#critical media consumption

[hozukitofu]

Every time I view the tributes as "evil" or "annoying" or "stuck up" I have to physically chant THAT'S WHAT THE CAPITOL WANTS YOU TO THINK. We watch and consume media, and we are all easily suggestible to depictions and hidden agenda of the producers - I'm a kpoppie so I've seen my fill of reality shows and evil mnet editing, how someone can have their actions, words and expressions twisted into a narrative that isn't true. Media at the scale of the Games are not designed to tell the truth - that largely marginalised kids are ritually massacred to scare the districts from thinking about rebellion. The broadcasted Games are selling the deaths almost at an unreal quality, almost like it's not REALLY happening - and the emotional distance that the Capitol citizens are able to afford/and be removed from the brutality can pretend that it's not really there and more importantly, not THEIR kids. This is just a silly little show and these kids are only characters playing a role, but ooh sometimes we can get interactive and influence their odds. How fun! How exciting! And we in the Capitol get to do this Every Year? Give us drama and twists, different arenas and costumes every year so we can keep consuming.

It's so easy to call literal kids EVIL or SELFISH and INHUMANE. Anyone would be if they've been publicly announced to fight to the DEATH and having to survive 23 other people actively TRYING to murder them. Everything is RIGGED by the game makers and sponsors - create an environment that is so toxic that people have to be the worst versions of themselves to survive - for funsies. For shits and giggles. For laughs, for bets. Doesn't matter if the chosen tribute win, but they have to be entertaining. SICKENING.

So the next time you catch yourself slipping into Capitol propaganda, thinking about how kids are evil and murderous and annoying, also consider the additional fact that they HAVE TO BE, and also just because a teenager is annoying doesn't mean they should DIE FOR IT. I know we're all disdainful of kids and think they're not fully formed humans, and sometimes they can look like they're older than they are, but that doesn't excuse TELEVISED demonisation of certain actions. Kids who are ruthless so they can go home are just trying to play a game rigged against their LIVES. I think all of the tributes can do whatever tf they want, I support tribute rights AND wrongs. They're ANNOYING and I want them to LIVE. Two statements that can and should coexist

[historyherstory]

There has been an insane proliferation of AI written scripts turned into youtube videos for WWII content that are at best, lacking context or generally just hazily okay I guess you're not wrong into outright UH NO THIS IS NOT RIGHT

pro tips if you're someone who likes watching videos on youtube to learn more: 1. THEY SHOULD ALWAYS LIST THEIR SOURCES. ALWAYS. (and you should always check their sources. "A diary of a (nationality) (soldier)" and you can find absolutely no record of that person ever existing? 🚩 2. If it is read by an AI voice (you will be able to tell at a point - they don't follow normal phrasing through sentences and sometimes they will pronounce things - especially cities and people's names - strangely) that is another 🚩

I've blocked like 4 channels in the last 24 hours alone that I am like 99% sure are all AI and it's really frustrating.

There are so many good channels who do such a good job with research and script writing and fact checking, seeing channels using AI to "research" and "write" is deeply disturbing - especially when they're missing the mark with accuracy.

To try to turn this around into something positive, here are some youtube channels that I've found very informative and have really enjoyed over the years: The Operations Room (this is a great one if you are a visual learner and want to see placement on maps & live-time movement) (They have a sister channel, The Intel Report, which I also enjoy.) The Armchair Historian (this is a great channel for comprehensive overviews of events or situations, and generally does a good job being balanced in how they narrate) (Extra History is not affiliated with The Armchair Historian but it does videos in a similar way: animated, although more short-form but they will do multiple videos in a series to go more in-depth on topics.) American Veterans Center (this channel takes the middleman out - it's interviews with veterans, in their own words)

Honorable mentions: Tasting History (I love the way he contextualizes culture and history into food) and Oceanliner Designs (because we were all Titanic nerds for at least a week this year.... but, he does more than just the Titanic!)

Anyway when in doubt: Check their sources. If they don't list their sources: ask. If they don't provide sources when asked: don't believe them unless you can independently verify. In general, look for another corroborating source even if a video seems well researched/legitimate, if it's introducing a claim that's new to you/you're not sure about.

(Do you have informative/documentary channels you like? What are they? I'm a dilettante with historical topics so even if it's a themed channel about something other than WWII, give it a share! I'd be curious to see. A day in which I haven't learned anything new is a day I've wasted.)

[whereserpentswalk]

You couldn't make star wars today because they'd claim that destroying the death star would make them as bad as the empire and the real villains would be revealed to be rebels who went too far.

[sapphiresaphics]

Arcane is an excellent litmus test for your media literacy. Not even joking.

Like I love Arcane, but it is NOT subtle. My favorite example of this is when Ambessa enters into Caitlyn’s room in Season 2 Episode 4. Maddie has been talking Caitlyn down and trying to convince her to call off the martial law and reestablish the council. Ambessa needs HexTech and she needs Caitlyn to get her someone who knows how to use HexTech. So she LITERALLY walks over to the fireplace and begins stoking the embers. She’s LITERALLY stoking Caitlyn’s rage and anger. It’s MASTERFUL storytelling and visual framing. Chefs kiss 🤌 10 outta 10!

You can call Arcane a lot of things… But SUTBLE? No… it is assuredly NOT subtle.

Which is why it’s hilarious to me when I see all these REALLY BAD TAKES from people who are confused or angry at the actions of characters or who really cannot comprehend why a character would do this or that. Which indicates to me that they are either not paying attention, or they’re really bad at understanding how shot composition, framing, dialogue, subtext, and everything else that goes into making media WORKS.

Vi is desperately trying to tell herself that Jinx is dead so that killing her wont hurt at much. You can tell this from the cracks in her voice acting, the way she can’t look people in the eyes when she says it, the way she can’t look at the bullet flying at Jinx, the way she IMMEDIATELY stops the second a kid gets in the way and doesn’t try to take the kid off. Like the framing, the line reads, her actions… it’s ALL telling you that when she says “my sister is dead” she is LYING TO HERSELF. It is NOT TRUE.

And then you’ve got people going on Twitter and Reddit and tumblr freaking out about “how could Vi forgive Jinx so easily? This writing is so inconsistent! Can’t they just stay focused? Why is it all so ham fisted? The plot makes no sense!”

And I’m just here like…. Are you fucking SERIOUS? Are we watching the same show? Are you guys really just this STUPID???

I love Arcane. The story is amazing. The characters are complex. The visual shorthand and framing is exquisite. The montages and animation are unparalleled. The story is nuanced and complex while being accessible to everyone, even people who’ve never played League of Legends before.

But subtle?

No. This show takes its message and beats you over the head with it like a BRICK.

How are people missing this stuff?

Are we that far gone as a people?

Are people today just not savvy at all when it comes to the media they consume?

Are people just this DENSE that they can’t read SUBTEXT?

[shuunnico]

"I don't want to criticize Rings of Power too hard because it has "enemies to lovers" in it and I love that."

An actual sentiment I saw.

Get better standards. Please.

The inclusion of a trope/idea/etc you like does not make something good, nor worthy of your defense. Praise good media for being well written, criticize poorly written media.

This is why so much stuff is poorly written now. Because all it takes is for a trope to be used, a character archetype to exist or the inclusion of a basic idea (a reference, a character you find hot or relatable, etc) for people to praise it.

You love strawberries? Stop eating dog food and praising it because someone put a rotten strawberry on top.

Find and eat a strawberry shortcake, made with skill, care and quality ingredients. There, the strawberries are used to enhance every other quality of the cake.

Because nobody is going to be wasting their time, effort and money making strawberry shortcake if you'll pay for and eat dog food.

[steelblaidd]

That's why he was a genius.

maybe i'm just a grumpy english major but i feel like a lot of the "lol people think shakespeare is pretentious but actually his plays are just dick jokes and swordfighting" posting can verge into "lol what if the curtains are just blue" territory. yes shakespeare plays are full of those things AND they are also profound and complex and thematically rich. people spend their careers analyzing them for a reason, actually. it's not just dick jokes all the way down. and sometimes people spend their careers analyzing the dick jokes. stop trying to pick one side of the dichotomy between high and low culture. it's both. it can be both.

[detroit-become-moomin]

Howdy y’all, my essay on the abject is finally out! It discusses a number of issues, including purity legislation, self-advocacy in media consumption, and how we interface with dark/ugly topics in art and literature. It also delves into the issues surrounding HB900, Greg Abbott’s (failed) censorship law. It’s free to peruse, no paywall, so consider giving it a read if interested.

READ HERE

RT HERE (really helps!)

[angel-archivist]

If you think that’s what a trans woman looks like you are transphobic and also an asshole. I don’t like you. I don’t like what you stand for.

Listen guys I know they didn’t make all longlegs fans surrender their critical thinking skills when they walked into the theater so whats with this behavior on tumblr.

Im saying longlegs reminds me of the history of transphobic horror that has played a huge role in the villainizing of trans people and how its effects are still found today in modern horror whether its implicit of explicit. But im glad you believe and trust the cis actor who used a derogatory word for intersex people when describing the character and the cis writer who based the movie heavily on silence of the lambs over other trans people. Personally I usually like to hold off on parasocial relationships with men in positions of power but you do you!

[hilacopter]

no babe you can form your own opinions you've just learned to automatically check what other people think and form them in accordance in fear of having the "wrong" ones and have hindered your own critical thinking as a result

[fortunatelychaoticphantom]

@firelxdykatara always with the good notes:

#'but sometimes yeah sure they are a poor little meow meow what are you gonna do? get a lawyer?'#op Gets It#good post#the most uncomfortable facet of evil is how very human it is#or rather how human even the most evil of beings is#because no matter the horrible actions one cannot actually be forcibly divorced from existence within and as part of humanity#and fiction is a safe place to explore this because you can grapple with that hideous darkness and the horror and beauty of it#without needing to deal with real world harm because at the end of the day they're fictional characters and can be stowed safely away

Broke: Acknowledging that a character who is an objectively terrible person is also a complex and intentionally well thought out individual with different levels of nuance you can empathize with in some ways while not in others is immediately “woobifying” or “poor little meow meowifying” them.

Woke: “This character is a bad person” and “this character is still a person” are two statements that can, should and do coexist and admitting that they exhibit nuance and depth and are more than just their bad actions doesn’t immediately excuse or condone their bad actions or mean that you’re ignoring or trying to soften the canonical version of the character.

Bespoke: That’s the whole point, that’s always been the point, to be made to empathize with horrible people so you can understand that they can be anyone, that bad people can be likeable, can be interesting, can be human, are human, and it’s scary to think about all the ways they’re just like you and all the ways they’re just like everything you hate, forcing the use of critical skills in media analysis, forcing a confrontation of the duality of man.

Whatever Level is Above Bespoke: But sometimes, yeah, sure, maybe they are a poor little meow meow, what are you gonna do, get a lawyer

[pleuro]

The downside of Ethel Cain speaking out against low quality brainrot comments & lack of critical engagement in online spaces re: her art is that now every single person that makes light in her comments is being crucified by the stan brigade with repetitive “not everything is a joke” responses - the irony of which i am sure is entirely lost on them.

[femboy-central]

considering taking Hazbin out of my pinned post because it’s been months since I’ve cared for it and I don’t post about it… and it being there is Probably just scaring people off…

[itsanautiething]

RE Carnival Row S2: I literally was like, wtf... Did I misinterpret the first season? Went back and watched it and... nope, the second season just pivoted hard towards complete suck.

RE the broader OP point: creators can use garbage-human characters to move the story or make a point, or they can just be garbage humans with garbage opinions themselves. Consume your entertainment, accordingly.

I don't think you guys know what "be critical of your interests" means. it doesn't mean "know when the bad guy is doing something bad" it means "know when your favorite media is being fucking racist"

[nyxofdemons]

this is such a good video PERFECTLY encapsulating why exactly so much of the hellaverse fandom is outrageously vitriolic. great analysis of the release structure and how that impacts fandom expectations. valid critiques but also an acknowledgement that hazbin/helluva are uniquely torn to SHREDS for things that they did not cause/are not the sole perpetrators of. highly recommend everyone check out this video as we get closer to hazbin's release

[whereserpentswalk]

Someone used "ungood" to describe disney remakes and it's so perfect. "Bad" does not sum up the horrible soulless products created to only fulfil capitalist desires, using artists as tormented vessels, ungood captures it so well.

Artists with passion and vision create bad art. Bad art can have entertaining qualities, and value, and sparks of life inside of them. Teenage fanfic, and b movies, and a young musicians first attempt at smoke on the water are bad, and that's ok. Ungood art does not have the same saving graces as bad art. Ungood art is empty, not just failing at quality but devoid of it.

We need to start using the term ungood. Neither Star Wars episode one, nor Star Was episode nine are good movies, but they don't possess the same lack of quality. The "live action" Lion King movie, and Repo! The Genetic Opera might both be failures at putting musicals on film, but I know which one I'd rather watch, which one still has moments I love, and which one was made to make someone at Disney see a line go up.

[shorthaltsjester]

i say this with all the kindness i can muster. the way some of y’all take with complete earnestness the statements made by characters who have been proven to be unsavoury/villainous/evil/(insert other suitable adjectives here) to be word-of-god factual is deeply concerning actually. like fiction is fiction and this is far from being an accusation about the morality of those who are curious about/compelled by the motivations of immoral characters. this is a deep concern i have for people who exist in a time where media of all kinds, fiction and nonfiction, is used to embed values in its audience. a concern i have for existing among people who don’t even question the truth/accuracy of statements made by the textual villains of stories before accepting them.