#but i think that’s more of a problem w the people rather than the environment

[garoujo]

bc we're on the topic of working out rn,,, i've sometimes been thinking abt going to the gym as well bc a lot of my friends also go ! but then again most of my friends irl are male and the way some of them talk abt women they see at the gym is just....... frankly disgusting. needless to say i've started distancing myself ever since i got wind of it but it also makes me even more anxious to even think abt starting :<

oh noooo bbie ! i swear most ppl i’ve met from the gym totally aren’t like that so i don’t mean this 2 sound bad but it’s probably just ur friends < / 3 i’ve met alot of men thru the gym that i speak 2 in passing and they’ve never passed any sort of comment on anyone in the gym & ive went out w a few gym dudes who were the exact same .. ppl can be so gross but honestly not everyone is ! u could always try a diff gym tho cause they r def not the sort of ppl i’d want 2 workout around either ><

[bivht]

Moon Sign in the Persona Charts Observations

-

Idk why but I’m obsessed with looking at moon signs. The moon sign traits are always the most noticeable to me

🎒People that have that look-at-me factor may have Leo moon in the moon pc or venus pc. If in Moon pc, they can attract attention just by breathing. With Venus pc it’s more like they have to be interacting, talking with another person for people to notice them. Because Venus is about relations. Both stand out in center positions.

🎒If someone’s moon sign is the same as your mercury sign in the moon/mercury/venus/mars pc, they understand each other quite well. The moon will appreciate the mercury’s way of expressing themselves and the mercury finds the moon familial and is comfortable around them. I have a lot of friends with this compatibility.

🎒If two people have the same moon sign in the mercury pc, they seem like a couple sorry. Their way of thinking is so similar. These are the people that can look at each other and know what the other one is thinking without saying anything. Their bond transcends the limitations of speech.

🎒Virgo moon in the mercury pc have to be the most respectful, grateful, polite people I’ve ever met. They’re good at handling and navigating through situations in a professional environment because they’re unbiased and “right place right time” appropriate sort of people. They have strong boundaries with their personal details and with physical contact and can be slow to trust people. They have a sort of perfect look to them. Not necessarily their appearance but more like their self expression. I notice a lot of them tend to be on the slimmer side. They tend to eat until comfortably full rather than stuffed. They don’t bite more than they can chew and don’t make promises they can’t keep. 10/10 respectable people.

🎒Trust an earth moon in the mercury pc/moon pc to give an honest review. They avoid using emotive words like “best” and “most” and instead take time to analyze the pros and cons whilst being respectful. They’re not gullible, not dramatic but realistic and true skeptics.

🎒Aries moon in the mercury pc/mars pc are so hot!!

🎒Not an astrology observation but people who lack these letters in their name—-> b,k,t,e,n,w,h,q,z are terrible at math for some reason. Or just very slow to learn math concepts. Even if you have one of these letters in your name, it has to be prominent, meaning: first letter, second letter, first vowel, last letter. This is more of an assumption so please let me know if it resonates.

🎒People with an abundance of air moons in the moon/mercury/venus/mars pc stare at people a LOT

🎒Air moons in mercury pc make for stimulating conversation, gossip, but are kind of detached. I wouldn’t go for deep convos with them unless they also have Fire and Water too.

🎒Earth moon in mercury pc = that friend that never lets anyone in their house

(but they’ve been to your house countless times)

🎒Virgo moon in mercury pc is another level of private especially when it comes to relationships. I swear more than scorpio moons. Most other moons will tell you who they have a crush on early. Virgo moon could be secretly pining for so long and then you find out they’ve already confessed to their crush whom you didn’t even know about and been together for a month. They also don’t like to talk about relationship problems with anyone other than their partner and don’t like people—>strangers/acquaintances asking about their relationship so yeah respect their boundaries.

🎒Sagittarius moon in mercury pc like to tease and provoke their partner. Sometimes they may like to make their partner jealous and they also get jealous easily. They know how to have fun, enjoy life and a big, hearty meal!! Big biters. They are definitely foodies haha. They can have adorably chubby cheeks bc they eat a lot unless they have fast metabolism. They pull funny faces. Lowkey the opposite of virgo moon.

🎒Taurus moon in mercury pc is also a foodie but the difference is they take time to appreciate each bite whereas sag just stuffs their face lmao a little too self rewarding but at least they’re having a good time

🎒Taurus, Sag, Cancer = ultimate foodies

🎒Most earth moons in mercury pc are so grateful, humble and down to earth especially virgo. Sag and pisces in mercury pc can come off as ‘out of touch’ as these signs are less comfortable in mercury (I forgot the word for it). I can imagine rich kids with sag/pisces moon in merc pc being insufferable yikes.

🎒Gemini moon in mercury pc is eccentric but in a charming way?

🎒Pisces moon in mercury pc are so “wrong time wrong place” people, it’s weirdly hilarious. They’re either the embodiment of TMI or so mysterious you hardly know anything about them

🎒Fire moons in the moon pc are so entertaining. They’re delivery is always hilarious bc they’re so dramatic and passionate. People are attracted to them like moths to a flame

🎒Scorpio moon in mercury pc and Aries moon in mars pc are scary as. Don’t want to be on their bad side. Scorpio anger is more of a silent, fatal, death stare whereas Aries is explosive, fuming anger. They’re fiercely loyal and protective of their loved ones but the down side is they can be biased; defending the person in the wrong sometimes

🎒Moon signs in the same element get along really well I.e. capricorns get along with virgo and taurus. Aries get along with Leo and sag. For example, same-element-moons in the mercury pc can be completely different people but understand each other so well. In mars pc, they have similar energy and hype each other up, they’re each other’s personal hype man lol

🎒I feel like signs with the same modality attract each other. For example sag moon and virgo moon in mercury pc (modality: mutable) both have such different beliefs and values yet they appreciate traits in the other that they lack and get along well as friends. For example virgo is professional and stoic, and sag is funny but their bond is built on mutual respect rather than similarities between each other. And also, one of my virgo moon in merc pc friend likes a lot of celebrities with sag moon in merc pc (can’t remember who, my bad).

🎒Gemini moons in moon pc think through their emotions rather than feel. They overanalyse social interactions more often than not

🎒Sometimes sag in mercury pc can be ungrateful. They always want more, more, more without showing gratitude, for example with food especially. Sometimes they need to sit back and smell the roses.

🎒Aquarius moon in the moon pc is really detached. Throw in a bit of Pisces and it’s just a whole unstable mess. In extreme cases, narcissism/serial killers/psychotism. I can imagine because at their worst, pisces is delusional, and aquarius has the ability to detach from any emotion including empathy.

🎒Aries moon in moon pc have self respect. They never say anything to belittle themselves. They’re honest and don’t appreciate pity and so they talk about their hardships in a normal tone (not a pitiful one). They’re also arguably the most hardworking people out there and you’ll never be bored around them once you get to know them.

🎒Capricorn moons have impeccable patience and they’re really so caring, parental like

🎒Capricorn/scorpio moon in Jupiter pc is so subtly powerful, I love them

🎒Scorpio moon in venus pc’s intense stare >>>>>>>>>>>>>

🎒Libra moon’s habit of copying their partners habits, speech patterns, fashion and interests is so cute. Matching couple outfits/bracelets etc. are their jam

🎒Cancer/Pisces moon in mars pc can get teary eyed when someone raises their voice at them. They’re also very comfortable to be around

🎒Libra moon in the mars pc is so chill like they just don’t give a shit

🎒Capricorn moon in the mars pc is really good at this ——-> 😐

stone faced hot mfs

🎒Leo moons are sooo funny especially moon/mars/jupiter pc

🎒Fire moons in the mars pc are a whole load of fun and dramatic

🎒Aries moon in mercury pc is really resilient and they rarely give up on their goals. Sag moon in mercury pc on the other hand just sometimes can’t be bothered. The most important thing for them is to have fun and be entertained. Leo is kind of a bit of both.

🎒Pisces moon in the moon pc like to vent to people and play the blame game before taking action and solving whatever problem. They’re also healing to be around and very empathetic.

🎒Taurus moon and gemini moon in moon pc get along quite well

🎒Virgo moons can be so naggy but it’s how they show their love

🎒Virgo moon in mercury/venus pc is the type to immediately wash their dishes after eating. Sag moon in mercury pc is the type to leave uncleaned dishes on the dining table after eating, then eat more in the middle of the night and so adding more dirty dishes to the table overnight and then the stack of dirty dishes continue to go neglected for a few days or even longer. They’d make for an interesting horrible roommate duo.

Also thank you so much for 700 followers!! I love you guys ❤️ Enjoy this post.

[horizon-verizon]

Alicent is the quintessential example of what not to do as a parent. In the book, it’s pretty damned clear that she sees her children as pawns and that she certainly doesn’t think that Aegon would make an effective ruler, just that she would make use of him to gain power through him.

Oh, sure, she gives the lip-service that she fears for her children’s lives along with her own and yada yada yada…. but at the end of the day, Rhaenyra and Daemon only went tribal on their asses after Aemond murdered Lucerys, unprovoked, during a diplomatic mission. They were more than happy to leave them be and use soft power to defend Rhaenyra’s birthright. Alicent has no one but herself and her own side to blame for the gloves coming off after Lucerys’ murder.

As it is, if you were to compare Rhaenyra to someone else who almost had his own birthright/power taken from him by grasping social climbers (even if not exactly the same situation), may I present Tywin Lannister and how he dealt with the Reynes and Tarbecks after his weak-willed and people pleaser father (similar to Viserys) let them have the run of the roost. Spoiler: those houses no longer exist.

In short: Rhaenyra was a saint in how she dealt with Alicent, given that Tywin would’ve killed every last Hightower down to the last child.

Sure, maybe you can say that Alicent did believe that Rhaenyra would do it because that’s what she would’ve done in her shoes or she knew that most of her colleagues would’ve happily defenestrated her long ago, but that says more about her than about Rhaenyra. As it is, I’m not so charitable and I’m more keen interpret it more as a propaganda rat-fucking campaign, since for all that they painted Daemon as the devil and Rhaenyra as “Maegor with teats,” they certainly dealt with the Hightowers with kid-gloves prior to Lucerys’ murder.

Okay, so in bk!Alicent's defense, though it is not as severe and obvious as with Rhaenyra, Alicent does get written with a short hand: her body used to compare against Rhaenyra; how she's barely mentioned after the Dance apart from her going a little crazy (George, like w/Rhaenyra, could have given us maids/lady-in-waiting/direct journals that show observations of Alicent at this time as well as her feelings abt things before she ever even married Viserys); etc. And if you grow up thinking and seeing women who become lady/Queen consorts, birthing males, and looking forward to the "reward" of power through that male...you see why Alicent's bothered. Many of us would be bothered at the very least even if we disliked and were a little honest with ourselves abt how non eof it is fair bc it was never meant be "fair" that you can only get power by being heirs or being a part of the family itself.

Doesn't mean that she didn't genuinely LOVE all her kids; it's a twisted sort of thing and becomes more so the deeper they all got into the war. We see her wail at Aegon's death. How she curses Rhaenyra for Helaena even though that's not her fault. Alicent's problem is that she decided to go after a child that would grow up to possibly be an issue, thinking that she is the exception, and refusing--esp by the end with how she died--to accept her own culpability in her kids' death. All of which comes from pride rather than a lack of love.

Once again, I am not saying she was "correct" or in the right, bc she was not. Morally nor politically. But the feeling of having been "duped" is both valid, understandable, and likely real for her. For nothing else, it's admirable that she wasn't a shrinking violet and saw through her desires or took things into her own hands when she saw it needed to be for her own ambitions. I don't like her and I wouldn't if I were in this world and had to be around her (even if I had to grow up in such an environment I doubt I'd be so religious and sincerely traditional, I never believed in God and would want to read anything and thus comes across knowledge of there being different religions across the world...so...) and I like to think that I'd also judge her heavy for how she moves with her kids and pitting them against Rhaenyra, but I also think that I would see her thoughts even more bc that would be my reality as well.

Rhaenyra was a saint in how she dealt with Alicent, given that Tywin would’ve killed every last Hightower down to the last child.

I mean, Tywin wasn't the brother of the Reynes and Tarbecks and didn't face a possible accusation of being a kinslayer. I see your point, but I think this particular thing doesn't quite have the same stakes as for the circumstances pre-Dance. Rhaenyra being a woman, even if she weren't their sister, would still face a lot more censure if she pulled a Tywin Rains of Castamere bc she'd be ridiculed for doing what men are licensed to in any sort of war effort even as Gyldayn and Corlys both have canonically looked at her askance for not going to the Battle of Rook's Rest herself...even with how Aegon nearly died. just as people did to empress Matilda. And the accusations of cruelty, of course.

Also, (pre-Dance, since you speak of pre-Dance...post and during-Dance Alicent is a different thing) Alicent cautioned Aegon from going all out and killing Rhaenyra in "The Blacks and the Greens". Why? the taboo of kinslaying. She also criticized Aemond for killing Luke not bc she liked or respected either him or his mother but because it embroiled them into both a war and cast them as the power grabbing, undeserving party who potentially angered the god as well as ensured any of them could be killed before she could "prove" and intimidate Rhaenyra with a show of support for her sons that really was never going to come but she didn't seemingly believe that so....

[pekoehoneyncream]

Soap's MBTI type

Quick Run Down: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality typing device based on Carl Jung's theory of psychological types. It sorts people into 16 different personality types based on four pairs of opposite traits: Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I), Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N), Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F), & Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

Soap is ESFP

Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving.

(Fair warning, most of this is ripped straight from mbti sites, w/ minor wording edits from me)

Core Characteristics:

Energetic and Spontaneous: ESFPs are known for their high energy and enthusiasm. They enjoy living in the moment and are often spontaneous, seizing new opportunities as they come.

Social and Engaging: They thrive in social settings and enjoy connecting with others. Their natural charm and friendly demeanor make them engaging and approachable.

Practical and Realistic: ESFPs are more focused on the present and practical matters rather than abstract theories or future possibilities. They prefer hands-on experiences and immediate results.

Adventurous and Risk-Taking: They enjoy taking risks and exploring new experiences. Their love for variety can make them prone to seeking out new and exciting activities.

Adaptable: They are flexible and quick to adjust to changes in their environment, often going with the flow rather than sticking rigidly to a plan.

Creative and Artistic: Many ESFPs have a flair for creativity and express themselves through various artistic outlets like music, dance, or visual arts.

In Relationships:

Pros:

Energetic and Fun-Loving: ESFPs bring a lot of excitement and enthusiasm to a relationship. Their zest for life can make experiences enjoyable and memorable.

Warm and Supportive: They are often affectionate and caring partners who genuinely support and encourage their loved ones. They’re attentive to their partner’s needs and feelings.

Spontaneous and Adventurous: They love new experiences and are likely to keep the relationship lively with spontaneous activities and adventures. This can make life together more dynamic and engaging.

Positive and Uplifting: Their optimistic outlook and positive attitude can help uplift their partner, especially during tough times. They often bring joy and a sense of fun into the relationship.

Strong Social Skills: ESFPs are usually great at interacting with others, which can be beneficial in social settings and help build a strong network of friends and family.

Cons:

Dislike for Routine: ESFPs may struggle with routine or repetitive aspects of a relationship. They might find long-term commitments or daily responsibilities less appealing, which can lead to challenges in maintaining stability.

Short-Term Focus: Their focus on the present can sometimes result in a lack of attention to future planning or long-term goals. This might create tension if one partner values planning and stability more.

Impulsiveness: Their spontaneous nature can lead to hasty decisions or actions that might not always consider long-term consequences, potentially causing issues in the relationship.

Conflict Avoidance: ESFPs might avoid or downplay conflicts rather than addressing issues directly. This could lead to unresolved problems or miscommunications over time.

Need for Constant Stimulation: Their desire for variety and excitement might mean they need frequent new experiences to stay engaged. This could lead to restlessness or dissatisfaction if the relationship becomes too routine.

PekoeHoneynCream's Masterlist

[evobedevo]

NEW: So I gave Illia a redesign, as her old look was WAY too similar to who is now Illustrix. They shared color schemes and pretty much the same outfit. Since the look fit Illustrix more, I figured it was high time to just give Illia a well deserved outfit update. It even has a bit of significance to it as well, one that I'll elaborate in a bit. But for now, here's her profile:

Illia began as the direct TG'd version of Illustro, but for a while now she's essentially become her own entity. Taking the role of "The Architect", Illia's job boils down to actually making the settings and locations that populate the Multiverse. She's also in a sense become Illustro's little sister, even though to the rest of the Auteurs and especially to the Spectrums (the author's collective names for all the characters they've spawned), she's more like a mother. A bit of an over protective mother, actually. She's rather insecure and introverted, but the other Auteurs have been attempting to get her out her shell, and while they're baby steps for now, they are at least making a bit of progress.

Illia's Realms of Influence involve:

-Color: Yellow

-Theme: Outer Space, astronomy and just celestial stuff in general, both scientific and mystical.

-Realm of Creativity: Settings and Backgrounds

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Character Break Down:

"Full Name": Illiana "Illia" Andromedia Orozco-Janeiro 

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual. Most of the time, Illia is the one being hit on though, and she basically gets super shy. She does seem to open a up a bit more towards fellow girls though. Guys make her blush super hard.

Age: 22

Birthday: July 17th

Ethnicity: Mexican, specifically from the Yucatan.

Eye Color: Chocolate Brown.

Hair Color: Dark dark...greenish. It basically looks black though.

Height: 5'4''

Weight: 177lbs

Cup Size: DD Cup, which already look large, but her small frame makes it even more noticeable.

Other Features: Her hair is almost always permanently messy. She's tried to keep it under control, but...it rarely works. Her ear tails (the side burns) naturally have those paintbrush like shape along with the color on them. They actually change to match the color her brush is currently on in real time. She has naturally sad looking eyes, adding to her overall unintentionally cute appearance. She can actually use the little paintbrush charm on her choker combined with the painter palette on her headband as a way to cycle through modes of the brush in a faster way than normal.

Overall Attitude: She is is timid to an almost absurd degree. Nobody is really quite sure exactly what happened to her to make her like this, but the other Authors don't judge. Focusing on the more positive aspects of her personality though, she's just as fiercely protective as Illustro when it comes to people she likes. She's also no slouch when it comes to taking action. In a way, Illia's actually rather brave, as even though she's almost always scared, she doesn't let it get in the way of doing what needs to be done. Her cautiousness also allows her to think clearly and she's a lot better and making plans than the other Authors are. She's also a lot better when it comes to settings and environments on the painting side of their abilities, while Illustro is more character design. She's something of a people pleaser, so sometimes it's a bit easy to trick her into doing something she would rather not do...like dressing up in certain outfits. However, she's super receptive to affectionate gestures, so she'll always appreciate hugs, head pats, kind words, and so on. She's also very motherly, and treats the Spectrum as if they were her own children. This unfortunately means that she's very gung-ho about helping them out and pulling deus-ex machina shenanigans if she feels like they're in danger, something that's frowned upon by the Author's in general.

Problems: Besides the things I mentioned above, when she gets stressed, she tends to blow it out of proportion and hyperventilate. As you can see by her figure and her rather...soft and pudgy belly, she's also a bit of a big eater. She's also kind of terrible when it comes to keeping secrets. She also gets very attached to all the drawn characters, which makes her want to get involved and interfere with their issues most of time. This tends to cause even more problems due to certain issues revolving around manipulating the world to benefit them.

Phobias: I think it'd be easier to list what she isn't afraid of. And yet, she's not afraid of heights like Illustro is.

Style and Mannerisms: Like how Illustro is super chill on the outside and stressed on the inside, Illia is...both stressed outside AND inside. She tends to stand in meek poses, usually with her head tilted down out of force of habit. She's really bad when it comes to looking people in the eyes. She can sometimes be seen playing with strands of her hair, twirling it in her fingers. Or if she's sitting, messing with the bows on her stocking. She doesn't notice it, but when she uses the brush as a melee weapon, her movements are a lot more dance like and fluid. She's actually quite the natural at wielding it, a bit more than Illustro is. Just like Illustro, she's very musically minded, and will hum any song that's currently stuck in her head, no matter the situation she's in. She gets red and embarrassed if she's poked and told how soft she is, which makes people want to do it all the time. 

Relationships: Rumor has it that she's actually in a relationship with a certain robot girl...or is it the guy who created her who she's with? Either way, when asked about it, Illia predictably blushes and refuses to speak. Some people swear they've seen her dressed up in a scantily clad outfit as a gift for another person...something related to cats?

Likes: Like mentioned before, she's really receptive to being treated well. She likes being hugged and other affectionate gestures. Besides that, she's really into traveling, especially at night. She's a big fan of the rain, especially heavy downpours while she watches from inside a safe place. Loves exploring cities where they have districts dedicated to being miniature versions of other cultures, like Chinatown or Little Italy's. She's also got quite a sophisticated palette, although her eating habits don't immediately tick you off on this. 

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good.

Powers: Gaia's Canvas has reality warping powers, and is capable of bringing anything and everything into existence...when paired with its counterpart. Besides that, it can also work as numerous types of weapons, from shooting out globs of paint like an RPG to being wielded with the power of a Warhammer. It can even act as transportation, either as a broomstick or by spinning the fibers of the brush like a helicopter.

Weaknesses: She's just a human. Take away the brush and she's pretty useless in a fight against super powered enemies.

Favorites:

Color: Aqua, Teal, Mint Green

Animal: Moths, Octopi, Crabs, Pretty much all Dogs, and Sloths.

Places: High vantage points.

Food: She really likes cheese. Pretty much any dairy product, really. 

Media: Podcasts, MP3's, and Vintage Audio Systems.

Songs Associated with Her:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um7pMg… ("Chained to The Rhythm" by Katy Perry)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM1YMe… ("When Can I See You Again" by Owl City)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03uWS… ("World 3" by Super Mario Galaxy 2)

Possible Voice Actress:

-Stephanie Sheh. Just the right amount of cute and shy to perfectly pull off Illia.

-possibly Tia Ballard

[ssahotchnerr]

  (😡Gets riled up at ppl at ur job being mean to you and had to bring some sort of fluff i hope it helps just a little bit)  

I feel like Aaron would be so upset seeing you come home all distraught every day from work. At first he chalks it up from it just being the new person jitters and you also try to do the same because your new and maybe it’s just a new environment thing . But after a few months pass nothing changes. As in everyday you come home, you’re still as tired as the first day and honestly, it’s been getting even worse. You can barely even finish you dinner before your just slinking away to the bedroom to get ready for bed because you’re just exhausted. And it doesn’t help that it’s not just the physical exhaustion but the mental one to. Why did ppl have to be such assholes at your job you had been doing your best with what you were given which wasn’t much and a lot at the same time 😡😡

You’re super surprised though when he is sitting on his side of the bed waiting because usually, he stays up to do some more work but the serious look on his face tell you that a talk is about to occur and you don’t know if you’re even up for it as you slip in bed.

“Are you okay sweetheart?”

“I’m fine just tired.” You try to answer without your voice wobbling too much (it fails). But also it’s Aaron you’re talking to and he wouldn’t be asking you this if he didn’t already know the answer so he huffs and wraps an arm around your shoulder bringing you close before telling you (instead of asking you this time)

“Sweetheart something is wrong and has been wrong for a while, so talk to me sweet girl. let me help”

And then you just burst into tears because everything is wrong and youre tired of holding it in😭. You start telling him how horrid the people at work are and how you’re trying to do your best but it seems like you always make a mistake which leads to them getting angry at you. Or how they leave you to do most of the work even if it’s outside of your duties and then tell you they could get it done faster. The list is long and each grievance you put out has his eyebrows furrowing deeper and deeper and his frown doing the same😠😠(<-- that’s him).

“Quit.”

That catches you off guard as you try to wipe your tears away and look up at him with confusion (:0?).

“W-what?”

“Quit. I don’t want you working where people treat you this way. You deserve to have coworkers who respect you or at the very least mind their business and don’t make things worse.”

“Aaron I can’t quit we have bills to pay!”

He almost wants to laugh because you and him know that he can take care of both of you with no problems if you decided you didn’t want to work. But he doesn’t and just hugs you tighter and you happily bury yourself into his chest and accept the comfort that comes from being in his hold.

“We do, but I rather you quit and let me take care of things rather than seeing you like this everyday knowing you’re unhappy. It bothers me.”

It almost makes you want to cry again because of how sweet he is and as much as you want to take up his offer you dont want to feel like ur free loading off of him (even though it's very clear he just wants to take care of you and wouldnt even think about it like that bc he loves you and wants the best for you🥺😩) But still…

“Can I think about it Aar I just wanna try and tough it out I guess…show them I’m not running away or something..” 

Aaron of course huffs at this because you’re not running away it’s more like the people are pushing you away and he wants to say something but he also wants to respect your decision so he’s just like,

“Fine but if you come home crying again, your boss isn’t going to like it when I show up.” 

You laugh but he’s not joking and you can’t help but kiss in between his eyebrows hoping to smooth out the wrinkles that appear there with how furrowed his brows are. You’re going to try and stick it out but you keep Aarons's words in your head as you two snuggle together feeling a little better being able to talk to him about your woes.

You do end up eventually quitting after an incident that has you throwing your badge down at your boss's desk and storming out the office. Also wouldn’t you know it a month after you leave the company they end up being hit  with violations and fines for some unethical practices and scheming management had been doing and eventually they had to close down✌.(Wonder who dug up some dirt on those folks 🙃🤔😏).

(I hope this made you feel a bit better but i also hope either these ppl stop being asses or you somehow find yourself being scooped up by a greg/aaron along with a new job that treats you better 😭😭😭😭 you’re such a good person and shouldn’t have to deal with this)

this made me feel insanely better are you kidding 🥺🥺🥺 i don't even know what to say??? <33333

:( <3 he would be so so so supportive, so loving and understanding. he knows exactly what you need, exactly what you need to hear, and will stop at nothing until your tears turn into a smile. the most comforting man ever ever ever ever. ugh he would hold you so tightly and securely in his arms that all your worries would be instantly forgotten, and the world doesn't seem as dark. i want to cry in his arms so bad :(

and the part about digging up dirt made me giggle hehe i wonder who did that 🤭 hehe aaron hotchner vs anything that makes you upset he will come out on top <333

thank you so much, and thank you for taking the time to write all that out 🥺 i can absolutely guarantee you i will be returning to this constantly, especially while i'm at that horrid place >:(

[eisforeidolon]

One incident I can think of that would be considered "toxic" by todays standards was way back when Jared was having some personal issues, Kripke told him "man up" basically. Mark has spoken about his issues w/ some writing in S12. But he's also said that when he asked for a rewrite some of dialogue in the finale, Dabb obliged. Despite the acrimony in the wake of his leaving, per Mark all that is under the bridge now. He had his issues, & like an adult he got over them. Fans could take a cue.

Yeah, I think fans have a problem with distinguishing between "toxic" and "not perfect". Any workplace is going to have some conflicts and issues where things ultimately could have been handled better. There's a big difference between conflict and mistakes happening and a general, ongoing, pervasive atmosphere of toxicity. Where those in charge just don't give a fuck or are actively malicious and the rest of the people follow suit or raise no objections.

In Jared's case, I think it does not help that even now - let alone then - mental illness issues tend to be poorly understood and not given their due consideration. Kripke saying that was inarguably insensitive and very clueless, but in an unfortunately very typical way. As a mindset, it surely is toxic. But in terms of characterizing the entire set as being toxic because of it? Unless my memory fails me, Jared didn't say that Kripke badgered him repeatedly over it, mocked him for not being able to just do it, talked him down in front of the cast & crew, tried to fire him, etc. He also says in a Variety interview that when he broke down on set Jensen and another person came to check on him, then called in a doctor who diagnosed him with depression and put a temporary halt on production for him to start dealing with things [X]. That's part of the set atmosphere, too. And ultimately? Jared was able to get the help he needed to find ways to manage his mental health and continue on with the show for another decade+ without it having any consequences in terms of his position on the cast or his character's on the show, which I feel is not something that would have happened in an environment that was fundamentally toxic rather than one which bumbled a bit through a particular challenge. Like, compare it to what happened to Nicole Beharie on Sleepy Hollow who had a different type of illness. Sure in an ideal world SPN could have done better, but considering the stigmatized issue at heart and Hollywood in general, they also could have done so so much worse.

I think the Mark S. thing is even more clear - he had a lot of issues with the writing for his character and some with the showrunners more generally (in terms of contracts and payment), but that did not carry over to the day-to-day environment on the set itself and the people he was working with there.

So yeah, they weren't skipping through fields with linked hands and hugging puppies every single day. There were some conflicts and outright fuckups. But calling a set a toxic environment is a whole different, much higher bar IMO.

[nuclearw0rmzz]

been thinkin a lot abt being late diagnosed autistic lately. for context i was self identifying since 16 then got assessed at 18.

it can be so easy 2 like. downplay my own disability just bc it was never recognized in my childhood. my non autistic friends sometimes commend me for like not making my autistic traits their problem, being able to hold a conversation, being generally self sufficient etc and it's like. yeah bc i learned not to value myself or my needs ever. everything i ever said to people was wrong as a kid so i learned to listen. to only listen, only add to conversations in service of others' interests. i grew up w the idea that my sensory issues were something wrong with me rather than a result of the environment i'm in, so i learned to white knuckle through that shit no matter how exhausting it was. because nobody cares about my feelings.

it's just hard to keep getting positive reinforcement for like. my masking. and not valuing or vocalizing my needs. on top of that i have good enough work ethic to do very well academically, but i struggle w common sense shit (examples r difficult but like. one time i almost accidentally k!lled myself by starting my car in the garage bc i didn't think any further than "i have to make sure the battery isn't dead") that gets ppl fucking mad at me. bc i'm so smart, but so stupid !!

i get mad at myself too like how am i not able to do this. i regularly feel like the biggest idiot alive bc im Constantly like "OOHHHH-" after having (simple) shit explained to me but it's like. i'm using so much of my brain to manage just being alive and keeping conversations, of course there's no energy left for me to think things thru more step by step. i need to be okay with the fact that there's a lot that's challenging for me. i wish i could get more help

[all-about-cr7]

Ten Hag the liar and hypocrite: “Cristiano remains an important part of the squad”

🗣Ten Hag when asked if he thought Ronaldo would stay for the rest of the campaign, and if that was what he wanted (21.10.) “Both. It is for this game and then we continue. It's a strike. As we said in the statement, Cristiano remains an important part of the squad and I count on him for the rest of the season.”

Graeme Souness is spot on in his Daily Mail column: “Look what Manchester United have reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to - it's so sad!”

It’s a desperately sad situation that Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself in. Here is a player who has taken Manchester United to the heights and scored goals for them which will live long in the memory — yet look what that club have reduced him to.

What we saw at Old Trafford when the team played Tottenham on Wednesday night was a player plainly angry, upset and deeply frustrated — stuck on a substitutes’ bench while players he will rightly consider himself superior to were out on the field.

For a player as hugely competitive as him, that will have been agony. An experience he will never have imagined himself facing. I have to say that I can understand how he feels.

This is a situation entirely of United’s making. A problem they just didn’t need to create. Erik ten Hag has made some bold and courageous decisions, trying to instil discipline and unity. But how did he think this situation with Ronaldo was going to work? How did he think the player was going to respond to being asked to sit on a bench, run up the touchline doing warm-ups, only to remain redundant and unused, with the cameras trained on his every facial expression?

People should only be talking about that performance against Tottenham but instead it is this. Ten Hag and United have shot themselves in the foot and not helped themselves one bit.

For Ronaldo to have refused to come on to the pitch when requested by Ten Hag is clearly something the manager cannot accept. Such a fundamental breach of the team ethic is the first step on a road to ruin.

But it is not hard to imagine how the conversation went between the two of them when changes were being made and he was asked to go on after 87 minutes, to run down the clock. A three-minute role at the dog-end of a 2-0 win is an indignity that this player will not have expected to be reduced to.

Every player must be ready to play, however great or small the role, but I do think there has to be particular consideration for Ronaldo, given his position in the game and his contribution to it.

He told United before the start of the season that he wanted to go. He made no pretence about that. What has ensued is much like Jesse Lingard’s treatment by the club last season, only on a far greater scale. United could have sold Lingard to West Ham in January, chose not to and then didn’t use him.

If I was Ten Hag, I would be concerned about having Ronaldo around the place because if you are not going to use him, you know he’s going to have a voice in the dressing room. That’s certainly not conducive to a harmonious working environment.

The communication between manager and player is clearly not what it should be and despite what happened on Wednesday, I think it is incumbent on United to do better by him. To go to whatever lengths necessary not to humiliate the man in such a way.

He will certainly feel he is not being shown any respect, in what is without doubt the worst period of his career. He is being tested in a way he would never have expected, at the twilight of his playing days.

He seemed to reflect that in the statement he put out on Thursday night. These seemed to be the words of a man genuinely taking responsibility for his actions, rather than running from them. He was in at 8.30am to train with the Under 21s on Friday.

But if the current situation persists and he is put through more of these indignities on the substitutes’ bench, his behaviour could continue to be off. And that could lead to what I think will be the worst outcome of all this: that United’s supporters will remember him for what’s happening during the rest of this season, or at least for as long as he is kept in Manchester, rather than those golden years and brilliant goals.

If this continues, United will end up destroying Ronaldo’s legacy. The least the club owe him is not to allow that to happen. To stop putting him through this

[hyacinthmonster]

The AU is still having the poll to decide it's name but this is my design for BroilingTale/SwelteringTale Sans!

I'm very happy with it.

I don't have much of a reason for why but I decided that he needs an item to help his weak soul. His soul is smaller than the average monster or human so he needs a soul enhancer stone which also provides a great amount of cooling to the body, great for a world that's boiling hot most of the time.

"Kinda like having a heart problem and constantly needing a hydration bag." "W/out stone soul is abnormally small. His soul is bubble like." - Words in the box.

His soul is like a bubble, it's a little more durable than one but it's still very fragile closer to a thick glass lamp or something of the like, the stone helps his soul have enough strangth so he doesn't get warn out to much (which would be bad in a world where you kinda need to use parkour to get around) or get effected by the stress from the heat.

Averagely he has: 1Hp 1Att 1Dff

W/ souls enhancer he has: 11Hh 6Att 5Dff

He has a "Karma" ability that basically results in any attack acting like a cut on a person taking blood thinners. It adds 10Att damage when used.

He also uses a type of plasma knifes that add 5Att when used normally and 15Att when activated. He tends to use them like throwing knives or duel with two of them. He also uses them to cook with his brother.

Thus when he has to end up going all out he has: 11Hp 26Att 5Dff.

Due to him and his "heroic" brother traveling around alot, not to mention the soul enhancer increasing his mood (kinda like an anti-depressant that works), he has grown to be very acrobatic and quick. He is most likely to be the first to take the jump and get to the otherside of a broken building, however he's also the most likely to get stuck in a tree but hide that fact by napping in it untill his brother or dad get him down. Thanks to him and Papyrus's dad, W.D.Gaster being a retired royal scientist the two are relatively good at science, magic, and building things. Sans took a good amount of interest in making things to do with teleportation and any kind of magic really. Papyrus took more interest in things that can work without self made magic like using the environment and any natural resources rather that be plants or even steam.

Sans is lazy when it comes to things outside of traveling place to place, inventing/building, Outer space or the galaxies, and family. When nun if this is relevant he tends to just sleep or rest.

He has alot of pockets and bags, all of which Carrie his tools and an assortment of silly items. His favorite way of messing with people is to pull out things that logically shouldn't fit in his pocket. He will play innocent pranks on people but they never get too outta hand.

Don't know what else to say about him right now... Um I guess he likes to drink hot sauces and can handle every kind. Oh and he likes pet bunnies.

Think that's all for him right now. Going to work on Papyrus's design later, I'm expecting to struggle with him.

[ofgentleresolve]

☀ About controversial topics in roleplay. Would you say there are obvious forbidden topics in roleplay or do you think we could go as far as we want considering it's all fiction? Where do you draw the line and is this line a different one from the one in the content we consume (I'm thinking of popular shows and movies with shock values that sometimes play on morally questionable topics yet are fully accepted/watched/enjoyed by the majority).

lynnie is letting me shoot myself in the foot ( ask me anything about rp meme w/ @uroborosymphony )

send a ☀ along with a roleplay related topic to hear my thoughts on it. Ask me anything!

LYNNIE!! First of all, excellent question, it’s one i’ve thought a fair bit about recently and while it looks straightforward, I’ve found?? It can be a lot more complicated than that, so thank you for enabling me and my rambling here-

So let me just start with saying that I’m not going to police people for what they write because if i did, i’d be miserable and i’d have no energy to focus on my own writing. If i see someone writing content that makes ME uncomfortable or upset, i leave or block, it’s not that hard. just tag your posts or let people know in your rules that you don’t tag triggers and you’ll be fine. 

Okay, now with that out of the way, i think when it comes to this conversation, the worst takes on this always come from individuals who fail to like…moderate their beliefs ( for example, yes this is all for fun so you should respond to things when you feel the most inspired, but if it’s to the point that you start threads and post memes that you NEVER reply to…well makes sense if people end up dropping you ngl :/ ) like yeah writing just happy and nonharmful things would be rather dull, but also when writing something that contains sensitive content, we need to be respectful because there are people in rl that are affected by this. Fiction may not be real, but reality informs the writer and therefore the fiction written which when consumed will affect reality in turn. That being said, i assume that people who write the say, more controversial topics know that it’s fiction and it should not be practiced in real life….that’s one of the things i feel like people forget? We’re not mindless sheep who agree with and take everything we watch as actual reality.

That being said, for me whether line differs between roleplay and forms of media like say, books and tv shows really comes down to intent. what is a reason for a controversial scene to be written- is there a point to be made, an intention behind it? if written with care and thought, books and tv shows can do it, but with roleplay unfortunately a lot of times what is written is usually purely for enjoyment? Not that a story or an intention can’t be attached to a roleplay, but since roleplayer they usually write for themselves, i assume that both parties enjoy what they’re exploring and writing….so when i see someone writing say, noIn-con for example, i can’t help but give the side eye: the difference between seeing this kind of scene in prose and in a roleplay is that if it is done well in prose, there is usually an intention behind it and the characters are developed beyond that event; the same can’t always be said in a roleplay. 

I will say though, regardless of the medium, it is perfectly possible to explore dark content in a respectful manner. When you write these topics, you can portray it without coming off as voyeuristic or trauma porn. For example, with say something like s*exu*al a*ss*ault, going into explicit detail is not necessary to explore the repercussions of such an event. ( of course media in general does not do a good job of this but that’s besides the point :/ )  But whereas in prose, a writer can gloss over the event, the problem in an rp thread is that you’re supposed to immerse yourself in your character’s head/environment…and some roleplayers do so for this kind of content in the name ‘character exploration’....which full offense, i don’t buy that.  

The other hard line i also will always draw is always with historical muses, specifically wwii muses or muses that commit crimes again humanity. Rp is a practice in empathy and so to see someone humanize individuals that have committed major war crimes and human atrocities makes me kinda pissed bc it might just be history to the writer, but for a lot of people, that history still affects them and their families to this day.

[overanalyzingmainstream]

Anthropocene in mainstream music : ruined world and rebellion

An analysis of Maison by Dreamcatcher

In the summer of 2020, a movement of unbolting statues was at the center of a debate regarding western hegemony. Mainstream music has been a place to discuss the issue, because of its capacity to widely broadcasted productions about the current state of the world. “Zeitgeist” (meaning the spirit of a specific time) is often used to describe pop music, as it is representative of its time’s concern. In this analysis, I will not focus on counter-culture as a means for artists to speak a political truth but rather on the political awareness shown in mass media and more particularly in mainstream music. I will mainly analyze Dreamcatcher’s title track “Maison”, as it was the starting point of my reflection on the anthropocene. The music video came out on the 12th of April 2022 and showed at the beginning a chained and tagged statue in the middle of a ruined city. The sight felt like it was too powerful of an image to be a mere trivial scenery of a K-pop MV and that is precisely what sparked the idea for this analysis.

Dreamcatcher is relatively different from other K-pop groups, they don't belong to any successful south-korean record labels. It is actually the only group under their independent label, named Dreamcatcher Company. Dreamcatcher was reformed in 2017 after a commercial failure of their first concept “Minx”, hence the niche concept. For their new start, Dreamcatcher Company chose metal/rock sounds with horror coded music videos. Therefore, Dreamcatcher is in the mainstream system (K-pop) with a rather outer side production. “Maison” is the first part of a project about climate change, human greed and the consequences it has on the environment. In an interview, Dreamcatcher’s member Jiu explains the message as : “The story we told this time around is of environmental pollution. Because of human greed the earth is being destroyed.” As they were careful enough to count themselves as responsible as anyone else, the song is aimed to awaken some concern in all of us regarding the planet’s state. However, “Maison” isn’t only a campaign on recycling, the message goes further. Analyzing the music video, the production, the visual references and the lyrics will show why I think we should talk about anthropocene rather than ecology. Then, it will also help us consider the anthropocene and the difficulty of this debate when in the mainstream scene. 

Let’s start by pointing out that mainstream and anthropocene are more similar than it seems. Mainstream is the product of the cultural industries - which stand for the moment in time when art was broadcasted worldwide or nationwide through mass media (cf. Theodor W. Adorno’s (1903-1969) and Max Horkheimer’s (1895-1973) article Kulturindustrie). Thus mainstream culture depends on the market laws and rules. The Anthropocene refers to the geological era defined by human’s harmful impact on nature. In other words, it is a system based on the stranglehold humankind holds on the planet’s environment. I’ll explain more about the anthropocene later. If we can compare the two concepts, it is because the mainstream is also a dominant system. By definition, mainstream designates a certain production meant for a wide audience. It is an accessible culture. Of course, it is popular because it is aimed at a large scale, hence the sentiment we have that it is supposedly a culture that “everyone likes”. Only there is a problem in that conception. Considering a content to be “shared” by everyone would come down to saying it is “universal”. Yet, thinking something is “universal” is problematic in itself. If we do think something is “universal” it means that everyone without exception has experienced that thing, casting out people when they don’t. It equals demanding of a group of people to experience something or maybe live a certain way, following a forced idea of what is considered universal, therefore washing out the differences instead of giving value to them. What I mean by that is that mainstream culture can be a way to force people to experience what has been decided to be “common” but in reality is only the product of soft power. Not by any means a way to reunite different people because it erases their differences. It is because of this dominant aspect of mainstream that we can pair it with the anthropocene. Mainstream can be used for the same aim as the anthropocene : to establish hegemony. Be it by coercion (via hard power or what Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) called the “political society”) or by consent (soft power or “civil society”). Mainstream culture is guilty of following the dominant and globalizing logic of industries and capitalism, hence its share of responsibility on climate deregulation and pollution. In the case of mainstream music, it happens mainly through the disc and music industry. Mainstream culture also participates in social deregulation as it promotes overconsumption and neoliberalism, thus widening the gap between the higher and lower classes through normalizing wastes. 

I think it is important to define further what the anthropocene has to do with this theme. Anthropocene isn’t another greenwashing ideology. Etymologically, “anthro” stands for “human” in ancient Greek and “cene” is the “era”. The Anthropocene is an era caused by the rise of capitalism (also called capitalocene to explicit that link, it is often added to “anthropocene” to explain furthermore what holds the term. Cf. Donna Haraway (1944- ), “Anthropocene, Capitalocene, Plantationocene, Chthulucene: Making Kin”). It is also connected to the New World’s discovery and consequently the environmental disturbance caused by Europeans’ appropriation of America's resources (phenomenon also named plantationocene). 

My goal here isn’t to legitimize (or not) mainstream music, I want to analyze the representation of the debate regarding the anthropocene in mainstream music. How it was handled and why Dreamcatcher Company chose what they did in this particular system. The anthropocene is actually a rather popular subject in universities nowadays. Thinkers do educate ourselves with the discussion of its definition, but can mainstream music open a discussion on it? That is what I’m asking here. Is the mainstream scene the place to talk about our shared responsibility in the destruction of our world? 

1. Ecologism : how to come back to a livable world ?

In April 2022, prior to “Maison”’s release, Dreamcatcher Company posted teasers such as photoshoots, lyrics, videos… on social media to give a preview of the new music. In one of those teasers, a little green plant was in the palm of the hands of a member, thereby introducing the theme of “Maison” : preserving the environment. The name of the title track of the album is significant for a song about ecology since eco (“oikos” in greek) means “home” or “house”. And “maison” is the french translation for house. It makes the intent of the song very clear : we must treat our planet like a house that protects and hosts its residents. With respect and kindness. The lyrics in the chorus seem to focus on the necessity to protect the less anthropized environments, as well as actively fighting for their retention. Indeed “save” becomes “fight” because we reached a point when protecting is not enough anymore. 

There is a traffic sign in the background of the MV, mostly present during the first chorus that indicates the direction to the Badlands in California. The Badlands are a non practical land, no good for farming for example. In other words, it is a place left with a rather wildlife and balanced ecosystem. It is interesting to realize that the place is only mentioned, not shown. I think it is an important aspect of the whole mv : nature isn’t present. The lack of organic life forces the viewer to uncomfortably realize how human’s greed ravaged the world. To add to the list, at 1:47, can be spotted working factories as well as antennas in the desert. Only one of the singers stands in the middle of the scene and is looking lost and saddened at the sight. The only presence of humans - apart from the singers and the military/government clones - is through their hold on the environment. Visually, seeing a mere tiny spot of grass and a traffic sign isn’t enough anymore. Maybe the sight of a damaged world became unbearable. 

2. Cultural hegemony and western symbolism. 

“Maison”’s universe is made of 3D western architectures’ styles such as a brutalist city, a gothic cathedral and antic colonnades. The choice behind this type of scenery reveals, in my opinion, two different meanings. Contradictory ones.  I think it can be understood as a criticism of western iconography's ubiquity. For it is, after all, a South Korean music video with only European references. The other possibility behind that stylistic choice is that maybe Dreamcatcher uses western symbolism for a more practical reason : for more people to understand their message. Which is by definition the goal of mainstream as we saw before. Except it becomes an issue from the moment it participates in the never ending vicious circle of dominating cultures. What I mean by that is that the music video has a critical view on power over the masses, yet, by using the specific language of the dominant, it only makes them more powerful. The same way soft power does on the side : erase cultures for a “superior” one (the one from the dominant class). It proves that universality as a means to force a bland culture is deeply rooted in our society. Consequently, as previously stated it makes the differences between cultures less noticeable until they completely disappear. I’m not trying to say a good K-pop MV should only use Korean imagery or traditions. Pop culture is the place of melting pot, of mixing genres and accidental meetings of origins… Let’s just point out that 2020 was a turning point in K-pop as Agust D (aka Suga from worldwide famous band BTS) released “Daechwita”. Using a traditional military Korean piece of music sampled, it opened a new trend for K-pop groups to affirm their cultural identity (for example Stray Kid’s “Thunderous”). Although it was trending to use traditional pieces of music, celebrating their culture is nothing new for K-pop as promoting Korean culture is the point of K-pop. It is a governmental decision to rebuild the country's economy after the 1997’s financial crisis using their soft power, also named Hallyu Wave. That is why K-pop is inherently paradoxal : it blends both the want to promote their unique culture (showing the differences) as well as economically aiming for wider audience outside of South-Korea and Asia (and so making it for “everyone” hence removing big gaps of culture that could alter a sense of identifying). 

Those specifically are consequences of the anthropocene. Globalizing cultures purposefully makes differences disappear in order to have a monopoly. The reason behind using only western artistic codes is ambiguous. That uncertainty lies also in the lyrics. Sure, “Maison” condemns human greed but whose? Who is Dreamcatcher addressing the song to? Who must fight for the planet? Well, all of us, really. Everyone. That is the obvious answer but also the less engaging one. Globalizing the receptor is the easy choice, it doesn’t cost much to say that everyone needs to do something but it avoids any type of responsibility. If they talk to “everyone”, it is easier for the listener to blame the neighbors than to rethink their lifestyle. Moreover, the last sentence of the chorus “Please someone fight for us” doesn’t designate someone in particular. It is completely impersonal. It ends up being an anonymous entity that nobody identifies with. As a matter of fact, “Maison” criticizes a certain attitude towards the state of the world, choosing to ignore the consequences of it (“Break your habit now”). It could be aimed at the ones who don't feel concerned. It seems more likely to point at the elites, conscious of the anthropocene but choosing to ignore it in order to keep their privileges. That is what the French writer Bruno Latour (1947-2022) explains in Down To Earth : Politics in the New Climatic Regime. 

 In other words, the ruling class keeps the cycle of abuse on the planet's resources and residents for their own interests. With that idea in mind, we realize that “Maison” is more of a critic than a lecture. Especially since Dreamcatcher stated they weren’t better than the rest of us, being as responsible than others. However, the way they point out how abusive the system is (even in an impersonal way) manifests a political view. 

3. “I Can’t Breathe” : iconoclasm and protests.

“Maison” takes notice of the destroyed climatic state of the world but the message goes further than that. That is why I think the word anthropocene is better than ecology regarding this piece. There is a constant relationship between environmental and political conditions. For example in the lyrics, climate warming is compared to someone’s lack of conscience : “It’s weirdly hot, right? The laws of this planet are just the same as your drying conscience”. Also in the MV, the most impactful and politically charged image is the vandalized statue. It indicates that a rebellion against repression had taken place. That moment in the MV when we’re facing that image is accompanied by the song’s lyrics “Someone who got used to it”. Another translation can be found : “Someone got comfortable”. In the first one, it can be understood as the person being oppressed got used to the fate and won’t stop against the abusive authority anymore. Against “This crumbling place’s obvious dead sign”. The second translation makes it obvious that the statue is a symbol of a settler who took control of a place that doesn’t belong to them. Being symbols of power, oppression, conquest, pioneering, colonialism and slavery, statues often represent historical figures or allegories all being the epitome of western domination. Those statues were recently controversial, as people started questioning their legitimacy and meaning in today’s society, since they celebrate and endorse a certain history our modern society may not relate to anymore. 

It is important to explain the political context prior to Maison’s release. In 2020, the Afro-American George Floyd was killed by policemen from Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States of America. He died in a violent arrest, as a police officer knelt on his neck for minutes despite George Floyd’s complaint that he couldn’t breathe anymore. Hence his last words “I can’t breathe” became since the emblem of the Black Lives Matter. This event has been the starting point of numerous protests against police violence aimed at the black community. Those protests were joined by an iconoclast movement of destroying symbols of power, domination and especially linked to slavery. 

The vandalized statue in Dreamcatcher’s music video is way too impactful to not remind us of George Floyd’s protests. It is a way to show that rebellion can be an answer to oppression. I am aware that Dreamcatcher never talked about 2020’s riots or anything remotely political in their interviews to promote the song. Although it was never addressed, the music video doesn’t hide its engagement. Every reference is explicit enough to gather a clear political stance. The first sentence of the song “I can’t breathe” even if sung in Korean is exactly what George Floyd said before dying. The second sentence “Tomorrow disappears into the distance” explains how hard it is to imagine a future if nothing changes. It literally becomes harder to breathe because of global warming and other consequences of the anthropocene. It also means that we can’t keep on living in an unfair society governed by power and domination. The first sentences of the song have a double meaning as the fight is both environmental and social. 

Now, let’s talk about change. “Maison”’s music video shows all seven members of Dreamcatcher fighting against authority figures in a post-apocalyptic world. The message of “Maison” is to end the tyrannic dominant system. As a matter of fact a dictator is represented in the MV with diabolic goat attributes (often used to portray the antichrist) in a luxurious place, surrounded by clones. The music video ends on that figure defeated and a possible new peaceful era. It is clear that “Maison” criticizes the indifference towards the current state of the world, and as said before, it aims to awaken a political awareness. If not, at least it manifests how power rules over to the point where it poisons its planet and the people living on it. 

As a last aspect to analyze, I want to talk about the ending of the MV and more particularly how it evokes a return to a golden age. It seems, in my opinion, misplaced for a critic about cultural hegemony, since once again it uses only ancient symbols and western art forms. The superhero aesthetic (whose values are more cliché than engaged) winning against the bad guy in a dystopian world might discredit the seriousness of the subject. However the oversimplification of a fight between good and evil is balanced by strong references and politically charged symbols to the current situation. We can recognize the simplification as a symptom of mainstream as well as the anonymous use of “you”. If the goal is to be enjoyed by everyone then it is in the creator’s best interest to not offend anyone. Hence a politically correct way of delivering an engaged message. All those examples of clumsy associations and attempts to provide a critical opinion while still respecting restricting mainstream rules can be seen as a sort of intersectionality. In the way that all fights rejoin around equality and respect. In so many ways, the very fact that they want to spread such a message (also criticizing mainstream media) while in the mainstream can be contradictory. I think that no mainstream piece of art or culture can gather all conditions to be as impactful and critical towards the very system it is in as it should be, because the problem lies in that system itself and not necessarily in the said product. I also believe that it still holds the possibility to awaken some sort of political consciousness even if buried under layers of standardized and pre-made sentences. I don’t think the lack of sharpness to the delivery discredit the message because if it does, it would mean we can only talk about serious matters in “serious” media. Consequently limiting the message to an “elite” class. Opening a debate on mainstream within the mainstream scene is important. 

In conclusion, “Maison”’s aim is to remind us all how capable we can all be at restoring peace in our world by fighting against domination. Through union and respect. Bruno Latour explains in his book Down To Earth that “the [...] elites [...] have taken the threat seriously ; they have concluded that their dominance was threatened and have decided to dismantle the ideology of a planet shared by all”. “Maison” reminds us of this ideology and invites us to rethink our planet as a shared house. One that needs care.

Mcp

instagram.com/mcstormi

[chaoticbitchywitch]

I have a lot going on and I really jus need to organize my thoughts. If you read this and have any advice I'd love to hear it 🥰

Issue One: My Grades

My grades are pretty important to me, but I missed a lot of school all in a row bc of TSA and Robotics. I currently have 4 C's, 1 B, and 3 A's but I want to at the v least have all A's and B's. I have a two options.

1. Focus on my lowest grades and jus accept B's so I don't kill my mental health

2. Kill my mental health (more) and try to get as many all the way up to A's.

But wait! There's more!

Issue Two: My Activities

I'm in robotics, TSA (Technology Student Association) and band.

My band director is leaving. Tomorrow is the teacher appreciation assembly and some of the band is playing a piece for her, but I was planning on doing homework instead of going to the assembly. I can either go to the library or go to the assembly. I don't wanna go to the assembly but I wanna play for my director bc she means a lot to me. I might be able to leave after but idk fs.

In robotics, we're preparing for next season and the state comp that we're hosting. There's really not much going on there rn at least, but the season jus finished.

In TSA, I made nationals in two events so I have that in June. I need to prepare for the events, but it's kinda stressful.

Band is the biggest activity rn obviously, but the others are still important. And I have all my homework and studying for tests still. And that brings be to my third issue.

Issue Three: Tests, Exams and Finals

I'm in AP US History, and that exam is 10 May, but I don't feel prepared at all. I have Algebra II, Chemistry and ELA EoC's that I have to study for. I have finals in Principles of Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture and Spanish. Both language courses are the most difficult for me, but I also have higher priorities (the more impactful ones like the AP exam, etc) that I would rather focus on. I don't have time to study for everything.

Issue Four: Family Bullshit

Since Feb, there's been some issues w my dad. I'm not gonna go into a lot of detail but I've been at my grandparents house. It's been really difficult mentally, emotionally and physically. It's been affecting my grades a lot and I haven't been able to sleep.

Issue Five: Summer

I've been wanting to apply to a new job so I get paid $14 or $15 rather than $12.80 but my mom is v against me working there bc it's farther away than where I currently work, it would be way more enjoyable. A few of my friends work there and the pay is better, so idrc that it's 15 minutes farther or sum like that. I also don't like the people I currently work w and there's a lot of drama (drugs at work (I'm a life guard why are you high at work thats actually fucking stupid), relationships and sex and cheating (as you'd expect from a job filled w high schoolers), people not doing their job, etc.) I jus think it would be a better work environment.

The other problem is summer school. I'm gonna be doing pre calc over the summer bc I wanna take calc next year so I can take higher level physics my senior year. One of my friends also did that last summer and he said it was hell and moved really fast, so I'm kinda worried abt that. He also said it wouldn't leave a whole lot of time for other things, which I believe. Idk I'm jus stressed abt it.

So yeahhhh. I've been having a lot of fun recently. I'm hella stressed and idk what to do. Yayyy. Love my life.

Anyway, if you're still here, thank you for reading. If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it 🥰🥰

[imsoglitter]

Hi kate! Idk if you’ll see this or answer but I wanted to send bc I’ve been following u for awhile and see u as sort of a big sibling/mentor that reminds me that it gets better and one day everything will be okay :’) do u have advice on how to move on? I’m femme and had my first ever kinda relationship w a butch and it was nice but they abandoned me on my bday celebration after blowing up on me saying that I was too high maintenance, materialistic, sparkly, and pink and my emotions were “too much to process” and “my presence was unhealthy” 6 months later they’re engaged to another femme who is more slow living and earthy. sucked a lot bc from day 1 they said I WASNT too much and that they would never leave. Idk I’m not sad I dont wish I was the soon wife but I’m convinced now that I’ll never find anyone bc all butches/mascs at the end of the day want that & I’ll be alone 4evr. I noticed all of my butch/femm couple friends are kinda same the same (earthy, natural, no glitz or glamour, etc). Feeling v high femme camp antics essay rn and having trouble coping. I tried changing my aesthetic and being minimalist but it put in deep depression so idk what to do. I’m unlikeable to all the ppl I’m attracted to but fitting in to be likable makes me want to kms. Any thoughts or ideas?? Hope this doesn’t come off as trauma dumping 😖

Hi anon! I don't know if I'm the right person to answer this bc I'm definitely a lazy femme who doesn't have the energy to be high femme, and the advice I'm going to give you is something you've probably heard a million times before.

If someone dislikes you enough to dump you on your birthday, you are better off without them. This goes for any other special occasion as well. The first time I got dumped, they very politely waited until I got back from a special trip I was on so it wouldn't be ruined, and I'm really glad for that. It made everything amicable and we're still penpals to this day. It sounds like your ex was bad at communicating the problems they were having in the relationship, given the blowup, and reacted pretty immaturely tbh. That's not the kind of person you want to spend your life with. (I'm also very wary of people who get married after less than a year of knowing each other, but that's a separate issue)

Honestly the best advice I can give you, and you're probably going to hate this, is take a break from looking for a sexual/romantic relationship. Focus on the other relationships in your life, whether they're with friends or family or even coworkers. And spend time with yourself. Definitely don't change everything about yourself to be with someone because you're going to have to live with yourself your whole life. The most important person to like you is going to be yourself. If you want to change think about expanding rather than dumping everything and picking something new.

And on the topic of finding someone who will love you the way you are, your best goal is to be patient, and to take action when you feel ready. Don't settle with someone who tolerates you or you'll end up like my parents (bad). And if you feel like there's potential, don't be afraid to make the first move. Pining is fun until it's not anymore so it's better to skip that part sometimes lol

Practical speaking here's my advice:

Delete your dating apps for a while

Get yourself a vibrator

Go to the movies by yourself

Pick up a new physical hobby like gardening or woodworking or cooking, something you can touch

If you hate your new hobby drop it and try something else

Try a new restaurant you've never been to before

Go for a walk/sit in a park weather permitting and birdwatch

And if you're seriously suicidal, take inventory of yourself and see if you can come up with a plan to avoid that headspace. Therapy and meds helped for me, but the main thing was moving out of a toxic environment. Plus I'm not stupid enough to pretend that therapy fixes everything all the time

I guess I'm saying you should date yourself, but trying to not make it sound super corny lol. I hope this helps and I hope you can figure out how to get out of your rut. I'm rooting for you!

[interculturalcomm335italy]

Italian Business

Are they running late or just from Southern Italy? The difference in opinions about punctuality is probably the most prominent disconnect between U.S. business and Italian business. It is seen as giving a good first impression in American business, it is unfair and untrue to assume the same can be said about other Italians. Although Italians are relationship oriented so it is expected to have animated business meetings. It is normal for meetings to disperse without any concrete decisions being made. Expect many interruption and simultaneous stories but for the initial interaction it should remain formal. Regardless of the interaction, whether that is through an email, fax, or on a phone call; it is important to specify whether you can speak Italian or not. There aren’t many people in Italian business that speak English, but most are willing to use a professional translator if they are given that information as early as possible.

It is important to use last names and titles until you are properly introduced to one another and they request to use first name terms. Ensure that you exchange business cards with the other person and take a noticeable amount of time to look at and read the business card before putting it away. Milan is said to be the fashion capital of the world, so it goes without saying that presenting yourself in a stylish, professional manner has a huge impact on your overall first impression. It is said that masculine presenting people tend to wear dark formal attire while feminine presenting individuals tend to wear lighter colored pant suits or skirt suits with minimalistic accessories. In Italian business culture, it is a rare practice to give gifts. The only time it is seen as acceptable and as a symbol of friendship, is after building a trusting long-term relationship with the person. Even then, it needs to be small and not obviously expensive.

If an American businessperson were to attempt to get a job in Italy a potential communication conflict might arise due to a few factors that I briefly touched on earlier. The practice of the business cards being exchanged at the beginning of the meeting, rather than the normal American way of giving it to another person as a way of being able to contact them again after the meeting. I think that might seem rude or inconsiderate if the American upon receiving the card was to immediately put it away without at least reading it. Another one might be the importance put on the hierarchy of power, many of the young and entry level positions will be invited to speak their ideas during meetings but the person with the highest status will receive the credit if it turns out to be profitable. I think that there would be a large conflict of ideals when it came time to receive credit for one’s work and the American isn’t ‘properly’ recognized. Lastly, the American businessperson will most likely have some conflict when the meeting ends without making any concrete decisions. American businesspeople are focused on productivity and without that sense of progress I think there will be some conflict in adapting to the new business environment.

In the opposite situation of an Italian businessperson coming to the U.S. to get a job, Italians are eager to get to know the people with whom they are working. They will ask personal questions about your family and your home life, which could interfere with some people’s way of communicating in the workplace. To help your existing employees as well as the new one, providing training on effective conflict resolution strategies while stressing the importance of constructive communication in maintaining a positive work environment might solve future or current problems. Another way that a U.S. manager could help their new international employee become more accustomed to the expectations related to work is to clearly communicate to them about concrete deadlines, performance standards, and work hours. Additionally, if there were a way that the manager could offer language support for any employees that may not be fluent in the team’s primary language, would accurately help them cope with the fast-paced environment. Lastly, the smartest and most helpful thing that U.S. manager could do is set up regular one-on-one check-ins with all employees to discuss their experiences and any additional challenges any of them might be facing.       

[emergingmediaculture]

Graphic created by Kiersten W. on Canva.

Readings: Q&A: How to combat the infodemic with digital solutions to reduce health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

Digital media and misinformation: An outlook on multidisciplinary strategies against manipulation by Danielle Caled & Mário J. Silva

How To Fight Vaccine Misinformation by Andrew Thurston

Misinformation and Mass Audiences by Brian G. Southwell, Emily A. Thorson, and Laura Sheble

The start of the COVID-19 pandemic feels both ages away and like it just happened yesterday. The pandemic itself feels as though it has disrupted our concept and flow of time. While we can constitute a large part of that to the shutdown itself, a time that seemed to last both forever and pass rather quickly, I believe it would not be incorrect to say the wave of both information and misinformation hitting us at a speed we were not used to processing at once has a part to play as well. This is what the World Health Organization has called an “infodemic” or information epidemic.

The WHO defines this as “an overabundance of information, including false or misleading information, in digital and physical environments during an emergency”. Think back to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic before what we know now about the virus was known. There was a time when it was said the virus would be like the flu and be gone by summer. Mind you, lockdown in many states did not end until August 2020 and that was definitely not because the virus was gone. COVID-19 cases, in fact, rose (CDC) during the summer months. I am sure no one has forgotten about the myth that the use of Ivermectin, the horse medicine, is a cure for COVID-19. Let us not forget the back and forth about how the virus came to be and false claims that were spread once the vaccine came about like how it can “alter human DNA” or how it “allows the government to track you”. It can't and does not.

No matter what you believe or do not believe, false and misleading information was abundant during the pandemic and, a lot of the time, was dangerous information. During a time when social media is one of the main forms of media where anyone can post anything with no concrete facts or sources to back it up, it is no wonder this was such an issue. It has also been proven by research (research provided in the link) that “fake news spreads faster and further than real news on Twitter” so this is not surprising. Not to mention, when it comes to the social media sites that had the biggest part to play in the spread of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Twitter and Facebook sit on the throne. Even more than that, “misinformation is more impactful than the correction”, meaning the truth that comes out after fake news does not spread nearly as far as the original news did. In response to this infodemic, the WHO has “launched a variety of initiatives at global and regional levels” that include AI-based innovations for rumor tracking, multi-language fact-checking, partnerships with social media & web companies, and more.

Misinformation has existed far beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, however. There has always been misinformation regarding things such as vaccines, politics, science in general, and much more. Science, a field with concrete evidence and credible sources, is the last place, next to mathematics, that you would expect misinformation to live but it has unfortunately found a way with those with extreme views who have gone far enough to question real evidence that is backed by sources that can prove it. This has further spread to arenas like politics where political ideology and beliefs affect what someone identifies as the one truth.

Simple fact-checking across all these readings seems to be what everyone agrees to be the most effective choice throughout history. The problem, though, is that fact-checking has lost its appeal to the public. So many people are taking things at face value despite the tools being available to verify any information you may come across. I feel as though this then goes back to our previous topic of media literacy and its importance. What role does media literacy play in helping to counter misinformation? Could it really be that easy?