I'm sitting in my university dorm with a too-hot cup of tea next to my computer and my toes turning into icicles. I swear, at some point I'm going to write my professor an email reading, "I'm sorry I wasn't at class today, because I know we were supposed to talk about the concept of hell today, but I stepped outside and I'm pretty sure this is it. Good day."
...not to say I don't like my university. It's wonderful. I have great classes and a good dorm and easy-to-access meals, so while it's fucking freezing and I'm sure I'm ready to get frostbite (IN SEPTEMBER), I'm really enjoying myself. Honestly, besides the cold, I have few complaints.
But anyways, I know I haven't been posting regularly as of late, but I did want to share with you some of the stuff I found in the last few weeks. Here:
Who Should Decide What High School Kids are Allowed to Read? - a continuation of the debate about The Miseducation of Cameron Post. I could go into a whole rant about this at this point, but I think you should just check my tag for it and just take it from me: this is a complex issue. But yeah, this was a good refresher, and I'm glad it was posted - I don't think we should forget about this quite yet.
Publishers Gave Away 122,951,031 Books During WWII - I found this shortly after I found the article above. Can you believe this?? It's rather inspiring, especially the part about The Great Gatsby. As a writer, I'm really interested in the history of books and what gets people interested in literature. After all, I'm a reader, too (although as I stare at my desk-library of books, I get the strange feeling that I'm not quite living up to it at the moment). Anyways, read it - it's a great historical analysis of what got us back into literature.
Chester 5000 XYV - Yes, I know exactly what I'm discussing when I show this off. Chester 5000 XYV definitely has a plot that is meant for 18+ viewers, so I will let you discover it yourself, but I will note this: even if you put the mature content aside (which, really, is the whole reason some people might read it), the plot is fucking wonderful and worth a good look.
Tripping Over You - Take an extroverted dork. Then take a shy but intelligent student. Mash them together and it sounds like heaven, right? Here's the catch - they're both boys. And man, does that make for a great story. Just read it - it'll have you gushing from the cuteness before you can even properly register. Pro Tip: after reading each page, hover your mouse over it. Most of them have secret text.
A Little Known Hack from Japan to get your Notebook Organized - I haven't begun to use this because I'm a little busy right now, but this is a system that allows you to easily tag your paper notebooks so you can find thing easily and accurately. My take on it? When I sketch, I often add notes about my characters, and I've often made new characters right on the spot, right in my notebook. One of my new characters, Alexei, has almost all of her initial development right in my sketchbook! So if you want to mark which pages have character notes, certain characters in particular, random ideas, equations, etc . . . this might be worth the effort. Pro Tip: I think colored markers would make this even more visually workable.
Ms. Bardugo and the Anon Wang - Overall one of the best responses about diversity and the opposition to it. Of course, it's LGBT related, because what else would I discover? Pro Tip: This is why you do not demand to have a say in what writers write.
Why Foxes Get Respect in Japan - I found this page in the midst of looking up information about Inari, a Shinto god from Japan. Why? Err, cultural tie-ins with my fanfiction work. Nonetheless, this is an interesting read with interesting art to match. Pro Tip: Read about the kitsune and realize how badly Westerners translate Japanese mythology sometimes.
I really don't have much more to say than that! Just remember, if you ever feel like you're life's too busy . . . think of what it's like for a first-year university student in a foreign country. Then you might feel better, eheh.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Re: "Isn't it odd" . . . via Pikacheeka
First off, I'm going to apologize for the back-to-back posts about LGBT+ stuff on this blog. Or, well, I'm going to mock-apologize for it, because it's my blog anyway, and these are things I feel I need to discuss for the sake of my mental health (because it's good to have something to do, and when I originally wrote this post I needed to. Long story).
I'm also going to preface this with: I haven't been part of a "fandom" for a long, long time. At least, I haven't actively been part of a fandom for a long time. I was extremely active in a fandom about two years ago and that . . . that didn't end well, and I haven't returned since. BUT! It still matters to me in some form, especially this summer, since I've been so high-strung. Also know that you don't need to have any knowledge of fandoms or the like - I'm focusing more of the sexuality part of this discussion, honestly.
Anyways, this is just the introduction to this post, I guess. Faux apology and preface aside, I think what I want to say is still important. So whatever.
***
Here's the post I'm responding to. It's written by pikacheeka on tumblr, who is pretty active with the Hashimada pairing in the Naruto fandom, but you certainly don't need to know that to understand the gist of this post. Be that as it may, it's just going to be easier to understand my post if you read hers. I can't explain it as well as she (he? they?) can.
Once again, I haven't been part of any fandom in an active manner as of late due to . . . personal . . . reasons, but I'm going to feel safe in assuming that my experiences from two years ago are still very similar to experiences as of right now. Keep in mind that I'm not talking about any specific fandom, just in general.
Now.
*clears throat*
As much as I hate to admit it - because it's a sour thing to agree to - pikacheeka is right. If a pairing is heterosexual, odds are it will garner more attention than a homosexual ship, even if it has less basis or even following than the homosexual one. People just seem less picky about their het ships, I suppose. And because they are less picky, more people like them, and therefore they become more popular. It's a dynamic I subscribe to myself - there are some heterosexual shippings that I'm fine with following, but when it comes to homosexual pairs, I'm a little more picky. Maybe that's a personal thing, since I'm deeply invested in writing romantic pairs, but I think there's more to it.
I think it has to do with shame.
As depressing as it is, there is still shame surrounding the LGBT+ population and around the LGBT+ issue(s) in and of itself. I mean, I'm a great example of that: I'm an advocate of equality for LGBT+ persons, and I talk about it enough on the Internet that you would think that I'm just as devoted in real life. Thing is, though, I'm not. I lived in a conservative area and always have to watch what I say, especially in public. There have been many times where my brothers will point out an attractive girl, and I'm tempted to say the same thing and can't because I can never know how other peopel around me would react. And that's what it boils down to: never knowing how others will react. That situation is a little different now, since I'm trying to live openly at University, but it is still a challenge because I fear how people will react to me.
On the internet, it's both safer and more dangerous. There's a certain amount of anonymity on the Internet, especially on sites like tumblr and deviantArt where you are taking on a screenname. But that anonymity can also be a curse, because that allows for a certain amount of freedom in bullying others as well. There was just somebody in this fandom I've been following who left because of hate mail telling the person to kill him/herself. Cyberbullying is a real issue, and it can become a big issue in a hurry that ends up suppressing voices that want/need to be heard.
All of that can be applied to hetero and homosexual ships.
Something I've learned is that there is rarely a spectrum in which people fall directly on the ends of. Here, the spectrum seems to be "supports homosexual pairs with a passion" and "really . . . doesn't". But in this case, there isn't much fall in-between - I don't know why, although I suspect it's because of a heteronormative culture. There are still homophobes and bigots on the internet, and there's still a chance of getting ganged up upon. I mean, there's strength in numbers, hence the large groups of "yaoi fangirls" (RUDE), but if you're not actively part of that, even just posting one picture/ship can be very . . . dangerous.
The easiest way for me to sort of explain is the strange fear/myth that if you actively support or hang out with homosexual persons, you'll be seen as the same. And there are a lot of people who are anxious about that, because they don't want to be targets for hate, so they shut up about it or don't hang out with those people or, worse, don't defend them at all. I think that can be seen as a similar case to this fandom issue, resulting in certain groups of shippers banding together. Again, strength in numbers.
So to sort of conclude . . . I think that it's a matter of shame. Nobody wants to point out that they're okay with it and if they do, they want a steady group of support behind them. Why we still have this shame in the 21st century, I have no clue, because it's stupid, but I do understand that it exists. It's just a real-world problem manifest in a fandom in a very obvious way.
Anyways . . . I don't know if I explained that very well. Or if I explained it at all, because I'm sort of anxious about writing this post to begin with. But those are just my thoughts on the matter, so eh? I don't know. Take them as you will.
I'm also going to preface this with: I haven't been part of a "fandom" for a long, long time. At least, I haven't actively been part of a fandom for a long time. I was extremely active in a fandom about two years ago and that . . . that didn't end well, and I haven't returned since. BUT! It still matters to me in some form, especially this summer, since I've been so high-strung. Also know that you don't need to have any knowledge of fandoms or the like - I'm focusing more of the sexuality part of this discussion, honestly.
Anyways, this is just the introduction to this post, I guess. Faux apology and preface aside, I think what I want to say is still important. So whatever.
***
Here's the post I'm responding to. It's written by pikacheeka on tumblr, who is pretty active with the Hashimada pairing in the Naruto fandom, but you certainly don't need to know that to understand the gist of this post. Be that as it may, it's just going to be easier to understand my post if you read hers. I can't explain it as well as she (he? they?) can.
Once again, I haven't been part of any fandom in an active manner as of late due to . . . personal . . . reasons, but I'm going to feel safe in assuming that my experiences from two years ago are still very similar to experiences as of right now. Keep in mind that I'm not talking about any specific fandom, just in general.
Now.
*clears throat*
As much as I hate to admit it - because it's a sour thing to agree to - pikacheeka is right. If a pairing is heterosexual, odds are it will garner more attention than a homosexual ship, even if it has less basis or even following than the homosexual one. People just seem less picky about their het ships, I suppose. And because they are less picky, more people like them, and therefore they become more popular. It's a dynamic I subscribe to myself - there are some heterosexual shippings that I'm fine with following, but when it comes to homosexual pairs, I'm a little more picky. Maybe that's a personal thing, since I'm deeply invested in writing romantic pairs, but I think there's more to it.
I think it has to do with shame.
As depressing as it is, there is still shame surrounding the LGBT+ population and around the LGBT+ issue(s) in and of itself. I mean, I'm a great example of that: I'm an advocate of equality for LGBT+ persons, and I talk about it enough on the Internet that you would think that I'm just as devoted in real life. Thing is, though, I'm not. I lived in a conservative area and always have to watch what I say, especially in public. There have been many times where my brothers will point out an attractive girl, and I'm tempted to say the same thing and can't because I can never know how other peopel around me would react. And that's what it boils down to: never knowing how others will react. That situation is a little different now, since I'm trying to live openly at University, but it is still a challenge because I fear how people will react to me.
On the internet, it's both safer and more dangerous. There's a certain amount of anonymity on the Internet, especially on sites like tumblr and deviantArt where you are taking on a screenname. But that anonymity can also be a curse, because that allows for a certain amount of freedom in bullying others as well. There was just somebody in this fandom I've been following who left because of hate mail telling the person to kill him/herself. Cyberbullying is a real issue, and it can become a big issue in a hurry that ends up suppressing voices that want/need to be heard.
All of that can be applied to hetero and homosexual ships.
Something I've learned is that there is rarely a spectrum in which people fall directly on the ends of. Here, the spectrum seems to be "supports homosexual pairs with a passion" and "really . . . doesn't". But in this case, there isn't much fall in-between - I don't know why, although I suspect it's because of a heteronormative culture. There are still homophobes and bigots on the internet, and there's still a chance of getting ganged up upon. I mean, there's strength in numbers, hence the large groups of "yaoi fangirls" (RUDE), but if you're not actively part of that, even just posting one picture/ship can be very . . . dangerous.
The easiest way for me to sort of explain is the strange fear/myth that if you actively support or hang out with homosexual persons, you'll be seen as the same. And there are a lot of people who are anxious about that, because they don't want to be targets for hate, so they shut up about it or don't hang out with those people or, worse, don't defend them at all. I think that can be seen as a similar case to this fandom issue, resulting in certain groups of shippers banding together. Again, strength in numbers.
So to sort of conclude . . . I think that it's a matter of shame. Nobody wants to point out that they're okay with it and if they do, they want a steady group of support behind them. Why we still have this shame in the 21st century, I have no clue, because it's stupid, but I do understand that it exists. It's just a real-world problem manifest in a fandom in a very obvious way.
Anyways . . . I don't know if I explained that very well. Or if I explained it at all, because I'm sort of anxious about writing this post to begin with. But those are just my thoughts on the matter, so eh? I don't know. Take them as you will.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Women are people, too. So stop treating them like objects.
First, a quick update on my situation. I'm at university, in a foreign country, but I've done orientation and I think I'm okay. So it goes.
Now, as for actual real-life topics: please read these two articles: this one by Roxane Gay and this other one by Van Badham.
Done?
To be honest, this whole situation sort of sickens me. And embarrassingly, I fell into the trap at first. I heard about the leaks and actually said out loud, "Sweeeeet". And isn't that terrible? Thankfully, I took a step back and realized what I was doing, and that was this.
I was objectifying a human being. And god dammit, I - we - can't do that.
So first, let me re: Roxane Gay, because she mostly talked about the sex and gender side of things. First off, she is completely right - if you're a woman, you're targeted. If you're gay, you're targeted. If you're colored, you're targeted. If you're outwardly religious and not a religion of "the norm" depending where you are, you're targeted. It gets worse the more hits you've got, and me? Well, I've got three, although atheism is a lesser offense these days. The point of it, though, is how privacy is seen as a "gift" rather than a right as a result of being a woman, or being colored. It's worse if you're famous. I try very hard to remember that celebrities are people, so that I don't misjudge them (which is also why I'm pissed about Robin Williams, but more on that later, maybe).
As for the Van Badham article: she, again, is right. It's sexual harassment and abuse at its finest. It's a violation of somebody's privacy, security, and even sexuality. I mean, how safe would YOU feel about sending your lover nude pics as part of your typical sexy times if you'd been attacked in this way? All of those pictures are private, and they're for private consumption, not ours. And celebrities deserve their privacy as much as anybody else; a violation of that is just rude at best and harassing at worst (again, Robin Williams).
But the most frustrating thing about this to me is that this was a blatant showing of how people view women as objects. I mean, excuse me?! It's both frustrating and frightening to know that there are people out there that only view me as a walking, talking pair of boobs and butt! That's not what I am, dammit, and you want to know why? Because I am a cognitive and feeling human being, and I deserve to be treated in that manner. It's 2014, why is this so hard to grasp?
So: the 4chan user that decided to violate the privacy of dozens of celebrities because he thought it would be a good time? He's an asshole. I won't even censor that, because there is no good reason to expose somebody like that, even if they are famous. And the people that ooh and aah and don't think of the damage they cause? They're assholes too. And before you go thinking I've excluded myself on purpose, no, don't think that - I feel bad enough for my initial reaction.
Women are people, just like men. Women are not objects, and if you can't realize that, then you need to grab your to-do list and check yourself.
Now, as for actual real-life topics: please read these two articles: this one by Roxane Gay and this other one by Van Badham.
Done?
To be honest, this whole situation sort of sickens me. And embarrassingly, I fell into the trap at first. I heard about the leaks and actually said out loud, "Sweeeeet". And isn't that terrible? Thankfully, I took a step back and realized what I was doing, and that was this.
I was objectifying a human being. And god dammit, I - we - can't do that.
So first, let me re: Roxane Gay, because she mostly talked about the sex and gender side of things. First off, she is completely right - if you're a woman, you're targeted. If you're gay, you're targeted. If you're colored, you're targeted. If you're outwardly religious and not a religion of "the norm" depending where you are, you're targeted. It gets worse the more hits you've got, and me? Well, I've got three, although atheism is a lesser offense these days. The point of it, though, is how privacy is seen as a "gift" rather than a right as a result of being a woman, or being colored. It's worse if you're famous. I try very hard to remember that celebrities are people, so that I don't misjudge them (which is also why I'm pissed about Robin Williams, but more on that later, maybe).
As for the Van Badham article: she, again, is right. It's sexual harassment and abuse at its finest. It's a violation of somebody's privacy, security, and even sexuality. I mean, how safe would YOU feel about sending your lover nude pics as part of your typical sexy times if you'd been attacked in this way? All of those pictures are private, and they're for private consumption, not ours. And celebrities deserve their privacy as much as anybody else; a violation of that is just rude at best and harassing at worst (again, Robin Williams).
But the most frustrating thing about this to me is that this was a blatant showing of how people view women as objects. I mean, excuse me?! It's both frustrating and frightening to know that there are people out there that only view me as a walking, talking pair of boobs and butt! That's not what I am, dammit, and you want to know why? Because I am a cognitive and feeling human being, and I deserve to be treated in that manner. It's 2014, why is this so hard to grasp?
So: the 4chan user that decided to violate the privacy of dozens of celebrities because he thought it would be a good time? He's an asshole. I won't even censor that, because there is no good reason to expose somebody like that, even if they are famous. And the people that ooh and aah and don't think of the damage they cause? They're assholes too. And before you go thinking I've excluded myself on purpose, no, don't think that - I feel bad enough for my initial reaction.
Women are people, just like men. Women are not objects, and if you can't realize that, then you need to grab your to-do list and check yourself.
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