#diverse literary icon

[titlishu]

Allow me to elucidate my stance, if I may. It has come to my attention that my communication with you has been the source of my continual exasperation, and I find it most disheartening that my messages have not been sufficiently comprehensible. I would like to clarify that I am an upright individual, a man, who conducts himself in a respectable and decorous manner. Therefore, I posit that it is within my purview to rebuff individuals who require a correction in their behavior. The ability to assert oneself as an grown adult is indeed a show of strength, and I embrace this attribute. I acknowledge your complimentary remark on my humor, albeit unintentional, and request that you kindly refrain from presuming that as a trait of mine, outland-ishu!

me when i type the bad essay i wrote into an ai to make me sound smarter

[wellhealthhub]

In A Hypothetical World Where You Could Host A Dinner That Guarantees The Presence Of All Invitees, Who Makes The List?

If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite? The idea of organizing a dinner soirée with the absolute power of extending invites to anyone, and their guaranteed presence, sparks a blaze of fascination in the depths of our minds. Consider the limitless potential and deep discussions that could unravel in such a unique setting. This piece invites you on…

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Amazon illegally interferes with an historic UK warehouse election

I'm in to TARTU, ESTONIA! Overcoming the Enshittocene (Monday, May 8, 6PM, Prima Vista Literary Festival keynote, University of Tartu Library, Struwe 1). AI, copyright and creative workers' labor rights (May 10, 8AM: Science Fiction Research Association talk, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures building, Lossi 3, lobby). A talk for hackers on seizing the means of computation (May 10, 3PM, University of Tartu Delta Centre, Narva 18, room 1037).

Amazon is very good at everything it does, including being very bad at the things it doesn't want to do. Take signing up for Prime: nothing could be simpler. The company has built a greased slide from Prime-curiosity to Prime-confirmed that is the envy of every UX designer.

But unsubscribing from Prime? That's a fucking nightmare. Somehow the company that can easily figure out how to sign up for a service is totally baffled when it comes to making it just as easy to leave. Now, there's two possibilities here: either Amazon's UX competence is a kind of erratic freak tide that sweeps in at unpredictable intervals and hits these unbelievable high-water marks, or the company just doesn't want to let you leave.

To investigate this question, let's consider a parallel: Black Flag's Roach Motel. This is an icon of American design, a little brown cardboard box that is saturated in irresistibly delicious (to cockroaches, at least) pheromones. These powerful scents make it admirably easy for all the roaches in your home to locate your Roach Motel and enter it.

But the interior of the Roach Motel is also coated in a sticky glue. Once roaches enter the motel, their legs and bodies brush up against this glue and become hopeless mired in it. A roach can't leave – not without tearing off its own legs.

It's possible that Black Flag made a mistake here. Maybe they wanted to make it just as easy for a roach to leave as it is to enter. If that seems improbable to you, well, you're right. We don't even have to speculate, we can just refer to Black Flag's slogan for Roach Motel: "Roaches check in, but they don't check out."

It's intentional, and we know that because they told us so.

Back to Amazon and Prime. Was it some oversight that cause the company make it so marvelously painless to sign up for Prime, but such a titanic pain in the ass to leave? Again, no speculation is required, because Amazon's executives exchanged a mountain of internal memos in which this is identified as a deliberate strategy, by which they deliberately chose to trick people into signing up for Prime and then hid the means of leaving Prime. Prime is a Roach Motel: users check in, but they don't check out:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/03/big-tech-cant-stop-telling-on-itself/

When it benefits Amazon, they are obsessive – "relentless" (Bezos's original for the company) – about user friendliness. They value ease of use so highly that they even patented "one click checkout" – the incredibly obvious idea that a company that stores your shipping address and credit card could let you buy something with a single click:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-Click#Patent

But when it benefits Amazon to place obstacles in our way, they are even more relentless in inventing new forms of fuckery, spiteful little landmines they strew in our path. Just look at how Amazon deals with unionization efforts in its warehouses.

Amazon's relentless union-busting spans a wide diversity of tactics. On the one hand, they cook up media narratives to smear organizers, invoking racist dog-whistles to discredit workers who want a better deal:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/apr/02/amazon-chris-smalls-smart-articulate-leaked-memo

On the other hand, they collude with federal agencies to make workers afraid that their secret ballots will be visible to their bosses, exposing them to retaliation:

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/amazon-violated-labor-law-alabama-union-election-labor-official-finds-rcna1582

They hold Cultural Revolution-style forced indoctrination meetings where they illegally threaten workers with punishment for voting in favor of their union:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/31/business/economy/amazon-union-staten-island-nlrb.html

And they fire Amazon tech workers who express solidarity with warehouse workers:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amazon-fires-tech-employees-workers-criticism-warehouse-climate-policies/

But all this is high-touch, labor-intensive fuckery. Amazon, as we know, loves automation, and so it automates much of its union-busting: for example, it created an employee chat app that refused to deliver any message containing words like "fairness" or "grievance":

https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/05/doubleplusrelentless/#quackspeak

Amazon also invents implausible corporate fictions that allow it to terminate entire sections of its workforce for trying to unionize, by maintaining the tormented pretense that these workers, who wear Amazon uniforms, drive Amazon trucks, deliver Amazon packages, and are tracked by Amazon down to the movements of their eyeballs, are, in fact, not Amazon employees:

https://www.wired.com/story/his-drivers-unionized-then-amazon-tried-to-terminate-his-contract/

These workers have plenty of cause to want to unionize. Amazon warehouses are sources of grueling torment. Take "megacycling," a ten-hour shift that runs from 1:20AM to 11:50AM that workers are plunged into without warning or the right to refuse. This isn't just a night shift – it's a night shift that makes it impossible to care for your children or maintain any kind of normal life.

Then there's Jeff Bezos's war on his workers' kidneys. Amazon warehouse workers and drivers notoriously have to pee in bottles, because they are monitored by algorithms that dock their pay for taking bathroom breaks. The road to Amazon's warehouse in Coventry, England is littered with sealed bottles of driver piss, defenestrated by drivers before they reach the depot inspection site.

There's so much piss on the side of the Coventry road that the prankster Oobah Butler was able to collect it, decant it into bottles, and market it on Amazon as an energy beverage called "Bitter Lemon Release Energy," where it briefly became Amazon's bestselling energy drink:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/20/release-energy/#the-bitterest-lemon

(Butler promises that he didn't actually ship any bottled piss to people who weren't in on the gag – but let's just pause here and note how weird it is that a guy who hates our kidneys as much as Jeff Bezos built and flies a penis-shaped rocket.)

Butler also secretly joined the surge of 1,000 workers that Amazon hired for the Coventry warehouse in advance of a union vote, with the hope of diluting the yes side of that vote and forestall the union. Amazon displayed more of its famously selective competence here, spotting Butler and firing him in short order, while totally failing to notice that he was marketing bottles of driver piss as a bitter lemon drink on Amazon's retail platform.

After a long fight, Amazon's Coventry workers are finally getting their union vote, thanks to the GMB union's hard fought battle at the Central Arbitration Committee:

https://www.foxglove.org.uk/2024/04/26/amazon-warehouse-workers-in-coventry-will-vote-on-trade-union-recognition/

And right on schedule, Amazon has once again discovered its incredible facility for ease-of-use. The company has blanketed its shop floor with radioactively illegal "one click to quit the union" QR codes. When a worker aims their phones at the code and clicks the link, the system auto-generates a letter resigning the worker from their union.

As noted, this is totally illegal. English law bans employers from "making an offer to an employee for the sole or main purpose of inducing workers not to be members of an independent trade union, take part in its activities, or make use of its services."

Now, legal or not, this may strike you as a benign intervention on Amazon's part. Why shouldn't it be easy for workers to choose how they are represented in their workplaces? But the one-click system is only half of Amazon's illegal union-busting: the other half is delivered by its managers, who have cornered workers on the shop floor and ordered them to quit their union, threatening them with workplace retaliation if they don't.

This is in addition to more forced "captive audience" meetings where workers are bombarded with lies about what life in an union shop is like.

Again, the contrast couldn't be more stark. If you want to quit a union, Amazon makes this as easy as joining Prime. But if you want to join a union, Amazon makes that even harder than quitting Prime. Amazon has the same attitude to its workers and its customers: they see us all as a resource to be extracted, and have no qualms about tricking or even intimidating us into doing what's best for Amazon, at the expense of our own interests.

The campaigning law-firm Foxglove is representing five of Amazon's Coventry workers. They're doing the lord's work:

https://www.foxglove.org.uk/2024/05/02/legal-challenge-to-amazon-uks-new-one-click-to-quit-the-union-tool/

All this highlights the increasing divergence between the UK and the US when it comes to labor rights. Under the Biden Administration, @NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo has promulgated a rule that grants a union automatic recognition if the boss does anything to interfere with a union election:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/06/goons-ginks-and-company-finks/#if-blood-be-the-price-of-your-cursed-wealth

In other words, if Amazon tries these tactics in the USA now, their union will be immediately recognized. Abruzzo has installed an ultra-sensitive tilt-sensor in America's union elections, and if Bezos or his class allies so much as sneeze in the direction of their workers' democratic rights, they automatically lose.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/06/one-click-to-quit-the-union/#foxglove

Image: Isabela.Zanella (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ballot-box-2.jpg

CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

[fxoye]

i'm honestly at a loss right now. like... what even is happening on the SNW star trek reddit thread?

i know i shouldn't be surprised at this point, but the level of pushback and dismissal when it comes to even the mere possibility of spock being queer is just... baffling.

like, i get that reddit has its share of toxicity and closed-mindedness, but for some reason i thought the star trek fandom would be a bit more evolved, you know? this is literally a franchise that has always been about inclusivity, diversity, and pushing social boundaries. and yet here we are, in 2024, still having to justify the basic idea that hey, maybe the character with a decades-long history of queer subtext and coding could, in fact, be queer.

it's just wild to me that this is even a debate. like, i'm sorry, but the idea of kirk and spock's relationship having homoerotic undertones is not some fringe tumblr headcanon - it has been acknowledged and explored by literal cast members, writers, and even gene roddenberry himself. the term "slash" in fanfiction comes from kirk/spock stories, for crying out loud. this is not new!

and yet we have people in that reddit thread acting like the mere suggestion of a queer spock is some sort of sacrilegious retcon that would ruin the character forever. as if spock's entire 50+ year history would be erased if he so much as looked at a man with anything other than heterosexual brotherhood.

it's just so frustrating and disheartening to see this level of knee-jerk dismissal and erasure, especially in a fandom that prides itself on being progressive and imaginative. like, we can envision a future with warp drives and aliens and literal magic space gods, but a queer vulcan is a bridge too far? okay then.

and the thing is, no one is even saying that spock is definitively, unquestionably gay, or that every single iteration of his character needs to be explicitly queer. all we're saying is that there is room for that interpretation, and that queer stories have just as much right to be told as any others. but apparently even that is too much for some folks.

it's a reminder that even in supposedly "enlightened" geeky spaces, homophobia and heteronormativity are still alive and well. and it's exhausting, honestly. as a queer trekkie, i'm just so tired of having to constantly justify my existence and fight for scraps of representation.

you know what, i'm gonna say it: the erasure and denial of spock's queer subtext, and specifically the spirk ship, is not just frustrating - it's straight up homophobic.

like, let's look at the facts here. kirk and spock's relationship has been coded as romantic and even erotic since literally the beginning of the franchise. the term "t'hy'la", which has been used to describe their bond, translates to "friend, brother, lover" in vulcan. that's not subtext, that's just... text.

and the evidence just keeps piling up from there. the way spock is the only person who can pull kirk out of his darkest moments, the way they constantly risk their lives and careers for each other, the "this simple feeling" speech in the motion picture... like, come on. even the kelvin timeline movies had scenes of them practically eye-fucking on the bridge.

and don't even get me started on the plethora of literary references that heavily code their relationship as queer. kirk and spock's dynamic has been compared to achilles and patroclus, gilgamesh and enkidu, alexander the great and hephaestion... all classic examples of homoerotic male partnerships. the iconic back-to-back pose from the episode "bread and circuses" evokes imagery reminiscent of these historical and mythological duos, visually reinforcing the deep bond between kirk and spock. plus, their relationship has been likened to that of horatio nelson and his "band of brothers," particularly his close friendship with captain thomas hardy, which some historians have interpreted as having romantic undertones.

these are not coincidences or fan delusions - they are deliberate, well-documented artistic choices layered into the very foundation of kirk and spock's relationship. and the fact that so many people are eager to ignore or downplay them in order to cling to a heteronormative fantasy of male friendship is honestly pretty telling.

and look, i get it. it's easy to claim "they were just best friends" because that's what we've been culturally conditioned to see as the default. but the reality is, intimate male relationships have been historically desexualized and stripped of romantic coding in order to maintain heterosexual norms. the achilles/patroclus model of male love used to be widely understood as having a romantic and even sexual element - it was only in the 19th and 20th centuries that it was aggressively reframed as "platonic friendship" in a textbook example of straightwashing.

so when people insist that kirk and spock's bond could never be anything other than a sexless bromance, they are literally upholding centuries of homophobic revisionism designed to erase queer love from our cultural narratives. and i'm sorry, but that's not something i can get behind as a queer fan.

you cannot look at the overwhelming evidence of kirk and spock's queer subtext, the decades of analysis exploring their relationship through a romantic lens, the undeniable impact and influence of queer interpretations on the very fabric of this fandom... and tell me with a straight face that it's all meaningless or invalid.

kirk/spock walked so that every other slash pairing could run. it is the ur-text of queer shipping in modern fandom. and while it may have started as subtext, it has long since transcended those limitations to become an integral part of star trek's cultural legacy.

but at the end of the day, i know that fandom will always be what we make of it. no amount of downvotes or closed-minded rhetoric can change the fact that queer interpretations of spock have been part of his story since day one, and will continue to be so long as there are lgbtq+ fans who see ourselves in him.

so to my fellow queer trekkies: keep boldly going, keep reading the subtext, keep telling our stories. they can call it illogical all they want - we know the truth. and as a wise vulcan once said: "there's no point in denying the facts of one's nature." 🖖🏳️‍🌈

[magicalella]

Hi all!! For those of you who don’t know me, My name is Ella Griffin, I’m a 24 year old trans woman based in south florida. For the last four years, I’ve been working on a super special project that I’m beyond thrilled to share with you all: my debut novel, The White Liar. As a big fan of fantasy books, I’ve felt for a long time that there’s a serious lack of authentic trans representation in the genre. For years, I yearned for even just one iconic transfem hero in a high fantasy setting. The White Liar is my attempt to fill that gap in the literary canon.

As a bit of background, I am a massive fan of hard fantasy books with an epic scope and in-depth magic systems; such as Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere books or Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea series. I’m also a big fan of gothic literature and character-driven classics like Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables and Anna Karenina, all of which have played an influence on this book. The White Liar’s setting is heavily inspired by celtic folklore, mythology and history with a feminist twist.

It’s a world where fae creatures range from tiny glowing insectoids to massive flying mounts and even humanoid beings. Yet, even the tiniest of these has the potential to unlock unfathomable magical potential through the art of Serimancy! Serimancy, the primary magic system of the book, gives users the ability to transmute or ‘spin’ the silk made by fae creatures into supernatural strength, telekinetic threads, and twelve other distinctive powers. Think Rumplestiltskin spinning straw into gold, but more vaporwave.

Without giving too much away, the book features a diverse cast of characters from all different backgrounds, including transfem, transmasc, nonbinary, aspec and disabled characters, although those aspects don’t always define their motives or character arcs. Mainly, The White Liar is a book about the nature of truth and identity; the ways in which our environment affects how we perceive those things, and the friction that creates with our own perception.

I would also characterize the book as a gaslamp fantasy like the Mistborn series or the video game Lies of P, with a baroque/art nouveau-meets-Bridgerton 19th century aesthetic. I’m a 100% independent author with a summary $0 budget publishing through kindle direct, and flat broke, so I would highly appreciate any and all support with this project, be it word of mouth or otherwise. The cover art is a digital painting created entirely by me and is canon to the book!

Thank you so, so much for giving me your time and attention. This book is my love letter to the queer community and I truly hope someone somewhere finds it hopeful or inspiring like I’ve found with the works that inspire me.

The White Liar is available now on E-book here:

[kinonostalgie]

Sir Michael Palin, a revered figure in British entertainment, is celebrated for his remarkable versatility as an actor, writer, comedian, and travel documentarian. Born on May 5, 1943, in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Palin first gained fame as a member of the groundbreaking comedy group Monty Python. His work with Monty Python, which began in the late 1960s, is iconic, with Palin contributing to some of the most memorable sketches and characters in British comedy history.

Palin's talent for comedy was evident in his various roles in "Monty Python's Flying Circus," where he showcased his ability to deliver both absurd and subtle humour. His performances in sketches like the "Dead Parrot" sketch and the "Ministry of Silly Walks" are legendary. Monty Python's transition from television to film further cemented their status, with Palin playing key roles in classics such as "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "Life of Brian," and "The Meaning of Life."

Beyond Monty Python, Palin's career flourished in diverse directions. He became an acclaimed travel documentarian, known for his engaging and insightful travel series. Beginning with "Around the World in 80 Days" in 1989, Palin embarked on a series of epic journeys that captivated audiences. His warm, personable style and genuine curiosity about the world and its people made series like "Pole to Pole," "Full Circle," and "Himalaya" hugely popular. These travelogues not only showcased his wit and charm but also his respect and fascination for different cultures.

In addition to his television work, Palin has authored several travel books that complement his series, offering deeper reflections on his adventures. His writing extends to fiction as well, with novels such as "Hemingway's Chair" and "The Truth" showcasing his literary prowess.

Palin's contributions to entertainment and culture have been widely recognised. He was knighted in 2019 for his services to travel, culture, and geography. This honour reflects not only his impact on comedy and television but also his role as an ambassador for cultural understanding and exploration.

Sir Michael Palin's career is a testament to his extraordinary talent and versatility. Whether making audiences laugh with his brilliant comedic performances, enlightening them with his travel documentaries, or engaging them with his writing, Palin's work continues to be cherished by fans around the world. His enduring legacy is one of creativity, curiosity, and a profound appreciation for the richness of human experience.

[jasminewalkerauthor]

Trope chats: death personified

Death, the eternal mystery that awaits every living being, has been personified and conceptualized in various ways throughout literary history. This installment of trope chats embarks on an exploration of the personification of death in literature, tracing its evolution over time, examining its impact on society, and considering the cultural influences that shape its myriad representations.

I. Ancient Personifications: The Grim Reaper and Beyond

The personification of death dates back to ancient mythologies and folklore. In Greek mythology, Thanatos, the god of death, was often depicted as a winged figure escorting souls to the afterlife. The Romans similarly personified death as the god Mors. In medieval Europe, the Grim Reaper emerged as a skeletal figure wielding a scythe, becoming an iconic representation of death in Western culture.

II. The Dance of Death: Medieval Allegories

During the medieval period, the "Dance of Death" emerged as a popular motif in literature and art. This allegorical theme depicted death as an impartial force claiming individuals from all walks of life, emphasizing the universality of mortality. The macabre dance, often portrayed in murals, manuscripts, and woodcuts, became a poignant reminder of the transience of human existence.

III. Literary Personifications: From Shakespeare to Modern Works

In literature, death has been personified in countless forms. Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features the haunting figure of Yorick's skull, a memento mori that encapsulates the inevitability of death. The works of Edgar Allan Poe often feature death as a spectral presence, accentuating the eerie and supernatural aspects of mortality. In contemporary literature, authors like Neil Gaiman ("The Sandman") and Terry Pratchett ("Discworld") play with the personification of death, offering nuanced and sometimes humorous portrayals.

IV. Cultural Influences: Eastern Perspectives

Beyond Western literature, Eastern cultures have their own personifications of death. In Hinduism, the god Yama serves as the lord of death and justice, presiding over the cycle of reincarnation. Japanese folklore features the Shinigami, death spirits or gods who guide souls to the afterlife. These representations showcase the diverse ways cultures interpret and personify the inevitability of death.

V. Allegories and Symbolism: Death as a Literary Device

The personification of death in literature is often employed as a literary device to convey complex themes. In John Donne's "Death, Be Not Proud," death is addressed as a transient force, diminished in the face of eternal life. In Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude," death takes on a fantastical and whimsical persona, blurring the lines between life and afterlife.

VI. Impact on Society: Fear, Reflection, and Coping Mechanisms

The personification of death in literature has a profound impact on society. It instills fear, prompting individuals to confront their mortality and grapple with existential questions. Simultaneously, it serves as a tool for reflection, encouraging contemplation on the nature of life, the inevitability of death, and the legacies one leaves behind. Literature becomes a conduit for coping with the existential anxiety that death elicits.

The personification of death in literature, an ever-present and evolving theme, offers a lens through which humanity examines its mortality. From ancient mythologies to contemporary novels, death takes on myriad forms, reflecting cultural perspectives, existential concerns, and the evolving nature of storytelling. As literature continues to shape our understanding of the inevitable enigma, the personification of death remains a timeless and resonant exploration of the human condition.

[soob1nn]

MY CHARACTERS - ADULT FAME DR

REMINDER! I haven’t shifted yet, so all these is just my imagination 🤍

masterlist - main mastelist

As an actress, I've had the privilege of breathing life into a multitude of incredible roles, each one a unique canvas upon which I've painted a diverse spectrum of characters. Each role has been a mesmerizing chapter in my career, a testament to the limitless possibilities that the world of acting has to offer.

ELIZABETH SWANN - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

four films (2010-2014)

Elizabeth Swann is a captivating character from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise. Portrayed by me, Elizabeth is a spirited, intelligent, and determined young woman. She is known for her striking beauty, with long, flowing chestnut hair and striking green eyes.

Elizabeth is the epitome of courage and resilience. Throughout the series, she evolves from a prim and proper governor's daughter into a fierce and resourceful pirate. Her transformation is marked by her unwavering loyalty to her friends, including the enigmatic Captain Jack Sparrow and the honorable Will Turner.

However, it's important to note that Elizabeth Swann appears in only four of the five films in the series. This is because the I decided to take a break after four straight years of playing the same role. Despite my absence in one installment, Elizabeth's character remains a beloved and iconic figure in this series.

As a character, Elizabeth Swann embodies the spirit of adventure and a desire for freedom, often challenging societal norms and expectations. Her presence on screen is a testament to the strength and complexity of female characters in the realm of cinematic storytelling. Elizabeth Swann's journey in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series has left a lasting impact on audiences, making her a beloved and iconic figure in the world of film.

BELLE - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

(2017)

Belle, the enchanting protagonist of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." is a character that has captured the hearts of audiences for generations. Portrayed in the live-action adaptation by me, Belle is a character of beauty, intelligence, and unwavering courage.

With her distinctive hazel eyes and a crown of chestnut hair, Belle exudes a timeless and natural beauty. Her iconic golden gown and matching accessories only enhance her charm.

But Belle is not just a pretty face. She's known for her voracious love of reading and her curiosity, often seen with her nose in a book. Her desire for knowledge and adventure sets her apart from her provincial life and leads her to the enigmatic Beast's enchanted castle.

What truly makes Belle special is her spirit. She's courageous, compassionate, and willing to look beyond appearances to discover the kindness and humanity within. Her journey from a small village to an enchanted castle, marked by her love for the Beast, is a tale of inner beauty, strength, and the transformative power of love. Belle remains a beloved and enduring symbol of intelligence, kindness, and the timeless message that beauty is found within.

JO MARCH - LITTLE WOMEN

(2018)

Jo March, a central character in Louisa May Alcott's classic novel "Little Women," is a literary icon known for her strong-willed, independent, and fiercely creative nature. Jo is a character who transcends the pages of her story and remains an enduring symbol of determination, ambition, and the pursuit of one's dreams.

With her fiery auburn hair and a boundless spirit, Jo embodies the essence of the independent woman of her time. She is a talented writer and storyteller, channeling her experiences and imagination into her works. Her passion for literature is evident in every word she writes.

Jo's journey in "Little Women" is a tale of her desire for independence, self-expression, and the pursuit of a literary career. Her character shatters societal expectations for women of her era and challenges the conventions of her time. Jo's story is a timeless reminder of the power of resilience and the importance of pursuing one's ambitions, making her an inspirational figure for generations of readers and audiences.

MARTA CABRERA - KNIVES OUT

(2019)

Marta Cabrera, portrayed by myself in the film "Knives Out," is a character with a strong moral compass, a compassionate heart, and an extraordinary ability to speak the truth. Marta is not only an integral part of the film's intricate plot but also a captivating and memorable character in her own right.

Marta's character is characterized by her humble, down-to-earth appearance and a warm, empathetic demeanor. Her simple, unpretentious attire reflects her nature as a caregiver, always putting the well-being of others first. Her expressive brown eyes and genuine smile reveal the depths of her character.

What truly sets Marta apart is her condition of involuntary regurgitative reaction to dishonesty. This condition serves as a central plot point and a clever narrative device, emphasizing her honesty and making her a key player in solving the mystery.

Marta's character is a reflection of unwavering integrity and a commitment to doing what is right, even when faced with deceit and duplicity. Her journey in "Knives Out" is a testament to the enduring power of truth and goodness in the face of deceit and duplicity, making her a character that resonates with audiences long after the credits roll.

ROSSANA MITCHELL - TOP GUN MAVERICK

(2022)

Rossana Mitchell, the daughter of the legendary Pete Mitchell, known as Maverick, is a character who embodies the same unwavering bravery and stubborn determination as her father.

Following in his footsteps, she becomes a pilot in the army and is as passionate about flying as Maverick himself.

Rossana's love for aviation runs deep, and it's a part of her identity. Her courage and resilience shine through in the cockpit, just like her father. She's not one to back down from a challenge, and she thrives in high-pressure situations, carrying on the Maverick legacy.

But it's not all about flying for Rossana. In the midst of her thrilling aerial adventures, she finds herself falling in love with Rooster, a connection that adds depth and complexity to her character. Her journey is a compelling mix of familial legacy, personal passion, and the twists and turns of love in the high-stakes world of military aviation. Rossana Mitchell is a character with an indomitable spirit, soaring through the skies and capturing hearts along the way.

EVELYN - THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO

(2023)

Evelyn Hugo, the enigmatic and alluring protagonist of the novel "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid, is a character of captivating complexity and depth. Her life story is an extraordinary journey through the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's golden age, intertwined with profound personal experiences.

Evelyn is portrayed as an icon of beauty and allure, with her striking looks and timeless elegance. Her character embodies the essence of old Hollywood glamour, with a magnetism that captures the attention of everyone around her.

Beyond her captivating exterior, Evelyn is a woman of immense determination, resilience, and ambition. Her life story, filled with secrets and sacrifices, is a testament to her fierce independence and her unyielding pursuit of success in an industry known for its challenges.

What makes Evelyn Hugo truly fascinating is her introspective and self-aware nature. Her journey, as she recounts her life to a young journalist, is marked by deep introspection and a desire to leave a legacy that transcends her film career.

Evelyn Hugo is a character who defies categorization, a woman of complexity and contradictions who navigates the intricacies of love, fame, and personal identity. Her story is a captivating exploration of the human experience, leaving an indelible mark on both the novel and its readers.

[guillemelgat]

Hey hello I made a thing! As perhaps a few of you know, I have spent the last half a year being completely unhinged about Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin books, and I’ve always been particularly interested in the character Stephen Maturin and his relationship to Catalonia. I saw that there was a lack of stuff about this part of his identity, and, being me, I felt the need to fill it in the only way I could: compiling music and yelling about it for thirty pages. Hence this playlist.

You really don’t need to know anything about these books to listen to this playlist. You also don’t need to know anything about Catalan (I hope). Catalonia and the Catalan Countries in general (including Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and parts of southern France, Aragon, and Sardinia) have a really interesting musical and literary tradition, and I wanted to make that more accessible, so I put together a few songs I liked, translated them, and wrote a bit about each of their significance, including the most important cultural tidbits I could. Some things don’t translate super well, and I hope my Catalan followers will forgive me for trying to adapt them more for English-speaking audiences than perhaps would be preferable; I usually don’t choose to do that, but in this case I wanted to open the door, and not to intimidate people.

Now that that’s out of the way, here is a link to the PDF of the liner notes (graphic design is my passion, as they say): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MUpRM84W8aypznEIrt0eA1jG5OxaRZvz/view?usp=sharing

Under the cut I’ve included the ephimera and unnecessary commentary that you know and love, feel free to read or ignore it as you will

These roughly follow the order of the songs and are varying levels of seriousness

If you like "Sant Joan, feu-lo ben gran" then I'd highly recommend listening to the whole Tornaveus album. I almost included the “Stabat Mater de Sudanell” and the “Goigs de Sant Julià de Lòria”, which are both from western Catalonia, and they also have more cançons de pandero, in perhaps a slightly more traditional style. A lot of the other songs have interesting cultural commentary in them, especially on feminist topics, and they’re very well-researched because literally one of the members of the group is basically the ethnomusicologist of Catalan music at the moment. Anyways, if people would like the liner notes perhaps next time I’m home I’ll scan them, they’re in Catalan and English and very well-written. Also note the legendary Lluís Llach song which has been turned into a polyphonic piece lol (and I did not include the “Goigs de la Nostra Senyora de la Llibertat” but tbh that might have been a mistake on my part) (Blorbo side note that I think this fits Stephen’s childhood very well which is mostly why I chose it)

“L’Hereu Riera” is one of my favorite Catalan folk songs I love it so much and if you want to hear the Catalan version (as opposed to the Valencian one included here) and see the dance and also see a cobla, I am including a link to this version by Germà Negre which is tragically not on Spotify. I chose the Valencian one because (1) Al Tall and (2) I think it fits The Blorbo better (specifically I was thinking of his fiancée who dies before Book One who idk if anyone ever remembers shdjfhskf). That being said, Stephen would probably know the Catalan one (and almost certainly not the Valencian one). Also, on a memey-er note, Hereu Riera bisexual king and literal icon <3 love how he has to remind his girlfriend on her deathbed that actually he'd technically be interested in both her sisters AND her brothers if he wasn't so into her that he never wanted to marry anyone else

I literally did put in Roger Mas just so there would be at least one person with a Lleidan accent, #diversity win

Many points about the “Cançó de pandero de l’Urgell” and “Jo no canto per la veu” so here we go:

I put these two songs in mostly because I got very obsessed with the cançó de pandero from Alcarràs (which is a great movie that came out last year about a farming family in a village near Lleida that is winning all the awards atm). Anyways, since Carla Simón has been too busy winning things to put up the gotdam soundtrack, I did a bit of digging and it turns out that it was written for the movie?? By her brother??? It's excellent and very anticapitalist and you can listen to it here and see the trailer for Alcarràs all in one! (Includes English subtitles)

The original “Canto per un amic meu que per mi daria la vida” is probably from a Valencian cant de batre, although I could not get any confirmation on that. But regardless everyone should listen to Pep Botifarra's version of it, which I would literally marry if it had a physical form it’s so so good. (I posted it here back in ye olden days but it's been long enough I think I can post it again)

Valencian music side note because I can’t stop myself: the second pair of verses in the "Cançó de pandero de l'Urgell" (starting with “vos esteu ben acotxada…”) are sung by Miquel Gil, who is a very famous Valencian traditional singer, anyways you should listen to this version of him singing “Del Sud” by Obrint Pas (you want to go down a Valencian music rabbit hole so so bad)

I firmly believe that Stephen would canonically be obsessed with Ausiàs March, and the fact that he has not yet recited any of his poems is Patrick O’Brian’s biggest failing in my eyes. Anyways I have more thoughts but I’m saving them for other posts shdfjsd

If you read this before listening to the playlist please just listen to "El testament d'Amèlia" and follow along with the lyrics in real time before reading the blurb, it's such a good experience to let that song hit you as it comes. I won't say more than that but you'll get it when you get it. (Also obligatory listen to Marala they're so good <3)

From the Càntut album, I also quite like the songs "El pomeró" and "El divino vull cantar", and Càntut in general is an incredible resource, it's a database of folk song field recordings from northeastern Catalonia.

Brief pause to scream about the fact that Maria Arnal and Marcel Bagés WERE ON NPR??? AND NO ONE TOLD ME???? Anyways link in the sources section, also they're great and you should listen to their whole discography

As the #1 Roba Estesa stan blog on Tumblr, listen to Roba Estesa. And Ebri Knight. And El Diluvi.

I chose this version of "La presó de Lleida" because I like it but here's a more traditional one sung by Joan Manel Serrat, another Catalan legend. Here's another one in Catalan rumba style with Sílvia Pérez Cruz singing, the sound is a bit wonky but it's also one of my favorites. The Valencian version of this song is called "La presó de Tibi" and El Diluvi have done a very explicitly anti-monarchical rendition of it (the Balearic one is "La presó de Nàpols").

I'm sorry for never putting the Sílvia Pérez Cruz version of "Corrandes d'exili" but if you want it here it is. Also note that the statue of the Virgin in the poem is a reference to the Virgin of Montserrat, it literally all goes back to her shfjkshdf (also apologies for being very bad at Christianity and Catholicism, if I mistranslated things let me know)

HOO BOY SARDANA TIME

Okay so I have a whole essay to deliver on this that I've been holding inside for the past like two months or so, I apologize in advance for my excessive pedantry on the topic.

In Master and Commander, Stephen delivers this speech:

"‘Then I must tell you that on Sunday mornings it is the custom, in that country, for people of all ages and conditions to dance, on coming out of church: so I was dancing with Ramon Mateu i Cadafalch in the square before the cathedral church of Tarragona, where I had gone to hear the Palestrina Missa Brevis. The dance is a particular dance, a round called the sardana.’"

I hate to be a hater but it is very, very unlikely that anyone would have been dancing a sardana as far south as Tarragona in this time period. The sardana as the symbol of equality and brotherhood emerged in the Renaixença and would not yet have been a thing; Stephen could well have heard sardanas in Ullastret, but they would have been a more typical folk dance, and not anything like the way they're described in the book. It's very ironic, then, that they've become THE Catalan music style for Aubreyad readers, but hopefully this playlist can change that a bit :)

(also sorry for being a sardana-hater on main, someone bring me to dance a sardana and maybe I'll feel better)

Songs that didn't make the cut: La cançó del lladre, Rossinyol que vas a França, La balanguera, La gavina - I'm always happy for more recs!

Originally, this list was also going to include songs in Irish; I quickly realized that I was in over my head with that one, but the working list of songs is here (may be subject to changes so save songs elsewhere if you like them!). Also I would add "Fé Bhláth" by Imelda May and Kíla if it was on Spotify but alas it is not; and "Amhrán na Leabhar" which I have not had time to add but was kindly recommended by someone. I'd love it if someone was interested in actually doing a proper playlist for Irish though—it's a gap in my knowledge that I'd love to start filling.

Aaaaaaand that's a wrap. I hope. Final comment to say thank you to everyone who voted in the cover image poll, turns out you all won :) (Pirineus did win and take the cover of the liner notes though)

[arda-marred]

According to letters and previously unpublished manuscripts, J.R.R. Tolkien began writing stories about Middle-earth as far back as 1917 when he was deployed in the First World War. During this time of time of senseless destruction and tragedy, Tolkien created a hero that embodied these fears; Turin Turambar, the self-proclaimed “Master of Doom.”  There is no shortage of heroes in Middle-earth; the diverse cast of characters is a primary reason readers are attracted to Tolkien’s books. From the highest order of Elves and Gods to the smallest Hobbit in the Shire, anyone can be a hero. Manwe, Gandalf, Beren and Luthien, Eowyn, Frodo, Sam, and so on. These heroes of Middle-earth are generally positive figures, they show compassion for others, take council in wisdom, and put the needs of the helpless ahead of themselves; standard qualities for an archetypal fantasy protagonist by today’s standards.  Turin is different. He is disturbed, melancholic, and vainglorious, though he is capable of compassion and accomplishes much in the name of good; of Turin’s many exploits, the most remarkable is single-handedly slaying Glaurung the dragon, a scene reminiscent of Sigurd and Fafnir from the “Volsunga Saga.” Despite all of Turin’s achievements though, despair follows. His sister Lalaith dies from plague as a child and Turin never recovers emotionally; Turin’s father Hurin is captured in battle, believed to be dead, tortured for decades, and cursed to watch his family suffer from afar through dark magic; Turin’s homeland is overtaken by bandits and subjected to thralldom; Turin is forced to abandon his pregnant mother at the age of nine and the two never meet again; he is exiled from his foster home after murdering an advisor to the king, refusing to return on the one condition that he ask for forgiveness; he kills his best friend Beleg after mistaking him for an orc in the dark; most disturbing of all, he discovers that his pregnant wife, is actually his long lost sister Nienor. Upon realizing their act of incest, Nienor casts herself into the ocean and Turin falls upon his sword, thus ending his miserable life.  Turin, a complicated anti-hero that isn’t quite sympathetic, but pitiable, is a jarring departure from the other heroes of Middle-earth. There is never a triumph for Turin; the weight of the world just keeps packing on. While Tolkien was certainly in the headspace to create such a character during the turmoil of World War One, the genesis of Turin and his family is derived from “The Kalevala,” a collection of ancient songs, poems, and folk stories from Finland. Turin’s life was inspired by the rune songs of Kullervo, a deeply troubled youth who experiences many hardships and goes through life inflicting disaster upon himself and his people; sometimes by accident, other times in a fit of rage. Kullervo is a national icon in Finland, not just for his appearance in “The Kalevala,” but as the subject for Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’ first major symphony, “Kullervo. Op. 7.” Through this creation, Sibelius raised the international awareness of this tragic character, as well as the literary and cultural merit of “The Kalevala.”   Read more

[bidotorg]

🌈🎉 Today, we honor three extraordinary souls whose influence has transcended time and boundaries, shaping art, literature, and cinema with their remarkable talents and diverse identities. 🎭📚🎥 🎩 Giacomo Casanova - The Romantic Adventurer: Born on April 2, 1725, Casanova's legacy extends far beyond his reputation as a seducer. His memoirs not only chronicle his romantic conquests but also offer a window into the vibrant culture of 18th-century Europe. Casanova's zest for life, intellect, and adventurous spirit continue to captivate hearts and minds. 🔥:

📚 Hans Christian Andersen - The Fairy Tale Maestro: On April 2, 1805, Hans Christian Andersen breathed life into timeless tales that continue to enchant readers of all ages. From "The Little Mermaid" to "The Ugly Duckling," his stories transcend generations, imparting lessons of love, resilience, and the power of imagination. Andersen's literary legacy remains a testament to the enduring magic of storytelling.📖:

🎬 Sir Alec Guinness - The Versatile Virtuoso: Born on April 2, 1914, Sir Alec Guinness mesmerized audiences with his transformative performances on stage and screen. From his iconic role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Star Wars" to his nuanced portrayals in classic films like "The Bridge on the River Kwai," Guinness' talent knew no bounds. His legacy as an actor and LGBT trailblazer continues to inspire generations. 🎭:

As we celebrate the birthdays of these iconic figures, let us not only honor their immense contributions to culture and the arts but also recognize and celebrate their identities as bisexual individuals. Their talents, passions, and courage have left an indelible mark on the world, reminding us of the beauty and diversity of the human experience. Happy Birthday to Casanova, Hans Christian Andersen, and Sir Alec Guinness! 🎂🎩📚 May their legacies continue to inspire us to embrace life's adventures, dream big, and celebrate the richness of our identities. 🌟🌈

[explorebritain]

One day in Oxford

Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire 

Why visit?

It's the city of "dreaming spires", according to the poet Matthew Arnold. Located in the heart of England, Oxford is like nowhere else and transports visitors to a world of academic excellence.

Known for its prestigious university and stunning architecture, Oxford offers an exciting mix of history, culture and scholarly pursuits.

Where to stay in Oxford

From London, visit Oxford and the Cotswolds on a one-day tour*

The university, one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in the world, bears witness to Oxford's scientific heritage. As you walk through the city, you will come across magnificent university buildings, libraries and lecture halls that have nurtured the minds of countless scholars, writers and thinkers over the centuries. Explore the iconic Bodleian Library, one of Europe's largest and most important libraries, home to countless manuscripts, rare books and historic works of art. Immerse yourself in a rich academic atmosphere and follow in the footsteps of history's greatest minds. 

Explore Oxford's history and treasures with expert guides. Includes Ashmolean Museum & more*

 The architectural beauty of Oxford is worth seeing. The streets of the  city have excellent examples of Gothic and neoclassical architecture. The famous Radcliffe Camera, a circular library that serves as a symbol of Oxford, stands majestically in the heart of the city. With its impressive cathedral and grand refectory, which inspired the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films, Christ Church College showcases the magnificence of Oxford's architectural heritage. From the magnificent towers of the University Colleges to the picturesque bridges over the River Cherwell, Oxford is a visual feast for architecture lovers. 

 The city's museums and galleries offer many cultural experiences. The Ashmolean Museum, Britain's oldest public museum, contains an extensive collection of art and antiquities from around the world. Immerse yourself in the scientific wonders of the Natural History Museum or explore the Pitt Rivers Museum, known for its extensive ethnographic and archaeological displays. Art lovers will be delighted by Oxford's Museum of Modern Art  and  the History of Science. Oxford's cultural institutions offer a diverse range of exhibitions and events, ensuring that there is something exciting for every visitor.  

 Oxford's literary connections are legendary. It has long been the muse of writers including J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll. Discover the inspiration behind the beloved stories The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as you explore the city's corners. Visit the Eagle and Child pub, home to a famous literary group called the Inklings, and enjoy the literary history of the city's streets. 

The charming atmosphere of Oxford's colleges and gardens add to its charm. Stroll leisurely along the winding paths of the University Parks or explore the manicured gardens of Magdalen College. Enjoy a leisurely ride on the River Cherwell and admire the picturesque scenery as you glide.

Oxford's green spaces offer a peaceful escape from the busy city and provide opportunities for relaxation and reflection.  Oxford's vibrant cultural life thrives thanks to theatre, music and festivals. Various performances are organised in the city, from classical concerts to modern theater productions.

The Oxford Playhouse and the Sheldonian Theatre are well-known venues that host a range of shows throughout the year. The annual Oxford Literary Festival and  Oxford May Music Festival attract acclaimed artists, writers and musicians from around the world, further enriching the city's cultural tapestry. 

 Wander through  historic colleges, visit the famous Bodleian Library and experience the educational atmosphere of this prestigious university town. 

History

The origins of Oxford can be traced back to the Saxon period, but it rose to prominence with the arrival of the University of Oxford in the 12th century. The colleges of the university, such as Christ Church and Magdalen, are architectural marvels that reflect different periods between Gothic and Neoclassical. Oxford has been a centre of academic excellence, producing outstanding scholars, writers and leaders throughout its history.

Links marked with an asterisk may pay us if you book!

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Justice Warriors

Today (May 22), I’m keynoting Public Knowledge’s Emerging Tech conference in DC.

Tomorrow (May 23), I’ll be in TORONTO for a book launch for Red Team Blues that’s part of WEPFest, a benefit for the West End Phoenix, onstage with Dave Bidini (The Rheostatics), Ron Diebert (Citizen Lab) and the whistleblower Dr Nancy Olivieri.

The internet did not create Matt Bors, but the internet would be a much poorer place without Bors and his acerbic, scorchingly funny webcomics, which he publishes at The Nib (a site he founded), amongst some of the web’s most iconic humor:

https://thenib.com/

Founding The Nib and creating a home for all those great webcomics would be legacy enough for one creator, but Bors monumental accomplishment with The Nib is topped by his savage creation, Mr Gotcha, the single most effective rebuttal to the most annoying Reply Guys on the whole internet:

https://thenib.com/mister-gotcha/

Dayenu: if he had only founded The Nib, it would be enough. If he had only created Mr Gotcha, it would be enough. But Bors continues to amaze and delight. In Justice Warriors, a graphic novel he co-produced with Ben Clarkson, we get a distillate of all the weird, crazed things both grotesque and lovable about the net of a thousand lies:

https://membership.thenib.com/products/justice-warriors

Justice Warriors is what you’d get if you put Judge Dredd in a blender with Transmetropolitan and set it to chunky. The setup: the elites of a wasted, tormented world have retreated into Bubble City, beneath a hermetically sealed zone. Within Bubble City, everything is run according to the priorities of the descendants of the most internet-poisoned freaks of the modern internet, click- and clout-chasing mushminds full of corporate-washed platitudes about self-care, diversity and equity, wrapped around come-ons for sugary drinks and dubious dropshipper crapola.

Outside of Bubble City is the Unoccupied Zone, which is very much occupied with a teeming assortment of motley mutants, themselves gripped by endless crazes, fads, and trending subjects. The Uzzers are Bubble City’s hated underclass, viciously policed by the Bubble City cops, who mow them down with impunity, crying about their impending PTSD as they work the trigger.

Justice Warriors is a cop buddy-story dreamed up by Very Online, very angry creators who live in a present-day world where reality is consistently stupider than satire. As Bors told Cy Beltran in Comics Beat, “The current moment is so many things at once, it’s an omni-crisis of politics and attention — that’s what felt important to tap into, that sense of frenzy you can barely keep up with.”

https://www.comicsbeat.com/matt-bors-justice-warriors-interview/

That’s the feeling of Justice Warriors, all right. As Bors puts it, they tackle “social media derangement, celebrity culture, investment schemes, mass movements, and A.I.” in a tale with more sight-gags, densely packed literary references, and savage takedowns per page than anything you’ve ever read.

The art in this book is spectacular, styled a bit like those ultra-busy Al Jaffee full-page MAD Magazine spreads, or the Moss Eisley Cantina, or the wild alien scenes from Ben Hatke’s YA classic Zita the Space Girl kids’ graphic novels:

https://memex.craphound.com/2012/06/25/zita-the-space-girl-delightful-kids-science-fiction-comic-thats-part-vaughn-bode-part-mos-eisley-cantina/

But Justice Warriors is grosser, busier, and more frenetic than any of them. As Bors describes it, they created “a chaotic mutant-infested city that tops the most sensory-overloading cities in all of comics and animation.”

Justice Warriors is a mind-altering experience. If you liked Bubble, Jordan Morris and Sarah Morgan’s apocalyptic comedy podcast/graphic novel, you’ll love Justice Warriors:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/08/21/podcasting-as-a-visual-medium/#huntr

This is a comic book the internet needs. In a century, when our mutant descendants wonder how it all went wrong, they can use Justice Warriors as a Rosetta Stone to make sense of the detritus of our civilization.

Catch me on tour with Red Team Blues in DC, Toronto, Oxford, Hay, Manchester, Nottingham, London, and Berlin!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/22/libras-assemble/#the-uz

[Image ID: A panel from Justice Warriors depicting a mob of motley mutants protesting over the financialization of bread. One shouts, 'Stabilize the economy!' Another shouts, 'Bread is not money!']

[man-reading]

2023 POLARI PRIZE SHORTLISTS CELEBRATE QUEER STORIES THAT “ENTERTAIN, ENRICH AND INSPIRE”

Memoir, non-fiction, and critically acclaimed literary fiction from a mixture of independent presses and larger publishers dominate the dynamic shortlists for this year’s Polari Prize and Polari First Book Prize, the UK’s only dedicated awards for LGBTQ+ literature.

“The quality of long-listed titles this year was so exceptionally high, a number of much-loved titles didn’t make the shortlists” said Paul Burston, founder of the prizes. “Taken together, this year’s shortlists are a powerful testament to the quality and diversity of LGBTQ+ writing in the UK and Ireland today. From dazzling debuts to writers delivering on their earlier promise and really upping their game, these are books to entertain, enrich and inspire.”

Powerful stories of resilience and resistance are the focus of this year’s Polari First Book Prize. None

of the Above by Travis Alabanza (Canongate) is an electric memoir exploring life outside the gender boundaries imposed on us by society. Edward Enninful’s A Visible Man (Bloomsbury) also makes

the list, detailing how the man behind British Vogue has built an extraordinary life; more memoir makes an appearance with It’s A Sin’s Jill Nader and her heartbreaking and eye-opening memoir, Love from the Pink Palace (Wildfire). Fiction titles spotlighted in this category are Jon Ransom’s complex and transporting The Whale Tattoo (Muswell Press) and Tom Crewe’s historical debut novel, The New Life (Chatto & Windus). Rounding up the Polari First Book Prize is Livia Kojo Alour with Rising of the Black Sheep, the only poetry title in the shortlists.

Poet Sophia Blackwell, Polari First Book Prize judge, said:

“The shortlist is full of fearless, moving and original stories. Full of insights about how the authors came to occupy their particular places in the world, they also set out hopeful, ambitious visions for the future.”

Rachel Holmes, Polari First Book Prize judge, said: “Look no further for this year’s quintessential queer bookshelf to illuminate and inspire the approaching autumn evenings, winter weekends and festive season. There’s a beautiful, brilliant read here for all the queer family. Comfortably encompassing diverse genres and multiple points of view, fledgling emerging talent and celebrated household names, this year’s shortlist bravely re-empowers the past, interprets the present, and boldly imagines the future.”

Adam Zmith, Polari First Book Prize judge, said: “The titles on the shortlist for this year’s Polari First Book Prize wrestle with history and the present moment in engaging and empathetic ways. I loved reading these books, and feeling the queer power in them and their authors’ visions.”

Karen McLeod, Polari First Book Prize judge, said: “This shortlist is dynamic, expansive, moving and truly novel (is it too late to request a box of tissues as a rider?) I am proud we have such a diverse and emotionally intelligent set of queer voices being published today.”

Queer utopias, further memoir and exquisite prose feature in the Polari Book Prize shortlist with Jack Parlett’s Fire Island (Granta), a vivid hymn to an iconic destination, being selected and poet Seán Hewitt turns his hand to memoir in All Down Darkness Wide (Jonathan Cape). A varied spread of fiction completes the shortlist with Julia Armfield’s deep sea love story Our Wives Under the Sea, Okechukwu Nzelu’s tender study of family and grief Here Again Now (Dialogue Books), Sophie Ward’s gripping thriller The Schoolhouse (Corsair) and concluding the list is Douglas Stuart’s heartbreaking Young Mungo (Picador).

Joelle Taylor, Polari Book Prize judge, said: “This year’s Polari Prize shortlist reflects the complexities of contemporary LGBT+ lives in work that is nuanced, expansive, intimate and strange. History, futurism, crime, poetic memoir, and social commentary collide to create rich narratives that rewrite us even as we read.”

VG Lee, Polari Book Prize judge, said: “We have a strong and diverse shortlist for the Polari Prize. These are books that will appeal to many. They are that odd word, “keepers”- books to return to.”

Suzi Feay, Polari Book Prize judge, said: “This year’s shortlist highlights the sheer range and power of LGBTQ+ writing across all genres. Passionate, stylish and outspoken, these are voices to haunt and seduce. Our six choices deserve the widest readership.”

Chris Gribble, Polari Book Prize judge, said: “This year’s Polari Prize shortlist lays out the joys, challenges and complexities of contemporary and historical LGBTQ+ lives in a brilliant array of fiction and non-fiction that will leave no one in any doubt that our stories are worthy of their places on every book shelf and in every library. These writers are working at the peak of their powers and if you haven’t read their work yet, you have a real treat in store.”

2023 Polari Book Prize (non-debut)

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (Picador)

All Down Darkness Wide by Seán Hewitt (Jonathan Cape)

Here Again Now by Okechukwu Nzelu (Dialogue Books) Fire Island by Jack Parlett (Granta Books)

Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart (Picador)

The Schoolhouse by Sophie Ward (Corsair)

2023 Polari First Book Prize

None of the Above by Travis Alabanza (Canongate Books)

Rising of the Black Sheep by Livia Kojo Alour (Polari Press)

The New Life by Tom Crewe (Chatto & Windus)

A Visible Man by Edward Enninful (Bloomsbury)

Love from the Pink Palace by Jill Nalder (Wildfire)

The Whale Tattoo by Jon Ransom (Muswell Press)

Established in 2011, The Polari First Book Prize is awarded annually to a debut book that explores the LGBTQ+ experience, and has previously been won by writers including Kirsty Logan, Amrou Al-Kadhi, Mohsin Zaidi and last year’s winner Adam Zmith, for his keenly-researched history of poppers, Deep Sniff.

Established in 2019, The Polari Book Prize awards an overall book of the year, excluding debuts, and previous winners include Andrew McMillan (Playtime), Kate Davies (In At the Deep End), Diana Souhami (No Modernism Without Lesbians) and last year’s winner Joelle Taylor for her remarkable collection C+nto & Othered Poems which explores butch lesbian counterculture in London.

[popculturelib]

In honor of Juneteenth, we are featuring four books in our collection by queer Black and African authors. Descriptions of the books are below the read more.

Lez Talk: A Collection of Black Lesbian Short Fiction (2016) ed. by S. Andrea Allen & Lauren Cherelle.

Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happy Ever Afters (2022) ed. by Jessica P. Pryde

The Black Imagination: Science Fiction, Futurism and the Speculative (2011) ed. by Sandra Jackson and Julie E. Moody-Freeman

Meanwhile: Graphic Short Stories about Everyday Queer Life in Southern and East Africa (2019) by the Qintu Collab

The Browne Popular Culture Library (BPCL), founded in 1969, is the most comprehensive archive of its kind in the United States.  Our focus and mission is to acquire and preserve research materials on American Popular Culture (post 1876) for curricular and research use. Visit our website at https://www.bgsu.edu/library/pcl.html.

Lez Talk

A necessary and relevant addition to the Black LGBTQ literary canon, which oftentimes over looks Black lesbian Writing, Lez Talk is a collection of short stories that embraces the fullness of Black lesbian experiences. The contributors operate under the assumption that "lesbian" is not a dirty word, and have written stories that amplify the diversity of Black lesbian lives. At once provocative, emotional, adventurous, and celebratory, Lez Talk crosses a range of fictional genres, including romance, speculative, and humor. The writers explore new subjects and aspects of their experiences, and affirm their gifts as writers and lesbian women.

Black Love Matters

An incisive, intersectional essay anthology that celebrates and examines romance and romantic media through the lens of Black readers, writers, and cultural commentators, edited by Book Riot columnist and librarian Jessica Pryde. Romantic love has been one of the most essential elements of storytelling for centuries. But for Black people in the United States and across the diaspora, it hasn't often been easy to find Black romance joyfully showcased in entertainment media. In this collection, revered authors and sparkling newcomers, librarians and academicians, and avid readers and reviewers consider the mirrors and windows into Black love as it is depicted in the novels, television shows, and films that have shaped their own stories. Whether personal reflection or cultural commentary, these essays delve into Black love now and in the past, including topics from the history of Black romance to social justice and the Black community to the meaning of desire and desirability. Exploring the multifaceted ways love is seen--and the ways it isn't--this diverse array of Black voices collectively shines a light on the power of crafting happy endings for Black lovers. Jessica Pryde is joined by Carole V. Bell, Sarah Hannah Gomez, Jasmine Guillory, Da'Shaun Harrison, Margo Hendricks, Adriana Herrera, Piper Huguley, Kosoko Jackson, Nicole M. Jackson, Beverly Jenkins, Christina C. Jones, Julie Moody-Freeman, and Allie Parker in this collection.

The Black Imagination

This critical collection covers a broad spectrum of works, both literary and cinematic, and issues from writers, directors, and artists who claim the science fiction, speculative fiction, and Afro-futurist genres. The anthology extends the discursive boundaries of science fiction by examining iconic writers like Octavia Butler, Walter Mosley, and Nalo Hopkinson through the lens of ecofeminist veganism, post-9/11 racial geopolitics, and the effect of the computer database on human voice and agency. Contributors expand what the field characterizes as speculative fiction by examining for the first time the vampire tropes present in Audre Lorde’s poetry, and by tracing her influence on the horror fiction of Jewelle Gomez. The collection moves beyond exploration of literary fiction to study the Afro-futurist representations of Blacks in comic books, in the Star Trek franchise, in African films, and in blockbuster films like Independence Day, I Robot, and I Am Legend.

Meanwhile

The lived realities of young queer people in African contexts are not well documented. On the one hand, homophobic political discourse tends to portray queer people as 'deviant' and 'unAfrican', and on the other, public health research and advocacy often portrays them as victims of violence and HIV. Of course, young queer lives are far more diverse, rich and complex. For this reason, the Qintu Collab was formed to allow young queer people from a few African countries to come together, share experiences and create context-specific, queer-positive media that documents relatable stories about and for queer African youth. We see this as a necessary step in developing a complex archive of queer African life, whilst also personalising queer experiences and challenging prejudicial stereotypes. The Collab is made up of eighteen queer youth from Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe, two academics, three artists and a journalist. We first worked in small groups in each country through a range of creative participatory methods that focused on personal reflection and story-telling. Young people created personal timelines, and made visual maps of their bodies, relationships, and spaces. We then had group discussions about themes that emerged to help decide what to include in the comic works. At the end of 2018, we all came together in Nairobi, Kenya, for a week to collaborate on this comic book, and a set of podcasts on similar topics. We worked through various ways of telling stories, and developed significant themes, including family, religion and spirituality, social and online queer spaces, sex, and romantic relationships. Each young person created a script and laid out the scenes for a comic that told a short story from their lives. They then worked one-on-one with an artist to finesse those ideas into a workable comic, and the artists thereafter developed each story through multiple rounds of feedback from the story's creator and the rest of the group

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History And Benefits of Bicycle/Bikes

Bicycles have long been more than just a mode of transportation; they embody a sense of freedom, efficiency, and environmental consciousness that has made them enduring icons of mobility. From humble beginnings in the early 19th century to the sophisticated machines of today, bicycles have evolved significantly, shaping cultures and lifestyles around the world.

Historical Evolution

The history of bicycles traces back to the early 1800s when the first mechanically driven two-wheel vehicle, known as the 'dandy horse' or 'velocipede,' appeared in Europe. This rudimentary contraption, propelled by pushing off the ground with the feet, sparked a wave of innovation that led to the invention of the modern bicycle.

In the mid-19th century, French metalworker Pierre Michaux and his son Ernest Michaux developed the pedal-driven velocipede, known as the boneshaker for its uncomfortable ride over rough terrain. Subsequent designs saw improvements in comfort and efficiency, with the introduction of the high-wheel bicycle (or penny-farthing) in the 1870s, which featured a large front wheel and a smaller rear wheel. This design was later replaced by the safety bicycle in the 1880s, which closely resembles the bicycles we ride today, with equally sized wheels and a chain-driven rear wheel.

Modern Innovation and Varieties

Today, bicycles come in a staggering array of designs tailored for different purposes and terrains. Road bikes, built for speed and efficiency on paved surfaces, feature lightweight frames and thin, smooth tires. Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are rugged machines equipped with shock absorbers and knobby tires designed to handle off-road trails and rugged terrain. Hybrid bikes blend features of road and mountain bikes, offering versatility for both urban commuting and recreational riding.

Recent decades have seen the rise of specialized bikes such as fat bikes with oversized tires for riding on sand or snow, and electric bikes (e-bikes) equipped with battery-powered motors to assist with pedaling, offering a viable alternative for commuters and recreational cyclists alike.

Benefits of Cycling

Beyond their mechanical innovations and diverse designs, bicycles offer numerous benefits to individuals and society as a whole. Cycling promotes physical fitness and cardiovascular health, providing a low-impact aerobic workout that strengthens muscles and improves coordination. Regular cycling is associated with reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.

From an environmental perspective, bicycles are one of the most sustainable forms of transportation, emitting zero greenhouse gases and requiring minimal resources to manufacture compared to automobiles. Cycling reduces traffic congestion, noise pollution, and the demand for parking spaces in urban areas, contributing to cleaner, more livable cities.

Cultural Impact and Community

Bicycles have also left an indelible mark on culture and society. They have been embraced as symbols of youthfulness, independence, and adventure, inspiring countless films, artworks, and literary works. Events like the Tour de France have elevated cycling to the status of a highly competitive sport, showcasing the endurance and skill of professional athletes on a global stage.

In cities worldwide, the cycling community has grown into a vibrant subculture, fostering camaraderie among enthusiasts through group rides, bike clubs, and advocacy efforts to promote cycling infrastructure and safety. Cycling events and festivals celebrate the joy of riding and raise awareness about the benefits of cycling for individuals and communities alike.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bicycles have transcended their humble origins to become icons of sustainable transportation, physical fitness, and cultural significance. Their evolution continues to be driven by innovations in technology, materials, and design, ensuring that bicycles remain relevant and accessible for generations to come. Whether for commuting, recreation, sport, or adventure, bicycles continue to embody the spirit of freedom and exploration that captivates riders worldwide.