#didn't want to spam :)

[frownyalfred]

For some reason I am so amused at the idea of Clark going to Ma and Pa Kent to tell them he's getting engaged/married to Lois and them both kind of just standing there awkwardly trying to figure out a Midwestern-nice way to kindly, but firmly, ask Clark what the fuck is going on with that Batman fellow, then--

[licorishh]

no way she's alive ?? yea those mental health breaks because social media makes people suck are wild huh

[backmarkerr]

Makkinen + Simi

[wutheringmights]

Legend of the Galactic Heroes is my favorite anti-authoritarian story because it indulges in the fantasy of the benevolent dictator. 

Authoritarianism is, more often than not, depicted as this indisputably evil institution that is so glaringly nefarious that any reasonable person would know to fight against it. That makes for a good story, but it fails to recognize why anyone would want an authoritarian government to begin with. 

LOGH has Reinhard, who declares he will seize the galaxy in his hands and remake it in his own image. His image is genuinely just. He wants to make life in the empire better. He wants a more equitable society. He wants to do good. On the surface, he succeeds at doing just that. By the time the story ends, Reinhard has reinvented society and improved the lives of billions of people. All of this is in stark contrast to the empire’s biggest enemy.

The Free Planets Alliance is a democracy quickly crumbling under the weight of corruption and the rise of fascism. It’s increasingly chaotic, and its violence is often inflicted onto the civilians living within it. At many times, it feels more unjust to live in the FPA than in the goddamn authoritarian regime just across the milky way. 

The contrast between the empire and the FPA clearly shows what the allure of a dictatorship is. LOGH understands that under societal duress, we want one all-powerful person to swoop in and save us. We want things fixed now, no matter the cost.

The more Reinhard exerts his power to improve the empire, the more we wish that someone in the FPA could also be given that kind of unrestrained authority. We know who exactly in the FPA could make the world better, and we watch them time and time again be screwed over by the powers that be above them. It’s so easy to want them to become another Reinhard-- another just, all-powerful crusader. We want the benevolent dictator.

LOGH tells us not to fall for it. 

Reinhard never falls to corruption. His regime is built on the hard work of men who fully commit to his morals. But there is an inherent violence that never goes away. It’s an authoritarian regime, after all. There’s still a secret police that quietly dispels the opposition. Loyal subordinates are made scapegoats and sacrificed for the sake of the cause. The goodness of the empire hinges on Reinhard’s goodwill. 

LOGH lets Reinhard maintain that goodwill. He gets to spend his entire life fulfilling his dream. He never falls from grace. The fantasy of the benevolent dictator is allowed to come true. 

Then the story asks: what happens when he’s gone?

Reinhard never dismantles the system that created the injustice he fixed. His life’s work will be washed away the moment the throne is succeeded by someone any less benevolent than him. Reinhard realizes this a little too late, and he asserts over and over again that only someone worthy of the throne should take it.

But he has mythologized himself too much, and the people who had fallen for his charm and accepted the good of his system believe that his son will be as equally great. One day, his family name will become synonymous with injustice just like the old regime he had brutally dismantled. He saved the present, but not tomorrow. 

That we never see the spoiling of Reinhard’s legacy is important. The consequences of authoritarianism can take years, if not generations to pan out.  Just because picking a dictatorship will benefit you today doesn’t absolve you of the responsibility to think of tomorrow. But if you can’t accept a government run by a singular savior, what other option do you have?

You have democracy. At times, it’s a poor answer. It’s a system that requires slow, glacial change. It’s prone to corruption. Those who would be the best to rule it are the least inclined to seize power within it. But, as protagonist Yang Wen-li asserts, we haven’t figured out a better system yet. We have to keep dedicating ourselves to a flawed system. What other options do we have?

The benevolent dictatorship is a sweet fantasy, but it’s just that; it was never real to begin with.

Legend of the Galactic Heroes acknowledges how people can give up their rights to a dictator for the sake of a comfortable present. It also understands the sad truth that the only way to fight against the allure of authoritarianism is to have faith in a failing system. The reward may mean more uncertain years of strife, but it’s a sacrifice you have to make not for yourself, but for the generations that will come after you.

A good government is a practice in faith. You have to believe in your rights to self-governance in order to retain them. It’s not easy, but you have to do it. You need to.

[legendary-cookies]

(Source)

Finally

I was wondering when we were gonna see Lychee's dragon form yidcccydi

(Source)

I also want to know what the fuck Longan does to become this eldritch horror that'll haunt my nightmares

Like what happened to that sprite of their dragon form that looked great and fine and normal hello??

[pleaseshutupaboutsatou]

I drew a bunch of Tanaka and have decided to color them.

[rocketonthemoon]

I'm kinda new to the fandom and you seem to rec fics that I don't see around a lot. Any older SC fics I should look up?

Well I dunno how much I can vouch for my taste but SC fics I really like that are more than a few years old:

Where Lamps Go to Die by WastedOn - Kara pretends to be in a relationship with Supergirl and Lena gets jealous (probably my absolute favorite SC fic. One of the first I read and genuinely a lot of fun)

lena dies on a wednesday by @karalovesallthegirls - Lena is trapped in a loop, reliving the day she dies over and over again. She just doesn’t know it. (I think this was one of the first SC fics I ever read? absolutely fantastic)

in the shadow of that green light also by @karalovesallthegirls - Kara wakes from an accident with no memory and a mysterious caretaker who creates more questions than she answers. (I'm not normally one for horror but this is SO good and makes me want to rattle the bars of my enclosure it's so good)

1,370,911 by @pippytmi - Soulmate AND Singer/Songwriter AU (I reread this on the regular you don't understand the grip it has on me)

We Deserve Only Good Things by @thornedrose44 - Kara and Lena are working through how to be friends again and an alien has them meet the younger versions of each other (yeah this one wrecks me in the best ways honestly)

quiet when i'm coming home (i'm on my way) by @valkyrieskwad - Kara's a retired smoke jumper and has to figure out life afterwards (Kara learns how to fucking heal and I'm in love with this honestly)

and of course I gotta plug @i-am-robie's you're gunna find yourself someway, somehow - Morning Glory AU aka one of my favorite Kara fics ever

And then of course I gotta plug my own work.

These are only a small handful of course. This fandom is so talented there's so many good one's to choose! So like just go through my bookmarks and have a good time. Don't forget to leave comments!!!

[evilvvithin]

ALCINA DIMITRESCU

[crime-soncloud]

alright screw it I need some motivation for a task

So, if ya don't know, we're a system! Hello Hi!!!

and we use simply plural

Problem: all of our profiles are extremely empty because we (Me mainly, the host) procrastinate like hell. there's nearing 90 members of sys, so a lot to do.

so! for every 5 notes on this post, We'll get 1 profile sorted out!! and every 10 notes we'll share a profile with yall!

feel free to like, rb, all that stuff. only thing is try and keep your own reblogs or comments at =<10 (equal to or less than 10)! so you don't spam it. so yeah 1 like, 10 reblogs, and 10 comments per person

if this gets no notes. well it doesn't really matter.

[shinybeads]

Favorite Seasonal Looks of 2024 - Poll Results

The results are in! 🎉 Thank you so much to everyone who participated and shared! 🥰💞

You can find the results of each poll in the alt descriptions! 😌

So, did your favorite look win? 👀✨️

[kwillow]

Acknowleding that problematic and nasty guys are your favorite genre of character, you should consider the possibility that defying the expectations of his infernal appearance by being a nice, kind person (and notice I said nice and kind, not genuine), would be the most consistent way for Infernal Ambroys to get positive attention.

Well sure, though as I mentioned in that aforementioned too-long ramble, an Ambroys not lavished in fame and praise growing up would probably not be so focused on maximizing attention from common rubes as he normally is.

I noted an Infernal Ambroys would put up a nicer front (flattering, obsequious, trying to appear helpful and useful) to ingratiate himself to powerful people, but most people wouldn't be worth the effort and the risk of rejection. Again, expending effort only to get rejected would hurt his ego, which is always sensitive when you're an Ambroys.

Relatedly, multiple people also asked "what if an ordinary person were to love infernal Ambroys so much and never ever reject him, would he be good then?" and like I mentioned with how he'd hypothetically interact with Lou, he'd go "oh that's unexpectedly pleasant" but neglect that bond so he can focus on maintaining his relationships with high-status people instead.

Sorry, I know people want avenues for my characters to be sweetie pie bestie material (judging by the amount of asks I get trying to figure out scenarios where they're nicer, akin to a friendship-focused version of Green Eggs and Ham), but they're just not often capable of uncomplicated, easy friendships due to their moral failings and baggage. Maybe this is MY baggage, but imo not even the most decent person can be perfectly nice and make the right choices all the time! That's why I like making characters that explore being someone who needs connection (as all sapient social beings do) but keeps fucking it up.

[xiaokuer-schmetterling]

okay tumblr help me out

WHY THE FUCK IS THERE A HEART BUTTON IF I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO USE IT ???

you find a tag you like. you scroll thru it. YOU DROP HEARTS AND REPLIES AND REBLOGS TO EXPRESS YOUR APPRECIATION OF THEIR EFFORTS IN FINDING / MAKING THE CONTENT ??? right?

BUT THEN I GET THIS MESSAGE AND I'M SO CONFUSED ???

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AITA OR WHAT IS GOING ON HERE ???

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UPDATE: i successfully resisted the impulse to go slap hearts on LOTS more of their posts out of spite. and then i blocked them. bc. they weren't actually rude in the method of communication or words used. although the content of the message Felt Very Rude? but i'm still confused and mad about being confused and startled by such a different mindset to mine in regards to How To Tumblr (and i've been on tumblr for about 3yrs now btw)

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FURTHER UPDATE--okay. a theory ventured by my friend @bibookdemon -- this is A Thing on instagram apparently ???

The issue is that folks believe spam liking will trigger a shadowban due to Insta flagging the likes as bot activity

and i was like. wut? what the hell is a shadowban ???

It limits your content reach. Your posts are moved lower in peoples' feeds, or hidden entirely, or etc

and then i was like...um. tumblr defo Does Not Work Like That ???!!! that's part of the charm

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ifstg I'M ABOUT TO CHANGE MY BLOG HEADER TO SAY "MASS LIKES CELEBRATED" or smth I DID IT

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haha info i've just discovered re: tumblr header images

ideal avatar / pfp image size is 128x128px and a file size no larger than 10MB -- supported file formats are JPEG, PNG, or WEBP

ideal header image size is 2048x1152px (16:9 aspect ratio) and a file size no larger than 10MB--supported file formats are JPEG, PNG, WEBP, and GIFs

more info about changing a tumblr blog appearance

[ishgard]

uhm.... 👉👈

[kameyyy]

jeans guy can see himself out

[refractionrailway]

on an unrelated note it's so funny to me that they keep making Heathcliff the defacto "we have an id who's in a position of leadership and we need someone to be their sidekick" sinner, guy who is so "hot dog or hamburger style boss" coded

[gramnel]

Here we go, @papysanzo

Thank you for the idea, although I feel like a cheated a little with flowers hehe👁️ but I like the way it all turned out!