciences; October 2013