#higher institute of villainous education

[wing-shot-first]

"kill them with kindness" WRONG. ACTIVATES THE OVERLORD PROTOCOL ☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️

[caracarahoney]

H.I.V.E.mber Prompt 9: Ruby

In my head NumberOne-Verlord's mindscape form is various kinds of terrifying; he's the agonized amalgamation of Otto's father and the digital parasite that destroyed him from the inside out. That should be all kinds of messed up.

[do-you-ship-this-book-couple]

Do you ship....

[myfairkatiecat]

Any H.I.V.E. fans following me?

[funkylittlebaldcharapoll]

FUNKY LITTLE BALD CHARACTER POLL ROUND 1, GROUP 4

these three may have chosen fields of work that might make them seem intimidating, but that couldn't be farther from the truth! when you look past the alchemy, or the supervillainy-in-training, or the being in the russian mob, you'll find a nice, hardworking, relatable, at least 2/3rds of them are gay i don't know about the other one, guy. but the question remains: who's the funkiest, littlest and baldest?

[devotedgossamerreader]

thank you for making these XD this one is my favorite

Book 1 memes as I frantically reread H.I.V.E.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

[dr-nero-is-god]

I started rereading HIVE this morning and for some reason, because honestly I didn't really choose this, the Contessa is being played in my brain by Kristin Chenowith. She is also killing it btw

[wing-shot-first]

[caracarahoney]

That Scene In OP:

Nero: I don’t understand- what madness inspired you to do this? Money? Power? Revenge?!

Cypher, high on at least two painkillers and severely concussed: I miss my wife :(

[devotedgossamerreader]

i love the details! Ravens bandage, nero holding a blackbox projecting hivemind,shelby's eye twitch. also all of their expressions

Funny Little Comic

I actually have no idea what this is. I drew this one day at like 3am in 5 minutes because I had to vomit the idea before I forgot about it.

This is probably SUPER OOC, and the designs are nowhere near accurate, but I cannot be bothered to do anything about it.

This is a mess and looking back I hate the second panel so much, but I'm feeding you guys anyways. Here you go.

Since my handwriting is atrocious the text is under the cut.

Otto: *Almost got murdered for the 500th time* "Why so gloomy guys? (lol)"

...

Wing: *Sigh* "..."

Laura: *Thought he was dead fr this time*

Shelby: "Maplense, you have 5 seconds to run before I go there and kill you myself."

Nero: "Please remind me why I even let you leave the accommodation block anymore."

H.I.V.E.mind: *relieved* "Thank god..."

Raven: *Literally just busted her ass to save his life*

[do-you-ship-this-book-couple]

Do you ship...

[myfairkatiecat]

Intro post 💞💞

Who is this:

Tis I, Katie!! <3 I use she/her pronouns and I’m 18 years old. My handle is a reference to My Fair Lady and TMBS!

What happens here:

I post about the things I’m interested in! Things you’ll see here:

- Keeper of the Lost Cities

- Lord of the Rings

- Newsies

- Wicked

- Star Wars

- Chronicles of Narnia

- BBC Merlin

- H.I.V.E. (the Higher Institute of Villainous Education)

- The Mysterious Benedict Society

- Percy Jackson

- The Inheritance Games

- Skyward

- A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

- The Hunger Games

- The Land of Stories

- Miraculous

- random things I find funny

And occasionally whatever happens to be going on if I feel like posting!

If you’re on this account and you want to show support to the Lime and Lemon Cartoon, which currently exists in YouTube shorts, my cousin and his partner would really appreciate that!!

Rules

Be a decent human—so like, no racism ableism sexism or hate speech of any kind

SFW only—this blog is mostly dedicated to a children’s book series!

If you want to send a truly ridiculous anon (such as political fanfiction in my inbox—yes trumpeo and jilliette anon I see you) send it to @katies-anonymous-post-box :)

Communication

Feel free to send me asks or DM’s! Also feel free to tag me in things, I don’t mind and I’ll be glad you thought of me!

Have lots of fun I’m always open to talk!

I hope you like my blog 💞💞

~Katie

[loving-n0t-heyting]

I'm indifferent to the youth rights/parents' rights framing but I don't see how any sane and intelligent person can support public education as an institution. 1) Education is important, as in, fragile and sensitive to institutional fuckups, and the state absolutely loves to fuck things up in an institutional way, and I really trust private organizations or even individual parents to do a better job statistically speaking. 2) Education is important, as in, a major lever of power in society, and the state lusts for power worse than any fantasy villain does and I really don't fucking want every generation of kids inevitably fucked up by some grand fascist project to brainwash them

Put up or shut up. Even by positive coverage and the schools own target metrics, the empirical support for charter superiority over state education is spotty and caveated to hell: where it demonstrates higher performance, it varies considerably by year, race, location, and other variables. And there are cases like special ed where it is just an incontrovertible downgrade

Whatever

[devotedgossamerreader]

HIVE 🤝 OUAT

(🤝 = they're almost all related)

I will never get over the fact that technically, Otto Malpense is both Wing Fanchu AND H.I.V.E.mind's nephew. Cuz Overlord made Otto. And H.I.V.E.mind and Overlord share the same base code and have referred to each other as brothers. And Wing and overlord both have Cypher and Xiu Mei Chen as their parents. So technically, they're all related.

[azaleayoung-blog]

What is dark academia and what does it have to do with social media?

A deep dive into the genre and why it has become so popular.

Dark academia has recently been seeing a growth in popularity across social media, with its aesthetic being displayed in movies, television shows, and primarily novels. 

The year 2020 marked some significant changes in our media landscape. That may seem like a bit of a nonpoint, but the rise of TikTok coupled with the number of people inside due to pandemic restrictions saw an irreversible change within popular trends and aesthetics.

In the literature community, one such trend was the rise of dark academia. Though the subculture primarily exists online, the term is slowly creeping into the mainstream.  In 2022, it was defined by Collins Dictionary as “a social media aesthetic and subculture concerned with higher education, writing and poetry, the arts, and classic Greek and Gothic architecture,” which is somewhat of a broad interpretation. To uncover what makes dark academia such an appealing genre today, one needs to trace back its history; starting with, perhaps most famously, The Secret History by Donna Tartt. 

Published in 1992, the novel is what some point to as the first dark academic novel. A pioneer of its time, it is still quite relevant today — it can almost always be counted on to be present on #BookTok recommends tables at bookstores. Set at a fictional college in New England, the novel follows a group of students studying ancient Greek. The narrator, a student who joined the group after its initial formation, unveils how one of them was murdered by the group’s original members. As far as dark academia goes, it’s got it all — murder, Greek aesthetics, a fancy, secluded college. Unsurprisingly, many elements of Tartt’s magnum opus can be found in other books within the genre.

One of the first notable pillars of the genre is right in the name — academia. These novels typically take place in an academic setting; whether this is at a private boarding school or around a college campus. Still, dark academia wouldn’t exactly be academia without some form of academics. Typically, these characters are often studying Ancient Greek, Shakespearean theatre, or English literature — fields that are, for lack of a better word, pretentious. These topics are absolutely for everyone but are not necessarily accessible things to learn about and interact with, or make a living out of. This does not necessarily mean that if a character is studying one of these topics the novel they are in is a dark academic novel, but a character’s field of study, such as these examples, will often add to the atmosphere of dark academia. 

A significant number of these stories see characters marked by tragedy, mystery, or both at the same time. Whether that involves crime (see If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio) or a mystery to solve (see Truly, Devious by Maureen Johnson), the characters are typically caught up in a problem larger than themselves, like solving a murder (or, in the case of The Secret History, getting away with one). 

Some authors have utilized the genre and its traits to call out and criticize these academic settings which have been historically open only to white and rich individuals, see Babel by R.F. Kuang. 

The novel is set in 1828 in Britain and follows Chinese-born Robin who is forced to give his help to an institution that will only use his work to further their goals of colonization. At school, he and members of his friend group continuously face racism as students of colour. Although Robin is a member of this school community, it is clear that many do not want him there, and he, like many of the other students of colour, are viewed as disposable.

As Lenore Sell puts it in her article Beyond the Aesthetics: An Introduction to Dark Academia, “Some of the novels blame elitist structures at educational institutions for the ensuing destruction, or even a dysfunctional academic landscape as a whole, although this connection is not always the object of overt criticism or satire.” 

For example, in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, the characters are not directly opposed to their wealth, but Wilde uses them and their lifestyles to highlight the inherent lack of morality present in these structures. This novel is an interesting case as it holds elements of magical realism and gothic literature as well as dark academia, but its traits allow it to somewhat fit into both genres.

As more dark academic books continue to be published, their popularity seems to grow. However, sometimes what its readers are chasing is more of a feeling or an aesthetic than quality literature. 

Dark academia is directly linked to an old-fashioned kind of style, with modern technology rarely, if ever, appearing in many of its most famous works. The fashion choices of the characters—such as blazers, woolen sweaters, tweed patterns, and just generally darker colour palettes—all contribute to the finely curated aesthetic of dark rooms, classic novels, candles, and typewriters. Sure, these things are all technically dark academia-inspired, but they do nothing more than just scratch the surface of what the genre purports to actually be about: learning, higher education, and literature. 

A genre based purely on its aesthetics and vibes might at first seem to be only superficial and provide no substance. It can, however, encompass an idea or way of life that some crave. Sell writes in her article, “The rise of dark academia can be an expression of the longing of younger generations for a lifestyle temporarily or permanently inaccessible to them.”

This longing could especially be felt by those who are unable to afford post-secondary education, or those typically excluded from higher academic circles. Attending a post-secondary institution comes with a sense of community, particularly for those who live on campus and broaden their experiences by participating in new activities and meeting new friends. These institutions, while being flawed, are incredibly important because of this, as they provide something that many of us want. Following this logic, it’s possible then, that the boom in dark academia’s popularity was a result of people longing for these institutions that were closed during the pandemic or are unavailable to so many people. 

Racism and class inequality contribute to the lack of diversity seen in higher academic settings, particularly because of how expensive post-secondary education can be. It’s why turning to social media to fulfill these dreams is easier for many.

Katie Xu (@katiexsocials), a TikToker who posts about building your personal brand and learning how to market yourself, posted a video on TikTok’s ability to foster human connections, stating, “People on TikTok are connecting to people. When I see someone on my For You page, I listen to what they have to say … I’m listening to them as a person, and I’m trying to understand them as a person.”

While she does not make any reference to dark academia, her idea has merit because of the way platforms like TikTok are designed to make sure you interact with people who share the same interests as you. Social media itself is perhaps the largest and most influential community there is, so for individuals to turn to that at times of uncertainty and find solace in a niche like dark academia is reflective of the weight the genre held then and still holds today.  

Currently, TikTok has over four hundred thousand posts under its dark academia tag, based on videos about the aesthetic and the books that fall into its category. While the majority of the hype (at least in my opinion) has died down a bit, it is still a genre that is very much relevant outside of social media. For example, outside of the literature community, other mediums have used the dark academic aesthetic to tell stories, such as podcasts like The Alexandria Archives or The Magnus Archives. The aesthetic is also present in TV shows like Wednesday or A Series of Unfortunate Events. It can even branch out into music with a more recent example being Taylor Swift’s THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. 

But to bring it back to literature, one of the most recent books on the scene is Curious Tides, by French-Canadian author Pascale Lacelle. 

The novel has all the most familiar trappings of a dark academic book, but with a magical twist in line with stories in the fantasy genre. Set at a fictional college, the protagonist has to investigate the secret society that seems to be connected to her classmates’ mysterious deaths. Only, these deaths of which she is the only survivor have left her with heightened powers. Similar to Babel, this blend of a different genre with dark academia prolongs the genre’s lifespan and takes it to places it has not traditionally been. 

Like all other trends, the dark academia one will most likely not have wide-ranging impacts outside of its small niches, but I’m talking purely about its aesthetic sense. In the literary market, it looks like there are still plenty more stories to tell that can deviate from the traditional dark academia novel while still using its most popular elements.

[funkylittlebaldcharapoll]

AND THE ULTIMATE BALDING BEGINS.

here it is! the bracket! polls won't be starting yet for a while, but that should give you time to drum up support for your favored candidates. starting now, feel free to send propaganda to the ASKBOX, and if you're wondering how this wacky structure is going to work or why there are so many anonymous icons, take a gander over at the RULES PAGE!

polls under the cut, with links to be added when they go up:

ROUND ONE

GROUP 1:

MELODY (Hunter x Hunter) vs GURU-GURU (Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask) [WINNER: MELODY]

ROCK (Warriors) vs RATTRAP (Beast Wars: Transformers) [WINNER: RATTRAP]

CID POLLENDINA (Final Fantasy IV) and LORD CRUMP (Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door) vs ROM (Star Trek: Deep Space 9) vs TINKER KNIGHT (Shovel Knight) [WINNER: UNION]

PATCHES (Dark Souls) vs ZOTE (Hollow Knight) [WINNER: ZOTE]

GROUP 2:

PSYCHO MANTIS (Metal Gear Solid) vs COMPTON & DOGEN BOOLE (Psychonauts 1 & 2) [WINNER: THE BOOLES]

NOSFERATU (Spongebob) vs TRANSMUTATE (Beast Wars: Transformers) vs CALIBAN (X-Men) [WINNER: TRANSMUTATE]

"HATCHLING" (Outer Wilds) vs PHILOCTETES (Disney's Hercules) [WINNER: HATCHLING]

THE NOT-GOBLIN (@pocketss' comics) vs D*BBY (Pussy Indulgence) [WINNER: NOT-GOBLIN]

GROUP 3:

BIDO (Fullmetal Alchemist) vs FRIAR TUCK (Disney's Robin Hood) [WINNER: BIDO]

GAETAN "MOLE" MOLIÉRE (Disney's Atlantis) vs HANS MOLEMAN (The Simpsons) [WINNER: MOLE]

THE MAYOR OF TOWNSVILLE (Power Puff Girls) vs HERCULE POIROT (Agatha Christie novels & adaptations) vs SIR TOPHAM HATT/THE FAT CONTROLLER (Thomas the Tank Engine) [WINNER: THE MAYOR]

THE JUDGE (Ace Attorney) vs ARTHUR AGUEFORT (Dimension 20) [WINNER: BOTH]

GROUP 4:

OSWALD "THE PENGUIN" COBBLEPOT (Batman Returns) vs GLUTTONY (Fullmetal Alchemist) [WINNER: GLUTTONY]

THE ALCHEMIST (Venture Bros) vs NIGEL DARKDOOM (H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education) vs NOHO HANK (HBO'S Barry) [WINNER: THE ALCHEMIST]

DR. VAUX (Dorohedoro) vs THE ITERATORS (Rain World) [WINNER: THE ITERATORS]

Baldi (BASICS) vs Dr. Bubby (HALF-LIFE VR BUT THE AI IS SELF AWARE) [WINNER: BUBBY]

GROUP 5: LITTLE GREEN FREAKS

BEANS (Hunter x Hunter) vs OCHOA (Mashle: Magic and Muscles) vs BUNSEN HONEYDEW (The Muppets) [WINNER: BUNSEN]

JAKEN (InuYasha) vs KING TRODE (DRAGON QUEST VIII) [WINNER: JAKEN]

FBLTHP (Magic: the Gathering) vs MANAKO/OCULETTE (One Punch Man) [WINNER: FBLTHP]

KAPP'N AND FAMILY (Animal Crossing) ft. KAPPA (Natsume Yuujinchou) vs SALAD FINGERS (Salad Fingers) vs CALLIOPE (Homestuck) [WINNER: KAPPAS]