#and you probably won't notice anyway

[axolotlclown]

My essay is completed

This bitch took me days. I got some fat points in here.

I would recommend the doc, as I worked very hard on the MLA format. But in case it decides not to work, here is a transcript of the essay. (also, sources in the doc for the stream i mentioned in the intro) :)

Generation Loss, The Social Experiments, and Its Commentary On the Relationships of the Modern Influencer

Generation Loss, “The Social Experiments”, created by RanbooLive explores the relationships between the modern content creator and the institutions they work for, their self-identity, as well as their audience. Generation Loss, an interactive comedy-horror production streamed live on Twitch, contains three episodes that make up “The Social Experiments” chapter. The series was created by RanbooLive, produced by JK Productions, managed by Ghost Commander Inc., and streamed onto the RanbooLive Twitch channel. The series follows Ranboo as they explore a production— streamed to a live audience— only to discover they were kidnapped and forced to remain a cast member. This wouldn’t be so bad, however, the show seems to take on heavy inspiration from the Saw franchise. 

“The Social Experiments” seems to have taken on after the creator’s own life. For example, in a behind-the-scenes tweet, we see a photo of a list titled, “OFFICE REGULATIONS”. This list includes additional information about the livelihood of the Showfall employees, as well as a straight-cut reference to a RanbooLive stream from 2020, in which he had listed reasons why he should be president of L’manburg (a country from the Dream SMP, a popular Minecraft roleplay server). This stream would serve to jumpstart RanbooLive’s career. 

The creator, RanbooLive— also known as Ranboo— began their career as a Twitch streamer on September 11th, 2020. During a time when everyone would rather stay inside, as a result of the Covid-19 virus, it did not take long for the RanbooLive Twitch channel to gain some attention. On November 27th, 2020, Ranboo had been invited to join the Dream SMP, a popular Minecraft roleplay server at the time. Seemingly overnight, Ranboo exploded in popularity. Freshly turned 17 years old (though, the audience would remain none the wiser), Ranboo skyrocketed to become the most subscribed person on Twitch. During this period, Ranboo preferred to keep their personal information private. Although Ranboo has opened up about some of these personal truths, he continues to keep their name and face anonymous. 

As their career progressed, he moved away from streaming Minecraft on Twitch and toward a variety of content. This would create an opportunity for a project as large as Generation Loss. When the first episode aired on May 24th, 2023, Ranboo would be 19 years old. With the mounting expectations, responsibilities, and stress, it comes as no surprise that a project of this scale would need a personal connection— a soul of its own— to have a chance at being successful. When the audience asked Ranboo: “What is the scariest thing that could happen to you?”, the answer was clear. 

The media in charge of producing the shows we see in “The Social Experiments” distinguishes themselves as ‘Showfall Media’. They produce the content that the viewers, as well as the characters, see and interact with. They are also responsible for the deaths we see on screen. Showfall seems to be a stand-in for a corporation— in this context, Twitch.

 In episode 3: “The Choice”, the streamers are depicted as being forced to stream. During this scene, we see that Slimecicle is reacting to a color compilation on a Twitch stream. This is the reality for a lot of streamers signed on as partners for Twitch. Twitch requires partnered streamers to stream at least 25 hours a month (these hours may be negotiable depending on the revenue the streamer brings to them). Streamers on the higher end may find themselves killing their creativity in an attempt to meet these requirements.

The media workers are also seen in “The Choice”. They are depicted as emotionless drones. They are seen to be sort of  ‘offline’ during times when there are not any shows. This is a commentary on how Twitch executives view their employees as machines. Later, we see a dead Showfall employee slumped against a mall map, bleeding; security had mauled them. Showfall has demonstrated that they would only kill those who attempt to defy them. The employees are very vulnerable to the decisions of the executives at the top. Their lives are just as much at stake as the streamers. When Ranboo finally breaks and attacks a worker, they do not bleed; they are made of wires. To the streamers, they are the same mindless machines that keep them trapped there. Humanity is ultimately lost. 

Snowfall has found that putting their streamers and actors in peril creates engagement. This is the plot of episode 2: “The Mastermind of The Warehouse”. Every streamer— except for Ranboo— dies at some point throughout the episode. The streamers, playing the roles of actors, are seen as disposable by Showfall. Though the viewer sees the exact actors return, this may be more of a metaphor about how replaceable they are— even Showfall can’t tell the difference. There will always be a new streamer available to take advantage of. This is especially true in the final scene of “The Choice”. Ranboo’s death is meant to resemble a crucifixion. This would imply that Ranboo is viewed as a sacrifice to Showfall. To them, it did not matter whether the viewer chose to let him live or die, they already got their views and engagement. Ranboo’s death was a cheap money grab. 

The tonal shifts throughout the three episodes exemplify the loss of innocence as the streamer grows. The first episode: “The Spirit of The Cabin”, carries a generally comedic tone. Although Ranboo is horrified and confused at their situation, it is difficult for the audience to understand what they are afraid of. This is because of the grandiosity of the presentation of the set, characters, and scenarios. This creates a much more goofy atmosphere than a creepy one. Because of Ranboo’s mind control, his behavior comes across as static and abnormal. It is difficult to relate to them. Overall, the audience spends more time laughing than cowering. These actors are not real. Death is not a real threat.

In “The Mastermind of The Warehouse”, there is a slight tone shift. In the first scene, Ranboo is not under any mind control. This leads to their delivery being more believable and relatable to the viewer. The further introduction of more realistic actors breathes realism into absurd scenarios. The comedic tone may remain for a few moments as the situation is still too extreme before the terror of the consequences begins to become known. Death is permanent now.

“The Choice” intends to fill the viewer with dread. Ranboo has complete control now, leading to their character, and their problems, being completely relatable to the viewer. The fear derived here does not come from cheap jumpscares, nor is the scenery particularly decrepit. The fear comes from circumstance. Showfall has become too real. The audience understands how this will end, no matter how much they want it to be any different. There is no true exit. Once the viewer arrives at the ending, their fears become just as real as the show. The threat of death becomes a guarantee. 

These shifts originate from the progression a young streamer may go through as they grow. In the final scene of “The Mastermind of The Warehouse”, Ranboo becomes aware of the horrors of the system he’s found himself trapped in. This is that wake-up moment a streamer may have, exaggerated at a young age. At this moment, Ranboo realizes their childhood is over. 

The character Slimecicle, also referred to as Charlie, displays traits that may indicate that he was taken by Showfall as a child. In “The Spirit of The Cabin”, Charlie refuses to eat unless Ranboo would make airplane noises as he feeds him. This is behavior that would typically be displayed by a baby. The basement in this episode is filled with children's toys— presumably owned by Charlie, as the bedroom is confirmed to be his. In “The Mastermind of The Warehouse”, Charlie shows showing behaviors of a teenager. He is generally unbothered by the horrifying situation that he finds himself in. This may also demonstrate how this torture is something that Charlie is accustomed to. By “The Choice”, Charlie begins to behave as an adult. Charlie was likely taken by Showfall Media as a baby and raised within the system. As a young streamer, ‘torture’ is something that becomes a truth about life.

“The Social Experiments” also reveals the thin separation between the facade put on for entertainment and the authentic person. This is a large plot point in “The Mastermind of The Warehouse”. During a scene, there is a large carousel with five streamers plus Frank (a plastic skeleton). Ranboo and the audience must each choose to pick one streamer to survive. The streamers must justify why Ranboo and the audience may decide to pick them. This would mean that they must appeal to the facade that they have created— which would have been historically successful.

One streamer, Sneegsnag, immediately plays a bit that he needs to use the bathroom. This is a reference to how viewers may know him as ‘the fart guy’, a common inside joke between the real streamer and his audience. After attempting to escape, he is returned to the carousel and promptly brainwashed. He begins to take on a much more calm persona. He doesn’t seem to be bothered about whether or not he dies— he is unbothered by the viewers' decision. Sneegsnag takes on the facade that the greater viewers know him for, being the ‘chill guy’.

Another streamer, Nihachu (also known as Niki), is hysterically sobbing out of fear for her life. Upon introducing herself, she snaps out of her tears and rambles about ‘how nice she is’. This is a reflection on how the audience only sees her as either the crying overdramatic one or the really nice one. Both ignore the fact that she is about to die. Both Sneegsnag and Niki are chosen.

Later in the same episode, we see a ‘fashion room’. The streamers believe that to proceed, they must alter their appearance. This being their first instinct, may indicate how natural it is to constantly alter the facade that they regularly put on. This was ultimately unsuccessful. If they don’t present themselves in a way the viewers want to see, they cannot move on.

In the final scene of this episode, Ranboo becomes aware of the show they’ve been forced to partake in. Leaning over the rail of Showfall Media’s place of operation, Ranboo mumbles to themselves, “What the fuck? What the fuck is this place?���. This is not only the first time the viewers hear this character swear, but it is the first time RanbooLive has ever sworn on camera. This scene drives a wedge between the facade that Ranboo has worked hard to keep up and the real Ranboo behind the screen. It also serves as a wake-up call to the viewer that what is happening is much more real than they are comfortable with.

A prominent part of Ranboo’s character is the large metal mask that they wear. Masks traditionally represent shielding one’s humanity. While that is part of the story, it doesn’t paint the full picture. Showfall uses this mask to control him, and Hetch later uses it to speak to him. In the first scene of “The Spirit of The Cabin”, Ranboo attempted to claw off the mask to no avail. The mask remains a burden on the character throughout the rest of the series through mind control. In “The Choice”, Hetch makes a promise to assist in Ranboo’s escape. Only after Ranboo has successfully left, can Hetch remove their mask. The mask remains something that Ranboo has awoken with, died with, and can never remove. It does rob Ranboo of their humanity. Showfall doesn’t see him as human— and neither does the viewer. What robs Ranboo of their humanity is the facade. The mask is the brand. To the viewer, it is the most jarring part of his character. It is the most important part.

During Ranboo’s final death scene, the mask is cracked. We see a sliver of humanity escape as they plead for death. The mask stays on during the execution. Ranboo is killed with a box that completely covers their face. At this moment, there is no brand. There is no facade or authentic self. There is nothing anymore. Ranboo was only free in death. The viewer never saw their true face.

The biggest theme throughout “The Social Experiments” is the loss of autonomy the streamers experience. Ranboo is unable to make any decisions for himself and relies on the audience to make them for them. In “The Choice”, Ranboo defies the audience when selecting a code to input into a computer. Because of this defiance, Ranboo is no longer able to proceed. Hetch disappears. Ranboo was not in Hetch’s best interest, it was the viewers. The ‘fashion room’ in “The Mastermind of The Warehouse” is a literal closet. Ranboo watches Austin and Ethan put on dresses, heels, and wigs while he only put on a jacket to replace the one he already had. The audience, as well as society, is not interested in queer expression. Ranboo cannot express themselves in the way that they would like out of fear of how the viewers would react. 

During the cooking segment in “The Spirit of The Cabin”, the audience discovers that Ranboo cannot cook. This is a direct reference to the popularity of cooking streams on Twitch. In particular, how cooking streams done by people who don’t know how to cook are more popular than those done by chefs. Viewers tune in to watch streamers fail at something that should be easy. Even if a streamer can cook, they gain more viewers if they pretend that they cannot. To ensure that Showfall acquires the views they desire, they make sure that Ranboo is given ingredients that do not make logical sense. The audience is led to believe that he will fail.

Returning to the carousel in “The Mastermind of The Warehouse”, no matter how well the streamers play into the facade, they have no control over the outcome. They cannot decide for themselves whether or not they can move forward. Only the audience, and Ranboo, can decide the streamers’ fates.

In “The Spirit of The Cabin”, Sneegsnag is trapped in a cage. He is unbothered by the situation he finds himself in. He has been doing this much longer than Ranboo. He is stuck with a plastic skeleton named Frank— whom only Sneegsnag can understand. In a behind-the-scenes tweet, we see a document that shows that Frank is a now-deceased person. Sneegsnag likely knew him before he had passed. Frank’s passing was likely the choice of the viewers, as that has been the only permanent death shown. Sneegsnag, at this point, has likely accepted the loss of control.

In “The Mastermind of The Warehouse”, Ranboo is forced to cut Charlie open to retrieve a key. He is told he must to survive. Ranboo apologizes but complies. Charlie seems generally unbothered; this has likely happened to him before. There may be pressure on streamers to have an ‘every man for himself’ mentality. If your friend becomes the target of criticism, is it worth it to defend them? After all, if Ranboo didn’t cut Charlie open, they may not have been able to solve the Mouse Trap puzzle. If Ranboo hadn’t attempted to rescue Charlie in “The Choice”, he may have been able to escape. 

The consequences of the streamers trying to take their autonomy back are made clear. In “The Mastermind of The Warehouse”, Niki goes off script in an attempt to investigate the Candy Room. She is killed. When Ranboo later becomes aware of the realization that they are trapped on a show, the horror starts to set in. The viewer sees how desolate the sets are. How empty the mall is. How dangerous it is to question the system. They see the truth. Did they ever regret it? Is this life worth it?

Ultimately, Ranboo is pinned up and a decision is made clear. They could either live and be forced to continue to entertain the masses at their own expense, or he could die. Except, Ranboo can’t make that decision; only the audience can. Upon the realization that these are his only two options, Ranboo begs the audience to kill them. Is it a commentary on cancel culture? Is it a commentary on depression and suicidal ideation? Does it matter? Aren’t the results the same?

It’s easy to want to envy a popular streamer’s life. They have money, attention, and a lot of friends. It may feel like their lives are a dream— the ultimate goal in life. All you have to do is play a video game, cook, or have an interesting conversation with no one. Who wouldn’t want such an easy life? This is not true.

When the audience chose to kill Ranboo in the final scene of “The Social Experiments”, that was the end of the story for this version of Ranboo. In real life, it is not. Ranboo lives reality as if the audience had chosen to let him live. These themes prevail in real life. The horrors of the loss of autonomy, loss of childhood innocence, loss of control over your own identity, and capitalism are all real. 

What now for the viewer? Will they be kinder? Will they begin to remember the very real humans behind the screen? Or are they just as much wires as the Showfall employees? Is this even worth it? Are they thinking the ‘every man for himself’ mentality, too? How far does it go? Maybe there is no escape. When Ranboo was asked, “What is the scariest thing that could happen to you?”, they answered: “It already happened.”

[what-am-i-doing-in-this-fandom]

vampires age in your halloween au? (vampire old man gucket is fun! just curious about the logistics)

old wolf stanley.. so awesome. tail betrays him by wagging when hes trying to pretend hes not a sap

Vampires don't usually age by getting grey hair and wrinkles, but Fidds hurries his aging process by using the memory gun!!

Stan helps him outta the habit, but it still takes it's toll, y'know?

And, I totally love the idea of Old Stan not being able to hide his fondness because he just can't stop wagging his tail when he's with the people he loves 🙏 So cute 🥹

Previous!!

Next!!

First!!

[viperwhispered]

Rest

Guess what? I've got more Jamil x reader for y'all. You can also find this on ao3. No warnings, just 866 words of kinda fluffy(?) caretaking stuff with gender-neutral reader.

At this point, you know Jamil’s schedule almost as well as he does. So, when you have the chance, you head to Scarabia’s kitchen, hoping to spend some time with Jamil while he and the other students prepare dinner. 

However, when you enter, it takes you but a moment to notice Jamil’s uncharacteristic fumbling and the tired look in his eyes. The way Jamil’s chopping the vegetables has you worried about him cutting himself with that knife he’s usually so adept with, and it seems it’s only force of habit that’s keeping him on track.

You frown, and when your eyes meet Jamil’s, you can already see him put his guard up.

So he knows what state he is in, huh? And still, here he is.

It seems Jamil is reading your thoughts, all of him telling you drop it before any words are even said.

At least he still lets you lean in and give a quick kiss to his cheek in greeting.

“Hello love. Do you still have a lot on your agenda for today?” you ask, keeping your tone low for at least some semblance of privacy in the busy kitchen.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” is the response you get.

Of course.

It takes a little more pestering before Jamil actually answers your question. Your lips purse. That list is far too long to your liking.

You take a moment to think, juggling your own plans and to-do list against the urgency of the things Jamil mentioned.

“Will Kalim be eating from that?” you ask, pointing at the food Jamil is preparing.

“Yes.”

“Alright, I won’t be touching that one, then. I’ve gotta do a few things but I’ll be back when you’re done here.”

“Don’t,” Jamil says with a glare, clearly aware of what you’re thinking.

Yet even his disapproving look doesn’t have the usual weight behind it.

“Yes. I will,” you say firmly, even as your heart curls inwards with another bout of concern.

Really, when did he get so tired?

And how did you not notice it earlier?

You leave the kitchen before Jamil can protest further, hurrying through the dorm corridors to find Kalim.

Soon you have an enthusiastic – and concerned – supporter for your plans. You have Kalim point out a few reliable Scarabia students to help with a few of the most urgent matters Jamil mentioned – cleaning up the common areas, delivering some paperwork to Crowley, preparing some dorm-wide notices – while you see to Kalim getting his school supplies in order for the following day. You even recruit a couple of third years to help Kalim with his homework.

You’ll see to the rest tomorrow – after all, you do also have a boyfriend to look after.

Your conversation over dinner can hardly be called anything else than an argument – despite Kalim’s best attempts at acting as a moderating force between you two. It is very tempting to ask Kalim to tell Jamil to take the rest of the day off – it’s not like Jamil would be willing to openly disobey a direct order. Still, you really don’t need to remind Jamil of his position on top of everything else that you’re already doing more or less against his wishes.

Eventually, however, Jamil’s had a square meal, the most urgent things on his to-do list are being taken care of, and you’ve managed to drag him to his bed.

“I really wish you wouldn’t push yourself so hard,” you murmur, your arms wrapped tightly around Jamil. You’re telling yourself you really do just want to cuddle, to offer some respite to Jamil. Still, there might also be a part of you worried that if you were to let go, he’d just jump up and get back to working himself to the bone.

Yet, for all his protestations, just the fact that you’ve gotten Jamil to lay down with you speaks volumes of his current exhaustion.

“I can’t just leave my duties, albi. You know this.”

“Making yourself too indispensable, is what you’re doing,” you protest.

Oh, you know it’s not so simple. Not with his background, not with all the expectations and assumptions.

But sometimes you really wish it would be.

Jamil merely scoffs in response to your words.

Still, it is undeniable that he is slowly beginning to relax in your arms, slowly bringing his head closer to yours. His eyes are starting to flutter, too.

“I will still need to help Kalim with his homework, at the very least.”

You wonder who he is trying to convince more, you or himself.

“Amin and Khalil are helping him. They’re basically top of their classes, aren’t they? I’m sure they’ve got it.”

Still, Jamil frowns.

You sigh. He really is not letting go, is he?

“Do you want me to go supervise?” you ask.

And leave you, unsaid yet hanging there right after your words.

“Don’t,” Jamil eventually says, the word barely more than a breath.

It seems he has accepted his fate.

You softly caress Jamil’s hair, listening to his softening breathing.

And when you wake up, wholly unaware of having been lulled to sleep in the first place, it’s to the lightest of touches from Jamil’s fingers.

Tagging @diodellet @twstgo @crystallizsch @jamilvapologist @jamilsimpno69 as per request If you'd like to be tagged for any future works, let me know!

[doodleodds]

Me? Uploading a Halloween comic on November 18th, almost four whole-ass weeks late???? Yeah that’s uh. yup. yeah

Thanks for reading! :) <3

[yingren]

monthly reset for me which means i am a little overwhelmed with some old asks and drafts and i'll be deleting them and reblogging new prompts to start over

[hyacinthsdiamonds]

Seeing the same people who perpetuated or sent vicious misogynistic hate to Hannah Schmitz, as well as disgusting racist abuse towards Yuki and Alex because of FUCKING CONSPIRACY THEORIES and those who just straight up ignored it, now up in arms regarding whatever the fuck is going on between the FIA and the wolffs is beginning to piss me off. Because now that it's not someone red bull affiliated involved, it's somehow now unacceptable.

[dykeogenes]

"it takes a village to raise a child" is kind of an interesting saying. it isn't "it takes a family to raise a child," or "it takes a roster to raise a child," or even "it takes a lot of people to raise a child." it's specifically a village-- a group of people united by geographic circumstance alone.

inherently, the idea of a child raised in part by their community involves a child being raised in part by strangers. when you let your eight-year-old walk to the corner store to spend their allowance on a chocolate bar, they practice following traffic signals by copying the other people at the crosswalk. they learn that it's polite to smile when someone makes eye contact from all the grown-ups who smile as they walk by. they pet someone's service dog, and the owner stops them to explain why that's not okay, and that's their reminder to ask before they touch. they practice math with the teenager working the cash register, who tells them the difference between a nickel and a quarter and patiently picks through their fistful of change.

it takes a lot of trust to let your kid do this. in fact, I'll go a step further-- it takes a lot of faith. you are trusting that if your child screams, someone will come running. you are trusting that if they get lost, someone will walk them home. you are trusting that if they are vulnerable, nobody will take advantage of them-- and that if anyone tries to, someone else will interfere. and by and large, this faith is not misplaced. there's really no data in support of helicopter parenting. it doesn't lead to better long-term outcomes when you hyper-supervise your kid, and in fact, it often leads to far worse ones.

[buttercup-art]

So I was looking through some 'Ugly Betty' clips last night, and couldn't help but imagine these as Hugo and Noa:

also a bonus (this one is from the show 'Desperate Housewives', but it really reminded me of Noa! I can totally see her saying and doing stuff like this lol):

[front-facing-pokemon]

[butnobodycame627]

bad day today but hopefully this'll be the worst of it and it'll go away soon -v-

[t4tstarvingdog]

one of those days. again.

[phantom-alpha]

today i don't even bring fanart. i just drew one of my ocs and decided to post it

so uh meet Raylu i guess? she's one of my Arc-V fan characters

[motylheir]

i'm trying...

to return!

[pollen]

ough i got hit with the "i see great things for you at this company" today by my supervisor like i'm IN in on this whole account management thing

[showyoumyfavoriteobsession]

I have a very busy rest of the week and I was able to wrap up the loose ends I have, so I submitted my jam game early. Here it is! It's like 2 minutes long lol, but my priority was a polished, finished-feeling game over a longer/more complex game, and I'm happy with how it turned out! On the game page I wrote a long post (linked under the Development Log header) reflecting on the game and jam - lots of it is repeated from what I've posted here.

It runs in the browser, but does require a keyboard (won't work on mobile/touch screens).

The jam officially ends early Sunday morning - make sure to go check out the other submissions when they go public!

[trans-xianxian]

nooo don't have blowout you were so painful and expensive aha