Leslie Knope, Autism, and Representation without Stereotypes wowbot 2014-01-28 | It's like I wanted to point out all of Leslie's autistic traits—and then I didn't. My brain is so incoherent that I cannot even understand my own incoherence in this video I made ten minutes ago. Find me on the Interwebs:Twitter (for attempts at losing followers): @thraenthraenInstagram (for weird daily selfies and other photos): @thraenthraen
J-Hope Chose VIOLENCE - Arson Reaction wowbot 2022-07-17 | Our Sunshine really chose violence, huh?Working on adding captions. Hopefully should be up sometime Monday, if not sooner.
Welcome to 2020: Perfectionism Sucks wowbot 2020-01-03 | In which I share my New Year’s Resolutions and go on tangents about perfectionism. Twitter: @thraenthraen
Book Review: Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss wowbot 2019-07-21 | Hello, hi, insert long-winded and totally unnecessary apology for not posting videos here. Life happens. I made a video. It's been like 2 years. I want the next one to be in less than 2 years, but no spoilers. 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-rothfussswantower.com/2015/02/04/the-absence-of-womenThe 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-5942221Lots of interesting discussion here: reddit.com/r/KingkillerChronicle/comments/2a1xuw/gender_tropes_in_the_kingkiller_chronicleAnd 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-wordAnd 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
Reaction to Praying by Kesha wowbot 2017-07-07 | "Praying" by Kesha: youtu.be/v-Dur3uXXCQSome backstory on Kesha's new album: theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/06/kesha-rainbow-new-album-playback-interview-prayingAn older article on her on-going legal battle: theguardian.com/music/2016/oct/11/kesha-demands-medical-records-be-protected-in-dr-luke-caseMore about Salvation Mountain: http://www.salvationmountain.us
What Is Spoon Theory? wowbot 2017-07-06 | Christine Miserandino is, as far as I know, the original source of the spoon theory. If anyone knows otherwise, let me know and I'll let me know so I can give proper credit: butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory
Queer Kids (Good Guys by Mika Parody) wowbot 2017-07-05 | IT'S A PUN, GET IT???Lyrics:I've searched these pages, reading between every lineHoping maybe somewhere I'll find a signThat these characters got feelings just like mineWhere have all the queer kids gone?'Cause, yeah, we got some authors thinking it's enoughTo just go on Twitter and make up some stuffAbout who's gay and whose race we could discussWhere have all the queer kids gone?If we are all in the marginsIt doesn't change who we are'Cause some of us in the marginsAre looking up at the starsSo tell meWhere have all the queer kidsWhere have all the queer kidsWhere have all the queer kids gone?Could you please tell me in which book I might findAn interracial, interfaith family like mineFull of people who've left their homes behindWhere have all the immigrants gone?And I want stories about disabled folksWhose lives aren't just for inspiration or jokesWith diverse friends not reduced to being tropesWhere have the disabled kids gone?If we are all in the marginsIt doesn't change who we are'Cause some of us in the marginsAre looking up at the starsSo tell meWhere have all the queer kidsWhere have all the immigrantsWhere have the disabled kids gone?And where have all the brown kidsThe Muslim kids and Jewish kidsWhere have all the trans kids gone?I've searched these pages, reading between every lineHoping maybe somewhere I might findExperiences like yours and like mineWhere do all the lost kids hide?
Germany Passes Same-Sex Marriage: Is Our Barometer of LGBTQIA+ Rights Wrong? wowbot 2017-07-04 | Same-sex marriage is a terrible barometer of LGBTQIA+ rights. Germany Legalises Same-Sex Marriage: theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/30/same-sex-marriage-bill-passed-germany-equal-family-rightsGermany's 1980 law on gender recognition for trans people (in German): https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tsg/BJNR016540980.htmlGermany's court ended legal requirement for forced sterilisation of trans people in January 2011: http://tgeu.org/german-constitutional-court-declares-compulsory-surgeries-unconstitutionalPoll of 39 countries puts Germany second for most favourable views of homosexuality: http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexualityPublic 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-marriageEvery 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 Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy — Review wowbot 2017-07-03 | Lumberjanes is easily one of my favourite comics right now. Lumberjanes on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22554204-lumberjanes-vol-1Find 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
News This Week: Obamacare Repeal, Muslim Ban Reinstated, Tory Gov, and Grenfell Update wowbot 2017-07-02 | Actually it's the "Better Care Reconciliation Act."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-homicidesLA Times piece exploring similar data: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-repeal-deaths-20170623-htmlstory.htmlProtests against the health care repeal: http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/28/politics/capitol-hill-protest-planned-parenthood-health-care-bill/index.htmlMuslim 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-40452360Tory Government:What is the Queens Speech?: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32816450Concession on funding abortions in England for people from Northern Ireland: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40448814N. 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.htmlGrenfell 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-testsSome of the resignations that have taken place: theatlantic.com/news/archive/2017/06/three-officials-resign-over-grenfell-tower-controversy/532479Fire chiefs had warned about fire safety (article mentioned in video): theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/01/grenfell-tower-fire-chiefs-key-questions
Rubiks Cube Algebra wowbot 2017-07-01 | Y'all liked my last Rubik's Cube video so much that I made this one which is nothing like that one.
Terrace House: Aloha State Episodes 1 & 2 — Reaction wowbot 2017-06-30 | This show just makes me feel warm and relaxed.
#Ham4All Challenge — My Shot from Hamilton the Musical wowbot 2017-06-29 | Donate: prizeo.com/hamiltonIf 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-workImmigrants (We Get the Job Done) music video: youtu.be/6_35a7sn6ds
Three Weeks of Daily Videos wowbot 2017-06-28 | Thanks for sticking with me through these past three weeks, y'all.
#HarryPotter20: 25 Questions about Harry Potter wowbot 2017-06-27 | I think this means I need to do a video about Ron. Be sure to watch Lauren Fairweather's video!: youtu.be/gL385bhdFRAEaglecrest sorting quiz: buzzfeed.com/sashayed/which-house-from-the-american-wizarding-school-i-m-17pi2?utm_term=.utLRn9aYg3#.nyAM0Nb284I'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 by James Watt — Book Review wowbot 2017-06-25 | My most viewed video is a book review, so why not do another?Business for Punks on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27428410-business-for-punksAt your local library: http://www.worldcat.org/isbn/B00XBC8BFA?loc=IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781101979921
Sorry Kid Me, You Like Top 40 Music wowbot 2017-06-25 | Your fave (me) is problematic: pretentious snot who shamed people for liking top 40 music
Solving a Rubiks Cube with Rubiks Revenge on My Head wowbot 2017-06-24 | If I monetised this video, would this count as my weirdest job?
Exeter Boys Skirt Protest wowbot 2017-06-22 | I want to high five them all. Article on the protest: theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/22/teenage-boys-wear-skirts-to-school-protest-no-shorts-uniform-policyVideo with the boys' speaking about it: youtube.com/watch?v=kKSBhPaeXcM
Meet My (Green) Neighbours wowbot 2017-06-20 | Subscribe for more wholesome content. 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
Grenfell Fire 101 wowbot 2017-06-19 | Some are calling it "corporate manslaughter."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_XkQZFNqOXH4EhTtd6ct69ckRJXk6uOMP 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.htmlDemands 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.htmlA rebuttal arguing that a public inquiry is best, actually: theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/19/grenfell-tower-tragedy-public-inquiry-inquest-fire-victimsResidents 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.htmlLocals' 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-responseSurvivors given inadequate housing: theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/19/grenfell-tower-survivors-put-in-bb-with-no-shower-says-councillor?CMP=fb_guConcerns 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
Auto-Captions Are Terrible wowbot 2017-06-19 | UNSEALING KALEMy favourite of Rhett & Link's caption fail videos: youtube.com/watch?v=23H8IdaS3tkTranscribe or translate my videos: http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?c=UCLZDc1ZP2lajM-4VtJK1Ftw&tab=2Transcribe or translate other videos: youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2
Highlights from the Great Get Together wowbot 2017-06-17 | It was a wonderful day, and I can't wait to do it again.
Jo Cox and The Great Get Together wowbot 2017-06-16 | Find a Get Together near you: greatgettogether.orgHassan, a Syrian refugee, on Jo Cox's impact on Syrians: youtube.com/watch?v=ZinhggSL-xIJo Cox's maiden speech in parliament: youtube.com/watch?v=u3OQRnJ1zrQ&t=50sJo Cox speaking to parliament on Syria a month before her murder: youtube.com/watch?v=mkIpQGU9lDE&t=3sJo Cox's campaign to nominate the White Helmets for the Nobel Peace Prize: youtube.com/watch?v=De0Ed7-fwWA
Water Slide Testing Is Serious wowbot 2017-06-15 | Amsterdam has my favourite weird job. Of course. More about bike fishing: pri.org/stories/2015-07-10/amsterdam-there-are-people-paid-full-time-benefits-fish-bikes
Weird Jobs wowbot 2017-06-14 | "Hello, yes, I get paid to watch dogs poop." —someone with a great job, probablyYes, swan upping is totally a thing: http://www.royalswan.co.uk
Pooping in Alignment with Magnetic Fields wowbot 2017-06-13 | Subscribe for serious politics and poop.Magneto-reception in dogs: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/dogs-poop-in-alignment-with-earths-magnetic-field-study-findsIn cows: http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080825/full/news.2008.1059.htmlIn foxes: http://blogs.nature.com/news/2011/01/fox_rangefinder_sense_expands.htmlIn humans???: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/06/21/humans-have-a-magnetic-sensor-in-our-eyes-but-can-we-see-magnetic-fields/#.WUBl0IHTXYUAnd: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160408-can-we-sense-invisible-magnetic-fields
Northern Ireland and the DUP wowbot 2017-06-11 | Northern Ireland is complicated. Thank you to my Irish and Northern Irish friends who helped explain/give some personal perspective of a very complex situation. 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-B25Belfast 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-13166477The 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-mayThe 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_scandalBFI has some recommendations for films and the Troubles: http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/10-great-films-about-troubles
Whats a Hung Parliament? wowbot 2017-06-10 | UK political parties, hung parliament, coalitions, and minority governments, oh my!
UK Electoral System Explained wowbot 2017-06-09 | "US Prime Minister Paul Ryan" sounds scary until you remember who is president.
Election Day and Riverdale wowbot 2017-06-08 | Now instead of being bothered by the sound of my own voice, I can be bothered by how inarticulate I am without scripting or editing. Find your polling station here: wheredoivote.co.uk
My Dads All Right - Scorpius and the Malfoys (Draco and the Malfoys parody) wowbot 2016-09-11 | Still can't believe my dad was in a band. Who knew he was once cool?? He still plays shows sometimes even. Sorry about the low quality recording. I don't really understand all this muggle technology that well. 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 DumbledoreYour dad's the guy who every witch and wizard adoreBut my mum taught my dad and meto love muggle-bornsYour mum has to tell your dadjust to like his own gay sonMy dad's all rightand your dad's a git. My dad's all rightand your dad's a git. Your dad's on some "journey"of homophobia When I snog you he might break upour little gay utopiaWell, he may have freed the house-elvesand stopped Lord Voldemortbut your dad think he's still gotour queer agenda to thwartMy dad's all rightand your dad's a git. My dad's all rightand your dad's a git. My dad's all rightand your dad's a git. My dad's all rightand your dad's a git.
Am I Real?: A Snapchat Story about Facebooks Name Policy wowbot 2016-08-28 | Facebook locked me out of my account. Again. Because, though I sent in ID documents a year ago and was leg back into my account, they have decided I need to prove my name is *~*authentic*~*. Here's a Snapchat story about it.
Coming Out Day, Ten Years Later wowbot 2015-10-11 | Description coming shortly*! *by shortly, I mean I'm running off to an event I'm late for, so more like some time today. Same with captions.
Book Review: George by Alex Gino wowbot 2015-08-30 | Find George at a library near you: http://www.worldcat.org/title/george/oclc/900624128&referer=brief_resultsOr at a local book store on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545812542Find me on the social medias:Twitter/Tumblr/Instagram/Snapchat are all @thraenthraenGoogle+: plus.google.com/u/0/+ThrænThraen
EXCITING NEWS wowbot 2015-08-20 | Social media handles are all thraenthraen. Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, tumblr, what else? ALSO. I just started writing a fanfic featuring Scorpius Malfoy, updating weekly, if you're into that kind of thing: http://bit.do/Scorp
Response to Alex Days The Past wowbot 2014-10-07 | Daily motion copy of Alex Day's video: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27bibw_alex-day-the-past_webcamTranscript of his video: http://nerdswillwin.tumblr.com/post/99258950593/please-do-not-watch-alex-days-new-videoA response to his video: http://youtu.be/6RaK60Nyq3cMore response links as I find them Me elsewhere on the internet:Tumblr: thraenthraen.tumblr.comTwitter: @thraenthraenRough 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.
Bi Visibility Day 2014 wowbot 2014-09-20 | Because enthusiastically rambling about things is the only way I know how to function. Links once I log on to a computer!
VEDA 3 | The Harry Potter Alliance wowbot 2014-04-04 | This is what happens when I don't give myself a script/outline. Also: no script plus no computer means captions will be coming in a few days, sorry!
