#Guerilla Knitting

[robthepensioner]

The Fleetwood Knitting Posse have been on the illegal drugs again.

[artfromthefuture]

Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik 2013: Neele Hülckers Projekt "einwohnen" by Werner Wittersheim Via Flickr: Performances und Installationen im Wohnquartier in der Wiesenstraße. Das "Urban Knitting", das nicht Teil der Aktion war, passte gut dazu.

[afactaday]

#aFactADay2024

#1246: yarnbombing, also known as guerilla knitting, is a type of graffiti involving crocheting or knitting. postboxes, trees, fence posts and so on are adorned with woollen cosies as a form of street art. it supposedly started in Texas when knitters put their leftover bits on some roadside objects. it's been used as a feminist icon, by reclaiming the "housewife" practice of textiles and combining it with "masculine" graffiti and vandalism. it's been used to stop demolitions of trees and to donate soft furnishings to children's hospitals. trains have been yarnbombed to promote better transport and bikes have been yarnbombed to support bike paths and motorcycle groups. is there anything it can't do??

there are a few bollards near me that i don't go past often that have the most adorable full-height jumpers on, and the crazy thing is that they change every few months. i had no idea it was a Thing

[solarpunkpresentspodcast]

Links Roundup

The interwebs had so many interesting things to read this week! Here’s a links roundup of a few. 

Hurricanes Becoming So Strong That New Category Needed, Study Says

Where else would we start but at The Guardian, with an article about how much bigger and more intense the biggest, most intense hurricanes (and other cyclones) are becoming. You might call it doom and gloom, but the climate–adjacent scientist in me finds some weird satisfaction in seeing that, yes, retaining extra energy within the climate system because we’ve overinsulated it by adding extra greenhouse gas to the atmosphere is having spectacular effects. Honestly, we need to get our act together about reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero ASAP (40 years ago would have been better). 

Should More British Homes Be Built Using Straw?

The BBC website had an interesting article about adding straw–packed panels to the exteriors of buildings (generally as they’re being newly constructed, given the size constraints) to improve their insulation. The straw is packed so tight that it’s fire resistant but not so tight that it doesn’t trap air inside the stuffing, thus serving effectively as insulation, vastly reducing how much you need to heat or cool a building. At the moment, here in Germany, they use thick slabs of Styrofoam, which release horrendously toxic fumes if the building catches on fire. Straw sounds like an interesting, non–toxic, sustainable alternative, especially if you consider how much waste straw is generated every time crops like wheat, rye, and even oilseed rape (Canola) are harvested. The main catch is that production of the panels would need to be scaled up quickly enough to matter in our fight against further climate change by reducing the amount of energy needed to keep buildings at a comfortable temperature. 

A US Engineer Had a Shocking Plan to Improve the Climate – Burn All Coal on Earth

This article, also on the BBC website, is about the opposite of trying to save energy, and it’s a quick history of our attitude toward anthropogenic global warming. Turns out, the sort of people who don’t want to admit it’s real today were the sort of people who used to think it would be great to burn all the fossil fuels to take the edge of the chillier aspects of climate. Bonkers. These were probably also the people who liked to think that adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere would totally boost plant growth, and therefore crop yields, on a major scale. Also bonkers. 

Can Slowing Down Save the Planet?

The New Yorker published an interesting review of the book Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto, in which the Marxist philosopher Kohei Saito lays out the case for “degrowth communism”. He argues that green capitalism won’t be enough to save the planet—and us. It just looks good from a certain vantage point right now because it pushes the environmental and social costs of resource extraction and good production into the Global South. This allows consumers in the Global North to remain blissfully ignorant of the damage they’re (we’re) doing with their (our) unsustainable lifestyles and obsession with continuous economic growth. 

How Craftivism Is Powering 'Gentle Protest' for Climate

Back to the BBC for a fun article about “craftivism”. I’d never thought about this before, but it’s actually a thing that has touched almost all of our lives, even if we’re all thumbs with a terrible sense of aesthetics. Who hasn’t walked past a street pole or statue encased in guerilla knitwear? Even I knitted a pussyhat to wear to an anti–Trump demo on inauguration day (although I didn’t knit a pink one because I would rather die than wear pink, except utterly ironically). And—although perhaps I’m revealing my age here—who hasn’t seen at least a few squares of an AIDS quilt? On the whole, I think it’s good that people put their crafting skills to good political use. Otherwise—and this may be an unpopular opinion—our need to continually craft is just an extension of our unsustainable overproduction and overconsumption of goods. Everyone I know who knits (including myself) has already made more sweaters, hats, scarves, socks, and baby blankets than they can wear out in a lifetime and yet we keep on knitting. 

A Big Idea for Small Farms: How to Link Agriculture, Nutrition and Public Health

NPR had a great article that fits with our current podcast episode on regenerative farming with Solarpunk Farms. A literally existential crisis that we’re currently failing to tackle is that of how we grow food. The whole agricultural system is messed up from top to bottom. Food’s too cheap (and many people aren’t paid enough to be able to pay the real price of food, which is a whole other enormous issue). Because of this, farmers are pissed off and dependent upon subsidies from the governments they’d increasingly like to overthrow. Meanwhile, they’re frantically farming so intensively to try to bring in enough income that they’re destroying what’s left of our natural world. Their farming practices are degrading soils and polluting our air and waterways with fertilizers and petrochemical pesticides, destroying adjacent ecosystems and driving numerous species of plants and animals (including insects and other key invertebrates) to extinction. Related to this, we’re eating too much of the wrong stuff (meat, highly processed foods) and not enough of the rights stuff (fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetables). Enter the solution: nutrition incentive programs that make it possible for people with lower incomes to obtain fruits and vegetables from smaller, regenerative farms. It’s a win for public health, a win for fruit and vegetable farming, which isn’t subsidized the way corn, soy, and wheat farming is, and it’s a win for the small percentage of food producers fighting not to be swallowed up by the Big Food companies who’ve all but monopolized the production of the food we eat. 

Tractor Chaos, Neo-Nazis and a Flatlining Economy: Why Has Germany Lost the Plot?  

Having started at The Guardian, we’ll bring things full circle and end there with a look at the situation here in Germany. Lots of us are increasingly concerned about the rise of the far right and... perhaps still flying under a lot of people’s radar... that angry farmers are going to end up ushering in the Fourth Reich. The op–ed says it all, while trying to maintain a sense of humor about it. As with so much else in the news these days, it makes you want to scream that we have more important things to be doing right now—that matter for the survival of billions of people—than withdraw into the hermit crab shell of authoritarianism. Their easy answers and general denial of the problems that need solving will only make life even more miserable for most people and allow all our existential problems, like widening wealth inequality, environmental devastation, and increasingly catastrophic climate change, to escalate even further before we begin dealing with them. 

Sci_Burst

To end on a happier note, here’s a shout out about Sci_Burst, a fun podcast from Australia about “science, popular culture, and entertainment”. They even have an episode on solarpunk. If you’re all caught up with us (including with all the extras on our YouTube channel), our feelings won’t be hurt if you give them a listen. 😊

[guerilla-marketing]

Guerilla Marketing Agencies in Vermont

Guerilla Marketing Agencies in Vermont: Innovation in the Green Mountain State

Vermont, known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant local culture, is not just a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and artisanal craftspeople. This charming state is also home to a burgeoning scene of innovative marketing practices. Among these, guerilla marketing stands out for its ability to capture public attention in unique and memorable ways. Guerilla marketing involves unconventional, creative strategies designed to generate buzz and maximize exposure with minimal costs. In this blog, we explore the world of guerilla marketing agencies in Vermont, highlighting their role, key players, and the trends driving this dynamic field.

The Essence of Guerilla Marketing

1. Defining Guerilla Marketing

Guerilla marketing is characterized by its unconventional approach. Unlike traditional advertising, which relies on large budgets and extensive campaigns, guerilla marketing focuses on creativity and surprise to make a significant impact. This can include street art, flash mobs, interactive installations, and other forms of public engagement that stand out in urban settings.

2. Cost-Effective and High Impact

One of the main advantages of guerilla marketing is its cost-effectiveness. By relying on creativity rather than substantial financial resources, businesses can achieve high-impact results. This makes it particularly appealing for startups, small businesses, and non-profits looking to maximize their marketing efforts without breaking the bank.

3. Engagement and Virality

Guerilla marketing thrives on engagement and virality. The unexpected and often interactive nature of these campaigns encourages public participation and social sharing, amplifying the campaign's reach and fostering a deeper connection between the brand and its audience.

Why Vermont?

1. Vibrant Local Culture

Vermont is known for its tight-knit communities and vibrant local culture. This provides a fertile ground for guerilla marketing, as campaigns can tap into the local ethos and resonate deeply with residents. Whether it's a quaint town festival or a bustling city street, Vermont offers numerous opportunities for impactful guerilla marketing.

2. Scenic and Iconic Locations

From the charming streets of Burlington to the picturesque towns of Stowe and Montpelier, Vermont's scenic and iconic locations provide the perfect backdrop for eye-catching guerilla marketing campaigns. These unique settings enhance the visual impact and memorability of campaigns.

3. Supportive Community and Business Environment

Vermont's supportive community and business environment encourage innovation and creativity. Local businesses and organizations are often open to collaboration, providing ample opportunities for guerilla marketing agencies to create partnerships and execute successful campaigns.

Leading Guerilla Marketing Agencies in Vermont

Several agencies in Vermont have embraced guerilla marketing, creating memorable and impactful campaigns. Here are some notable players:

1. Renegade Creative

Overview: Based in Burlington, Renegade Creative is known for its innovative and visually captivating guerilla marketing campaigns. The agency focuses on creating buzz and engagement through strategic placements and creative designs.

Notable Campaigns: Renegade Creative has executed campaigns ranging from pop-up events to interactive street art installations. One standout campaign involved transforming a city park into a temporary art gallery, attracting significant public attention and media coverage.

Strengths:

Creative and bold design

Strategic location selection

Strong ties to the local arts and music scenes

2. Green Mountain Guerilla

Overview: Green Mountain Guerilla, located in Montpelier, blends traditional advertising with street art techniques. The agency partners with local artists to create unique and culturally resonant guerilla marketing campaigns.

Notable Campaigns: Green Mountain Guerilla has partnered with community events, cultural festivals, and local businesses to produce campaigns that stand out in Vermont’s diverse urban landscape. Their work is celebrated for its artistic quality and cultural relevance.

Strengths:

Artistic collaborations

Culturally relevant campaigns

High-quality visual design

3. Wildfire Marketing

Overview: Operating out of Stowe, Wildfire Marketing is known for its bold and daring guerilla marketing tactics. The agency specializes in high-impact, visually striking campaigns that leave a lasting impression.

Notable Campaigns: Wildfire Marketing's work often includes large-scale installations and performance art. One memorable campaign involved a series of live street performances that captured the essence of the brand and drew significant public attention and media coverage.

Strengths:

High-impact visual campaigns

Expertise in live and performance art

Ability to generate media buzz

Trends in Guerilla Marketing

1. Technology Integration

Modern guerilla marketing campaigns increasingly integrate technology to enhance engagement and interactivity. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are being used to create immersive experiences that captivate audiences and encourage social sharing.

2. Sustainability and Social Responsibility

With growing awareness of environmental issues, there is a trend towards more sustainable and socially responsible guerilla marketing. Agencies are using eco-friendly materials and focusing on campaigns that promote social causes, aligning brands with positive community impact.

3. Hyperlocal Campaigns

Guerilla marketing is particularly effective when it resonates on a local level. Agencies are creating hyperlocal campaigns that reflect the unique culture and character of specific neighborhoods, fostering a deeper connection with local audiences.

Challenges and Opportunities

1. Navigating Legalities

One of the primary challenges of guerilla marketing is navigating the legal landscape. Regulations around public space use and advertising vary, and agencies must ensure they have the necessary permissions to avoid fines and legal issues.

2. Balancing Risk and Reward

Guerilla marketing often involves taking risks to achieve high rewards. Striking the right balance between bold creativity and potential backlash is crucial. Effective campaigns are those that surprise and delight without offending or alienating the audience.

3. Measuring Effectiveness

Measuring the effectiveness of guerilla marketing can be challenging. Unlike digital campaigns, which provide clear metrics, the impact of guerilla marketing is often gauged through social media engagement, public feedback, and media coverage. Developing reliable methods for tracking these metrics is essential for demonstrating ROI.

The Future of Guerilla Marketing in Vermont

As Vermont continues to grow and evolve, the potential for guerilla marketing as an advertising medium is immense. The state's unique blend of urban environments and natural landscapes provides endless opportunities for creative campaigns that capture public imagination.

1. Embracing Emerging Technologies

The integration of emerging technologies like AR and VR will continue to shape the future of guerilla marketing. These technologies offer new ways to engage audiences and create memorable experiences that extend beyond the physical world.

2. Fostering Community Connections

Guerilla marketing in Vermont will increasingly focus on fostering community connections. By creating campaigns that resonate with local cultures and address community issues, agencies can build stronger relationships between brands and their audiences.

3. Sustainability as a Core Value

Sustainability will become a core value in guerilla marketing, with agencies prioritizing eco-friendly practices and socially responsible campaigns. This shift will not only appeal to environmentally conscious consumers but also set a positive example for the industry.

Conclusion

Guerilla marketing agencies in Vermont are redefining the advertising landscape with their innovative and unconventional approaches. By leveraging the state’s unique cultural and environmental assets, these agencies create campaigns that captivate and engage audiences in meaningful ways. As the industry continues to evolve, the fusion of technology, creativity, and community focus will drive the success of guerilla marketing in Vermont. For businesses looking to make a lasting impression, partnering with a local guerilla marketing agency offers a compelling and effective path to achieving standout results.

[kenpaul-sumanoy]

Exploring El Nido Palawan🇵🇭🏖

El Nido Palawan is a breathtaking destination located in the Philippines. This travel essay aims to provide a comprehensive overview of El Nido, including its history, the local community, expenses, route, rules and regulations, culture, traditions, celebrations, and climate. By delving into these aspects, travelers can gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable place and plan their visit accordingly.

El Nido's history dates back thousands of years when it was inhabited by the Cuyonon people. The area was later colonized by the Spanish in the 17th century. During World War II, El Nido served as a refuge for Filipino guerillas. In recent decades, the town has transformed into a popular tourist destination due to its stunning natural beauty and pristine beaches.

The people who live in El Nido are primarily from the Cuyonon ethnic group, which has a rich cultural heritage. The Cuyonon people are known for their warm hospitality and close-knit community. Interacting with the locals provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about their customs, traditions, and way of life.

Traveling from Dumaguete to El Nido Palawan involves several expenses such as transportation, accommodation, food, and souvenirs. The exact amounts may vary depending on individual preferences and travel arrangements. As of current year, here is an approximate breakdown of expenses: Transportation, Flight from Dumaguete to Puerto Princesa: $100-$150 (round trip). Van or bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $10-$15. For accomodation, Budget guesthouses or hostels: $15-$30 per night. Mid-range hotels or resorts: $50-$100 per night. Luxury resorts, $200 and above per night. For foods ,Local eateries and street food: $3-$5 per meal, mid-range restaurants: $10-$20 per meal, fine dining establishments: $30 and above per meal. For souvenirs, local handicrafts, t-shirts, and trinkets: $5-$20

The most common route to reach El Nido Palawan from Dumaguete is as follows:

Fly from Dumaguete Airport to Puerto Princesa International Airport. From Puerto Princesa, take a van or bus to El Nido town, which takes approximately 5-6 hours.

To ensure the preservation of El Nido's natural beauty, there are certain rules and regulations that visitors must adhere to. These include:

Environmental Fee: All visitors are required to pay an environmental fee of PHP 200 (approximately $4) upon arrival in El Nido. Island Hopping Tours: When participating in island hopping tours, it is essential to follow the guidelines provided by tour operators, such as not littering, respecting marine life, and avoiding damage to coral reefs. Responsible Tourism: Visitors are encouraged to practice responsible tourism by minimizing their impact on the environment, respecting local customs and traditions, and supporting sustainable initiatives.

The Cuyonon people have a vibrant culture with various traditions and celebrations. Some notable cultural aspects of El Nido include:

Festivals: The "Pangalipay sa Baybay" festival is celebrated annually in El Nido during the month of June. It showcases traditional dances, music performances, and colorful parades.

Cuisine: The local cuisine of El Nido features fresh seafood dishes such as grilled fish, kinilaw (ceviche), and seafood soups. Visitors can also try traditional Filipino dishes like adobo and sinigang.

Handicrafts: The Cuyonon people are skilled artisans known for their intricate weaving, pottery, and woodcarving. Travelers can purchase unique handicrafts as souvenirs.

El Nido Palawan has a tropical climate characterized by two seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the wet season (May to October). The dry season is the peak tourist season, offering sunny days and calm waters, while the wet season brings occasional rainfall and rougher seas. It is advisable to check weather forecasts before planning a trip to El Nido.

References:

1. Official website of the Philippine Department of Tourism - www.tourism.gov.ph

2. Lonely Planet - www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines/palawan/el-nido

3. TripAdvisor - www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294256-El_Nido_Palawan_Island_Palawan_Province_Mimaropa-Vacations.html

[ribstongrowback]

There is another life, fractured. A myriad of facets, nodes in a wide net, flashes of light in the dark peppered across the landscape, neither plant nor beast. Something else, something greater perhaps. Not that it knows, nor does it care. The blight is dotted across the chunks in the sky like itchy spots on the back of a great beast. The fungal forests sprout from its mycelium, and the blightlings are born from it, tend to it, and some day, they return to its mouldy embrace. The forests take many shapes, chanterelles, toadstools, amanitas and many others, with towering mushrooms of dizzying heights inhabited by their enigmatic smaller cousins. Each of them has a monarch of boundless wisdom, gazing upon the stars from mushroom tops, waiting.

All of them hate each other, with a passion, which the monarchs can only explain with “it’s what’s expected” as the closest translation, and none of them wish to elaborate on what they are waiting for. There are beautiful things beyond the shroomline, a few will say, we merely wait for them. The mushrooms simply go about their incomprehensible existence, drinking in sunlight and watching travellers with a curious eye, for such is their want. Some of them sport guns taken from those who came to die in their shade. The blight is for quiet contemplation, it does not entertain outsiders. It tolerates intruders but only offers its bounty to friends, and hungry raiders can be rather unfriendly. The blightlings are not smart, but they’re smart enough to know to defend themselves from predators. They form roving packs to push back wild beasts and other intruders with coordinated ambushes and guerilla tactics, striking from the mushroom tops with ferocious bravery in the face of creatures almost always two feet taller than them, at least. And still, adventurers come. Some look for a challenge to which the more gutsy blightlings are more than happy to rise up to, some seek to gather supplies from the ample bounty of fungal flesh, but whatever they’re in here for, none can help but wonder, where did they come from? Theories. Some people believe they were seeded from beyond the stars and are waiting for their kind. Others think they’re yet another victim of our forebears, fellow humans twisted out of the animal realm for some nefarious purpose or other, condemned to formless existence beyond humanity.

And then a blightwalker comes, and everyone goes wild. A corpse will shamble into town, knit from the mould, burgeoning with fungus, and salute. Grim puppets from a wandering mycelium, they joyfully oscillate on their legs, knitting themselves back together whenever they get hit, and trudging ever forward. They seek to learn and see, they say. A whole world out there, they say. Few dare reply, most turn their eyes away from the macabre display. Yet some extend a hand, and find it gripped by the cold, clammy limbs of a new friend. One day, they will stop walking and put down the mycelium of another burgeoning fungal forest, but for now, they will travel, and hope that the world they see is kind to their companions.

[unexpectedyarns]

If you can go to Ravelry, you MUST go look at this aging artist’s projects.  The titles are hilarious and her sense of photographic style is priceless..

[zagrebist]

ArtPark, ZGB, June 2018 photos by @zagrebist​

[knitvienna]

Old but good, spotted at Lindengasse in Vienna. Unknown artist.

[deezknitz]

Classy!

[makinology]

[punk-stitches]

Visible Mending

Based in the Japanese art of Sashiko embroidery, visible mending is an art form that embraces the wear and tear on garments, turning them into their own art. Mending is a skill that has gotten a bit lost amongst industrialization and fast fashion, but it's an incredibly important life skill that is ! It extends the life of your clothes, saves you money, and is a form of self-expression.

Traditional Sashiko is done using running or single stitches in white or blue thread on indigo-dyed fabric, there are many traditional motifs and forms created through the manipulation of the main stitches. While modern Sashiko and visible mending mix colours, patterns, and stitches. Sashiko artists use specific needles and threads on cotton fabric, but visible mending can be done with any needles and threads on any material.

My mending journey started with wool socks, which are expensive these days, but in my opinion are the very best socks for brutal winters. I had several pairs of socks or knit slippers from my late-aunt, which they were the last pieces she made me and so, I taught myself how to mend! To me, mending embraces the history of the garment, the maker, and you, the wearer. Personally, my favourite type of visible mending uses whatever scraps I have in the same colour as the garment stitched using contrast threads, such as the red and black in the second photo. Although, if you want a more subtler mend, the greens and blues of the first photo strike a nice balance.

Links to learn more:

Wada, Yoshiko Iwamoto, “Boro no Bi : Beauty in Humility—Repaired Cotton Rags of Old Japan” (2004). Textile Society of America 9th Biennial Symposium. 458.

Visible Mending - MEND!

Sayraphim Lothian author of Guerilla Kindness and Other Acts of Creative Resistance. (Very good if you are like me and prefer a physical guide).

Caldecott, Sophie. “A Beginner’s Guide to Mending Your Clothing” (2021). Sustainably Chic.

EGA. “Introduction to Visible Mending” (2020). Embroiderers’ Guild of America.

[forestgreenlesbian]

Mom Knows Now (Guerilla Banner Drop on the Steeple of the Ira Allen Chapel, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.)

LJ Roberts

Hand-knit yarn. 15' x 10' x 10

2003

[aikoiya]

How I'd Do Scooby-Doo

Since the introduction of HBO's Velma, I've been thinking about how I'd go about an adult Scooby-Doo show.

For one, Scooby is a must. He's the face of the entire franchise & there is no Scooby-Doo show without him.

Next, I'd keep the gang mostly the same as they've always been. Maybe update their wardrobes. Possibly give Velma a cute bob cut.

Something like this would be cute & would keep to her general style.

Maybe give her a red vest jacket & a beret? She'd look cute in a beret. Knit orange top with a loose pile collar, long loose, slightly puffy sleeves with buttoned cuffs that go about halfway up the forearms. Modest, but not frumpy. Keep the red skirt, possibly make it plaid; high-waisted, double button. With a pair of black bike shorts or tights underneath. Maybe give her boots with tall orange socks when she's wearing the shorts. No heels. It's impractical when your job involves a lot of walking or running around.

In fact, give them all shoes or boots built for running or hiking. Yes, even Daphne. Just because they're functional doesn't mean they have to look ugly.

Keep the same overall rounded design of Velma's face with freckles.

Other than that, make the whole gang like a mix between What's New Scooby-Doo, Mystery Incorporated, & the episode ScoobyNatural.

Except, make Fred a little less oblivious & maybe less obsessive over traps. Instead, add to his fascination with it by making him also very interested in Rube Goldberg machines, mechanics, & even a little bit of engineering. Not necessarily in a scientific way, more so a 'he can see how it all fits together' way. And the strategizer of the group.

He must also be a himbo, dadfriend, & a gearhead! I will have no arguments!!

Keep Daphne as resourceful with a mind for guerilla science & combat. And the karate muscle. Now, that doesn't mean that she won't get kidnapped every once in a while, because even masters of combat can be caught off guard sometimes.

Fred & Daphne are in a steady relationship, while Shaggy & Velma had tried it for a bit, but instead of it ending in a fight like in Mystery Incorperated where, let's be honest, Velma was being a control freak; here she's a mature adult, so they just broke it off amiably after realizing that they just didn't mesh in a romantic way. They joke about it & rib each other every once in a while.

They also poke fun at Fred & Daphne too when they get shmoopy doopy. Meanwhile, Scoob snickers in the back. There's no shortage of good-natured ribbing in this group. Maybe even have a few episodes where Fred & Daphne just go on a date in the beginning & don't really come back until later. Like, when shit's serious, of course the rest of the Gang calls them & informs them what's happening & Fred & Daphne make a b-line to their location, but if the case doesn't seem to be too dangerous, they'll try to handle it themselves.

Keep Velma the levelheaded momfriend & a lover of mysteries, puzzles, riddles, & all that. Keep her loving mystery novels while maybe Daphne's more a fan of true crime novels.

I like to think that before the Gang got together in high school, they were in their own separate groups. Velma with the academics, Shaggy with the hippie-vegetarian crowd, then Fred & Velma with the popular crew. Fred having been the star quarterback, but it was mostly due to his father's expectations of him. He'd never really been interested in sports to that degree. Meanwhile, Daphe was varsity captain.

Regardless, I think Velma & Daphne's friendship would've really started via them discovering a shared interest in mystery & crime novels. And it sort of evolved into a near sisterhood.

Also, I think the person that Fred dislikes the most would end up being Rufford "Rudy" Herrington. (If you get that reference, then bless you.)

Velma likes broad-shouldered men & let her like them, but absolutely don't make her a simp like in that one movie where she was so dumb over that super villain. *shudders* No.

Maybe she wants to become a detective or private investigator? I'm not sure. I could see her taking classes in the day.

No! A forensics detective! She carries around a waist bag or fanny pack full of investigative supplies such as liminol spray with glasses, a blacklight, finger print powder, a magnifying glass, things like that. Maybe she has a microscope tucked away in the van?

Also, a hacker/programmer. She's the software girl, while Fred & Daphne are the hardware guys. They work together to do some pretty amazing stuff.

And the rest of the group get pretty good at this stuff too just through osmosis. Same with figuring out the mysteries. I don't want it to just be Velma. They've been doing this stuff for years, let them all get good at it. Sure, Velma's the best, but have the others pick up things that she misses just due to their minds working differently.

Shaggy & Scooby are damn near perfect. Shaggy being a skill monkey like in the old show with lots of little talents like ventriloquism & throwing his voice. Also, he & Scooby actually very much enjoy thrills, or what Shaggy in A Scooby-Doo Halloween refers to as "Halloween Scary."

Also, someone had the idea of Shaggy being a war vet & I'm just like??? That's awesome???

Now I'm like, what if Scooby was a K9 Unit? Shaggy could've been his K9 Handler. Like, Scoob has been with Shaggy since he was a puppy, but he enlisted at the same time as Shag.

They're actually both super deadly in a fight, but they've both chosen to avoid it whenever they can. And are super protective.

Dude... what if they're not actually cowards & instead they react the way they do due to PTSD? Hell, maybe Shag has a cannabis prescription to help with his nerves & he's trying to get to a point where he doesn't need it anymore?

That could be a very interesting arc to focus on.

And, yes, I think that Fred, Daphne, & Shag would all have varying types of engineering knowledge. Fred's more the traditionally knowledgeable one while Daphne & Shag are more the ones who can make shit outta anything. Though, Daphne is more so due to just having the head for it. Meanwhile, Shag knows so much because of a combination of redneck engineering & Marines just being absolutely batshit, ya'll. One of their mottos is "If it looks stupid, but works, then it's not really stupid."

I'm serious, man. A redneck marine would likely be borderline mad scientist & I don't know why this absolute reality hack hasn't been exploited the shit out of yet. I've watched redneck engineering vids & it's like, "Why does this work?? Just... HOW?! What kind of technoturgical voodoo is this?!?!"

---

Moving on, as the show would go on, bring in the Gang's relatives like in the old shows every once in a while.

But more than that, in season 2, bring in Scrappy-Doo as part of the gang.

He needs to be scrappy & brave, if naive. Remember that he's a puppy. He's going to make dumb decisions & be annoying sometimes. He loves & idolizes his Uncle Scooby, but he quickly has to learn that his uncle isn't exactly how he thought he'd be.

If we go with Scooby & Shaggy having been in the military, we could say that part of the reason that Scrappy looks up to his uncle so much is due to the stories he heard about him. Both as part of the Scooby-Doo Gang & as a K9 Unit/war hero.

But the thing is, both Scooby & Shaggy are traumatized from the experience. (I actually kinda wonder how many confirmed kills they have.) Maybe they're both working through it, but it's just really tough. If something legitimately dangerous happens, then they act instinctively to protect those around them, but if it's just them alone even together, then it triggers their flight response. Like, they do this because they implicitly know they can trust the other to not only be able to handle themselves, but also to protect them should the other need it.

Like, they aren't just best friends. They're brothers-in-arms. Soldiers from the same unit. This is a relationship that's been forged in fire. Their trust in each other is absolute. And their teamwork is outstanding even when they're running on pure instinct.

Maybe the reason why they rejoined the Gang is a desire to face their issues through exposure? I see the rest of the Gang as being hyperaware of this & are always there for them, frequently giving the pair outs if they don't think they can deal with it & maybe Shag & Scoob actually take it a couple of times, but always come back due to a desire to keep trying?

Anyway, highlight how the creators tried to make Scrappy more like Daphne, Velma, & Fred when they were gone from the group, but make it clear that it's because he's a kid & really admires them & wants to be more like them. He messes some things up acting this way, but the Gang are supportive & start teaching him how to do better.

That way, he can learn how to figure out who he is & what makes him special.

I'd also like to see Scrappy get grounded by Scooby or one of the others for being too reckless & running into things without thinking.

Maybe if he does something really stupid, they threaten to send him back home if he doesn't straighten up? Same when things get really risky.

Like... I just don't want to see anything like what happened in the 1st live action Scooby Doo movie.

The Gang were complete sacks of shit in that for what they did. They didn't even take the kid back home to his mom! They just... left him on the side of the road in the middle of the freaking desert! For getting too excited & peeing on someone!

That pissed me off! Like, dude! He's a puppy!! What's wrong with you!?

Worst part is, I'd never minded Scrappy & never even knew that he was so hated, so when I saw it, it was just... It was very bad, ya'll...

---

Now, onto the actual show. I'd mostly keep with the old formulae, but do it more like Mystery Inc in that there's an overarching plot. Still some episodic episodes, but also plot.

However, it wouldn't just be guys in masks & thefts & business fraud. It'd also be actual murders where there is no ghost or ghoul to take the blame & also instances where it really is the supernatural causing problems. I mean, it wouldn't all be murders either, but ya know. Just a bit of variety is all I'm asking for. Hell, maybe have a cereal killer or 2?

Don't shy away from the dark stuff or the blood, but don't be overly gruesome either. It feels too much like you're going for shock value if you do that.

This way, it'd have more of a ScoobyNatural & murder mystery feel to it. Initially, the first instance of the gang learning that spooks & spectres are real, they react like they did in ScoobyNatural. (Maybe they speculate a bit at some point about how maybe that's the reason that so many criminals use ghost stories to get away with their crimes? Because there's actually a grain of truth to some of them?)

Anyway, nervous breakdowns, denial, but eventually they realize that people are relying on them & all crying & whining about it does is put more people in danger. Maybe make the episode a direct reference to ScoobyNatural & have hunters there teach them how to fight the baddy?

Like, 1st season, just regular Scooby-Doo shenanigans but with more adult themes, 2nd season, introduce real supernatural activity & monsters.

Make it a REAL making of a hero moment! One of those moments where their decision, right then in that very second, makes them or breaks them! Showing all around exactly what they're made of! Forged in fire! In fact... wouldn't it be the most interesting if, despite everything, it was the most "cowardly" of the bunch that ends up stepping forward first to be the bravest?

After all, courage is not necessarily the absence of fear but the ability to forge ahead to do what's right in spite of it.

Make it sort of a metaphor for growing up & becoming adults. Things aren't always gonna end so well as they're used to. Maybe have some of the perps escape sometimes to come back later? Just to change things up a bit. Maybe... some of them even succeed in their plans...

From then on, they slowly settle into being both freelance private investigators & paranormal investigators. Slowly, over time, they get better at both.

And, yes, I do think that it should be an actual job that they get paid for. Like, most of their cases should be a result of being hired. However, some should also be a result of them walking in & being, like, "We've got a mystery on our hands!" Because they're good people.

But in the cases where they just sort of walk in without being hired, their policy is to do it pro bono. Because it's not fair to charge someone for a service that they didn't ask for. On the other, other hand, there would still be people who'd insist on paying their service fee, if for no other reason than because they are very grateful for their help.

Moving on, it turns out that Shaggy has a mind for languages & research, especially old languages. This helps them with researching whatever they need to. And I wanna go deep into culture & mythology & folklore & legends.

Just different, but the same.

---

I also kinda want there to be an arc where Shaggy is turned into a werewolf a la Scooby-Doo & the Reluctant Werewolf. So, the Gang spends, like, a season trying to find a way to turn him back & it's about Shaggy's character growth. He goes through some things, trying to get used to all these new instincts, especially the predator ones & the not being able to be a vegetarian anymore without dying slowly thing.

Because wolves are carnivores with werewolves being obligate omnivores in human form. They also absolutely require meat. Especially, red meat. Red meat once a day to keep healthy. In the end, Shag settles on mostly pescatarianism, only indulging in other meats on occasion beyond daily red meat.

At the same time, maybe the Gang meets another werewolf who's going through an even tougher time than Shaggy & they join the gang for a while in hopes of finding a cure, but when they do, there's only enough for one of them & Shaggy, realizing that being a werewolf isn't so bad for him, he gives the cure to the other character & accepts that this is just part of his life now. Maybe it's Shaggy's girlfriend, Googie, from the movie & she ends up joining the gang!?

And maybe it turns out that he had a dormant werewolf gene & then something happened to activate it. Maybe something like a full reboot of Scooby Doo & the Reluctant Werewolf? Like, 1st generation werewolves always slowly go crazy over time & can't control themselves, eventually becoming feral, but Legacy werewolves are born with the gene & so their bodies & minds are better built to handle it. So, technically, Shaggy is a Legacy werewolf with a dormant werewolf gene, while Googie was a new 1st generation werewolf who only recently got bitten & that's why she's having so much worse of a time of it than Shaggy.

Shaggy actually thinks it's pretty cool because he finds that he has an even closer connection to nature than he ever had before & understands it in a way that he'd been unwilling to beforehand. Like, he'd been unwilling to accept that nature needed predators & death & that it could be as cruel as it was beautiful. He now totally gets the whole hunter vs poacher argument that his southern cousins used to have with him.

He also understands Scoob on a fraternal level now & that's super cool, man.

He still has issues with his PTSD, but not as much as before as being a werewolf makes him feel more protected & secure. More prepared to handle things. Not to mention his instincts.

So, the next season's sideplot would be about Shaggy learning about what it really means for him to be a werewolf. All the history & culture, & all the baggage that comes with being a werewolf. Like, do not sugarcoat, but also do not demonize. Perhaps being a werewolf opens up the world a bit for them? Giving them a new perspective? Like, supernatural society.

It isn't until, like, mid season that he realizes that he considers the Gang his pack & Fred as alpha, which is just wild for him to consider, but he quickly acclimates to the new line of thinking & becomes comfortable with it.

Yes, he's more aggressive than before & he's learning how to handle that & he tends to wolf out a little bit when he gets angry, but overall, he's still the same chill, laid back dude he always was, just seen through a new lens.

Also, going full wolf on the full moon, he turns into the wolfed out form from Wednesday. I really like how they did it in that show.

At the same time, any other time besides the full moon, he just grows claws & canines to show his wolfish side.

Which, BTW, it'd be super cool to have crossovers like with Guess Who Scooby Doo. Including a Wednesday crossover where they meet Wednesday & possibly the other Addamses after several years.

Or Ghostbusters (original recipe) or Batman or, to mix things up a bit, Danny Phantom!

Which, btw, I feel obligated to remind people that Scooby-Doo & Batman canonically exist within the same universe...

Let that sink in. (Also, it means a possible Constantine crossover.)

Cool would also be an introduction to monster/supernatural society like I mentioned before, where there is a monster underground. That not all monsters are evil beasts. That the ones they fight are generally rogues or special cases or criminals or radicals or have other extenuating circumstances.

There's still a lot of these rogues, mind, but that's just the way of it sometimes.

Also, reboots of Ghoul School, 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo, Zombie Island, Witch's Ghost, & stuff like that.

These, of course, would only take place after the ScoobyNatural reference episode.

Fun ScoobyxNaruto Xover Idea

Aikoiya's Writing Tips Masterlist

[demonslayedher]

do you think the village where Uzui was born and raised is not on that kind of map because the location of a ninja village has to be hidden? I know it's a bit silly question but when I saw that in that map there were all the places where the other columns live and not the position of Uzui I thought wtf maybe it's because the position of a ninja village is hidden and unknown to the common people (???) from the last official databook we know that there really is a ninja village

In general, yes, I think it's because the ninja village location was kept totally secret from the general public. The "unknown" almost seems like a joke on the readers, like, "duh, THEY'RE NINJA, they hiiiiide."

But while we're on the ninja topic, hey! Uzui's Dad! What in tarnation were you thinking!!? Not gonna go that in depth, but let's talk about how Tengen's experience is not the ninja norm, and being hidden was probably a huge matter for the Uzui clan.

First off, let me break your heart: THERE WERE NEVER ANY REAL NINJA.

(Yes, go ahead, cry. Just two days ago I learned that the use of short swords with square hilts to set against walls and kick off of to start climbing was only fiction that got accepted as the ninja-loving public’s collective headcanon. I was....... naive............)

Or at least, it’s complicated. There is a sort of fanon image of ninja which took over the public consciousness throughout Edo and Meiji popular culture, long after (as Daki pointed out) there weren’t really any ninja villages left. Besides purely “wouldn’t that be badass” ideas and “hey, let’s make the Kabuki stagehands the ninja, that’d be theatrical” conventions, it’s also a matter of different specialized roles and skills having been spread out across wider groups of people who worked alongside or against the local warlords in the Sengoku/Warring States era, and they all just wound up getting clumped together into the idea we hold so dearly today of the ninja badass. 

But, accepting that the super-awesome-special-cool ninja is not quite reality but the standard in most ninja-related lore and culture, let’s think a bit more about the people who most closely lived up to the ninja image. 

While not the only ones, the most notable ninja villages were in Iga and Koga (in modern day Mie and Shiga prefectures, close enough to each other that you can wake your friends up early and announce that you’re taking them on a surprise day of ninja training and hit both spots before the museums close). The goal of these villages was to survive as local jerklords like Oda Nobunaga were raising hell and saying, ‘yeah, I want all these Warring States for myself. While they did enact guerilla work tactics that made their territory difficult (but ultimately not impossible) to take over, they also worked with enemies of their enemies by working as spies to collect and pass on information. And sure, yeah, maybe assassinations were helpful sometimes and it helped to have tools ready to defend yourself if you ran into anybody in the dark.

But they didn’t go on these missions all the time. Most of the time, they had to eat. They had to farm. They spend a lot of time farming. And since the whole village needed to eat, they spent a lot of time farming together. 

And yeah, the fact that they just looked like normal farmers was their greatest cover, and they did it well because they were farmers. 

So then you get Mr. Uzui’s “only the strong eat” ideas and I’m like, “...sir???”

We can very, very easily place the Uzui clan’s ninja background in the realm of OUT AND OUT TOTAL FICTION OF SUPER-AWESOME-SPECIAL-COOL style ninja, the stoic ones who an inspiration to us all when we need to pull off a smooth kill. But, I question, what is their clans’ motivation for continuing to exist? If he’s fine with killing off the majority of his potential heirs, despite the callous culture of having lots of wives for the sake of producing many, many heirs, then pure and simple clan survival is not the goal. If it’s to be the strongest among other potential rival ninja clans, then having a bunch of your strongest members kill each other off is also not a way to do that. Also, if (again) clan survival is the goal, and your clan is doing so poorly that you can only afford to feed a small number of your members, you’re not farming right. 

So where did the Uzui clan go so wrong? 

Let’s keep roughly the same timeline of close-knit villages trying to survive when harassed and slaughtered by samurai warlords and having to go underground throughout the entirety of the Edo period, but look at a different group: the Christian converts. 

The same might had happened in the Uzui clan, warped by centuries of direness to stay hidden, and nursing some regrets of not having been strong enough in the past, or perhaps, for having been too soft and affectionate and humanitarian and everything Mr. Uzui hated and wished to quash in his surviving children. 

Although Christianity was gaining popularity in the time (what we now think of as) ninja were active, it was pretty effectively outlawed and squelched in the early Edo period, but pockets of it stayed alive. Often the villages would all make the choice together whether to be martyred or to deny their faith and keep it underground, and those who kept it underground retained it with a remarkable degree of fervency, so much so that when missionaries were later allowed back into Japan they were impressed with how well the Jesuits’ teachings had been retained. 

However, the “Hidden Christians” had also grown into their own culture, and gained an identity somewhat warped by the experience of being so hidden, and for carrying the shame of their ancestors for having been cowardly and publicly denying the faith. This unique shame-shaped denomination of sorts is small, but can still be found in practice today. 

Tengen grew up in a fanatical cult, albeit one with less straightforward motivations that the cult Obanai was born into. While Obanai had a clear understanding of how physically escaping was his only means of physical survival, Tengen and his wives needed to break free of the mindset. As the women in their clan are not supposed to value themselves over their husband, they are dumbfounded when Tengen tells them their lives are the top priority, because this is so contrary to everything they’ve ever been told. The fact that Tengen would assign value to the lives of people who require assistance to protect themselves is also a major affront to everything they’ve grown up knowing, in which their leader (in this case, Mr. Uzui) tells them to kill, then without a second thought, they kill. 

With this perverted system of not valuing lives apart from their leaders, it’s unsurprising that core ninja skills like farming would have been lost. 

And hell, if Tengen had to completely turn everything he had ever known upside-down in order to escape it, then HELL YEAH, TIME TO DO ANYTHING BUT BE HIDDEN. Maybe he didn’t have it in him to kill his father and remaining younger brother and eliminate the rotten cultish clan for good, but being HELLA FLAMBOYANT is the second best option he’s got to stick it to him. 

----

So anyway. Two more thoughts: 

1. I’ll bet Zenitsu reads popular fiction and feels like he’s a know-it-all about ninja. But any time he starts to spout something Tengen’s like, “ugh, no, that’s not real, if ninja used swords with square hilt guards they’d jab themselves in the ribs.” and Zenitsu would be like, “...... >: [ “

2. When Tengen presents himself to be in the Demon Slayer Corp’s service, he probably divulges ninja secrets by offering his wives’ expertise in ninja memorization, encoding, and communication techniques for passing super secret spy info.

And Ubuyashiki smiles and says, “That’s nice, but we have birds. ^_^” and Tengen is like, “......>: [ ”