mitchbwriting

[mitchbwriting]

young me especially would have hated hearing this but networking is literally the most important thing you can do to improve your situation like forget economic barriers to education etc just keep making friends with different people and eventually someone will offer you a hand up just because they dig your vibe and that is exactly all that's happening when undeserving people surpass you anyway

[mitchbwriting]

Hello Mr Gaiman, if you don't mind, could you please tell me if the fact that you once asked an official in China that Chinese people need more sci-fi stories to fuel their imagination and hence innovation, hence their invitation of sci-fi writers and yourself many years ago, was a true conversation?

I once found this in one of your journals but somehow I couldn't find it anymore and thinking of digging deeper in your archives through China tags sound way too daunting as I just had many exams today and in one essay I cited this very example and you in it to prove a point that scientists need artists (I see writers as artists too) in this world, and now I'm kind of freaking out on whether I hallucinated the whole story or something.

Whatever it is, if you managed to read this ask, thanks a lot and hope you have a good day/night ahead!

It was in 2007 in Chengdu, at the first offically approved and endorsed SF convention. Here's Bob Sawyer talking about it on his web site at the time:

And here's Michael Swanwick:

and a Chinese article from the time:

And yes. When I asked why the disapproval of SF had turned to approval, I was told that Chinese fact-finding conversations at Apple, Microsoft and Google had revealed that most of the engineers, creators, designers and inventors had read SF when younger and had become interested in making what they made because of SF, and that the official Chinese position in 2007 was that SF should now be encouraged -- thus the convention.

From the article at the time:

The 2007 China (Chengdu) SF/Fantasy Conference hosted the event. The theme: “Science, Imagination and Future” is an ambitious Chinese effort designed to inspire public creativity toward future scientific and technological development as well as promote national insight for scientific exploration. The conference has been scheduled immediately before the World Science Fiction Convention in Yokohama, Japan.

The conference has designated August 25 as “China Imagination Day”. SF and fantasy lovers signed their names on a banner to commemorate this day during the opening ceremony.

“Imagination is an important premise for creativity. Science fiction literature plays an important role in inspiring people’s imagination and creativity,” said Li Xiuting, vice director of the International Department of the China Association for Science and Technology, at the opening ceremony on Saturday.

“Our (science fiction) words become the world and our words become places that you can visit. They become books and stories that inspire people. It is both surprising and reassuring to know by accident that the places have helped to make a future we are now living. Places like Microsoft and Google, Apple and places like MIT are packed with science fiction readers and fantasy readers,” Neil Gaiman said on Saturday.

[mitchbwriting]

Wow what an interesting way to say "countries with strong employee protection laws aren't at the mercy of tech billionairs in late stage capitalism" but with a real boot licker angle.

[mitchbwriting]

Via @Ed_Solomon at Twitter. Here's a clearer copy, in case (as a result of the looming Twitpocalypse) the original goes missing.

[mitchbwriting]

[mitchbwriting]

all of the main characters on Brooklyn 99 are autistic & they all present differently, their autism effects their work & home lives differently and causes them to interact in super! Autistic! Ways; they all explain jokes and lay out their feelings clearly so they can be understood. Each of them have their own special interests both in and out of police work and Jake, Amy, and Charles all tend to infodump.

Holt and Rosa have trouble reading facial expressions in others as well as using them themselves 

Gina can be unaware of how her behavior and rudeness can effect others, she’s also a savant

Terry is hyper empathetic has trouble controlling emotional expression, especially outbursts of anger and passion about his kids

The 99th precinct is haven for autistics who have all learned to live and work together as their own nuerodivergent selves and it is beautiful

Oh and I forgot!!! Terry totally stims by working out and the gym is a calming space for him!!!!

[mitchbwriting]

Masks

Night does softly whisper Of things which go unseen Close your eyes expand your mind This is not a dream

The mask we wear throughout our life Hides us from the others Only we know what’s inside Our hidden troubled wonders

See in my heart all evil lurks As well as all that’s good The path I choose is mine alone In my mind understood

Those of you who stand outside And trust that which you see Who never stop to even ponder What’s inside of me

May one day find your life is gone That yes this world is cruel I’ll be standing over you Your blood a shallow pool

Or maybe when you need it most My hand I’ll freely give The man you thought to never trust Is gone so you could live

[mitchbwriting]

This show goes from this…

To this…

In a matter of…

And leaves us feeling like…

[mitchbwriting]

Rambling poem

Scatter. Splot. Splatter. Sploot.

We three free one.

Find the line.

Where does the sun go to bed?

Find a blanket for the sky.

The world goes round. When does it rest?

Where do they taste the tears of yesteryear?

They is one or many?

Round it goes.

[mitchbwriting]

You don't owe people an explanation for the actions you take to care for your mental health and wellbeing. However, no one is under any obligation to stick around while you deal with your mental health issues, nor are they required to forgive you if you hurt them, intentionally or not. Those that stick around for your journey are worth valuing, but you don't need to be angry at those who don't. They have to do what's best for them, just like you need to do what's best for you.

[mitchbwriting]

I filter nearly everything I say to the people around me, but they still end up getting hurt by it. Then they ask me why I don't tell them what I really think or feel. I have nearly ruined friendships with 2% honesty about said thoughts and feelings. Why on earth would I actually open up? This of course results in them being upset with me for not talking to them about stuff. Can't win.

[mitchbwriting]

Gandalf: “End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.”

Pippin: “What? Gandalf? See what?”

Gandalf: “White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.”

[mitchbwriting]

Had a little artsy fun tonight

[mitchbwriting]

Choosing the Right Name for Every Character

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[mitchbwriting]

If Boomers didn’t want my generation to be full of obstinate spite against widespread evils then why did they expose me to these lines in Lord the Rings at the tender age of eight:

fuck your Climate Change Denial-ism, we’re going to get through this