#alta critical

[forevermore05]

You know, I have one thing to say to the writers of ATLA after taking South Asian culture and Hinduism and using it as the backbone for your show and then also demeaning its values and scripture.

विनाशकारी विपरीत बुद्धि। which means destructive opposite intelligence

This speaks for itself in all aspects of the show, whether that be how the characters were written, or the romance (ifykyk) and morals that are in this show.

[valariecomet]

Honestly seeing (mostly kataang and maiko shippers but not just them) say ppl need to move on from what Bryke did with book 4 air makes me genuinely mad.

When I first started watching the show I was basically bullied out the fandom for drawing Zutara fanart. I was either 11 or 12 at the time and it was during 2020. A bunch of people older than me were mocking me for my fanart, not even because it was bad (not that if they did it would have been justified) no, because it was of a ship they like. I was called a whole bunch of colourful names and slurs and got accused of some horrible things just for liking Zutara and it did affect me.

Now, imagine 12 year old me finding and watching Book 4, do you think that just because that was in 2008 it didn't affect me? No! Of course it did! If anything it made me feel worse, so much so I left the fandom for two years and I only got back into ATLA when I was 14, even then I have only recently started engaging with the fandom again. Just because it occurred in 2008 doesn't mean it doesn't affect people now and I'm sure I'm not the only kid who has been discouraged by that video. If you were a kid at the time or not, the video can and has had an affect on people.

Also, it's not like Bryke were kids when they did that, no, they were full grown adults using children's fanart to mock them. It was disgusting and the fact they have never apologized, as far as I know, is gross. It doesn't matter how long ago it happened because it happened and still affects people, I don't think people should be forced to move on just because you believe that it isn't a big deal or it was ages ago so they should be forgiven. If you don't care that's fine, but don't try to force people to feel different to how they feel.

If your a Zutara shipper who's fanart was in that video, I am genuinely so fucking sorry. That is horrible and I can't imagine how it could have affected you. I know if I was in your situation I would still be upset about it to this day because of how discouraging the video was. I know your probably not reading this but if you are I feel for you.

Also I'm writing this after trying for about two hours to complete the gosh darn pachinko machine level in super Mario sunshine so if I sound a bit emotionally charged it's because I have just spend the past two of so hours in agony ✌️

Edit: I forgot about the Azulaang and Tokka scenes in the video since I hadn't watched it in ages, you guys too I'm so sorry, that was so cruel for you guys too.

[zukosdualdao]

“i bet he ran away again" is toph's first thought about what's happened to aang. and that's... that’s genuinely a horrible thing to have to expect from their friend, who they have all agreed to be there for and fight with, and while aang did not intentionally run away (since it seems like the call of the lion turtle pulled him in a sort of fugue-state, similarly to how the swamp did), it’s not inconsistent with his past behavior. and they don't know he didn't just leave, and whatever the reason, it does still leave them scrambling. and i get that aang is a kid under pressure, and that's the defense fandom often uses for some really odd writing choices that result in aang not always looking great, but they’re ALL kids under pressure, and up to this point, the plan was for them to face ozai together!

it also just feels really inconsistent with what the show's set up prior to this. as much as i love the airship sequence with toph, sokka, and suki, and the final agni kai with katara and zuko, the show has gone out of its way to say in the past that aang doesn't have to be alone to fight the fire lord, that his strength comes not just from his power but his love and friendships. but, while he's not alone in the big, thematic, grand scheme of things - they're all still fighting the good fight with him in different ways - aang does end up in the position of fighting ozai alone. and it just feels like a weird writing choice, and it does actually make me sad for him as well as frustrated with his arc. all of the other characters get these big emotional moments with each other in the finale. but a lot of aang's part of the story falls flat for me because there's just less emotional resonance to it. he spends most of it completely separated from the relationships at the heart of the show. that's always somewhat of an issue with "chosen one" stories, and sometimes they examine and subvert it but sometimes it's played straight. and it just feels like the show tried to subvert it (thinking of the plot in the awakening) and then said "nope, nevermind" at the very end.

[cactus-stephen]

Percy Jackson fans 🤝 Avatar fans:

Generally disappointing adaptations :'/

[erinoma9]

Problems with "The Search" Comic

The Implausible Secrecy of Ursa's Backstory

I found this little gem from the commentary of the Search Comic (Part One). (Long rant ahead!)

Mike - We added this detail of Ozai forbidding Ursa from speaking of her old life again as a way to explain why Ursa's hometown and relation to Avatar Roku was not common knowledge. (In "The Avatar and the Fire Lord," Iroh tells Zuko that Avatar Roku was his great-grandfather on his mother's side.) It also parallels the present story in a cool way: When Ursa married Ozai, she had to forget her past. Later, she makes a similar choice.

Essentially, the scene of Ozai telling Ursa to bid her parents farewell mainly/somewhat serves to narratively establish that "Ursa's hometown and relation to Avatar Roku was not common knowledge" despite her marrying into royalty.

This comic suggests that the general population of the Fire Nation never knew Ursa's backstory even though she and Ozai were together for 10+ years. And somehow, no new information about her came out during her time in the Capital. Even if the royal family bothered to concoct a backstory for her, anyone could have realised it didn't add up and/or gotten information from at least one of the 100+ royal servants. Heck, her parents attended the wedding and sat a few feet away from her, surely they would have interacted with someone (I mean how else does Iroh have Roku's headpiece).

Then there's "the fire nation town of Hira'a", described as a "small town - on the outskirts of the Fire Nation." The townsfolk know her, aren't supposed to talk about her, but can't help but speculate. Apparently, the town’s (official yet laughable) story is that "she was - taken to - Capital City on some sort of official business" accompanied by "rumours" of her "supposedly" marrying into the royal family. And "rumours" of her returning to town, and entering Forgetful Valley.

I can't believe I haven't seen any posts addressing how absurd and farfetched this is. This isn't even mentioning how the Search retconned Ursa's noble upbringing, which is evident on her Avatar Lore page (I could make another post for that).

Here are some more photos and info:

"No one's seen or heard from Ursa since she was taken to - Capital City!" said almost two years after Zuko's coronation.

Gee, no wonder Azula was tempted to burn the place down. Somehow a Fire Nation town (seemingly) doesn't know that Ursa married Ozai. Though I’m certain that wasn’t what the writers intended, and am certain that Azula mostly acts out-of-character throughout the comics (I could make another post for that).

Please note that in the Avatar Lore Pages, "royalty" is (seemingly) sometimes used synonymously with "nobility" (see Mai and Onji).

[theweeklydiscourse]

ATLA fans are really giving Star Wars fans a run for their money with this new live action aren’t they? I’m getting flashbacks as we speak

[planetoflovers]

Atla puts way too much emphasis on the suffering of its imperialist cast and completely sidelines the trauma of the victims of imperialism. It’s really overt in season 3. The way the narrative manages to make katara and aang’s problems about zuko and iroh to some extent is so weird

[wine-porn]

Loring. Never Boring

This is heavenly pinot. Brash and exuberant in the nose, a filthy fruit layered over pretty rose petals and reeking of boundless spirit while anchored in bottomless black cherry. Dusty amber in the glass, clear brick deepens transparently to garnet as Amaro-esque concentration of deep berry becomes the style place-mark. Eye-rolling concentration on the palate quickly moves aside for delicate…

[perfettamentechic]

Pauline Trigère - Trigère

Pauline Trigère - Trigère #PaulineTrigère #Trigère #maisontrigère #creatoredistile #perfettamentechic

Pauline Trigère, è stata una couturière franco-americana fondatrice del brand Trigère. Gli stili pluripremiata Pauline Trigère raggiunsero l’apice della popolarità negli Stati Uniti negli anni ’50 e ’60. Riconosciuta all’inizio della sua carriera come innovatrice del taglio e della costruzione, Trigère ha portato alle donne di tutte le età di tutto il mondo novità come la tuta, il cappotto senza…

[stelashe]

Tutti i tumble beloved mi stanno automaticamente sul cazzo

[thebadgerclan]

Hatred

Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x reader

Summary: A visit from the Dowager Queen...

Tatiana Lantsov had never liked you. ��You were too bold, too outspoken, too independent; a woman with a mind of her own, a woman who wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself.  A woman who was not worthy of her precious Nikolai, you’d heard her say that yourself.  But Nikolai didn’t care, he saw a beautiful, independent, fierce woman whose affection he was lucky to have earned.

The former Queen fought your marriage at every turn, going so far as to feign hysterics when Nikolai proposed.  Tatiana would have objected at the wedding too if Nikolai hadn’t threatened to revoke her invitation.  What made it worse was that you tried so hard to earn her approval, but to no avail.  You dressed in her preferred style, you attended salons with her ladies, you were quiet, demure, only speaking when spoken to.  But you might as well have done nothing, as Tatiana still despised you.

When she was sent away towards the end of the war, you were secretly giddy.  It was a tumultuous time; your husband being crowned, both of you figuring out your new roles as King and Queen, stitching Ravka back together–your mother-in-law’s criticism was the last thing you needed.  But all good things must come to an end.

“Darling,” Nikolai entered your study, lacking his usually buoyant attitude.  “This just arrived.  I wanted you to see it first.”  Your husband handed you a letter which bore the Lantsov Royal Seal, and you cocked your head as you unfolded it.  My darling Sobachka, it read.  I must confess disappointment; I thought you would have invited me to the Palace for a visit by now.  I understand the initial months of your reign were busy, but you’ve settled into the Crown now, surely you can set aside some time for your Mother?

I won’t harp on it, though.  I write to tell you that I will be arriving at the Palace just after the feast of Sankta Neyar.  I wanted my visit to be a surprise, but I believe Y/N could use some time to prepare.  I have been keeping up with the goings on in Os Alta, Nikolai, and I must say, I am impressed.  Your Y/N has done well, especially for a girl of near-common blood.  But…she could benefit from my knowledge.  Her summit with the wives of the Kerch merchant council?  A disaster!

I miss you, my son.  Two years with nothing more than letters.  You would not believe the conditions here!  But I digress, I won’t bore you with the lack of accommodations.  If the post is swift, I shall see you a week after you receive this letter.  I love you, Nikolai.  -Madraya.  You set down the paper, anger flickering in your eyes.  “I could ‘benefit from her knowledge’?” you said, rising from your desk.  “She’s impressed?  Nikolai, I–”  “I know, love, I know.  We can’t turn her away, and she’s likely already departed.”

Your husband knew of his mother’s dislike for you, and while you were courting, he’d done everything he could to shield you from her cold words.  Nikolai had spoken to her at length about the issue; how you were a wonderful girl, how in love with you he was, how she was being unnecessarily harsh.  But Tatiana persisted.  Her treatment of you had been part of his decision to send her away–of course he cared for his mother’s safety, and of course he loved her.  But Nikolai loved you more, and if she would cause you distress, he would do whatever he could to prevent it.

You sighed, your head in your hands.  “Nikolai, I know she’s your mother, and I know you love her, but she hates me!  I can only imagine what she’ll find to nit-pick at when she’s here!”  Your husband rounded your desk and knelt before you, taking your hands in his.  “She will do no such thing, because I won’t let her.  Y/N, my love, you are a perfect Queen, I don’t care what anyone else says.  The people adore you, I adore you, and I will remind you every single day of how wonderfully you’re doing.”

“Was my summit with the merchers’ wives that bad?”  Your husband scoffed.  “No, my love, it went off without a hitch,  She’s just being critical, unjustly so.  Y/N, sweetheart, look at me.”  You did, seeing only love and adoration in his eyes.  “You are the Queen I chose, you are the woman I chose, and I’ll be damned if I let anyone make you feel less than that.”  “Even your mother?”  Nikolai nodded, kissing your knuckles.  “Especially my mother.  And when she arrives, you will be exactly who and what you are:  My perfect, beautiful, beloved Queen.”

***

Nerves consumed you the morning of the Dowager Queen’s arrival, and Nikolai did his best to soothe and comfort you.  “She won’t say anything,” he said, kissing your hand as the two of you entered the parlor where you’d be receiving her.  “I’ll make sure of it.”  You tried not to pace, but only a few minutes after you entered the parlor, an attendant opened the door.  “Announcing Her Royal Highness, the Dowager Queen, Tatiana Lantsov.”

She swept in, her train of blue silk trailing behind her.  “Nikolai!” she cried, hurrying to her son and embracing him. Despite your history, you couldn’t begrudge her this: she was his mother, a mother who missed her son.  “And Y/N.  You look…well.” Your wardrobe had been selected intentionally: purple silk and tulle, a color formerly reserved for royalty; a crown of amethyst–the second rarest gemstone in Ravka to the emerald–atop your head.  White silk gloves adorned your hands, your wedding and engagement rings on your left hand, the Lantsov Emerald on your right.

The message was clear: you were the Queen, not Tatiana, your position commanded respect.  “Thank you, Tatiana,” you replied coolly.  “I must say, we were not expecting you to visit.”  The Dowager sat, breaking a dozen protocols in the process.  “Yes, well, when I didn’t receive an invitation from Nikolai, I took matters into my own hands.  Oh, before I forget, Nikolai, you must have your footmen review proper titles.  All day they’re been calling me ‘Your Royal Highness’!”

“Because that is your title,” you said.  “You are a Dowager Queen, not the wife of the current monarch.  ‘Your Most Royal Majesty’ is reserved for the monarch and their spouse.”  Tatiana bristled.  “Nikolai, are you going to allow her to–”  “I don’t allow Y/N to do anything,” he interjected.  “She does as she pleases.  And she is correct.”  You could feel the irritation rolling off of her, but she let the topic drop.

Conversation turned to lighter subjects: legislation being passed, the latest court gossip, Nikolai’s inventions.  It was painfully obvious that Tatiana became irritated by your contributions to the conversation, and Nikolai noticed.  He kept your hands in his, squeezing gently when she rolled her eyes or muttered under her breath.  You could do this, you could endure her for another few hours.  Or so you thought.

“...And I’ll be hosting a charity dinner next month benefitting children orphaned by the war.”  “Oh, that’s wonderful, dear!” Tatiana responded, not a hint of irritation in her voice.  “I’d be more than happy to come back to help you plan!”  “There’s no need for that,” you said.  “I assure you I have everything under control, but I appreciate your offer.”  “After the fiasco with the Kerch?” she muttered, just loud enough for you to hear.  “I don’t think so.”

You were just about to retort, to let your temp fly, when Nikolai stood.  “That is enough!” he shouted, stunning both you and Tatiana into silence.  “I will not tolerate you berating and disrespecting my wife anymore.”  “Nikolai,” his mother said, her tone that of one soothing a petulant child.  “Surely this is–”  “No, Mother!  From the very first, you have had something against Y/N.  First she was too low-born, then she was too outspoken, then she was too independent, then her gowns were ‘whorishly scandalous’.  You’ve never liked her, and I cannot piece together why, but I’m beyond caring.  It ends now.”

Tatiana rose as well.  “Nikolai, please!  I have only ever wanted what’s best for you, and what’s best for the Crown!  You could have had anyone!  A duke’s daughter, an heiress to a ruby mine!  But you chose this?”  “Yes, Mother!  I chose Y/N!  I chose the woman I love, the woman who never made me feel like I was less than because I was a second son!”  “You deserve more!  Deserve better!”

Nikolai was seething with rage, and he felt the demon writhing within him.  “She loves me!  I love her!  Why is that not enough?  Why has my happiness never been enough for you?”  You watched with a shocked expression: you’d never seen your husband so upset, so angry, and despite the tension of the situation, your heart fluttered to know he would go to such lengths to defend you.

“Of course your happiness is important to me!” Tatiana replied.  “But when you insisted on courting her, I had to question your long term plan!  I had made peace with it, you know?  You marrying the daughter of a low-born baronet.  You were never meant for the throne!  But then your father was murdered….and Vasily, and suddenly she was Queen.  The girl had no training, her manners were unfit for a Queen, she–”

“Enough!”  Nikolai’s shout made Tatiana fall silent.  “You forget your place.”  “I forget–”  “Y/N is not only my wife, but she is your Queen, and I will not stand for you disrespecting her in either capacity.  I have never cared about Y/N’s status, never cared about her manners, I care about her!  And for years, you have tormented her, made her feel unworthy, and I won’t stand for it any longer.

“Either change your attitude, start treating Y/N with respect, or get out.”  Tatiana looked scandalized.  “You would kick me out of my own home?”  “This is not your home!  It’s ours, mine and Y/N’s.  I don’t expect you to love her, I don’t even expect you to like her.  But this treatment needs to stop, and it needs to stop now.”  The Dowager Queen remained silent, and Nikolai took it as an answer enough.  “Guards!”

Four Palace guards entered, on edge after overhearing the argument.  “Escort my mother from the grounds.  She is not to return unless explicitly invited.”  Tatiana blanched.  “Nikolai, you can’t–”  “Can’t I?  No, you’re right, this shouldn’t be my decision…”  Nikolai turned to you, taking your hand in his.  “My love?  Do you want her gone?”  His voice was so gentle, a stark contrast to moments ago.

You stood, straightening the skirts of your gown.  “I do.”  You then addressed the guards.  “As King Nikolai said, she is not to return unless invited.  Which I feel may not be for quite some time.”  When the guards hesitated, Nikolai snapped, “You heard your Queen!”  Tatiana was dragged from the room, and as soon as the doors were shut behind her, Nikolai gathered you into his arms, holding you tightly.

“I’m so sorry, Y/N,” he whispered, kissing your head.  “I can’t…I never thought she’d….fuck, I’m sorry.”  You lifted your head to look at him, to find that he was crying.  “It’s not like it’s a surprise that she hates me,” you said.  “But it hurt, hearing her say it.”  Your husband held you tighter, sniffling softly.  “I love you,” he said.  “I love you so much, Y/N.  I’ve never cared about all the stuff she said, I care about you.  And that she hurt you….Saints, can you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Nikolai,” you said, wiping his tears away with a gloved hand.  “Her hatred for me is not your fault.  And I love you too, more than anything else.”  He kissed you, soft and sweet, wishing he could erase all the hateful things his mother had said to him.  “I don’t want you to cut ties with her,” you said when the kiss broke.  “She’s your mother, and you love her.  I don’t want me to come between you.”

Nikolai shook his head, guiding you to the settee where he pulled you onto his lap.  “I know, darling.  But right now…I can’t even think about her without wanting to break something.”  You cupped his cheek, guiding him into a kiss.  “Thank you for defending me,” you said, and Nikolai wrapped his arms around you, keeping you close to him.  “I will always defend you.  Be it on the battlefield or from my mother.”

You laughed, and he smiled.  “There’s my girl,” Nikolai said, kissing you again.  For several minutes, the two of you sat in silence, enjoying the other’s embrace, before you spoke.  “If this drives a wedge between you two, I don’t think I could forgive myself.”  “Hey, don’t think like that.  If there’s a wedge, it was driven from the first time she rolled her eyes at you.  She’s my mother, yes, and I love her.  But you, Y/N, I love you so much more.”

[abr]

Mercoledì scorso, durante la sessione del World economic forum a Davos, il discorso del Presidente argentino Javier Milei ha fatto scoppiare una bomba a livello mondiale al punto di essere commentato in mezzo mondo e tradotto da molte testate giornalistiche. E così quello che molti media avevano dipinto alla stregua di un matto (soprattutto nella nostra cara Italia) improvvisamente si è trasformato in una via di mezzo tra un nuovo Churchill e Adenauer (...).

L’exploit del discorso di Davos: (é stato) osannato da tanti presenti che si sono complimentati con lui (...). Ma che cos’ha colpito così tanto la gente e soprattutto fatto arrabbiare in maniera clamorosa i grandi capi del Wef?

Semplice: per la prima volta un Presidente di una nazione si è rivolto al mondo intero (...) senza mezzi termini o frasi diplomatiche (...). In pratica Milei ha scoperto quell’acqua calda che molti continuano a negare, esaltando il modello capitalista come l’unico in grado nel corso del tempo, di cambiare radicalmente la condizione umana dando un benessere e un progresso nella società stessa davvero unico (...).

La parte che ha fatto più arrabbiare i leader del Wef ed entusiasmato molti è stata quando Milei ha detto (...): “Ora, per capire cosa siamo qui a difendere (...) è il rispetto illimitato del progetto di vita degli altri, basato sul principio di non aggressione, sulla difesa del diritto alla vita, alla libertà e alla proprietà degli individui, le cui istituzioni fondamentali sono la proprietà privata, i mercati liberi dall’intervento statale, la libera concorrenza, la divisione del lavoro e la cooperazione sociale. Dove si può avere successo solo servendo il prossimo con beni di migliore qualità a un prezzo migliore”.

E più avanti ha sostenuto che “i socialisti, visti gli innegabili progressi del mondo libero, i socialisti sono stati costretti a cambiare la loro agenda. Si sono lasciati alle spalle la lotta di classe (...) per rimpiazzarla con altri presunti conflitti sociali che sono ugualmente dannosi … come quello dell’uomo contro la natura.

Sostengono che gli esseri umani nuocciono al pianeta che deve essere protetto a tutti i costi, addirittura sostenendo un meccanismo di controllo della popolazione o la tragedia dell’aborto. Purtroppo queste idee dannose hanno permeato fortemente la nostra società (...). Hanno raggiunto questo risultato grazie all’appropriazione dei media, della cultura, delle università e anche delle organizzazioni internazionali (come il Wef, ndr). (...).

Fortunatamente siamo sempre più numerosi a osare alzare la voce perché vediamo che, se non combattiamo queste idee a testa alta, l’unico destino possibile è che avremo sempre più Stato, più regolamentazione, più socialismo, più povertà, meno libertà e, di conseguenza, un tenore di vita peggiore”.

(...) Purtroppo l’attuale Ue, già immersa nelle sue scandalose regole ambientali che decimeranno la classe media nel giro di pochi anni, attraverso un falso progressismo Radical-Chic Ztl sta portando avanti molte delle cose criticate dal Presidente argentino. (...)

Au point, grade Milei, il resto solo chiacchiere, distintivi, appeasement o nostagie canaglia, via https://www.ilsussidiario.net/news/diario-argentina-le-bordate-di-milei-a-davos-e-alle-linee-guida-dellue/2650140/

[cienie-isengardu]

Iroh's "I looked away"

“The Storm” [s01e12] provided us a great insight into Zuko’s character, one that undoubtedly helps to understand his motives and anger but also how Ozai’s physical and psychological abuse influenced the banished prince. There are plenty of things to talk about, many little details that build layers of a complicated relationship between Zuko and his father, uncle, or even his crew and how perception of Zuko changes once we learn the truth behind the scar. But the episode also shows us a great deal of insight into Iroh’s character and though I do love how “The Storm” challenged our perception of those characters, rewatching ALTA makes Iroh’s “I looked away” much more devastating to me. 

Because it is not just about his guilt over abuse Zuko was forced to endure. A guilt that won’t disappear no matter if he could or couldn’t do anything to prevent it, but… Iroh truly looked away from Fire Nation as a whole, didn’t he? Understandably, he was grief-struck after Lu Ten’s death and he did not fight back Ozai for the throne, as I suspect he either did not care anymore for it or did not want a civil war to destroy Fire Nation from inside. But he still was The Dragon of West, a very respected general and powerful political figure that others weren’t willing to openly challenge, including Ozai himself.

And no, I’m not wondering why Iroh did not interference with Agni Kai before Zuko’s face was burned to “teach him respect” but about the fact that he did not say anything at all against using the division of new recruits as a bait - and from the episode alone, we know he agreed with Zuko on that matter. It wasn't the right strategy - even if it has merit from a military standpoint, it definitely wasn’t moral or good for Fire Nation’s wellbeing. Beside Zuko, who openly challenged the strategy and called it betrayal, the only person that questioned it at all was an old unnamed general (“But the 41st is entirely new recruits. How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?) while Iroh simply kept quiet and this detail makes me think the “I looked away” is as much about Iroh looking away from Ozai’s cruel abuse toward Zuko as about Iroh’s passivity during the war meeting, and in greater scheme, Fire Nation’s politics. I doubt Iroh could change Ozai’s mind and sure, I do not have an idea how the relationship between Fire Lord and ex-Crown Prince looked like, but the point is, Iroh did not even try to question the strategy and choose to sit quietly and dunno, it makes me wonder, did Iroh give up at this point of his life? Was he so afraid of the consequences for speaking his mind that he allowed Ozai and Fire Lord’s court to subdue him so much? Because if he did, his words to Zuko “[...] But you must promise not to speak. Those old folks are a bit sensitive, you know?” is as much warning to Zuko as to himself. 

Iroh said to the crew that Zuko was right but it wasn’t his place to criticize the strategy, but who else was supposed to speak against this plan, if Iroh himself chose to stay quiet on the matter? If all generals - then and three years later - didn’t have any respect for life, whatever for their own subjects or civilians of other nations? And I think this is what truly kills me about this situation, that 13 years old boy had courage to speak against this dehumanization of Fire Nation’s citizens when Iroh, our good uncle Iroh, kept quiet and looked away again and again from what was happening until he couldn’t do that anymore because too great damage was already done.

(And isn’t it ironic that Iroh gave little Zuko a knife with the description never give up without a fight - words Zuko adapted as his life motto - but Iroh himself gave up? First at Ba Sing Sai, after Lu Ten’s death, now here during a war meeting and maybe, just maybe it is Zuko that unexpectedly pushed him back on the right track to actually do something, to make a choice and fight for what he believed was right instead of passively watching all the abuse done to an innocent child and young soldiers serving loyalty to their country. Was Iroh already a White Lotus then or did the travel with Zuko give him an opportunity to join it because he couldn’t anymore look away from how messed up Fire Nation became?)

[laddersofsweetmisery]

My former English professor is retiring and gave away a bunch of the books in her office. She's a gem. I giddily returned to campus just to sort through her collection. Super excited about the ones I brought home with me. I thought someone else might appreciate some of the books I found.

I've already began poring over the poetry collections, but what should I read first? Are there any that you guys have read that you highly recommend?

Books included in Photo 1:

● Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (Alta Edition includin Persuasion)

● Robert Burns by David Daiches

● Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

● Leigh Hunt's What is Poetry? by Albert S. Cook

● Love Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister by Aphra Behn

● Virginia Woolf: A Biography by Quentin Bell

● Holy Madness: Romantics, Patriots, and Revolutionaries 1776-1871 by Adam Zamoyski

● Earnest Victorians by Robert A. Rosenbaum

● Lord Byron: Selected Letters and Journals by Lord Byron, Leslie A. Marchand (Editor)

Books Included in Photo 2:

● Orlando by Virginia Woolf

● Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

● The Portable Irish Reader, (The Viking portable library) by Diarmuid Russell

● The Last Days of Pompeii by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

● Becoming a Heroine by Rachel M. Brownstein

● To the Lighthouse Virginia Woolf

● East Lynne by Ellen Wood, writing as Mrs Henry Wood

● Poetry and Prose of Alexander Pope edited by Aubrey Williams

● In Memoriam; An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds and Sources, Criticism (Norton Critical Editions) by Alfred Tennyson

● Daughters and Fathers by Lynda E. Boose, Betty S. Flowers

Books Included in Photo 3:

● Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy

● A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne

● Goblin Market and Other Poems by Christina Rossetti (Dover Thrift Editions)

● Sound the Deep Waters: Women's Romantic Poetry in the Victorian Age includes works by Christina Rossetti, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, George Eliot, Alice Meynell, and Edith Nesbit

● The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

● The Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Curse of Frankenstein by Thomas Hoobler and Dorothy Hoobler

● Wordsworth and the Poetry of Human Suffering by James H. Averill

● Victorian Ghost Stories: By Eminent Women Writers (Part of the The Virago Book Series) edited by Richard Dalby

● The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

● Victorian Poetry and Poetics by Walter E. Houghton G. Robert

[moniquill]

As illustrated by Woman on the Edge of Time, and as manifested in the furor surrounding McCullough and Duchesneau's reproductive choices, disability is often seen as a difference that has no place in the future. Disability is a problem that must be eliminated, a hindrance to one's future opportunities, a drag on one's quality of life. Speaking directly about the Duchesneau and McCullough case, bioethicist Alta Charo argues, “The question is whether the parents have violated the sacred duty of parenthood, which is to maximize to some reasonable degree the advantages available to their children. I'm loath to say it, but I think it's a shame to set limits on a child's potential.” Similar claims are made in opposition to same-sex parenting; critics argue that children raised in queer households will have a lower quality of life than children raised in heterosexual ones. However, in both of these situations, it is assumed not only that disability and queerness inherently and irreversibly lower one's quality of life but also that there is only one possible understanding of “quality of life” and that everyone knows what “it” is without discussion or elaboration.

-Alison Kafer, Feminist, Queer, Crip

[darklinaforever]

And here we go again to see the French critics denounce the live action series of Atla as with Percy Jackson...

The latest review I saw literally says that ; we don't see anything from the world of Avatar, that we don't see anything crazy. Not only is there a problem with adaptation, but it is also simply a basic bad series in the writing in the direction in the photography in the dialogues, in everything in fact. The narration which is catastrophic over 8 episodes. This is a purely bad series. And Aang and Katara apparently don't have an arc. Sokka actor is the only one to have a minimum of arc even if he has no charisma, and also has no chemistry with the actresses of Suki (wtf ?!) and Yue.

At this point, dare you frankly tell me that this isn't bad faith with a view to glorifying the cartoon ? Because, after the film Atla, how can we say things like that about the live series version ? I hope for all these people that the series will work and be renewed until the end of the story of the original series. She deserves it. Rare are live action adaptations made with so much love and care. Fuck you people actually.

That at least is a really good, objective review that doesn't spit gratuitously on the live action series :