wowbot
Leslie Knope, Autism, and Representation without Stereotypes
updated
Working on adding captions. Hopefully should be up sometime Monday, if not sooner.
Twitter: @thraenthraen
As promised, here are some links to other folks' thoughts on Rothfuss' portrayal of female characters (please note that they include spoilers for his other books too):
dailygeekette.wordpress.com/2017/02/09/feminist-literary-analysis-the-kingkiller-chronicle-by-patrick-rothfuss
swantower.com/2015/02/04/the-absence-of-women
The comments here are better than the somewhat clickbait-y article which doesn't actually break down any of the supposed sexism they accuse Rothfuss of: jezebel.com/bestselling-fantasy-author-writes-icky-sexist-blog-post-5942221
Lots of interesting discussion here: reddit.com/r/KingkillerChronicle/comments/2a1xuw/gender_tropes_in_the_kingkiller_chronicle
And here's one of Rothfuss' blogs in which he calls himself a feminist but also says things some feminists find anti-feminist: blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2012/10/fanmail-faq-the-f-word
And a friendly reminder that I really liked this book, despite being disappointed with some of the characters. I mean, I love Harry Potter, and I feel like we all know by now how problematic *that* whole series is.
Find me on the interwebs:
Twitter: @thraenthraen
Some backstory on Kesha's new album: theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/06/kesha-rainbow-new-album-playback-interview-praying
An older article on her on-going legal battle: theguardian.com/music/2016/oct/11/kesha-demands-medical-records-be-protected-in-dr-luke-case
More about Salvation Mountain: http://www.salvationmountain.us
Lyrics:
I've searched these pages, reading between every line
Hoping maybe somewhere I'll find a sign
That these characters got feelings just like mine
Where have all the queer kids gone?
'Cause, yeah, we got some authors thinking it's enough
To just go on Twitter and make up some stuff
About who's gay and whose race we could discuss
Where have all the queer kids gone?
If we are all in the margins
It doesn't change who we are
'Cause some of us in the margins
Are looking up at the stars
So tell me
Where have all the queer kids
Where have all the queer kids
Where have all the queer kids gone?
Could you please tell me in which book I might find
An interracial, interfaith family like mine
Full of people who've left their homes behind
Where have all the immigrants gone?
And I want stories about disabled folks
Whose lives aren't just for inspiration or jokes
With diverse friends not reduced to being tropes
Where have the disabled kids gone?
If we are all in the margins
It doesn't change who we are
'Cause some of us in the margins
Are looking up at the stars
So tell me
Where have all the queer kids
Where have all the immigrants
Where have the disabled kids gone?
And where have all the brown kids
The Muslim kids and Jewish kids
Where have all the trans kids gone?
I've searched these pages, reading between every line
Hoping maybe somewhere I might find
Experiences like yours and like mine
Where do all the lost kids hide?
Germany Legalises Same-Sex Marriage: theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/30/same-sex-marriage-bill-passed-germany-equal-family-rights
Germany's 1980 law on gender recognition for trans people (in German): https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tsg/BJNR016540980.html
Germany's court ended legal requirement for forced sterilisation of trans people in January 2011: http://tgeu.org/german-constitutional-court-declares-compulsory-surgeries-unconstitutional
Poll of 39 countries puts Germany second for most favourable views of homosexuality: http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality
Public opinion on legalisation of same-sex marriage prior to the vote: http://news.ge/en/mobile/story/213731-csu-plans-family-centered-campaign-as-germans-warm-to-gay-marriage
Every Muslim MP in Germany voted in favour of same-sex marriage: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/angela-merkel-chancellor-germany-same-sex-marriage-vote-lgbt-muslim-mps-berlin-bundestag-cdu-sdp-a7819391.html
Lumberjanes on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22554204-lumberjanes-vol-1
Find it at a local library: http://www.worldcat.org/title/lumberjanes/oclc/906841413?loc=
Buy it from your local independent bookshop on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781608866878
Obamacare Repeal:
24,000 more people could die each year under the House health care bill: vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/3/14/14921962/ahca-mortality-gun-homicides
LA Times piece exploring similar data: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-repeal-deaths-20170623-htmlstory.html
Protests against the health care repeal: http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/28/politics/capitol-hill-protest-planned-parenthood-health-care-bill/index.html
Muslim Ban Reinstated:
There have been some changes, but it is now in place for the citizens of 6 countries: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40452360
Tory Government:
What is the Queens Speech?: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32816450
Concession on funding abortions in England for people from Northern Ireland: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40448814
N. Ireland gets £1bn for DUP deal, but pay freeze continues for public service employees in the U.K.: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/liam-fox-bbc-question-time-dup-deal-nurses-public-sector-pay-cap-austerity-a7815801.html
Grenfell Update:
At least 181 high rises have failed fire safety checks since the Grenfell Fire: http://www.itv.com/news/2017-07-02/grenfell-181-buildings-have-now-failed-fire-safety-tests
Some of the resignations that have taken place: theatlantic.com/news/archive/2017/06/three-officials-resign-over-grenfell-tower-controversy/532479
Fire chiefs had warned about fire safety (article mentioned in video): theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/01/grenfell-tower-fire-chiefs-key-questions
If you're unable to donate to a US-based charity, you could donate to Right to Remain, a U.K.-based immigrant rights organisation instead (or donate to both!): http://shop.righttoremain.org.uk/product/donations-support-our-work
Immigrants (We Get the Job Done) music video: youtu.be/6_35a7sn6ds
Be sure to watch Lauren Fairweather's video!: youtu.be/gL385bhdFRA
Eaglecrest sorting quiz: buzzfeed.com/sashayed/which-house-from-the-american-wizarding-school-i-m-17pi2?utm_term=.utLRn9aYg3#.nyAM0Nb284
I'm soooo in Justitopia.
The questions:
1. Favorite book?
2. Books or movies?
3. Favorite quote?
4. Favorite female character?
5. Favorite male character?
6. Are there any non binary characters?
7. Favorite Weasley?
8. Favorite villain?
9. Favorite Professor?
10. Is there a character that you felt differently about in the movies?
11. Is there a movie that you prefer to the book?
12. Is there any aspect of the books that you’d want to change?
13. Part of the books that made you cry?
14. Which house would you be in?
15. Which class would be your favorite?
16. Which spell do you think would be the most useful?
17. What would your patronus be?
18. Which character would you instantly become friends with?
19. Why are questions like these so popular and why do you think there’s such a tendency to imagine yourself inside these books?
20. Have you played any of the video games?
21. Were you happy with the ending?
22. What did you think of Cursed Child?
23. What about Ilvermorny?
24. Favorite form of fan creation?
25. How much does Harry Potter mean to you?
Business for Punks on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27428410-business-for-punks
At your local library: http://www.worldcat.org/isbn/B00XBC8BFA?loc=
IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781101979921
Article on the protest: theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/22/teenage-boys-wear-skirts-to-school-protest-no-shorts-uniform-policy
Video with the boys' speaking about it: youtube.com/watch?v=kKSBhPaeXcM
My favourite tool (other than a local expert) for getting to know local species is iNaturalist. You can take photos of plants, animals, fungi, etc. and the community will help you identify it. Your observation can then be used to support citizen science projects, so you're helping science while you learn!: http://www.inaturalist.org
Content warning for all links below for images and video of the fire, including one video which has a brief (couple seconds) clip of the fire where screaming can be heard in the background. I have avoided anything with graphic imagery though. Videos are primarily interviews, some of which include brief clips of the fire. Some of the articles include photos of the fire.
Playlist for more information: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr_XkQZFNqOXH4EhTtd6ct69ckRJXk6uO
MP who lost friend in fire on divide between rich and poor in London: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/david-lammy-mp-breaks-down-friend-died-grenfell-tower-fire-khadija-saye-a7794396.html
Demands for an inquest, not a public inquiry, and why: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/grenfell-fire-inquest-inquiry-theresa-may-faces-demands-whitewash-fears-latest-news-a7793866.html
A rebuttal arguing that a public inquiry is best, actually: theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/19/grenfell-tower-tragedy-public-inquiry-inquest-fire-victims
Residents were threatened with legal action in 2013 for warning that something like this could happen: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/grenfell-tower-fire-blogger-threatened-legal-action-kensington-and-chelsea-council-health-safety-a7792346.html
Locals' fury at council's response, lack of information, uncertainty for residents: theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/18/we-think-they-are-hiding-locals-express-fury-at-council-over-grenfell-response
Survivors given inadequate housing: theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/19/grenfell-tower-survivors-put-in-bb-with-no-shower-says-councillor?CMP=fb_gu
Concerns that many migrants and asylum seekers are not getting housing and other support because they fear deportation if they come forward: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/grenfell-tower-fire-disaster-latest-residents-families-victims-homeless-immigration-status-migrants-a7798051.html
My favourite of Rhett & Link's caption fail videos: youtube.com/watch?v=23H8IdaS3tk
Transcribe or translate my videos: http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?c=UCLZDc1ZP2lajM-4VtJK1Ftw&tab=2
Transcribe or translate other videos: youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2
Hassan, a Syrian refugee, on Jo Cox's impact on Syrians: youtube.com/watch?v=ZinhggSL-xI
Jo Cox's maiden speech in parliament: youtube.com/watch?v=u3OQRnJ1zrQ&t=50s
Jo Cox speaking to parliament on Syria a month before her murder: youtube.com/watch?v=mkIpQGU9lDE&t=3s
Jo Cox's campaign to nominate the White Helmets for the Nobel Peace Prize: youtube.com/watch?v=De0Ed7-fwWA
More about bike fishing: pri.org/stories/2015-07-10/amsterdam-there-are-people-paid-full-time-benefits-fish-bikes
Yes, swan upping is totally a thing: http://www.royalswan.co.uk
Magneto-reception in dogs: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/dogs-poop-in-alignment-with-earths-magnetic-field-study-finds
In cows: http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080825/full/news.2008.1059.html
In foxes: http://blogs.nature.com/news/2011/01/fox_rangefinder_sense_expands.html
In humans???: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/06/21/humans-have-a-magnetic-sensor-in-our-eyes-but-can-we-see-magnetic-fields/#.WUBl0IHTXYU
And: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160408-can-we-sense-invisible-magnetic-fields
Some videos about the history of Northern Ireland, Brexit from a Northern Irish perspective, the recent government collapse, and the possible implications of a DUP-Tory government for peace in Northern Ireland: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr_XkQZFNqOWLBfAvh-J9CtLJB__t-B25
Belfast Live article on why some are concerned about a Tory-DUP deal: http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/petition-stop-tory-dup-deal-13166477
The Guardian with brief background about the 10 DUP members of parliament: theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/11/dup-whos-who-party-members-prop-up-tories-theresa-may
The recent government collapse has come about after the Renewable Heat Incentive. The references section of the Wikipedia page for it has loads of articles about the scandal from different sides: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_Heat_Incentive_scandal
BFI has some recommendations for films and the Troubles: http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/10-great-films-about-troubles
Find your polling station here: wheredoivote.co.uk
Reach me via my muggle contact Thræn Thraen at @thraenthraen on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Peach, Snapchat, and probably some other muggle site I forgot.
----
My dad was a Death Eater
sent to kill Dumbledore
Your dad's the guy who every
witch and wizard adore
But my mum taught my dad and me
to love muggle-borns
Your mum has to tell your dad
just to like his own gay son
My dad's all right
and your dad's a git.
My dad's all right
and your dad's a git.
Your dad's on some "journey"
of homophobia
When I snog you he might break up
our little gay utopia
Well, he may have freed the house-elves
and stopped Lord Voldemort
but your dad think he's still got
our queer agenda to thwart
My dad's all right
and your dad's a git.
My dad's all right
and your dad's a git.
My dad's all right
and your dad's a git.
My dad's all right
and your dad's a git.
*by shortly, I mean I'm running off to an event I'm late for, so more like some time today. Same with captions.
Or at a local book store on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545812542
Find me on the social medias:
Twitter/Tumblr/Instagram/Snapchat are all @thraenthraen
Google+: plus.google.com/u/0/+ThrænThraen
ALSO. I just started writing a fanfic featuring Scorpius Malfoy, updating weekly, if you're into that kind of thing: http://bit.do/Scorp
Transcript of his video: http://nerdswillwin.tumblr.com/post/99258950593/please-do-not-watch-alex-days-new-video
A response to his video: http://youtu.be/6RaK60Nyq3c
More response links as I find them
Me elsewhere on the internet:
Tumblr: thraenthraen.tumblr.com
Twitter: @thraenthraen
Rough transcript (I'll add captions when I'm on a computer):
Hi. This video includes discussion of sexual and emotional abuse. If that content may be triggering for you, I am giving you a moment to click away now.
Let's get something straight first: having a fan base is a privilege, not a right, and Alex Day and other YouTubers have proven themselves unable to appropriately use the power that their internet platforms grant then. They therefore cannot be allowed to return to positions of power within our community and should not be making videos or posts on public social media.
Let's talk about that 30 minute video Alex Day just put up. First of all, he's monetised the video, so don't watch it on his channel. There's a copy on Daily Motion as well as a full transcript on tumblr, both of which I'll link in the description below. I'll also add commentary and analysis by others as I find it. Feel free to share links in the comments. With 30 minutes of content, there's a lot to take apart in this video, and I will not come close to talking about it all.
One of the main points Alex Day attempts to make is that he did know know he was manipulating others nor did he mean any harm. Despite having a solid six months to process this, he still seems most upset that others would be hurt because of how it impacts him, that they would have the nerve to be hurt. When I did my own introspection on this six months ago, I was horrified to find that I'd internalised some very problematic ideas about women and masculinity, and I took a lot of time to myself trying to change that, and I asked for support in learning how not to hurt others, not for others to tell me I was still a good person. It's an ongoing process. You see, when people mean no harm, their immediate response to finding out they have caused harm is not to excuse their actions but to learn how never to do it again. This is like when we excuse creepy guys at comic cons by saying they just have poor social skills. People with poor social skills are horrified when they find out they've hurt someone. Creeps and predators just claim ignorance. There's a big difference, and it is obvious from how he has responded which group Alex Day currently falls in.
Look, Alex Day's claim that he didn't intend harm may very well be true, but it completely ignores the point that intent and impact are entirely separate things. He may not have intended to have to deal with others being upset with him, but either way, intent cannot just magically wash away the harm your actions cause. If Alex Day would ever like to have a place within this community again, the first thing he needs to do is understand that and to take responsibility for the impact of his actions.
Another major point he fails to grasp is that he has been accused of abusing his power, not just failing to get consent. He talks about everything as if he and those he abused had equal power and equal responsibility in their interactions. He has been and still is in a position of power though, much greater than his fans. As Uncle Ben would say, "With great power comes great responsibility." And if you are irresponsible with that power and use it to abuse others, you give up the privilege of having that power. Alex Day proved himself incapable of appropriately using his power before, and this new video and attempt to return to his position of power without taking any responsibility for the negative impact of his actions only further demonstrates that he cannot be allowed a position of power in this community. Do not let him have that power.
I think that's all I want to say for now. Stay awesome, y'all. Bye.