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mywitchyblog · 6 months ago

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Reacting Answering and debunking Kristine s take on shifting (girl who talked about genetics and shifting)

Let’s clear the air, babes. 💅✨"

So, I know some of y’all might have stumbled across that TikTok from @sectumsempress (Christine), and if you haven’t yet, let me sum it up: it’s a video where she dives into her takes on shifting—some thought-provoking, some solid, and others… well, let’s just say they need a little rethinking.

Now, before anyone panics or starts spiraling, let me reassure you: you’re not doing anything wrong. Shifting is a personal journey, and one person’s opinions (even if they’re loud and sassy) don’t define the truth. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by her claims, breathe, because I’ve got you.

I’m here to break down her points one by one: where she’s spot on, where she’s almost there, and where she’s just plain off the mark. This isn’t about dragging anyone—it’s about keeping the shifting community informed, confident, and empowered.

Remember, babe: shifting is real, it’s valid, and you are more than capable of mastering it. Let’s dive into this post with clarity, sass, and a sprinkle of tough love. We’re addressing it all, and we’re doing it together. 💖✨

Taglist :

1: "I don't know what it is, but I do think there is a genetic component to who can and cannot shift."

Oh, honey. Let me stop you right there. Reality shifting is about consciousness, not chromosomes. No one’s out here unlocking DRs with their DNA. If shifting were genetic, then wouldn’t identical twins always have the same shifting abilities? Newsflash: they don’t. Shifting is deeply personal—it’s shaped by belief systems, practice, and the state of your subconscious mind.

Let’s talk logic:

If shifting were genetic, why do people from all backgrounds, ages, and cultures shift successfully?

If genes dictated shifting ability, how do beginners with no spiritual training manage to shift while seasoned practitioners struggle sometimes?

This "genetic component" claim feels like an excuse to gatekeep shifting behind a veil of exclusivity. You don’t need elite DNA—you need clarity, discipline, and faith in your abilities. What you’re really saying here is “I’m struggling and need something to blame.” Blame your approach, babe, not your ancestors. Shifting doesn’t care about your family tree; it cares about your mindset. 🧬✨

2: "Out of everyone who can shift, most of them shouldn't, including myself when I first started."

Now this is projection if I’ve ever seen it. Just because you weren’t ready when you started doesn’t mean the rest of the community isn’t. People shift for their own reasons, whether it’s healing, exploration, fun, or growth. Who are you to decide who should and shouldn’t explore their consciousness?

Let’s unpack this:

Shifting is a skill, and like any skill, it comes with a learning curve. Mistakes and missteps are part of the process. No one is perfect at it from the jump, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try.

This idea of “most people shouldn’t shift” reeks of elitism. What’s the criteria? Who makes the rules? Oh wait—you don’t, because this is an individual journey.

And let’s not ignore the thinly veiled guilt here. “Including myself when I first started” screams “I made mistakes, so no one else should try.” No, sis, you made mistakes so others can learn and grow. Let people figure it out for themselves—your experience isn’t universal. Stay humble. 💁‍♀️✨

3: "If shifting is affecting your current reality to the point where your mental health plummets and you can't function, the cost is too high. This is also at past me."

Okay, valid point. For once, we’re aligned—but let’s add nuance. Shifting itself isn’t the villain here. The problem arises when someone uses shifting as an escape or obsesses over their DR to the detriment of their CR.

Here’s the truth:

Shifting works best when you’re grounded in your CR. Neglecting your CR responsibilities, ignoring self-care, or avoiding real-life problems will inevitably lead to burnout. Your CR self is the foundation for all your realities. If you’re not taking care of yourself here, it’s going to show up in your DR too.

Balance is key. Shifting can be an incredible tool for healing and self-discovery, but it’s not a replacement for addressing your mental health or real-life challenges.

Let’s also call out this “past me” comment. You’re shading yourself for your mistakes, which is fair, but don’t let that self-criticism turn into fear-mongering for others. Instead of saying “the cost is too high,” try saying, “Learn from my mistakes and prioritize your well-being.” That’s the energy we need. 🧠✨

4: "I think there will come a time when shifting is able to be explained scientifically."

Now we’re getting somewhere. Yes, science may eventually catch up, but let’s not act like shifting is waiting for permission to exist. Just because something isn’t fully understood doesn’t mean it’s invalid. Dreams weren’t “real” until REM sleep was discovered. Electricity wasn’t harnessed until the right tools were developed. Shifting is the same—it’s ahead of its time.

Here’s the tea:

Quantum physics already hints at the nature of reality being far more fluid and observer-dependent than we once thought. Concepts like the observer effect and parallel universes align with what shifters describe.

Neurology is just scratching the surface of how visualization and intention shape the brain. Lucid dreaming, meditation, and neuroplasticity all prove that the mind is capable of extraordinary things.

The fact that shifting isn’t yet measurable doesn’t diminish its validity. Science is a tool, not a dictator of truth. Shifting is real now, and science will catch up later. Don’t let the lack of a peer-reviewed study make you doubt your own experiences. 🔬✨

5: "The majority of people on Shiftok in 2020 were lying."

You’re not wrong, but let’s dig deeper. Were there liars? Absolutely. TikTok’s algorithm rewards drama, and fake success stories grabbed attention. But dismissing the entire Shiftok community as liars is lazy and reductive.

Here’s what really happened:

Many people on Shiftok were genuine shifters sharing their tips and experiences. The problem was that TikTok favored sensationalism over authenticity. Real advice got buried under Hogwarts weddings and Draco stans claiming they had seven kids in one night. 🐍✨

The fake stories weren’t malicious—they were clout-chasing. People wanted likes, and exaggerating their experiences worked.

But let’s not let the liars overshadow the genuine shifters who were out there putting in the work. Misinformation thrived because of the platform, not because everyone was lying. Don’t throw out the whole community just because some people were playing the algorithm. 🌟✨

6: "Way more people outside of the internet shift than we think they do, and most of them are adults."

This one is surprisingly solid, but let’s add some layers. Shifting has been around forever—it’s not a TikTok invention. People have been exploring alternate realities under different names, like astral projection, lucid dreaming, and deep meditation, for centuries. These practices have roots in spiritual traditions across cultures, often led by—you guessed it—adults.

Why don’t we hear more about these adults?

They’re less likely to post about it online because they don’t care about clout or “DR trends.”

Many adults see shifting as a private, sacred practice rather than something to flex.

But here’s where the take falters: don’t dismiss teens and younger people just because they’re more visible online. Shifting transcends age. The internet didn’t create shifting; it just gave teens a platform to talk about it. And let’s not act like adults are automatically better at it—age doesn’t guarantee discipline or skill, hun. Stop pitting age groups against each other. Shifting is for everyone, whether you’re 15 or 50. 🌌✨

7: "Nine out of ten times, teenagers do not have the emotional maturity or mental capacity to handle a DR. I know I sure wouldn't have been able to."

Okay, this one SCREAMS projection. Just because you weren’t ready doesn’t mean an entire generation of teenagers isn’t. Emotional maturity isn’t an age—it’s a mindset. While it’s true that some teens might struggle with the responsibilities or intensity of a DR, plenty of them are capable of handling it.

Here’s what you’re missing:

Shifting is deeply personal. One teen’s DR might be about living in Hogwarts, while another’s might be about exploring their self-worth or healing trauma. What they can handle depends on their intent and preparation—not their birth year.

This take also assumes that adults magically have their lives together. Let’s be real—plenty of adults couldn’t handle a DR either. Emotional maturity is learned through experience, not something that just arrives with age.

Instead of writing off teenagers as too immature, why not empower them to approach shifting responsibly? Help them understand the importance of grounding techniques, journaling, and balancing their CR. Support them instead of gatekeeping, babe. Growth comes from guidance, not judgment. 🖤✨

8: "Shifting to live as a child when you are an adult is wrong."

Oh, let’s unpack this nonsense, because the judgment here is LOUD and unnecessary. Shifting to live as a child isn’t inherently “wrong”—it’s all about intent. People shift to younger ages for all kinds of valid reasons:

Healing: Someone who had a traumatic childhood might shift to experience the innocence and joy they missed out on. That’s not “wrong”—it’s deeply therapeutic.

Nostalgia: Revisiting a simpler time in life can be comforting and grounding.

Where’s the harm if someone is revisiting their childhood for healing or self-discovery? The only time this could be “wrong” is if someone’s doing it for malicious, fetishistic, or exploitative reasons. And let’s be clear—that’s an issue with the person’s intent, not the act of shifting itself.

This take reeks of moral grandstanding. If you don’t understand why someone might shift to a younger age, maybe try asking instead of judging. People’s reasons for shifting are complex and personal. Stay in your lane and let them live. 🍼✨

9: "Shifting to live as an adult when you are a child is wrong."

And here comes the hypocrisy. Why is shifting to an adult age suddenly a problem? If a teenager shifts to experience independence, maturity, or even just to see what adulthood is like, how is that “wrong”?

Let’s break it down:

Exploring independence: Teens often feel powerless in their CR lives. Shifting to adulthood can give them a sense of control or help them explore who they want to be.

Learning experiences: Shifting to an adult DR doesn’t mean teens are out here taking real-world risks. It’s an internal journey. They’re not suddenly going to have access to bank accounts or responsibilities in their CR.

The issue isn’t teens shifting to adult ages—it’s how they approach adult themes. If a teen shifts irresponsibly or romanticizes harmful aspects of adulthood, that’s a learning opportunity, not a reason to gatekeep. Let them explore and grow. The real world isn’t handing out “mature enough” badges; why should shifting? 🔑✨

10: "Shifting is a perception of reality that takes place inside your own mind, and this does not make it any less real."

Babe, what even IS this take? Calling shifting “a perception of reality inside your own mind” is the laziest oversimplification. It’s like saying the ocean is just “wet stuff” or the universe is just “space.” Shifting is SO much more than a mental exercise.

Here’s why this is bullshit:

Shifters report full sensory immersion in their DRs—smells, tastes, and even physical sensations. That’s not just perception; that’s a relocation of awareness.

Many shifters describe gaining knowledge or skills in their DRs that they couldn’t have fabricated in their CR minds. That’s evidence of connection to a separate reality, not just “perception.”

Saying it’s all in your head is reductive and dismissive. Shifting isn’t just a daydream or lucid dream—it’s a deliberate movement of consciousness.

By this logic, everything you experience is just “perception,” and therefore not real. Do better. Shifting is as real as the CR you’re reading this in—it’s just on a different frequency. 🌀✨

11: "Therefore, perma shifting is impossible."

Who told you this? Perma shifting isn’t just possible—it’s the logical extension of what shifting already is. If infinite realities exist and your consciousness can relocate temporarily, what exactly is stopping it from staying permanently?

Let’s debunk this thoroughly:

Shifting doesn’t require you to return to your CR. You’re not tethered here by some metaphysical leash. If you can spend weeks in a DR, why not forever?

This take assumes that your CR body is what keeps you “alive.” Wrong. Your consciousness is the seat of your existence, not the meat suit you’re wearing in your CR.

The only barrier to perma shifting is fear or lack of belief. People who say it’s impossible are projecting their own limitations. If shifting is real, so is perma shifting. Stop trying to box people into your doubts. Perma shifters are already out there living their best DR lives while you’re here arguing with yourself. 🖤✨

12: "Your body will not get up and do things while you're shifting."

Okay, I’ll give credit where it’s due—this one is spot on. Your CR body doesn’t suddenly start sleepwalking or doing the cha-cha while you’re in your DR. Shifting doesn’t override your physical body’s autopilot mode. Instead, your CR body stays in a deep state of rest, like sleeping or meditating.

Here’s why this is accurate:

Shifting is a relocation of consciousness, not physical movement. Your awareness moves to your DR, while your CR body stays put. It’s like putting your computer on sleep mode—it’s still there, just inactive.

If your CR body did start moving, you’d be blending realities, which isn’t how shifting works. Shifting creates a clear boundary between where your consciousness is and where your body remains.

That said, your CR body can react slightly to your DR state—like twitching or deepened breathing—but it’s not going to hop up and do laundry. So yes, you’re right, but don’t act like this is revolutionary knowledge. Most people know this already. Your body stays put while your mind does the exploring. 🛏️✨

13: "Most people treat scripting and shifting as a choose-your-own-path fanfic instead of reality."

This one’s got layers, and I’m ready to dig in. First of all, who cares if someone treats scripting like fanfic? Scripting is a personal tool, and people can approach it however they like. But let’s get real: scripting is way more than fanfiction.

Here’s the nuance:

Scripting is a powerful manifestation tool. It sets clear intentions for what you want to experience in your DR. Treating it like a story doesn’t make it any less valid. If imagining yourself as the protagonist in a beautifully detailed “fanfic” helps you focus, then it’s working, period.

Not everyone scripts for the same reasons. Some people use it to map out specific DR details, while others treat it as a loose guide. Neither approach is wrong—it’s about what works for YOU.

Also, let’s not act like scripting takes away from the “reality” of shifting. Scripting isn’t fake—it’s preparation. The moment you shift, what you scripted becomes as real as your CR. So stop invalidating people’s methods just because you don’t like the format. 💁‍♀️✨

14: "Putting your DR on a pedestal makes it harder to get to."

Okay, now we’re talking sense. This take is 100% accurate, and it’s a trap that a lot of shifters fall into. When you treat your DR like it’s some magical, unattainable place, you create mental resistance that makes shifting harder.

Here’s why this is true:

Your subconscious mind follows your beliefs. If you see your DR as something distant or godlike, your subconscious will act accordingly. It’ll say, “Oh, we’re not worthy yet? Cool, let’s not shift.”

When you overhype your DR, you’re also adding unnecessary pressure. Shifting becomes less about the journey and more about the desperation to “make it happen.” That desperation creates doubt, which blocks your progress.

The trick? Normalize your DR. Think of it as a natural extension of your existence, not some impossible dream. It’s real, attainable, and waiting for you—you just have to stop psyching yourself out. DRs are exciting, but they’re not fairy tales. Treat them as real, and your subconscious will follow suit. ✨

15: "I'm really excited about going to my DR in the same way that I'm really excited about going to a theme park or to a museum. Something very exciting but also very real and attainable."

Another solid take—this is exactly the right mindset. Approaching your DR with excitement, but without putting it on a pedestal, is the sweet spot for successful shifting. It’s the energy of anticipation, not desperation, that aligns your mind with your destination.

Here’s why this works:

Excitement fuels intention. When you’re genuinely excited about shifting, your subconscious is more likely to cooperate because it associates your DR with positive emotions.

Seeing your DR as “real and attainable” grounds your belief system. If you treat it like a natural part of your reality, your mind will perceive it as such.

This take is also a great reminder that shifting is a journey, not a chore. Approach it with the same joy you’d have for any adventure, and the process becomes smoother. Your DR isn’t some untouchable fantasy—it’s a place you can visit with the right mindset. Theme park energy, but make it metaphysical. 🎢✨

16: "I'm not excited about going to my DR like some heavenly dream world. That's just unrealistic."

Thank you for saying this, because it’s time to drag the “heavenly DR” myth. DRs aren’t utopias, and expecting them to be perfect sets you up for disappointment. Shifting is about experiencing another reality, not escaping to some flawless paradise.

Here’s the tea:

Every DR has challenges. Just like CR, your DR will have ups and downs. That doesn’t make it any less real or amazing—it just makes it dynamic and authentic.

Thinking of your DR as a “heavenly dream world” adds unnecessary pressure. When you finally shift and realize your DR isn’t perfect, you risk feeling disillusioned or disappointed.

The truth? Your DR is real, but it’s not going to solve all your problems or fulfill all your fantasies. Treat it as an exciting new chapter, not a flawless escape. The more grounded your expectations, the more satisfying your experience will be. ✨

17: "Judging people for what they do in their DR based on CR standards is usually wrong."

Finally, a take that makes sense! This is the kind of nuance we need in the shifting community. DRs operate on their own rules, and trying to apply CR standards to them is like judging a fish for not climbing a tree.

Here’s why this is on point:

Different realities, different rules. What might be morally or socially acceptable in CR could be completely irrelevant in a DR. People shift to explore and experience, not to replicate the exact conditions of CR.

Judging others is counterproductive. Shifting is deeply personal. Someone’s DR journey might be about exploring sides of themselves that they suppress in CR, and that’s valid. As long as they’re not harming others, it’s not your business.

Let’s be clear, though: this doesn’t excuse harmful behavior in DRs. If someone’s intentionally scripting unethical or damaging scenarios, that’s a different conversation. But for the most part, let people live and shift without your CR morality checklist. 🌀✨

18: "Every single thing you script has far-reaching consequences that you cannot imagine until you get there. If you script that you can't sweat or can't grow body hair, you'll show up in your DR with some medical condition that causes those things."

Girl, when we thought there was progress... you do THIS?! Let’s break it down, because this take is serving a mix of paranoia and half-truths, and I’m disappointed.

Yes, scripting can shape your DR reality, but this idea that every single detail comes with “far-reaching consequences” is dramatic and misleading.

Scripting sets intentions. If you script that you don’t sweat, your DR might interpret that literally, but it doesn’t mean you’re suddenly cursed with a medical condition. Your DR adapts to your intentions, not in some twisted monkey’s paw way, but in alignment with your desires.

This take leans heavily into fear-mongering. It’s important to script mindfully, but implying that a poorly worded script will backfire catastrophically is unnecessary drama.

Let’s not scare people into thinking shifting is a minefield of unintended consequences. Scripting is flexible and intuitive. If you don’t like something in your DR, you can shift back and adjust. Chill, girl—it’s not that deep. 😒✨

19: "Things in reality don't just fucking happen for no reason."

This is facts, but let’s unpack it fully. Whether it’s CR or DR, reality operates on cause and effect. Your actions, intentions, and beliefs shape your experience.

Here’s the tea:

In shifting, your subconscious mind plays a huge role. Nothing “just happens.” If you experience something unexpected in your DR, it’s often tied to unintentional thoughts, emotions, or residual CR beliefs.

This take is a good reminder to take responsibility for your scripting and intentions. You are the architect of your DR. If something goes awry, it’s not because the universe is out to get you—it’s because of how you set the framework.

That said, let’s not act like every single thing needs to be micromanaged. Part of the fun of shifting is letting your DR surprise you. Control the big stuff, but leave room for spontaneity. Your DR doesn’t need to feel like a sterile checklist. ✨

20: "Scripting yourself a dysfunctional abusive family on purpose is fucked up."

YES, babe, say it louder for the people in the back! This is a take I fully agree with. If you’re intentionally scripting harmful or abusive dynamics into your DR, you need to seriously reflect on why.

Here’s why this is so problematic:

Your DR is a space for growth, healing, and exploration. Why would you willingly bring toxicity into it? If you want to explore complex relationships, that’s fine, but scripting outright abuse is deeply concerning.

This kind of scripting raises ethical red flags. Even if DR characters are technically constructs, the energy and intent behind scripting abuse can reflect unresolved issues or harmful tendencies.

Shifting is a powerful tool—don’t misuse it by scripting negativity for the sake of drama. If you’re scripting toxic situations, ask yourself what you’re really seeking. Your DR should uplift you, not drag you into unnecessary harm. Do better. 🖤✨

Let’s wrap this up with love and clarity, babes. 💖✨"

So, after unpacking @sectumsempress’s (Christine’s) points, here’s the bottom line: Shifting is YOUR journey. Some of her takes were valid, others were shaky, and a few? Well, they needed a reality check. But hey, that’s the beauty of conversations like these—it gives us a chance to reflect, grow, and strengthen our understanding of shifting.

Remember:

Shifting is deeply personal. What works for one person might not work for you, and that’s okay.

Misinformation doesn’t define you. Always question, explore, and trust your intuition.

You are capable, worthy, and enough. Whether you’re scripting, visualizing, or just starting out, your DR is closer than you think.

At the end of the day, the shifting community thrives when we support, uplift, and educate each other. So let’s keep pushing forward with confidence, kindness, and a whole lot of sass. Your reality is yours to create—don’t let anyone dim that light. 💅✨

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stargirlfeyre · 1 year ago

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So whose going to tell these people that Elain was friends with the shadow twins before Nesta was friends with Gwyn and Emerie? How are Elain fans copying y’all by talking about her trio when canonically her trio existed before Nesta’s😭?

Seriously though the possessiveness Nesta fans feel over normal things is so…? They’re some of the most envious people in this fandom because how are you gatekeeping friendships? It’s canon that they’re friends. It’s canon that they spend more time with her than her own sisters. It’s canon that they’re friends with her not because they’re getting paid for it but because they like spending time with her (they literally rejected when Feyre tried to give them a raise for helping Elain). Elain’s life does not revolve around Nesta and she does have outside relationships that matter to her. Y’all need to just cope with that.

Like having friends is copying someone now? Please go outside platonic relationships are normal.

And secondly how are you gate keeping a court that already belongs to Rhys😭? “Elain fans try to steal Dusk from Nesta” now how can they steal something from Nesta that doesn’t belong to her in the first place? The Dusk Court/Prison does not belong to Elain or Nesta and it’s already said that even if it’s an 8th court, it still falls under Rhys’ jurisdiction. His blood is the only thing that can open the gates. You’re gatekeeping territory that already has Rhys’ name slapped on it. But you want to talk about fans copying and stealing from other characters?

And it’s funny how people only have an issue with saying another character is going to get Gwydion when it’s Elain. Don’t get me wrong I don’t think she’s going to get it because I’m personally not an “Elain becoming a warrior and wielding a powerful sword” girlie but why is it this big discourse only when it comes to her? Mind you, y’all aren’t even arguing over how her becoming a warrior and getting Gwydion wouldn’t fit her character (which would be valid)…y’all are arguing over her “taking” something from Nesta. Which makes no sense because almost every character is foreshadowed (by this fandom) to wield Gwydion and y’all don’t have as much of an issue with that.

Like I’ve even seen some theories about Nyx, a baby, getting it (because if the High Ruler plot does happen he would be a future High King) and it wasn’t a big deal. It’s like people understand that Nesta did not claim that sword the way she did with Ataraxia until Elain is brought into the conversation. We can make fanart and create theories of every character under the sun with that sword but you better not even think about Elain getting it.

From gatekeeping Motherly relationships, friendships, a court that doesn’t even belong to Nesta, and a sword I think it’s safe to say Nesta fans have officially lost it.

#elain archeron #nesta archeron #feyre archeron #archeron sisters #elain hasn’t even had her book yet and she’s already pissing people off over mundane things #being mad over a friendship that has nothing to do with nesta? seriously.#Nesta fans get so upset over Feyre and Elain’s friendships because they have nothing to do with Nesta and she’s not included in any of them #gwyneth berdara #emerie of illyria #dusk court #nuala and cerridwen #elain x nuala x cerridwen #elriel #pro elriel #elain x azriel #gwydion #also I haven’t really seen elain fans try to ‘steal’ the mother from nesta. elain’s relationship with the cauldron is what people really #find interesting because there more knowledge and substance behind it #azriel #pro elain #y’all leave that girl alone y’all aren’t even criticizing her for valid reasons but simply because you’re a miserable and jealous person #like I would like if elain and feyre had some sort of relationship too but you don’t see me out here devaluing every other relationship #elain has because I’m upset that she isn’t super close to feyre. it’s NOT that serious.

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rottenbrainstuff · 1 year ago

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Star Wars rant:

Oh you guys

I watch documentaries while I do stuff - I’ve been watching Disney documentaries recently. The things I’ve just seen! You guys! You guys! You are not going to rewrite history that I still remember.

I am hearing people say all kind of crazyass things about what Disney did with Star Wars and where it made mistakes. You guys this wasn’t that long ago. I have heard someone say the reason that the rise of skywalker was bad was because the last Jedi went so weird with the writing that the third movie had nowhere to go - what! I don’t buy that for five seconds. As soon as TLJ came out, fans were discussing ideas for what we thought was going to happen next and no one had trouble creating outlines and ideas that all sounded a million times better than the shit we ended up getting. Please don’t blame TRoS on anyone but JJ Abrams and Chris Terrio! I even saw the Trevorrow script and look, it’s not amazing, but even that is better than what we got. (Slightly)

I heard someone say Star Wars fans were disappointed in TFA when it was released and we were just waiting to see what the next movie was going to be like. Y’all are trying to act like you knew what was going to happen in the end and you were smart and skeptical. That is completely fucking wrong. There WERE some hardcore gatekeeper fans who were disappointed it wasn’t down to their exacting checklist of things they wanted, and some folks wanted the new trilogy to follow the EU books. (And guess what happened when they made a movie to try and please the gatekeeping fans? We got TRoS) By and large, the fans were NOT disappointed. Are you kidding me??? We were ecstatic. Everyone at the cons wanted to talk about that movie, and everyone suddenly loved Star Wars again.

And I have actually heard with my own two ears some say that ohhhhh George Lucas had an outline of ideas for the sequel trilogies, but Disney threw them in the bin and didn’t use them, if we had just followed George’s master plan, we could have had a good sequel - my god - I knew it was only a matter of time before I heard someone say this. You are either: absolute goddamned hypocrites! You are the same people who sang “George Lucas Raped my Childhood” after the prequel trilogy came out! You cried louder than anyone that George Lucas ruined Star Wars, and NOW you want to walk that back and pretend like you actually liked him this whole time? Or else: you are too young to remember the absolute franchise killer that the prequel movies were, how utterly scorned they were at the time, you never read George Lucas’ original script for a New Hope (and btw that movie was a mess - the only reason it is as good as it is is because he had a great editor), you have never read any of his other outlines for things and realized how fucking stupid they are and how lucky we are he did NOT end up making anything more. The whole problem with the prequels was that George had too much control and not enough input from other people to keep things sensible. Oh my god no. No, no, no. Can we not say that? Ever? That’s like being served a dog turd for supper and saying that instead we should have eaten the moldy month old Kraft dinner in the forgotten Tupperware. Let’s not pretend the moldy Kraft dinner isn’t also nasty.

I can’t believe I’m hearing this, people just making up junk years later. Did you all seriously forget already? It wasn’t even that long ago!

#also I swear somewhere in the past I read his outline for more sequels #and they were the absolute stupidest things I had ever heard and I was glad we were getting something fresh and new #can’t remember any details now but I swear I read something about it at one point #my fucking god I can’t believe someone actually said that we should have went with George’s plan #TRoS really traumatized you all huh?#made you all forget #man.#Star Wars negativity #Star Wars

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infinitelytheheartexpands · 2 years ago

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Le prophète (Karlsruhe, 2015): Reactions, Part III

and we’re back!!!

honestly props to them for holding this pose for that long

also this is now the SECOND kratzer production i’ve seen where they play basketball onstage

the media is a powerful tool

poor fidès

she kept his bloodstained apron THE WHOLE TIME!!! 😭

hey don’t TAKE THE APRON WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU

edit: they gave it back

BERTHE’S BACK!!!!!!!!!

oh no oh no oh no (HE’S NOT ACTUALLY DEAD Y’ALL)

one of the most beautiful, saddest duets ever right here

y’all, the prophet didn’t KILL jean, the prophet IS jean

and now y’all are gonna try to kill him. love that. totally won’t go wrong!

(also why’d you cut this part of the duet in half that’s not a good decision)

the revolution WILL be televised, i guess

i just love this scene: the chanting, the organ, fidès rising above it all, the sheer IRONY of it…

(unfortunately it also seems to have been cut in half)

cotillion core (also the small detail of having all the girls in not just floofy dresses but PINK floofy dresses and the boys in not just suits but BLUE suits)

this feels very creepy!!! (also WHERE ARE YOU TAKING THAT BOY)

update: uhhhhhhhh that was Bad. they did Bad Things to that poor child.

and now the camera operator is just zooming in on this one poor child and traumatizing him further

(meanwhile the kid is just So Done, and rightly so!)

coronation: CRASHED

“WE CAN’T AFFORD TO LET THE CHILDREN SUSPECT ANYTHING OR KNOW THE TRUTH!!!!!!”

…things really don’t change, do they

GO OFF FIDÈS

“get me out of here GET ME OUT OF HERE”

“WE WANT ANSWERS”

(also this ensemble is just the BEST and if you don’t agree sorry you’re wrong)

gaslight gatekeep girlboss or something like that

poor both of them honestly

and she said NO! jean is NOT her son! he was in fact not born of mortal woman! (and thus could kill m*cbeth i guess)

THE CELEBRATORY MULTICOLOR STROBE LIGHTING LMAO

(also uh. that’s not a miracle. that’s psychological blackmail)

“OH FUCK!!! BERTHE WANTS TO KILL THIS GUY BUT SHE DOESN’T KNOW HE’S HER FIANCÉ!!!”

…we’ve all been there

seriously: WHAT. AN. ACT.

#opera tag #opera #opera liveblog #le prophète #meyerbeer #giacomo meyerbeer #this act just HITS DIFFERENT

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fictionalreads · 5 months ago

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Chicago P.D. Season 12 Episode 13

Atwater

I like seeing him happy. He seems lighter.

OH I LOVE THIS! Unfortunately it’s Chicago PD so something is gonna go wrong.

Ruzek and Torres are here!

LMAO You should start a podcast.

I hope the shooting doesn’t make things difficult for Kevin.

What the hell does Largesse mean? Maybe I need this vocab app. DON’T GATEKEEP CECE

Who do you know? What happened?

Oh it’s his friend? Ah man!

This is gonna get messy. I just know it.

Luther? Luther Vandross? A little Anita? Something to set this party off right? Sorry yall it’s my brain.

Why can’t they just give Kevin a happy ending for once?

The case

Oh this is sad. His mama just saw him.

On one hand I get it, they’re just trying to cover all the bases and make sure not to miss anything so they have to ask. But on the other hand, NOT EVERY BLACK PERSON IS GANG AFFILIATED 😡

Ruzek. Don’t make me mad. You heard his mama say he wasn’t affiliated.

Pink cocaine?

Voight sound like he really wanted to say “stop coming to me with problems. Give me a solution. Work what we do have dumbasses.”

I hate seeing Kevin undercover. I don’t know why. I can deal when it’s the rest of them.

“I may have just bumped into him” 😂😂 this is sending me.

OH SHIT HE DEAD

Ruzek. Get off his ass. All the dirty shit you done did?! Leave Kevin alone!

Exactly it’s not the same.

Ruzek quit touching the man.

Ah shit it’s about to go to hell. He ain’t taking the bait.

This man is about to start shooting. He calling people. RUN!

I KNEW IT RUN

Why did Kevin stop?!

LIKE YOU HAVEN’T DONE THE SAME THING VOIGHT?!

The writers are making him such a hypocrite.

Oh this Luther dude is a legit killer. He about to kill Hype.

Fuck. I knew it. I hope Hype don’t die.

FUUUUUCK!

A little late for your sympathy Voight.

I was about to say they really made me mad with Voight this episode but then he said his famous quote. Tell me the truth so I can lie for you.

Miscellaneous

Hey what happened to that lady who likes Voight? The DA? What was her name?

Yall why I literally be acting like Kiana is while trying to “act normal” so nobody thinks she’s a cop when I am ACTUALLY WAITING ON A RIDE AND NOT UNDERCOVER IN ANY CAPACITY I be acting so suspicious y’all.

I miss the Kim and Kevin moments. They were friends before him and Ruzek.

#one chicago #chicago pd #kevin atwater #his quasi girlfriend #what’s her name?#adam ruzek #dante torres #hank voight #kim burgess #kiana cook

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oddyseye · 20 days ago

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You are acting like Eurylochus defenders know nothing of the Odyssey or history...then proceed to know nothing about it either.

Odysseus was not even a king in the full monarchic sense. He was a basileus, a warlord or chief among equals, yeah, but stop trying to project medieval European kingship onto Mycenaean Greece like it’s the same damn thing. Ancient Greek “monarchies” weren’t your shiny crown-and-scepter fairy tale monarchies. Stop.

Don’t even get me started on your holier-than-thou tone about “things were different back then.” Yeah, they were. But that doesn’t mean you get to excuse everything Odysseus did like he’s a saintly king doing his duty. Also, accusing Eurylochus defenders of not knowing shit about ancient Greece just because they like the musical? LOL, as if liking a retelling erases your capacity for scholarship. Get outta here with that gatekeeping nonsense. Plenty of people know the text and enjoy adaptations. You don’t get to decide who’s a “real” fan based on their fandom tastes.

The post screams: “Don’t judge the past by modern standards!” and then immediately turns around and applies modern legal and political terms like “high treason” and “tyrant.” Pick a lane, fam. You can’t have it both ways. Either say “ancient Greece was totally different” and analyze it by their context or don’t complain when people call you out for shoehorning in modern bullshit.

And then, for the cherry on top, you get all mad at people for “imposing modern values” while simultaneously throwing modern terms like “high treason” and “tyrant” all over the place? Make up your damn mind. Spoiler alert: high treason as a formal crime did NOT EXIST in Homeric Greece. The whole concept of “high treason” is a much later political invention. Tyrant in ancient Greece originally meant a ruler who seized power, sometimes with popular support, sometimes not. It was not inherently evil or oppressive like our modern-day trash definition. And guess what? The office of dictator wasn’t even a Roman thing legally until way later, nothing like that existed in Homeric times. So saying “every King was a tyrant” (which is objectively untrue; look at King George III in history and King Nestor of Pylos in myth, or even fucking Zeus himself) to justify Odysseus’ actions is just twisting history to fit your narrative. The whole concept is anachronistic as hell.

If you want to talk about Odysseus as a “monster” or “tyrant,” at least be consistent. The guy is a flawed human hero shaped by a brutal, unforgiving world, not a cartoon villain or modern authoritarian. Homer’s audience wouldn’t have thought in “legal” or “human rights” terms, they saw kleos (glory), timē (honor), and hubris all tangled together.

Now for the real talk: The Odyssey has jack squat to do with Epic: The Musical. The musical is a retelling that is loosely based, often deliberately bending and twisting characters for drama and modern audiences. So if you’re out here defending the Odyssey like it’s the gospel truth for Epic fandom debates, you’re barking up the wrong tree.

And NO ONE—not a single soul—is out here defending the Odyssey crew as good guys or even decent people. The crew were a damn nightmare. Polites? A slut. Eurylochus in the original? Meh, kind of a coward but not a villain outright, just a bitch. But Epic’s Eurylochus? Man, that version is so justified in what he does. Don’t act like Eurylochus’s criticisms and fights in Epic are unfounded. That shit is legit from a character and story perspective.

So yeah, y’all need to stop conflating eras, legal systems, and storytelling versions just to defend or attack characters. It’s not a history test, it’s a fucking story.

Everyone on this post is FUCKING STUPID!!!

Yes, Odysseus killed six people but that was because they committed high treason against their King which is punishable by DEATH!!

"Oh but he was their captain at the time not their King" Just because he was their captain doesn't rule out the fact that he was their king. He is their king first and foremost no matter what.

We ain't monarchs but they were. The Odyssey takes place in ancient Greece which was ruled by monarchs.

Nobody is saying that they're pro-monarchy all of a sudden it's just that monarchy was a thing in ancient Greece and that's how things were back then.

They would have because that is a direct order from their King. They would might not have liked it, but they would have done it because their King told them too. That's how a monarchy works.

What does Odysseus becoming a "monster" have to do with anything? And Odysseus became a "monster" to get them home, but then they betrayed him just because Eurylochus just told them to. Odysseus becoming a "monster" doesn't make him a tyrant because he wasn't actually a bad King, he just made bad decisions sometimes. Also literally every King in ancient Greece was a tyrant.

I'm like 90% sure that Eruy defenders don't even know about ancient Greece or the actual Odyssey at all and are just fans of the musical. Because they say stuff like this even though what they're saying is so incorrect.

Guess what epic fans ancient Greece and the Odyssey aren't actually like the musical. The musical is just a retelling of, it's not actually accurate and people shouldn't learn about the Odyssey from it.

Also it was a king and his men who just came back from a 10-year war trying to get home, not just Odysseus trying to get home, while yes Odysseus was the only one to get home, it wasn't like he purposely sacrificed all of his men (except for Scylla). In fact, with the sirens Odysseus willingly sacrificed his own safety for the crew's safety.

When he sacrificed them it was within reason or it was because a monster or God killed them. And even then in the actual Odyssey Poseidon never killed most of the crew. They died because they killed helix's cow and Zeus killed them because of it. Poseidon never killed any of them, he just kept blowing them off course to keep them from going home.

Most of what happened in the Odyssey was the crew's fault. They got themselves turned into animals. They got themselves stranded because they opened the wind bag. They are the ones who killed Helios' cows and induced Zeus' wrath.

While yes, the Cyclops cave was Odysseus's fault, almost nothing else was.

And yes, he did sacrifice six men to scylla, but that was because they committed high treason against their King.

I'm not saying I blame just Eurylochus, I blame the whole crew. I'm also not saying that Odysseus was not to blame, because he was in some aspects, and I do blame him for the things he did do. But y'all epic fans need to stop blaming just Odysseus. They all were in the wrong.

And you Eurylochus defenders need to stop talking about things that happened in ancient Greece/Odyssey as if they were happening in modern day, when they're not. Things were different then than they are now.

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socialanxiety-queen · 3 years ago

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Things durning this case that have annoyed me:

• Johnny/Camille, Johnny/Curry shippers. This has to all be young people because if not I’m confused at how they don’t see this as inappropriate durning this case. This is a case where Johnny was horribly abused by a woman. And your trying to push him with people all because you see Camille trying to have a positive gentle presence as “chemistry”, she’s dealing with an abuse victim guys. His team genuinely care about him, and the touches, laughs, smiles and hugs are all to help Johnny through this.

I have zero issues with irl ships, but there’s a time and a place for them. And this isn’t the place nor time to ship an abuse victim with his lawyer.

• The “separate the artist from the character” bullshit. I’ve seen people from both JD and AH sides say Mera shouldn’t be punished for Ambers wrongs. What? Amber Turd whose an abuser is playing Mera, and keeping her face in a huge movie is idiotic. WB completely recast Johnny for FB, where was his “Well you gotta separate the artist” bs?

Mera didn’t do anything no, she’s a fictional comic book character, but the live action her isn’t her. That’s a version from Amber an abuser, who shouldn’t even be able to step in that Queen’s shoes. She shouldn’t have a chance to continue to be a super hero for young kids to look up too with an abuser as her face, recast her and it fixes it. Stop trying to keep abusers in Hollywood.

• The “None of y’all cared about him before this case like true fans” Fans. Stop gatekeeping new fans from being here for Johnny. He needs all the support he can get, this is ridiculous and comes from a people who want validation for being a fan longer. Who cares Karen? We’re all his relatives not just you. Doesn’t matter when someone came into the family. I’ve watched him in movies since I was a kid but I wont say I’m more of a fan then anyone else.

Stop being immature 👏🏻

#johnny depp is innocent #pro johnny depp #i stand with johnny depp #johnny depp

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ephemeral-cryptid · 2 years ago

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I’m so sick of witches trying to impose their beliefs on others. Everyone’s path is individual and obviously, no two people are going to have the exact same thoughts and opinions. You don’t like baneful magick? Then don’t do it. You think beginner witches shouldn’t work with deities? Then wait until you’re experienced before you work with them. You think love spells are wrong? Then don’t cast them.

Notice how I never said “tell every other witch your opinion and say that it’s the only right way to do things and that if they don’t, there will be awful consequences.” The gatekeeping in the witchcraft community is ridiculous. A lot of y’all act like evangelical Christians with your preaching. Maybe mind your own business and craft. There’s no reason for you to try to impose your beliefs onto others. How do you feel when others do it to you?

I do think education and awareness is important, but shoving your own personal beliefs in people’s faces and trying to solicit them to follow it is not actually education like some seem to think it is, it’s just indoctrination. (Also, I’m not referring to giving genuine advice and thoughts on things, I’m talking about actively trying to persuade people to follow your beliefs.)

#withcblr #witch #witchcraft #magick #magic #spirituality

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dancingisdangerouss · 3 years ago

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I wasn't going to say anything because honestly I find conflict really overwhelming. This is a situation very similar to when artists say "this person is ripping off my art style", etc. If the person took entire paragraphs and pasted them into their fic I could understand why you would feel nervous. However most of the proof you listed (which i did read, as well as writing from yours and theirs) and it comes across completely different. Another argument you had was similar set ups and whatever. First of all its The Grabber, and a kidnapper fic. Where do you expect it to be extremely different? It's taking place in his house with a character who is set up a certain way. The lying thing is a character trait of his. The interaction, the need to punish the reader etc, that's all things he's shown as being capable of doing. Also the list of words you supplied i am genuinely stunned that you're gatekeeping so many words? They are words, again like if they copied your entire work thats one thing. You have also said numerous times you're irritated about not getting enough interaction on ur fics and its like ??? i can understand feeling jealous but going out of your way to dig through someones entire writing style and then say 'you ripped me off' when there is no proof. im sorry, words don't count. people use similar words i have read tons of fics containing all those words you put out there. especially keen and jarring, super common, sorry. You should honestly not have posted that callout post, being irritated and jealous is one thing but you went out of your way to try and tell people youre being ripped off when in reality , if anything there is a chance they couldve read your work and been inspired or even just happened to write similarly. people write similar all the time especially in 1st pov fanfics with the SAME character. this witch hunt is ridiculous and shame on all these people who are agreeing with you over writing. Cuz at the end of the day it is writing and meant for fun. youre jealous and i understand it but like, make a vague post and leave it at that, ask people to interact more, dont start accusing another human being of being a thief when you can't steal writing styles, dude. honestly this is so pitiful lol.

I’m beginning to think y’all the same person. Because you STILL ignored the exact lines stolen. How about you do what I did and give some real evidence to back it up? Just saying “no you’re wrong” isn’t a solid argument.

#hi yes I see that it’s you #you can come off anon #penny for your thots #asks #anon #into the black #the black phone #black acres #the grabber #the grabber x reader #black phone #grabber #Albert shaw #ethan hawke #x reader #ao3 #answers

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sophia-becketts · 4 years ago

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not y’all whining about stans coming back….if people chose to stop stanning shawn bc he was dating a RACIST that’s perfectly fine. it’s not “wrong” or “disgusting” to stop listening to someone bc they associated themselves with a girl who constantly used the n-word and just a few months ago was defending blackface. if anything y’all should be happy the fandom is growing again instead of trying to gatekeep being a stan like this is 2013 and y’all are trying to win a medal for best fan or something.

#weirdos #shawn mendes

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syscourse-confessions · 3 years ago

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syscourse is beginning to feel like brick walls on both sides to the point where actual discussion is next to impossible. “sysmed” is a racist and transphobic term. i do believe endo systems exist BUT endos need to stop trying to skew the DIDOSDD diagnostic criteria to include endogenic plurality, stop twisting studies to make them frame their point of view, and stop breaking the boundaries of DIDOSDD systems and spaces. yes endos very likely might exist but it’s separate to DIDOSDD, stop trying to say you don’t need trauma to have DIDOSDD. i have yet to see studies on endo plurality that definitively proves endos exist, just ones that are very preliminary surveys and observations into the topic. that’s not proof and it’s okay for it to not be proof. also stop trying to disprove the theory of structural dissociation for the sole purpose of trying to prove endos exist, because DIDOSDD is clearly going to be different structurally than endo plurality and it’s asinine to try and make every study and resource into DIDOSDD fit the endo experience, because it just won’t.

also minor pet peeve but y’all, PLEASE stop saying “well gravity is a theory too” in defense of the theory of structural dissociation. gravity isn’t a theory, it’s a law (newton’s law of universal gravitation). a better comparison would be the theory of tectonic plates.

DIDOSDD systems need our own separate spaces because we have a complex trauma and dissociative disorder that’s going to be extremely different than an experience of systemhood that doesn’t include trauma. and i’m not saying endos can’t be traumatized, just that (by definition) their system functions without it, and DIDOSDD’s systems exist BECAUSE of it. it’s vastly different and mixing of the two spaces without any clear boundaries have led to many DIDOSDD systems being traumatized from the endo community, and otherwise being harmed by their time in these communities. exclusion and boundaries NEED to exist in a broader “plural” community, and framing DIDOSDD systems who try to enforce these boundaries as evil gatekeeping exclusionists is not only framing a group of trauma survivors as evil for having boundaries (which, most of the people with DIDOSDD have trauma from child abuse, which notoriously makes it difficult to enforce boundaries later in life), but also victim blames and shits on the people who have had awful experiences with the endo community.

and honestly. the endo community is fucking awful. the amount of ableism, misinformation, and all sorts of other shit that’s swept under the rug at best, and encouraged at worst, is mindblowing. with that being said i also avoid anti endo DIDOSDD spaces because being anti endo doesn’t mean you can never be wrong about DID or OSDD. i’ve seen downright misinformation being spread around by the anti endo side because the person/people involved are anti endo, so people automatically trust it more.

i’m not even completely anti endo, because i fully believe endo systems could very well exist, but i’m mostly just anti endo community at this point because the amount of shit i’ve seen come out of syscourse over the past few months is vile.

with that being said, the modern understanding of psychology and DIDOSDD is not the word of god, and psychology is both a relatively new field of study and constantly evolving. but simultaneously, DIDOSDD isn’t as under researched as tumblr and tik tok will lead you to believe.

this is long as fuck so i’m going to end this by giving advice to every system and questioning system here, which is to just delete tik tok. thanks.

(Read tags)

#syscourse #syscourse confessions #< my tag to block will be syscourse confessions if you would rather not see this in the tags.#the posts on this account do not reflect my opinions on syscourse

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rangarlamamicado · 4 years ago

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An Analysis of Penny Polendina, and Asperger's

“Okay, here goes tumblr again on getting people to diagnose fictional characters with mental health issues, woohoo”

Okay, to start, I wanna preface this completely with the disclaimer that I am aware of the nature of analysis essays like this on this site, but to start, I want to be clear that this is completely my experience with RWBY as a show, as well as my experience in life with what I personally believe to be a condition that makes me relate in-depth with a fictional character, that is all. If you do not approve of it, you are in no obligation to agree with me.

With that being said, this is by no means going to be some analysis that’s like “ALL THE OTHER VIEWS ARE WRONG.” This is simply my interpretation, and I am absolutely open to receiving replies pointing to the contrary of what I am about to go over. In fact, I encourage it. Y’all need to be MEAN AS FUCK to me. I haven’t had enough of that sweet sweet concetrated internet venom in my online experience, lol.

With that said, the subject today isn’t some kind of diagnosis or gatekeeping of a character I am well aware people cherish, as well as a character that may be very divisive in the matter as to the weight of their importance in the series overall. This essay is completely sentimental, but I have also done my research, as well as cross-referenced the facts of the character and the show with what little we know about the diagnosis now.

That being said, I’m sure everyone’s already made the connection by now that Penny Polendina is somewhere on the spectrum. When I say the spectrum, I use it EXTREMELY LIGHTLY, as in I in no way mean to make Penny look like a stereotype, which many might think of her at first glance - But I assure, there is SO much I want to talk about. I am also not going based on any sources involving Autism Speaks, or any other harmful organizations that associate with the study and research of Autism that in any ways has harmful practices or mindsets towards the understanding of Autism. In fact, I am basing most of this off of my own experiences and daily issues, as well as some misconceptions I believe many have about Autism, as well as the ability to be high-functioning, since this analysis dabbled in only the first territory of the three levels of Autism.

SPECIFICALLY, I would like to talk about Asperger’s, or Asperger’s Syndrome. For context, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s at a young age, and I would also like to preface the fact that Asperger’s is, fortunately, a condition that allows for high-functioning development, and is only on the first of three tiers. I am going to be going over the major signs, behaviors, and examples in-character I see of these traits, and try to give you a better idea of why the character you like acts the way that they do. As much as I like Penny, too, I am NOT woobifying her, and I think woobifying those on the Autism spectrum is one of the worst things you can do, since most of the issues I’ve had trying to adapt have involved others not taking me seriously, and approach this with the deepest empathy and hope for understanding towards those neurodivergent who are reading this.

Now that I’ve gotten all the introductions and formalities out of the way, I will begin to go over observed behaviors that are the underlying differences between “normal” people and those with Asperger’s. As I go, I will be providing examples of these traits seen in-character, as well as to the reasoning put in place for why these are examples of these behaviors. Specifically, I will go over symptoms I am POSTIVE people with Asperger’s experience, simply because the ones I choose will also be ones I know I’ve experienced. (I am extremely open to counterarguements, as well as external sourcing and re-examination of specific traits at request - Again, it might be a bit of an echo-chamber, but it’s better than citing behaviors I have NOT seen or experienced that might be at fault. Sorry for the sudden disclaimer, just covering my bases, lol.)

Difficulty in picking up social cues, and conditional-awareness empathy.

To make my thesis clear in this first point, let my begin by saying that those with Asperger’s, like me, are NOT incapable of empathy - In fact, we have times like everyone where we clearly can reciprocate emotions - Emotions we are aware of. This is important.

Now what does this implicate? What do I mean? Well, a good example of behavior like this is seen when Penny is extremely clearly doing something or saying something that makes someone uncomfortable - In my experience with Asperger’s, I often might be interacting or doing things like I’m welcome, or right at home, but I might be using something of someone else’s, and they might be giving me subtle social cues that may implicate that they don’t want me to do it, but because my condition inhibits my ability to sense subtle social cues - unless I’m told right to my face that what I’m doing is making them uncomfortable, or I’m doing something I’m not supposed to do - That’s what I mean.

Now, clearly, in the show, this is obviously played-up for humor. She might bear-hug someone she hardly knows, or longingly stare with a look on her face, not knowing that she simply isn’t just an invisible spectator - You know which scene I’m talking about.

But she’s not invisible - She’s a person who’s there in the moment that people put their attention on, because she’s unpredictable, per se, just working about life in a way that makes sense to her, because she’s probably never had to worry about social interaction - Which I believe is a serious contributor.

If you don’t have someone who tells you what your doing is right or wrong, or you don’t have friends at all, you won’t know how to act when someone does interact with you. Her pushy nature at first makes her awkward, and maybe even unlikable, but it’s when Ruby speaks up for herself, and they get a chance to talk to each other about who they actually are, and to get in each others’ heads that they begin to realize there might be some... external factors...

Now clearly, over time, Penny begins to learn that, with responsibility, she needs to understand that she has importance, and once she realizes that her actions matter, and that she has consequences for when she does things that can mortally affect her (depending on who she’s interacting with) she start to show restraint, and when her friends reward her for that, it’s theraputic - For her and the audience. It’s just satisfyingly wholesome.

Now obviously, a huge part of this is also emotions. Clearly this can help someone who might be comfortable around something be even more comfortable, albeit involuntarily, but in my experience with people I’ve come to love, including my partner and their family, several boundaries had to be set within reason. This can lead to issues that likely aren’t seen with Penny, since her friends all need hugs too because the world is cold and dark while Penny’s the only soft and warm thing within a 300-mile radius, but it’s just not realistic. Her friends and bystanders need to help her be held accountable, otherwise she might, for example, say something to someone like Ironwood, Winter, or the Ace Ops that might make them uncomfortable, since their relationship is clearly professional. Fortunately, she already seemed to have it down, and she learned to say things when her input is needed, though, which is a sign of growth, and an extremely good indicator that she’s learned to express herself while also holding restrain, learning to be an individual, the only reason I mention it is that sometimes these symptoms are persistent throughout all stages of life - She is very fortunate that she seemed to overcome them in the way she did.

Also, her head was a dodgeball that one time. So that happened.

Difficulty in picking up social cues, and conditional-awareness empathy.

Hyperfixation & restricting of interests or specialization in hobbies or behaviors.

When I mention hyperfixation, I want it to be extremely clear that I understand everyone can have specific interests and passions, but in the context of Asperger’s, whether simple and managed or unmanaged and natural, what I mean by hyperfixation is NOT passing interests - At least, not always. Their interests happen to extremely fixed, as well - Just let me explain.

Hyperfixation in context to those with Asperger’s is that, in early development of the brain, a symptom that involves extreme and occasionally socially debilitating unmoving, restricted, and repetitive interests. So how does this differ from usual hyperfixation? Hyperfixation in a usual context implicates a passing interest or phase - Hyperfixation in context of Asperger’s involves meticulous and seemingly pointless breaking-down of random facts, interests, or passions.

An example of this would be someone who, for most of their life, has had an extreme interest in building model trains or towns in their basement, and they absolutely refuse the notion of anything happening to them - Or someone who’s researched in-depth into the weather or stars patterns between the years 2001-2021, simply just because they want to? THAT kind of hyperfixation, a seemingly socially taboo freakish obsession, or perhaps a burning passion caused simply from cognitive dissonance being the one thing that keeps you doing it? Yep.

Now, perhaps that’s a hard way of putting it? But sometimes that’s because that’s what it's seen as in the eyes of the world - But as a kid, someone might be extremely interested in disassembling and reassembling giant Lego models, and because it seems like such an interesting thing, not many have actually considered it as a sign of neurodivergency - Simply social obsession.

Okay, now how does Penny display these features?

Okay, we have the obvious answer - Penny is extremely obsessed with the idea of “Painting nails, trying on clothes, and talking about cute boys.” This is a recurring idea between her ideal friendship, not just in the first volume, but also in her song after her final moments, and even in the manga iteration of the scene of her and Ruby’s encounter.

But what if I told you it goes deeper? There happen to be a few more indicators of what exactly Penny may have an interest in - And some may be more obvious than others.

Penny seems to understand lots more than we realize - And clearly her heart and passion as well as robot-capabilities (before her transformation) allowed her to do all the realizing she wanted, like analyzing semblances.

In addition to the ideal friendship, Penny seems to have an incredible interest in relationships in general - She might not know how they all work, but she’s interested in learning about everything she wants to know on her free-time she has so little of above all. With the time she was given, being under Ironwood and all, she did what she could, and took it upon herself to memorize exact pathfinding, as well as architectural layout, as displayed when giving Teams RWBY and JNR as well as Oscar a tour of the whole place.

What this tells me is that, if Penny could, she would use her free time to do so much more. Now what would that be?

Ladies, Nonbinies, and gentlemen...

THATS RIGHT.

PENNY’S TRUE CALLING IS AS A.... DJ???

okay i don’t know

just go to the next category

Difficulty in picking up social cues, and conditional-awareness empathy.

Hyperfixation & restricting of interests or specialization in hobbies or behaviors.

Unique linguistics, thought processing, emotional application and physical quirks.

Probably my most highly anticipated category above as well, but this is going to be covering a wide variety of internal differences between those with Asperger’s as well as those without it, both internally and external.

To start, those with Asperger’s, including myself, tend to have a very “interesting” sense of word formulation. We are often verbose, and explain things in way deeper depth than needed. When delivering speeches, our thought process tends to need to explain every little detail so it makes sense, even though we might not have the time to explain everything - The true definition of verbosity, using more words than necessary to describe an idea.

Remind you of something?

Like something you’re reading? Right now?

That’s what I thought.

Bitch.

Aside from that, we also tend to have an odd sense of “prosody,” or expressive auditory variables. These include, but are not, limited to;

Pitch. (Oddly annunciated/placed expression on words)

Length of sounds. (Over/under exaggerated or shortened syllables)

Loudness. (Overly loud or quiet expression)

and Timbre (Voice quality, quality of sound to the ear)

This is something we see extremely often with Penny - Her expression is often extremely associated with her current emotion. This would make sense with anyone, but sometimes it’s something unconscious, something just can’t control.

Naturally it doesn’t mean it’s something causing us to constantly scream at the top of our lungs all the time. That’s just silly! It’s more like... we need to better control our thoughts and intents in a conversation, and express ourselves accordingly. Sometimes, if you’re in a bad mood, and you try to act positive to someone, it’s sometimes more obvious that we’re in a bad mood. For Penny, it’s the opposite. She is literally to the brink with positivity. I don’t know how she does it??? Top 10 questions science still can’t answer.

Another aspect that’s more obviously seen is her odd word choice. To me, everything I say might make sense to me, but because a) it’s hard to gauge how others feel (ESPECIALLY SINCE IM WRITING IT AS WE SPEAK AND PEER REVIEW IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME) and b) we have our rose-tinted glasses on for what we do all the time, sometimes to us, what we say might make sense, but in the end, it might sound like english is our second language, even though it isn’t. The way we formulate sentences in our head is different than when it comes out of our mouth, and we also have a tendency to make sense out of comparisons in our head that don’t make sense to others.

OKAY YOU KNOW I HAD TO SHOW THIS SOME TIME OR ANOTHER.

IT’S TOO GOOD NOT TO SHOW YOU.

But it’s actually an example of what I’m actually trying to show you - Penny in this scene clearly is experiencing everything differently than Ruby, but Penny takes the metaphor of being a firefly differently, and the scene is tied together beautifully by showing that, even though they don’t enjoy things the same way, they can open each others’ eyes into seeing the world a different way from one another, and that’s what matters to them.

Aside from that, there’s also the aspect of physical quirks or tics, which seem to be common between all types of ASD, as well as in other types of neurodivergency, and...

Okay I think you get the point.

Point is I had this idea for a post a while ago, and I finally got the motivation to make a recently, and I’m super happy I did. I hope this post is educational, and I hope you appreciate Penny’s writing a little more after this.

That is all.

Reblog for a free hug.

#rwby #penny polendina #penny #character development #character analysis #asd #character writing #mental health #aspergers #actually neurodivergent #actually autistic #character breakdown #wholesome #essay #rwby volume 8 #rwby volume 9 #spoilers #rwby spoilers

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