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killianmesmalls · 3 years ago

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On your comments about Jack: ye-es, in the sense that Jack is a character who definitely deserved better than he was treated by the characters. The way Dean especially treats him reflects very badly on Dean, no question. But, speaking as a viewer, I think the perspective needs to shift a little bit.

To me, Jack is Dawn from Buffy, or Scrappy Doo. He’s an (in my opinion) irritating kid who is introduced out of nowhere to be both super vulnerable and super OP, and the jeopardy is centered around him in a way that has nothing to do with his actual character or relationships. He’s mostly around to be cute and to solve or create problems — he never has any firm character arcs or goals of his own, nor any deeper purpose in the meta narrative. In this way, he’s a miss for SPN, which focuses heavily on conflicts as metaphors for real life.

Mary fits so much better in that framework, and introducing her as a developed, flawed person works really well with the narrative. It is easy for us to care about Mary, both as the dead perfect mother on the pedestal and as the flawed, human woman who could not live up to her sons’ expectations. That connection is built into the core of SPN, and was developed over years, even before she was a character. When she was added, she was given depth and nuance organically, and treated as a flawed, complex character rather than as a plot device or a contrivance. She was given a voice and independence, and became a powerful metaphor for developing new understandings of our parents in adulthood, as well as an interesting and well-rounded character. You care that she’s dead, not just because Sam and Dean are sad, but for the loss of her development and the potential she offered. So, in that sense, I think a lot of people were frustrated that she died essentially fridged for a second time, and especially in service of the arc of a weaker character.

And like, you’re right, no one can figure out if Jack is a toddler or a teenager. He’s both and he’s neither, because he’s never anything consistently and his character arc is always “whatever the plot needs it to be.” Every episode is different. Is he Dean’s sunny opportunity to be a parent and make up for his dad’s shitty parenting? Yes! Is he also Dean’s worst failure and a reminder that he has done many horrible things, including to “innocent” children? Yes! Is he Cas’s child? Yes! Is he Dean’s child? Yes! But also, no! Is he Sam’s child? Yes! Is he a lonely teenager who does terrible things? Yes! Is he a totally innocent little lamb who doesn’t get why what he is doing is wrong? Yes! Is he the most powerful being in the universe? Yes! Does he need everyone to take care of him? Yes! Is he just along for the ride? Yes! Is he responsible for his actions? Kinda??? Sometimes??? What is he???

Mary as a character is narratively cohesive and fleshed-out. Jack is a mishmash of confusing whatever’s that all add up to a frustrating plot device with no consistent traits to latch on to. Everything that fans like about him (cute outfits, gender play, well-developed parental bonds with the characters) is fanon. So, yes, the narrative prioritizes Mary. Many fans prioritize Mary, at least enough that Dean’s most heinous acts barely register. To the narrative (not to Cas, which is a totally different situation), Jack is only barely more of a character than Emma Winchester, who Sam killed without uproar seasons earlier. He’s been around longer, but he’s equally not really real.

I debated on responding to this because, to tell the truth, I think we fundamentally disagree on a number of subjects and, as they say, true insanity is arguing with anyone on the internet. However, you spent a lot of time on the above and I feel it's only fair to say my thoughts, even if I don't believe it will sway you any more than what you said changed my opinions.

I'm assuming this was in response to this post regarding how Jack's accidental killing of Mary was treated so severely by the brothers, particularly Dean, because it was Mary and, had it been a random character like the security guard in 13x06, it would have been treated far differently. However, then the argument becomes less about the reaction of the Winchester brothers to this incident and more the value of Jack or Mary to the audience.

I believe we need to first admit that both characters are inherently archetypes—Mary as the Madonna character initially then, later, as a metaphor for how imperfect and truly human our parents are compared to the idol we have as children, and Jack as the overpowered child who is a Jesus allegory by the end. Both have a function within the story to serve the Winchester brothers, through whose lens and with whose biases we are meant to view the show's events. We also need to admit that the writers didn't think more than a season ahead for either character, especially since it wasn't initially supposed to be Mary that came back at the end of season 11 but John, and they only wrote enough for Jack in season 13 to gauge whether or not the audience would want him to continue on or if he needed to be killed off by the end of the season. Now, I know we curate our own experiences online which leads to us being in our own fandom echo chambers, however it is important to note that the character was immediately successful enough with the general audience that, after his first episode or two, he was basically guaranteed a longer future on the show.

I have to admit, I’m not entirely sure why the perspective of how his character is processed by some audience members versus others has any bearing on the argument that he deserved to be treated better overall by the other characters especially when taking their own previous actions in mind. I’m not going to tell you that your opinion is wrong regarding your feelings for Jack. It’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it, it harms no one to have it and express it. My feelings on Jack are clearly very different from your own, but this is really just two different people who processed a fictional person in different ways. I personally believe he has a purpose in the Winchesters’ story, including Castiel’s, as he reflects certain aspects of all of them, gives them a way to explore their own histories through a different perspective, and changes the overall dynamic of Team Free Will from “soldiers in arms” to a family (Misha’s words). In the beginning he allows Sam to work through his past as the “freak” and powerful, dangerous boy wonder destined to bring hell on earth. With Dean, his presence lets Dean work through his issues with John and asks whether he will let history repeat itself or if he’ll work to break the cycle. Regarding Cas, in my opinion he helps the angel reach his “final form” of a father, member of a family, lover and protector of humanity, rebellious son, and the true show of free will.

From strictly the story, he has several arcs that work within themes explored in Supernatural, such as the argument of nature versus nurture, the question of what we’re willing to give up in order to protect something or someone else and how ends justify the means, and the struggle between feeling helpless and powerless versus the corruptive nature of having too much power and the dangerous lack of a moral compass. His goals are mentioned and on display throughout his stint on the show, ones that are truly relatable to some viewers: the strong desire to belong—the need for family and what you’ll do to find and keep it.

With Mary, we first need to establish whether the two versions of her were a writing flaw due to the constant change in who was dictating her story and her relationship to the boys, which goes against the idea that her characterization was cohesive and fleshed-out but, rather, put together when needed for convenience, or if they both exist because, as stated above, we are seeing the show primarily through the biased lens of the Winchester brothers and come to face facts about the true Mary as they do. Like I said in my previous post, I don’t dislike Mary and I don’t blame her for her death (either one). However, I do have a hard time seeing her as a more nuanced, fleshed-out character than Jack. True, a lot of her problems are more adult in nature considering she has to struggle with losing her sons’ formative years and meeting them as whole adults she knows almost nothing about, all because of a choice she made before they were born.

However, her personal struggles being more “mature” in nature (as they center primarily on parental battles) doesn’t necessarily mean her story has layers and Jack’s does not. They are entirely different but sometimes interconnected in a way that adds to both of their arcs, like Mary taking Jack on as an adoptive son which gives her the moments of parenting she lost with Sam and Dean, and Jack having Mary as a parental figure who understands and supports him gives him that sense of belonging he had just been struggling with to the point of running away while he is also given the chance to show “even monsters can do good”.

I’d also argue that Jack being many ages at once isn’t poor writing so much as a metaphor for how, even if you’re forced to grow up fast, that doesn’t mean you’re a fully equipped adult. I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but I believe Jack simultaneously taking a lot of responsibility and constantly trying to prove to others he’s useful while having childish moments is relatable to some who were forced to play an adult role at a young age. He proves a number of times that he doesn’t need everyone to take care of him, but he also has limited life experience and, as such, will make some mistakes while he’s also being a valuable member of the group. Jack constantly exists on a fine line in multiple respects. Some may see that as a writing flaw but it is who the character was conceived to be: the balance between nature or nurture, between good and evil, between savior and devil.

Now, I was also frustrated Mary was “fridged” for a second time. It really provided no other purpose than to give the brothers more man pain to further the plot along. However, this can exist while also acknowledging that the way it happened and the subsequent fallout for Jack was also unnecessary and a sign of blatant hypocrisy from Dean, primarily, and Sam.

And, yes, Jack can be different things at once because, I mean, can’t we all? If Mary can be both the perfect mother and the flawed, independent, distant parent, can’t Jack be the sweet kid who helps his father-figures process their own feelings on fatherhood while also being a lost young-adult forcing them to face their failures? Both characters contain multitudes because, I mean, we all do.

I can provide articles or posts on Jack’s characterization and popularity along with Mary’s if needed, but for now I think this is a long enough ramble on my thoughts and feelings. I’m happy to discuss more, my messenger is always open for (polite) discussion. Until then, I’m going to leave it at we maybe agree to disagree.

#long post #long ask #so long answer #guys it's 1 am #i hope this made sense #watch me read this after sleep and register things i wish i said #oh well #jack kline #mary winchester #spn #supernatural #spn critical #supernatural critical #kinda?#eh just in case #spn meta #supernatural meta #jack meta

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lvlsrvryhigh · 7 years ago

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LVLSRVRYHI-059: Jade Statues | The Levels Are Very High

Hey! How's it going? I usually start with the introductions so, for anyone who doesn’t know, who are you / where are you from? It's going well :). My name is Jacob, aka Jade Statues. I live in Vancouver, Canada.

What are some of your early musical memories? You know, it’s kinda funny. When I was a kid if I was with my Dad we would listen to Ministry and Slayer and stuff like that. We used to drive around listening to "Thieves" when I was like 4 years old. Its still one of my favourite songs. If I was with my Mom we would listen to Boards of Canada and Bjork, and when I think about it now that's pretty much exactly the space I want to be operating in musically. Somewhere between Ministry and Bjork lol. I owe a lot to my parents for exposing me to a wide array of music from a young age, and allowing me to engage the interests I had in learning music.

You've referred to the My Blade EP, out now on TAR, as "the most honest" work you've done up until this point. How do you see that honesty establishing itself across the record? I suppose it feels that way to me because the past 2 years that I've worked on it have been very turbulent - in good and bad ways. I made every track on it in a different setting, each of those settings are very tied to memories now that were born out of that turbulence, if that makes sense. Settings like a 24 Hour Vet Clinic my friends lived in that I stayed at a lot, my parents basement, the house of someone who is very close to me, and the house I live in now that is somewhat isolated from the rest of the city. When I listen to the EP it's sort of like looking at a photo album of the past 2 years, or something like that. Plus, when I started it I didn't know exactly how I wanted it to sound and by the end of it there was this similarity about the tracks that just sort of happened naturally. It's sort of surreal to me.

My Blade by Jade Statues

Alongside the track Machine Birth on your Facebook is a description stating, "A being with great power, borne of Plant and machine, has taken it's first breath. And it will envelop us all." Both this proclamation and the artwork for the record are suggestive of a larger overarching narrative. Could you tell me a bit more about what it is that the EP is drawing on conceptually? Yeah while it is a very honest, personal record to me it's also a concept album, haha. A sentient being is born out of the combined energy of human technology and the earth's natural power, so basically an "Organic machine" - Humans try to obtain, harness, and extract the being's power but the being essentially turns the earth into an extension of itself before they can. The earth is now a sentient organic machine. I've always been inspired by the worlds that metal albums created, sometimes just with album art. Mastodon's "Crack The Skye" changed everything for me when I heard it. I just love writing concept albums lol.

You worked with Flufflord for the EP art and have a video project in the works with Chrome Destroyer and the resulting pieces show clear relationships to the textures and sounds found on the EP itself. Is there a specific visual or even physical context you see your music existing in? I've always been really interested in visuals and filmmaking from an early age. Tea and Chrome are definitely two of my favourite visual artists right now. I described to them what I was going for musically and they just nailed it visually. I love the format of 3D and I often like to heavily tie it into the whole Jade Statues "universe" if you will, because 3D allows you to create and bend HD imagery in such a way that I like to think I'm doing with music and to me it just sits right. 3D just feels right to me. I would love to have the budget to do elaborate stage designs with visual mapping and such, and I definitely want to make a full length live action film one day.

Your track 'Invocation' was recently featured as the soundtrack to a video on Memory Hole (Everything is Terrible), a space in which scattered debris of inane internet clips are forced through generative cycles of trash, redigestion and regurgitation. Are these modes of internet discourse reflective of your listening and production habits in any way? I guess you could say they are, I often spend more time messing with samples and making weird sounds than I do actually making songs. I've been a huge fan of those guys for years. I thought it was really funny that they used "Invocation". It's supposed to be like the immaculate orchestra tuning before this grand opera or whatever and they put it with a bunch of people getting stuck in miscellaneous shit. If EIT is reading this, I'd love to play a set at the week long festival of celebration/sacrifice to the Jerry Pyramid when it is built.

Tell me a bit about s.M.i.L.e. (or Shadows Making Imperfect Love Endlessly) - the party and radio show you run alongside Baby Blue, x/o, Sebastian Ruslan, and J.S. Aurelius. What are the origins of that project? In reference to the name, do you see yourselves as working *in* or *as* shadows? What role does imperfection play in the collective? Me and Baby Blue used to do a party together called "Cyber Spa" with Wobangs and d j b. That had been over for a while and I was itching to start something new, so I hit up Baby Blue and asked them if they wanted to be a part of it, and they said yes. We then asked x/o and Sebastian Ruslan - who both are a part of an art collective / mix series called Immunity - if they wanted to be residents too and they said yes, we decided on the name s.M.i.L.e. , J.S. joined us on our 3rd event and the rest is history..... We are all the shadows! "shadows making imperfect love endlessly" is simply a description of people dancing. I would say imperfection is perhaps a part of all of our creative processes and s.M.i.L.e. is a place we can bring all our styles + our guests styles that might not be similar to ours together and create something special. We like to use our laptops and CDJs in imperfect ways as well ;)

Did you set out with a particular idea for this mix? Where and how did you record it? I don’t have any mixes online really, so I wanted to make an accurate representation of the of sets I usually play, at s.M.i.L.e. and just in general. I tried to include a lot of my music and a lot of my friends' music. Some of the songs in it are just ones I'm really feeling lately. I recorded it sitting in my bed, and also in my studio on VirtualDJ, then added more effects in Logic after.

What do you have planned for the rest of 2017? It's almost over! Damn. I really need to save up some money so I can move out of Vancouver. I'm pretty tired of living here. Other than that trying to tour / do as many shows as I can and continue to help curate s.M.i.L.e. :)

If you had to pick something for people to listen to immediately after this mix what would it be? This, on loop, forever.

#Jade Statues #s.M.i.L.e.#mix series #interview #the levels are very high #lvlsrvryhi

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parentingguide8-blog · 6 years ago

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Parents, Heres How to Make YouTube Kids Safer

New Post has been published on https://parentinguideto.com/must-see/parents-heres-how-to-make-youtube-kids-safer-2/

Parents, Heres How to Make YouTube Kids Safer

On Friday, a pediatrician and parenting blogger named Free N. Hess published a post about a series of disturbing videos she found on YouTube Kids, a stand-alone app that is supposed to make it “safer and simpler” for those under 13 to browse videos online. A number of news outlets quickly picked up on the clips Hess discovered, which included one where Minecraft–inspired characters carry out a school shooting. In another, an animated girl with long brown hair attempts to commit suicide after her dad dies and her boyfriend breaks up with her.

These cartoons weren’t created for YouTube Kids—they were uploaded to the main YouTube platform and later slipped past filters designed to keep inappropriate content away from minors. Some of the videos have racked up hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of views. “We work to ensure the videos in YouTube Kids are family-friendly and take feedback very seriously,” YouTube said in a statement. “We appreciate people drawing problematic content to our attention, and make it possible for anyone to flag a video.”

Hess is far from the first parent to find alarming videos on YouTube Kids. When the app was released in 2015, YouTube said parents could “rest a little easier” knowing their children would only be shown “content appropriate for kids.” But just three months after it launched, child consumer advocates complained to the Federal Trade Commission about “potentially harmful” YouTube Kids videos that depicted violence, suicide, and drug use.

Two years later, a Medium post about the plethora of disturbing children’s content on YouTube went viral, leading to a wave of media investigations, which often focused on YouTube’s reliance on automated systems to moderate videos.

YouTube soon announced that “content featuring inappropriate use of family characters,” such as upsetting Peppa the Pig knockoffs, would be age-restricted—meaning not permitted on YouTube Kids—and ineligible for advertising. In 2018, the company went further, introducing a new “trusted channels” feature, where parents can choose from collections of curated videos that have been cherry-picked by YouTube Kids and its partners. Parents can now also restrict kids from watching anything other than the videos and channels they handpick themselves.

It’s these control settings, rather than the overall safety of YouTube Kids, that the company now emphasizes. “We use a mix of filters, user feedback and human reviewers to keep the videos in YouTube Kids family friendly,” the YouTube Kids landing page says. “But no system is perfect and inappropriate videos can slip through.” YouTube then highlights the various parental features it offers. It’s not clear whether Hess had any of these settings enabled when she published her blog post. (Hess did not immediately return a request for comment.)

“It takes a lot of effort to curate a space for your kid,” says Jill Murphy, the editor in chief of Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that promotes safe technology for kids.

But YouTube Kids can be a great and convenient way to keep kids entertained. It provides a nearly endless source of educational content, as well as innocuous cartoons. If you’re a parent considering using YouTube Kids, or already have the app and worry about what your kids are seeing, here are the safety features you should know about.

Getting Started

When parents first download YouTube Kids, the app walks them through a tutorial explaining how it works, the options they have, and the kind of information YouTube collects. (In the US, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, regulates how companies can track children under 13. However, a complaint filed to the FTC last year pointed out that many kids still watch regular YouTube.) Parents are then prompted to choose whether they want their child to be able to explore all of YouTube Kids, where “automated systems select content from the broader universe of videos on YouTube,” or be limited to channels that have been “verified” by YouTube. At multiple points in this process, the company admits it “can’t manually review all videos.”

If parents sign in to their Gmail accounts, they can also save personalized lists of approved videos and channels, as well as create individual profiles for up to eight children. Even if parents let their children explore the eternity of YouTube Kids, they can select from two categories of content, either for children under 8 years old or for those who are older. If a parent chooses instead to create a custom list of videos, YouTube will direct them to its collections, which include bundles of channels curated by organizations like PBS and UNICEF. Parents can also add their own videos and channels by searching for them.

Additional Controls

Once YouTube Kids is up and running, tap the lock icon in the lower right corner of the app. You will then be prompted to solve a math problem, which later can be replaced by a four-digit passcode. First create this passcode, to protect kids from answering the equation and altering their parental controls later. Once inside the settings menu, parents can set a timer, which will lock the app when the allotted amount of time runs out.

To change what content kids can access, tap their individual profiles. To alter these settings, parents need to enter the password for their Gmail account—not the 4-digit passcode. To limit kids to only human-curated videos, turn off “Allow searching.” Below this setting, parents can toggle the content level of the videos to those intended for “Younger” or “Older” audiences. Or they may switch to content only they approve. You can also “Pause watch history” at the bottom of the screen, which stops YouTube Kids from using video views or search terms to recommend new videos to children.

If you do come across a disturbing video, you can block it (as well as the entire channel that distributed it) by tapping the three dots in the right corner. You can also report inappropriate clips to YouTube the same way.

Even if you enable these features, it’s also possible your kids will learn how to circumvent them. “YouTube Kids has a very short shelf life. My 6-year-old can work around these parental controls,” says Murphy. “It’s not that hard for them to manipulate it. You don’t have to be able to read.” There are plenty of other issues to consider as well, like the amount of advertising and sponsored content parents are comfortable with their children consuming.

But as long as parents are wise about it, there’s little harm in letting children watch videos on YouTube Kids, especially when the app can provide a much-needed distraction for parents. But before you hand off the iPad or smartphone, it’s worth taking a close look at the guardrails YouTube offers.