#IT NEVER GETS COMFY

[techmomma]

A nuance that I think is frequently lost in fandom discourse is the idea of textual interpretation vs. critical interpretation. Some of you might call this Watsonian vs. Doylist interpretations, but it's not quite the same.

Textual interpretation is, in essence, "What is the author trying to tell you?" What is the goal of the author, what are they trying to communicate to you, the reader?

Critical interpretation is your own analysis of the subject at hand. What are you reading, what have you taken from the narrative? What is your own analysis?

Sometimes the textual and critical interpretations will agree!

And sometimes they will not!

And more importantly, that doesn't necessarily make one interpretation more correct over the other, even if they do not agree. Our own opinions and viewpoints will affect our critical analysis, just as they will affect whatever the author was trying to convey.

The classic example of this is when you're watching a show or a movie and the writers are clearly trying very hard to make you root for their protagonist as a hero. You (and perhaps other people), however, think this protag has done some pretty terrible things! Or vice versa, the writers would have you think this character is a horrible villain, but you do not agree, and perhaps even think the villain is right.

These are differing interpretations. And again, neither is necessarily more correct. The is also where the idea of Death of the Author becomes important: for some people, textual interpretation is very important to their critical analysis. For others, it doesn't matter what the author intended, this is what they ended up communicating regardless. This is also why you can sometimes have one textual interpretation, but many critical interpretations.

In addition, context can greatly impact the textual interpretation. When your 13-year-old cousin writes a fanfic that accidentally espouses eugenics, that doesn't carry the same weight as a well-published author who "accidentally" espouses eugenics.

Or, for example, the decades of queer-coded villains in Hollywood. The context is that these came from large companies full of people who already view said group as evil. This textual interpretation is not going to be the same as your tween cousin writing a flamboyant villain in their fanfic. The textual interpretation can no longer truly be said to be accidental. "The author(s) didn't intend for the villain to be read as queer" doesn't hold as much water when it comes from a company full of writers and editors and producers and executive funding.

When your aunt tells you to be afraid of X race, it's racism. When your government tells you to be afraid of X race, it's racism AND propaganda. Textually, they may both be trying to tell you the same thing. But critically, these mean two very different things.

Whether or not you believe in Death of the Author, both interpretations are important for a full, well-rounded view of a work of fiction, be it books, comics, movies, shows, whatever. What the author meant and what the author ended up saying are both important.

This is why works of fiction can create cognitive dissonance in us. We know that textually, this is what the author meant. However, critically, we understand that there are very different implications. Do not shy away from the uncomfortable state of cognitive dissonance, but embrace it, and learn from it.

[wardingshout]

Zelda goes mushroom girl

[lazycranberrydoodles]

you’d think after 800 years he’d learn his lesson about taking afternoon naps. / prev comic / follow for more sleepy xie lian

[voidmade]

no more serious outfits just whatever this is

[zaacoy]

Short freenoodles focused comic inspired in part by takakmimi's freenoodles post on twt!!

[chimerical-daydreams]

After seeing so many people hurt the little guy, I'm starting to feel sad for him. I hug the charmless prince! And give a nice big cozy blanket and some hot coco!

- The Collector

He appreciates the hug <3

Bonus:

[bogkeep]

mannnnnn now that i've actually started medical transition it seems that i will, hopefully, someday, get through to the other side of the limbo tunnel and can hopefully explore more permanent masculine attire. which is as exciting as it is daunting. like, i'm under no illusions that there's a tangible cutoff point where i will Suddenly be out of the limbo state (though top surgery will certainly help if i can get it), and there's no one thing holding me back from exploring this space *now*, but it's. Difficult ,

the List of challenges i must navigate:

- men's fashion is on a surface level very sad and boring and i crave whimsy :( i know knowledge and experience will help but it's like playing on hard mode compared to being a Weird Girl (tm). i am currently gnc against my will and i desire to be gnc Intentionally and on my own terms

- hashtag short king problems. masculine attire was never made with me in mind. almost every time i observe an aspirational example of Men's Fashion it's on a tall lanky guy and that will never be me and that's okay but throw me a bone pleas

- the Autism Sensibilities. collars too close to the neck depletes me of HP. wearing accessories for too long depletes me of mana. if a button up is made of a slightly too stiff material it will give me rashes. i cannot wear binders because i value my ability to breathe comfortably. i can only do so many layers at once before i hit a game over screen. i MUST be comforble

- the restrictions of my circumstances, such as the safety rules of the watchmaker workshop or the mercy of scandinavian weather gods

i'm sure i will figure things out with time. i'm going to need patience. i'm probably going to have to learn how to tailor trousers. i will need to Observe how others dress. but it's so much!! ahh!!!!

[toxintouch]

Headcanon that Ais never feels fully rested. He doesn't feel tired, but he doesn't feel right either. Not since joining the groupmind.

He sleeps, but his mind is never really at peace. When and if he manages to fall into a deep enough sleep, he's in a constant state of something akin to lucid dreaming.

He gets flashes of the other members of the group mind in place of any real rest. Their current actions; errant memories; whispers in long-dead languages he's leaned to understand.

[celtrist]

I just vented out a whole rant about how aromantisim is treated within Hazbin/helluva. I'm not really sure if I should post it for multiple reasons, one of which being I don't want anyone to feel targeted about it or take it the wrong way (like I honestly dont have beef with Al shippers. Gripes, but no beef as I also ship him on occasion).

There was just a sudden burst of frustration I had with it that I think was in part just came from built up frustration from other things. There's things I'd like to have out there, but I don't really think it'd get far or, again, be just taken the wrong way. I don't see a point in posting if people are gonna ignore it, plus it wouldn't change how things are now. If anyone has any thoughts or are curious let me know, but I don't wanna make anyone feel like shit or put a pointless rant out there no one wanted to see. I also wanna keep rants to a minimum as I know people aren't always into that sort of stuff, especially if you don't follow someone for that and you just get an influx of posts of them complaining. And I still want to keep things relatively light hearted around here, at best maybe just some critiques on things here and there.

It's late, I'm on my phone when I should probably just sleep it off, so sleep it off I will.

[clegfly]

Thinking about. Thinking about how mari canonically has trouble sleeping / insomnia and is has to distract herself with other activities like reading to even fall asleep. And and then. Then thinking about. The fact mari can nap so quickly when she’s with hero because she loves him and is so comfortable with him that she can do that

[faunandfloraas]

Aussie question time: when I find out an idol is American/Canadian, their image in my mind completely changes because now it’s like “Oh I know exactly who you are, I grew up with your type around me” there are subtleties that I’m going to understand that others might not. So with all that said, I’ve been curious about what that’s like (if you experience it) w the skz aussies (throw in a lily if you’re feeling it -v-) 🎤

this is wayyyyyy too long so I'm putting it under a read more- also disclaimer: i dont know these guys and these are just my opinions, dont take em too srs <3

Hmmmm... Well I guess I'll start with Felix- I've said it before a bunch but the whole "Felix is a tiny uwuw baby sweet summerchild who is just such a baby" etc. etc. has made me laugh from the get go- because Yep! he is incredibly sensitive and sweet natured and kind and he cries a lot- 100% that is true. Dont think I'm saying it's not. But like. He also grew up in western sydney, he grew up in a area that if you google it one of the first suggestions is "is it safe" but then at the same time he went to private catholic school im pretty sure. and i saw pics from back then that he'd posted back in the day of cool little felix with his gold watch and his fade and all his little homeboys looking rowdy on the train- I know that kid and while that kid can also be sweet and sensitive, he's not incapable and hes not a baby. Good recent example was when he went on that Jewel box show with the gay dudes and people were acting like he was *so uncomfortable* and sooooo out of his element and so this and so that- theres gay dudes all over sydney, there's gay dudes all over australian media- the idea felix couldnt handle that was simply laughable to me- but it kinda shows how many outside perceptions of him still very much fall into that vaguely infantalizing thing. Like when he was the one who was happy to go up to adam levine and dj snake in that skz talker while the other boys were much more shy? that didnt shock me at all. felix went to korea as a whole teenager laregly against his parent wishes- he's actually quite an outgoing and brave guy. Outgoing guys can still be sweeties, though- one doesn't negate the other.

One other aspect of Felix i think a lot of fans just gloss over but is easily noticeable by me is that he can kindaaaaaa be ... a lil bitchy? like he's never ever mean or cruel dont get me wrong- but he has a slight bitchy streak, he rolls his eyes AND he's actually much more sarcastic than people bring up? Again- he does it a lot with Chan and that doesnt shock me- they both are aussie boys, Chan will get it and I think Felix can very much be himself with Chan, he doesn't necessarily feel the need to put up an extra air of like... Sweetie boy-ness? bc when he calls chan a cunt on live chan just laughs and goes OI!! so yuh the main thing with felix is while i do think hes a little sweet guy, ive never from the get go had a hard time seeing him outside of that box, too. Also maybe that's a lil bit aussie humour slipping under the radar here or there 🤔

Chan to me from the get go too was pretty much like. Prototypical overachieving aussie Good Boy. Like, i had a drafted post i never posted bc it was too niche- but it was essentially about how he speaks about sports and the like, and it just said "We get it. You went to zone carnival" which was the sporting event that the kids who got gold or 1st place were sent to. If you went to zone, you were the Successful kid. I think these days most fans perceive him as... a bit of a goofy guy? but I have gone through the archives and i have seen the comments from people talking about how chans such a bad boy- thats shit is so funny to me bc you can show me every iteration of chan and I'd never, ever think he's a bad boy. Like he wishes he was a bad boy, he kinda cosplays a bad boy- even him referencing swearing bc of his australianess and shit over the years makes me giggle a little bc i feel like felix def 100% swears all the time but he doesnt like Smirk about it too much? he doesnt really bring it up? things like that stand out, it to me feels very like Oh yeah I'm this naughty Aussie boy who swears hehe and then all the australians are like ? Girl we all do huh lmao

Otherwise, I dont have as much to say about chan as i do about felix, funnily. Like idk people might perceive differently to me, but nothing too far off? I will say that given Chan's success and the fact he was seemingly a very well achieving kid too (maybe not debuting for such a long time is part of this) he is WAY more humble than I'd expect. Like not to besmirch Australian men but a lot of them can be really loud and cocky, especially the famous successful ones (any sport star) it's almost encouraged to be like that if you're a dude (but only to a certain degree, anything beyond a certain point and you'll be roasted lol) So I have to give credit where it's due and say that Chan *Seemingly does have a very good nature and I appreciate that about him! Its probably why I like him so much bc he actually very much doesn't give off those vibes- he doesn't seem like that overly macho cocky bloke I know very well. So that makes him good fun for me- he's very successful and he's confident and yet he doesn't activate any of my bitch instincts- thats impressive! I don't know him, so I'll never know for sure of course, i feel like i need to make that disclaimer but still I do believe he has a good heart, and he tries so hard! and I appreciate that.

Lily is weirdly like Chan. like she's hilariously like chan tbh- I wonder how they really get along sometimes bc I feel like they might look at each other and be like Hm... we the same............ ? Lmao I will say though, lily is a bit out of pocket and half of that I believe is her personality but half of it is just.... I think she's just australian 😭 like i cant lie you get me as a teenager to early 20 something and put me on a live and I can promise I would be saying as much ?? shit. Like, I do think Australians are a little loud and not necessarily always.... tactful (again Not everyone, but yk.) lily certainly fits that bill to a T. I appreciate that regardless of her idolhood she does still say things that maybe she shouldn't, she shrugs off a shoplifting confession, she says she'd murder someone if she had to, she bought and wore a shirt that fans quickly tracked down and found out all the proceeds were going to Palestine- she would have known what that suggested. she clearly had this goal of being an idol since she was a baby, like literal baby but she hasn't sacrificed her broader personality, even the parts that could potentially be off-putting to those idol fans that expect perfection and nothing else. I appreciate that in her! and I hope she never loses her little weird girl spark bc it does make her very dynamic! Her slightly gruff aussie girlness is very fun for me to see in the idolsphere bc it def feels out of place, but in a refreshing way...

so yeah. Idk if this was sensical, I was making dinner so I put my phone down a bunch and it's probably disjointed but thats my opinion... my thoughts, my ideas! Idk my take on them. Thanks for asking 🫡

[crazyhickofftheirrocker]

Don't think I've ever seen a more sunshine-and-rainbows version of Lisa Swain in the entire time she's been with Carla (or on CS in general) than the woman skipping around the flat today.

Refuses to go off work when she's seriously injured but she is going absolutely no more than two feet away from her seriously ill girlfriend if she can help it

[nyaawn]

Happy 10(+3) Birthday FFXIV!

[venti-death-watch]

tbh i find it hard to define (and would prefer not to) a lot of aventurine’s issues. like he clearly has like, cptsd, but beyond that, his whole personality is a trauma response so it’s hard to pin down a modern day diagnosis and tbh as long as you know his personality well, it’s not really needed. same with his sexuality: i see him as aroacespec but with such a complicated relationship with his own body and low self esteem and desire that he ends up having an extremely difficult time figuring out whether or not he’s legitimately into someone or not. like casual stuff is one thing, but that’s all transactional to him. his body and looks are just another commodity to be exchanged to stay on top

[tearlessrain]

once in a while I see a complaint about night vale that's specifically about like, its repetition of phrases and long rambling soliloquies and the way all the characters speak in a similar cadence and I'm always kind of surprised because that's one of the reasons I enjoy listening to it. the whole podcast has this very poetic/lyrical quality to it that's obviously not representative of how real people talk, but I don't think it was ever supposed to be. there's actually a Lot of literal poetry in night vale that gets overlooked when it's being talked about (quite a lot of the traffic reports are just outright free verse poems). the characters aren't necessarily all speaking with the same esoteric quirks because they're badly written, I've always felt they're doing it for the same reason all the characters in an opera are singing their lines and all the characters in a shakespeare play might speak in iambic meter.

which granted not everyone is going to like, and it's not to say the podcast doesn't have its flaws like everything else, but I feel like the people who complain about that aspect specifically seem to think the writers are unaware that they're doing it when it's actually a very deliberate style choice and if you approach it expecting that and not a realistic radio show with realistic dialogue and interactions, you'll have a much better time.

[bambiraptorx]

i feel like all the fics where draxum does horrible/abusive things to one of the turtles go like this lol