#parasocial bond SEVERED

[storybookstr4nge]

i am seeing all of the criticism of watchertv (and agreeing of course - it's entirely tone deaf and un-conducive among other things) but i feel as though the attitude i am seeing from a lot of people online involve absolving shane entirely, saying things like, "shane blink twice if they made you do this!" "shane "eat the rich" would never allow this!" "he was forced into this!" and redirecting all of the blame unto ryan and steven - mostly steven - saying that steven is the "ned fulmer of watcher" (wild thing to say) and delegating the responsibility of this decision entirely onto the two of them, and i cannot help but feel like there is an undeniable racial undertone to this rather vitrolic pivot. i understand being a fan of shane - i myself was a proud shaniac! - but i plead that we be conscious about woobifying an adult man who - though could have very well opposed the decision - was still one of the three ceos who okayed it! nothing is gained from scapegoating the two asian men and relinquishing the white one for the hate that this business venture is garnering. please, by all means, continue to criticize, but if you are, do it tastefully, and be careful with insinuations - especially without knowing the intricacies of the situation (and even if/when we do know something. criticism should never come from veiled bigotry) ! just because the property itself is shifting rather horribly doesn't mean we as watcherinas need to turn our community toxic <33

[yrwestillhere]

aw yes were finally getting a proper pod episode this week

[autisticshadowthehedgehog]

OK Guys. I get the skepticism esp after the Knuckles disaster, but we also need to keep in mind "this is a trailer that won't spoil literally everything about the movie." ESPECIALLY in regards to GUN. They're not gonna put in the trailer "the military shot a little girl and that's why Shadow is mad so Sonic is going to never work with them ever." That's a great way to get parents to bring their kids to the theater, especially in America. (/s)

It's WAY more effective as a plot twist halfway through, where Sonic thinks that he's finally being accepted onto Earth via working with the government only to find out that they're exploiting him and Shadow the same. I can't guarantee this is gonna happen obviously but it's like a 90% chance just knowing how, like. writing works.

Esp considering the government has not had a good track record in the last two movies, I dunno if they'd do a heel-face turn into "actually they were always right" in the movie where a little girl needs to get shot by the government.

And I'm not gonna say "trust and form a parasocial relationship with a film director" but we should keep in mind that Jeff Fowler got his start working on Shadow's title game and has stated in interviews that he understands how important Shadow's backstory is to his character. Not to mention how the internet has been exploding the last two years with enthusiasm over this story actually getting shown onscreen, enough that a studio would fucking notice at the very least that this is what the people want. I can't guarantee they'll actually listen, but saying that they're absolutely not because "Sonic was in a GUN helicopter in the trailer" is insane. Especially with the fact that GUN is not with Sonic when he goes to Eggman. We just see Team Sonic alone meeting with Stone, and I will bet you it's because there's no way in hell GUN would let them near him, what with the Robotnik connections to the ARK.

Also the Gerald thing is rather worrying, esp with the lack of shit they gave Pachacamac in the miniseries, but honestly I think that was just a marketing push of "Jim Carrey will be playing TWO characters!!!" Considering he's only seen in one trailer scene AT the ARK (where all of Gerald's technology was and, more importantly, where the Eclipse cannon he needs someone to set off is) AND we know from movie 2's credits scene that there was a fifty-year timeskip, I severely doubt that's the real Gerald who's just completely unaffected by his granddaughter being murdered.

And ofc there's things to be concerned about in the trailer. The lack of Rouge for instance– I obviously keep posting my theory that Krysten Ritter's character will be her undercover but the fact we don't know how much time she'd actually have with Shadow, if at ALL, is worrying. The fact that Rouge might not be here period. The weird pacing of the Knuckles show and the fear that could bleed over into the movie. But there's also stuff to get excited about– the epic fight scene choreography, the brief glimpse we got of Maria and Shadow's bond. Reeves's voice actually fits Shadow and at least from what the trailer showed us it looks like the Green Hills storyline is taking a backseat to the action and mystery of Project Shadow.

tl;dr guys calm down for like five minutes. if the movie sucks in december we can riot then. right now let's just band together against mufasa

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

might be an unrelated ask with how things are going on right now, but the only way i ever see traitor ace theory coming into fruition is if he destroys yuu's way back home because of how his feelings will boil over (since he thinks being vulnerable is uncool). i've always tried to convince myself that his silly tsundere moments are yume bait, though i really can't deny the fact that yuu is literally everything that his ex-girlfriend is not. they've watched a horror movie together from idia's lab sr (and sending grim all alone to get snacks???) in playful stage, they ride a roller coaster, and if you tell him you like it, he suggests going again again (just the two of them without grim???) bro is not slick with how attached he is to mc.

I have my own thoughts on Ace traitor theory (which you can read here)! To summarize, I don’t believe in it. If Ace betrays us at all, I think it will be in a trivial capacity (like he does something stupid that the rest of the group disagrees with, like taunting Malleus to attack him) and without malicious intent.

He may think being vulnerable is uncool, but I don’t think he’d take an action as drastic as destroying Yuu’s route home no matter how emotional he got. (That feels more like the stuff I see in angst and/or yandere fan works.) Ace gets mad and acts out, yes—but it tends to be in situations where he feels like being has been wronged, not to hinder the people he cares about. His character and his actions the entire story have done nothing but demonstrate that he values his friends and will be there for them until the bitter end, even if he whines about it the entire time.

And well 💦 when it comes to “is this platonic or romantic”, I always default to “it’s up to individual interpretation”. TWST will never give a “canon” ship for Yuu because that would impede the self-insert mass appeal design of the blank slate character. Not everyone wants to perceive X (in this case, Ace) as a love interest. Not everyone wants to perceive X (again, Ace in this case) as a friend. Therefore, there’s always going to baity lines to feed the yume crowd (Michard voice: give me your ur wallets) but lines are also kept plausibly deniable (framed as “jokes”/nor serious) or ambiguous enough to be interpreted either way.

In Ace’s Suitor Suit vignettes, he says this about his ex: “She said the thrill rides were too scary for her […] She vetoed all the action and horror flicks. Hanging out was just plain boring, so I stopped contacting her as time went on.” And indeed, Ace engages in the activities his ex refused with Yuu. They’re watching a horror movie together in Idia’s Labwear vignettes, as well as riding roller coasters and other thrill rides in Stage in Playful Land. Yes, you can interpret these as romantic since they sent Grim off by himself to get popcorn and want to ride again by themselves.

However, that’s not the only possible interpretation, and nor should it be. It could just as easily be argued that Ace and Yuu were just hanging out as friends in a “kicking back with your bros” kind of way (regardless of whatever gender Yuu identifies as). Watching horror movies and going on exciting rides are normal things that friends could do together. There is nothing inherently romantic about those acts by themselves. It could also be said that Ace is lazy and constantly trying to get out of work, so of course he’d pass off the job of getting more snacks onto someone else. The ride thing is innocuous too—maybe the others just aren’t feeling another round, while Ace and Yuu are still on that adrenaline high and want another hit of it. And again, it’s probably framed as wanting to do activities with Yuu specifically to help foster that parasocial relationship and create a sense of bonding with the player.

Of course Ace is attached to us and likes to hang out. We’re his friend, and that much has been established since the prologue. We are naturally a lot closer with him by default compared to several of the other guys (with maybe a few exceptions, like Deuce). Whether you see Ace and Yuu’s relationship as anything more than that is up to the individual!

That being said, I’d rather not talk in terms that imply one ship is “better”, “absolute”, or “more supported by canon” than others 😅 Not just for Ace x Yuu, but any ship, really. It unintentionally frames the discussion like a competition and leaves some people out of the talk if they don’t vibe with it or have different preferences, y’know?

[pseudophan]

different anon but similar feels, also also how do those stuck up people think dnp got where they are? Like do you have any idea how many phuckin millions they've made out of us being unhinged and cringy like I don't go to their fuckin house but I damn well bought the t shirt and read the rpf and drew the whiskers and watched them get more and more famous and like make ALOT of money and attention off us. And that's ok! It happened! We've all come out the other side, literally in most cases

yeah no people reallllly don't like to admit that the shipping and unhinged phandom behaviour played a major part in getting dan and phil to where they are today. it seems like there's this idea that if shipping had anything to do with it that means their content and dnp as people didn't which is just? stupid? several things can be true at the same time. dan and phil make good and engaging content that people love AND all the shipping gave them a boost and helped with people sticking around for as long as a lot of us have. it's not even that the shipping itself is the main contributor (though it is a big part) but everyone snooping into their personal lives desperate for "phan proof" by default strengthened the parasocial bond we have with them and it's that parasocial behaviour that really keeps people around. and dan and phil are so extremely aware of this, they always have been. they are willing to play into their audience's insanity because it's hugely beneficial to their careers. that isn't to say that's the only reason, they're very good at telling us to fuck off if we do cross a line, plus it's evident they find it amusing, but you're incredibly naive if you think dan and phil aren't aware of how much they're benefitting from our fujoshi tendencies lmao. and that's fine! it's good even. it's very much a win/win situation. we get to be unhinged within reason and they get to profit off that within reason

the 'within reason' part is also important though. a lot of creators have tried to mimic that success but they often go too far, they play into it too much and try to capitalise off every single aspect of their relationship and make the audience a little too involved. and then they break up, naturally. dan and phil work cause they put their relationship first and preserve their privacy, while still letting us in Just enough to make us stick around. which again isn't saying no one would stick around without the shipping that would be absurd, but the casual viewer to unhinged stan account ratio would be very different lol

all these things also apply to the fact that they're two conventionally attractive men. definitely not the sole reason they're popular, but it is a contributing factor, and it's kinda silly to pretend otherwise. especially with the amount of thirsting i have to endure on a daily basis good fucking lord you people are annoying. carry on though i suppose, live your truth, i'll live. maybe.

[kitasgloves]

Paparazzi

tracklist

— ♬ "I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me"

— ♬ Verlaine Paul x celebrity! Reader, SFW, gender-neutral reader, depictions of stalking, obsessive behavior, and murder, a brief mention of parasocial relationships, Verlaine having anger issues, major character death, 3.3k words, no beta

— ♬ NOTE: I DO NOT CONDONE NOR ROMANTISIZE WHAT IS DEPICTED IN THIS STORY. EVERYTHING IS A WORK OF FICTION. READER'S DESCRETION IS ADVISED.

Verlaine Paul felt different. The fact that he isn't human is one factor, but he thinks he cannot truly connect with others. Although, there are instances that he does succeed in having a connection, it's easily severed in the end. He agrees that humans are complex and require effort to understand but the complexity of humanity makes them appear appealing. Is it acceptable for someone non-human like himself to be interested in a human?

As the King of Assassins, forming bonds with humans isn't essential. It's an inconvenience. It was recommended for him to go alone, and that's what he has always been. Despite being man-made, Verlaine experienced emotions greatly. Even if it didn't display on his features, Verlaine tend to feel deeply. But it's often negative emotions. He felt an array of things from rage to despair.

Verlaine has long accepted that he was created to kill. He must have no room for mercy, empathy, or guilt. How can you kill when you hesitate? How can you carry on if you feel remorse? The assassin had trained himself not to care about his targets' lives. Whether they're privileged or unfortunate, man or woman, bad or good, they must not survive him. He must not create errors.

All of Verlaine's targets never left an impression on him, every face of his victims seemed to blend in together in one blurred and dull memory. However, upon laying eyes on that singular photograph of you, his chest stirred. He blinked and absorbed your features into memory. The length of your lashes, your healthy complexion, your tinted lips, and your dazzling smile. Without a doubt, you were a celebrity, from your face, he could tell you were birthed for fame.

You were a unique target. You were no government official, a politician, or an important figure of the country. And yet, your face was plastered everywhere, from televisions, posters, magazines, and tabloids. It was difficult to mistake you. Verlaine has looked into your background. You were born into a family of musicians, actresses, and models. It was natural for you to become famous. From a young age, the media had their coverage of you. And you always give what they want. An act, a song, or a pose, you gave them everything you could offer. Verlaine's nose scrunched.

Someone wanted you dead for your connection with a family member who happened to be a former actor turned politician. Verlaine found it initially petty but didn't complain. It would be effortless to kill you, he's convinced. He imagined the media going mental about your death and it makes him chuckle. Getting close for the kill would be a hassle considering you're constantly surrounded by cameras, Verlaine thinks that he needs to get closer. He planned to pretend to be a fan of yours, he'll probably try to flatter you enough to get you to be alone with him. Everything will be over with; it has always been that way.

A horde of people surrounded you when you stepped out of your luxurious car. You were adorned from head to toe with glimmering and jumbo jewelry. You flashed everyone with your million-dollar smile and your expensive sunglasses shielded you from the flashing lights. Your bodyguards tried to push everyone away from your path as they screamed and shouted for your attention. However, you seemed unfazed by it all as you walked forward.

Verlaine was impressed by your unshakable demeanor. He figured that you have grown so used to the media's unruliness that you ceased to often take them seriously and feed them what they want. The assassin needed to blend in, he needed to be like one of those annoying photographers yelling for you to face their cameras. Verlaine decided to act differently, so he would stand out. He needed to fit in but be unique if he needed to capture your attention. He squeezes through the crowd and manages to get close enough. Somehow, your head turns to meet his way and Verlaine assumes to position.

"Smile for me, [Name]!"

He exclaims with a perfectly practiced smile as he raises the camera up to his face while he directs it towards you. Verlaine was graced by your brief attention as you struck a pose for the camera. He could feel the rest of the photographers around him seething at him with envy for the opportunity. Verlaine captures a photo of you with the flash on. You paused for a moment to give him a proper look before grinning and entering the hotel. Verlaine can feel his heart skip a beat at that second. Everyone tried to squeeze their way into the hotel but was stopped by hotel security.

The assassin returned to his temporary apartment conflicted. He undoes the braid on his hair and shrugs off his black coat. He hesitates as he stares at the camera on the nightstand before reaching for it. Verlaine looks at the gallery and feels his breath hitch at the one photo he took of you. As he gazed upon it, he couldn't prevent the foreign feeling in his stomach. He could see your eyes through your sunglasses, your smile was wider than the ones you give to others, and you posed as if you were subtly seducing him. Verlaine stared at the photo for hours before deciding to print it out.

The following days were spent with the assassin trying to establish himself to you. He appeared at every major event you were present in. Luck seemed to favor him each time because you always posed for his camera after he only called for you once. Verlaine starts to think you could recognize his voice easily even in the horde of screaming and desperate photographers. A fraction of your attention on him slowly aroused his interest as he captured every photo of you and printed them out after.

It appeared as though you were more than what meets the eye. Despite being well-loved and known by everybody, you seemed to be shrouded in mystery. All Verlaine could find out about you was about your career and family. There was no interesting information he could take in official interviews; it was as if you're deliberately and expertly avoiding giving away too much about your personal self. As clever as it was, Verlaine was annoyed by it. He wanted to know your favorites, your ticks, and your habits. He wanted to witness your raw personality where your smile couldn't hide your flaws.

Eventually, Verlaine has managed to sneak into an award show where you were invited to. This was his chance to get up close to you. However, he was not expecting to be stunned by your beauty at that show. Your appearance oozed elegance, you were decorated with the most expensive jewelry, and your smile was intoxicating. It seemed as though you were crafted by the gods themselves and sent here to be adored and worshiped. Verlaine was frozen, for the first in his life, he was starstruck.

It felt so strange and foreign that Verlaine couldn't find the proper words to explain it. He couldn't peel his eyes away from your figure as you walked on that stage to receive your award, he listened to your sultry voice as you gave your speech before walking off. The assassin finds himself desponded and distracted by you. He had forgotten about his mission when you began to parade around the photographers, giving them mesmerizing poses. Verlaine clumsily snaps out of it as he shakily angles his camera towards you. Before he could call out to you, your eyes had already landed on his.

Fuck, his heart was racing. You were walking towards him! Verlaine starts to sweat which is incredibly unusual. Something about the knowing smile that you sent his way told him that you were expecting him. The assassin gulps. Nobody stopped you as you went closer to him, he lowered his camera and gazed enchantedly at you.

"Aren't you that one handsome photographer I saw outside my hotel?"

You asked and Verlaine finds himself struggling to speak. He nods and you grin. You looked so enticing up close, it's bewildering that he has the privilege to admire you in closer detail. The charming look in your eye, the smell of your expensive perfume, and that amused grin on your face made his head spin.

"Go on, take a picture, handsome"

Verlaine blinked several times when he saw your wink. He stammers for a moment and takes several shots of you with his camera. It feels as though he's in a dream with how unreal it felt. Before you can smile at him and leave, Verlaine reaches out to you.

"Can we take a picture before you go?"

He asks and that grin on your smile widened as you nodded. From the moment that you've obliged him, he believes he's your favorite photographer. Verlaine retired in his apartment that evening with an unfaltering smile on his face as he stared at a photo of you and him in his hand. He continued to pursue you for personal reasons. His camera was being filled to the brim with your photos in various places to be later plastered on his wall. Verlaine was beginning to understand why those pesky photographers kept following you around in public and yelling for your attention. He was slowly becoming one of them.

He thinks 'we are the crowd, we're coming out'. He's got his flash on, it's true. He needs that picture of you, it's so magical. You'd be so fantastico. You're in that leather and jeans, garage glamorous. He's not sure what it means. But this photo of you and him don't have a price. He knows you're ready for those flashing lights. He knows what he is now.

He's your biggest fan, he'll follow you until you love him. Like the paparazzi. There's no other superstar he knows that you'll be. Like the paparazzi. He promises he'll be kind, but he won't stop until you're his. He'll be famous, chase you down until you love him. Like the paparazzi.

Verlaine was passionate in his pursuit to get closer to you. After everything, it seemed as though you were untouchable. No matter what he did, he couldn't get close enough to know you. But he never took it as a sign to stop. He'll get to you no matter what. He disguises himself to one of your shows where you'll perform. He's got his rockstar getup and makeup and ready to watch you.

He sneaks into the venue and swoons at your alluring performance. Such talent was a feast for his eyes. All Verlaine thought about was his yearning to get close to you, to touch you, to hold you, and to have you for himself. After the show, he creeps to the backstage. There he searches for you and avoids detection. He'll be your man backstage at your show, velvet ropes and guitars. Because you're his rockstar in between the sets, eyeliner, and cigarettes.

"Excuse me, but who are you?"

With the sweet sound of your voice, Verlaine turns his head. He couldn't hold back a smile from erupting in his face when he sees you unaccompanied. He walks towards you, but you take a step back. There was a cautious look on your features as your eyes darted on him and at the exit. Swiftly, he rushes toward you and grabs your wrists. There was a startled gasp from your lips.

"Please, can I talk to you?"

Verlaine looks desperately at you, but you return it with a frightened stare. You began to struggle but he has effectively kept you in place.

"Le—Let me go!"

"No, wait! Please let me speak—"

"Security!"

You yelled out. Verlaine frowned as he released your wrists. He felt a pang of ache as you gazed at him as if he had done something wrong to you. All he wanted was to talk to you! He needed you to know how he felt, but to see you push him away makes his blood run hot. He hears the sound of frantic footsteps and he takes it as his cue to escape. Not before he sends you a shuddering glare. Shadow is burnt, yellow dance, and he turns. His lashes are dry. Purple teardrop he cry, it don't have a price. Verlaine chuckles to himself, loving you is cherry pie. As much as he disliked the sweetness, he couldn't help but ask for more.

Because he's your biggest fan, he'll follow you until you love him. Like the paparazzi. There's no other superstar he knows that you'll be. Like the paparazzi. He promises he'll be kind, but he won't stop until you're his. He'll be famous, chase you down until you love him. Like the paparazzi.

Verlaine has shut himself in his apartment for weeks, browsing the internet for updates about you. Burning envy fills him as he sees your pictures with other people. He couldn't comprehend why you pushed him away and didn't let him speak that day. Was it wrong to get close to you? Was he not worthy to yearn for a connection? Was it because he's not human? In a fit of anger, he tears every photograph of you he plastered on his wall. He banged his fists in anger before sinking to his knees overwhelmed with emotion.

How dare you give him that smile whenever his camera would face you. Was that smile for the camera and not for him? But how about when you approached him and deemed him handsome, was that only a form of flattery? What was the reason behind that? Your actions complicate him so much that it only sends him into intense fits of anger. How cruel you were to give him an act knowing he hasn't read the script.

Verlaine catches the glimpse of the photo of you and him together and it momentarily soothes his rage. Maybe he needs to show you how he feels rather than tell you. Yes, that's it. With that, he believes you will be convinced.

You yawned as you finished your work at the studio. You've been bothered lately by the news; it was filled with reports of dead celebrities and famous people that you've either known or have been associated with. Something about the deaths seemed so eerie. It was suspected that it was done by one person. You shuddered at the gruesome details of their deaths. They were either strangled, beaten to death, mutilated, dismembered, burned, tortured, and the horrendous list goes on. You were being extra careful lately, making sure you have someone with you at all times, double checking on locked doors, and paying attention to your surroundings. You believed you were developing some sort of paranoia.

You let out a sigh and relaxed on one of the chairs, everyone has decided to grant you a brief moment of privacy. You've been gaining stress with shows, interviews, and photoshoots to attend to. Making sure your image remains pristine was hard work because of your untainted reputation. To add to that, the paparazzi seemed to be multiplying. You swear that you're so close to going apeshit and attacking one of those stupid fucking photographers shoving their cameras on your face.

When you were checking your phone, you heard the door open and close from behind. You assumed it was your producer and that he had returned to continue the recording, but the air turned cold when you felt an unfamiliar presence behind you. Suddenly, you went rigid, your heartbeat skipped several beats as you tried to think of what to do. There was a long and torturous moment of silence. Calculated footsteps approached you and you couldn't help but whip your head around.

Verlaine gazed casually at your panicked state. There were splatters of blood on his clothes after taking care of the people blocking the way towards the studio. Somehow, his exhaustion dissipates when he sees you. He hoped you were watching the news after he got rid of every single person you were photographed with. Killing them was easy, but trying to understand you? Not so much. That's why he needed to get closer so that he'll understand why you're doing this to him.

"You're one complicated human, [Name] [Surname]"

"Wh—What do you want from me?"

You stuttered as your phone slips out of your grasp in a panic. Verlaine gives you a tight smile as he slowly corners you.

"I want to understand you better, mon amour"

"Wait...you're that one photographer!"

You pointed a finger at him in recognition, and he scoffs in response. Unable to contain himself, he lunges forward and grabs your hands. You stumbled as he started to twirl you around in a clumsy dance as he went to play your recently recorded song. Real good, he's dancing with you at the studio. Snap, snap to that shit on the radio. He won't stop for anyone. You and he are plastic, but he still had fun.

Midway through the song, you managed to push Verlaine away as you stumbled back and accidentally stopped the music. Your chest frantically rose and sank with each heavy breath. This strange blonde man is scaring the fuck out of you. Those articles you read about obsessed fans and unhealthy parasocial relationships flooded your head. You regained your footing and carefully faced him.

"Look, I know you want something from me but...but I can't give it to you"

Verlaine's eyes narrowed as he cocks his head to the side in confusion by your statement.

"Why not?"

"What you're doing isn't right"

"What am I supposed to do then?"

You swallowed when Verlaine raised his voice. The blonde clears his throat as he keeps his rising anger in check.

"All I want is you, [Name]"

"...Why?"

Verlaine smiles widely causing you to shudder. He towers over you as you shrank under his chilling presence.

"I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me"

He says and gently reaches for your cheek as he leans down. He sees the tears building up in your lash line as you look up at him.

"Baby, there's no other superstar I know that you'll be"

You felt the tears trail down your face as you trembled under his touch. But Verlaine doesn't pull away.

"Promise I'll be kind, but I won't stop until you're all mine"

He watches you sob uncontrollably in pure terror, and he frowns. He knows that he'll be famous as he chases you down until you love him. Like the paparazzi. 

"Please...stop..."

You sobbed. All the trace of tenderness vanishes in Verlaine as he realizes the reality of the situation. With that petrified look on your face, there was no chance he'd get you to love him. And that fact delivers an aching stab to his chest. He will never form a connection much less fall in love. As much as he longed to understand you, he is cursed to experience tragedy.

Verlaine casts a sympathetic look on his face, and you believe that he has changed his mind and decided to spare you from his atrocious plan. All of a sudden, his face drops as he expertly takes a grasp of your chin and the top of your head before twisting, all of a sudden, the world goes black.

In one of the diners in town, Verlaine takes a sip of his coffee with a cigarette dangling between his fingers. His eyes looked up at the old television displaying the news with a blank expression.

"Famous and beloved star [Name] [Surname] was discovered dead at their studio yesterday. They were found with their neck twisted and killed. Investigators linked their death to the rest of the dead celebrities found previously..."

He took a drag as he heard the reporter. With a scoff, Verlaine turns away.

"... [Name]'s death was discovered by an unknown emergency call made in the studio. The operator told authorities that they heard a male voice in the other line saying: 'Je viens de tuer mon amour' before hanging up. Investigators are unable to discover who made the call and who killed [Name]"

©kitasgloves (do not steal or copy)

[lucky1013]

Matching Bracelets:  Lovejoy Friendships

2024 is coming to a close; thank your deity of choice. 

 There’s a lot of talk about friendships that were lost this year.  It’s painful to hear and, I would argue, self-centered and tasteless to voice.  (Ok, ok, dropping it.) But there’s another thing worth celebrating that emerged from this horrible test.  We learned there are friends who have your back in the worst of times. There are friends who have the courage to weather storms. There are new friends, kindred spirits, who find each other in chaos because they speak the same language. Birds among the sheep. 

The fact that the members of Lovejoy stood by Will meant so much.  We saw them demonstrate real friendship, unconditional support, at a time when no one seemed to have the balls to stand up for what is right. It’s not about condoning or condemning actions, (you dipshits,) it’s about friendship, loyalty, and human compassion. These boys could have cut and run but they chose to stay. This is why they own our hearts. Hats off. o7

On the fan side, everyone tied themselves in knots last Spring arguing with the digital lynch mob. We typed incessantly to defend our beliefs and maybe, just maybe, pull some people over.  We railed against the misinformation and painfully pointless dissections of fact. They misunderstood everything we said.  They reduced Will to a couple of ill-fitting labels. Their stamina for finding and smothering any signs of support, even still, is pretty staggering. I apologize for rehashing this. But I have a point. 

I hate to talk about pain. Especially our pain, because we aren’t the targets here. But it’s an important bridge here so try to stomach it. 

There’s been a three-part agony for fans. It’s both past and persistent. First, and most obviously, it was so painful to know what Will must be feeling.  That’s woefully understated.  It’s not about infatuation or parasocial nonsense (really sick of that one) – it’s just empathy, pure and simple.  Second, fans were mourning their losses.  The fan community (and associated excitement and joy) just sublimated.  Third, we felt (and still feel) so fucking helpless.  We know someone is suffering, we understand it, and can’t do a goddamn thing to help. 

We found new friends. Unexpected, trauma-bonded, amazing new friends. Some close friends, some just familiar personalities. We know each other by name or at least by the alts we use to keep out employers from finding us. We know who will keep everyone’s spirits up and pull us back to the center when things get sideways (fans know who I mean). We know is best at smacking down bullshit. We know who the freaks are. We know who sweethearts and the jokers are. We know the writers, artists, and poets who just need some way to pull these feelings out of their chests.  We are a very motley crew with a broad range of backgrounds, ages, and interests, but we’re all connected by these basic things – human kindness, belief in Will as a person, love for Lovejoy. 

 Let me tell you my Lovejoy friend story. I’d love to hear yours. 

I never used  social media before this.  (No I’m not from Mars, there’s a reason that is definitely noone’s business.) I had a Twitter account with zero posts and hopped into “Wilburtwt” one day, needing to understand this mess and needing to express myself.  I did some searches and found LVJYbandNEWS and her Cards for Concern effort.  I wrote some painfully sappy fanmail to pull the feels out of my chest and mailed it off. 

Over the next few weeks, some interesting people stood out from the rest – wise, smart, funny, and adult (no shade to the kids, love you all too).   We bonded over the helplessness.  We just wanted to DO something to make things better. We wanted to take action and find ways to move the needle. We started an offline chat to problem solve. We’ve since worked together on several projects, trying to raise fan engagement, steer the conversation, and clean up websites.  There are now eight of us, five adults and three teenagers. (Maybe ONE DAY they will let us help.)  

We have Zoom happy hours and shared Google docs.  We ask for each other’s advice.  We type back and forth everyday over big and little things, mostly just enjoying being passionate fans.  L: heart and fan-herder; A: badass; S: just effing cool; J: smacks down the dumbshits; H: endless enthusiasm for a not-Will bandmate; V and E: creatives; [me: rants and types essays and poems] .

 When Lovejoy announced New York, we bought plane tickets, booked hotel rooms, and broke it to our families that we were skipping Thanksgiving.  My unindoctrinated friends thought I was nuts when I said I was going to Brooklyn with internet people I had never met, planning to stand in the cold all day just to be close to some indie band. But it's not ‘some indie band' – it’s LOVEJOY.  And they're not just ‘internet people’ – they’re my FRIENDS.  

The line experience was so much fun. I met so many cool people, so different but all connected, half with familiar usernames.  I can tell you with certainty that I don’t care (that much) about being in front, but I can't wait until I get to hang out with these jokers in line again. (But maybe not so early? Can we maybe agree as a fandom to adjust? It's a bit nuts.)  

LOVEJOY, Thanks for being good friends to each other.  The real kind.  And thanks for the friendships we’ve had the privilege of making around you. 

[lucyfishwife]

The very odd reality of parasocial crushing is that it can happen to any of us, but you can choose whether you just embrace the silliness, or sink into the John Hinkley madness of believing you are somehow bonded by fate to someone you saw on a big screen. I bow to nobody in my several celeb crushes, and I will fight anyone who thinks they know my blorbo better than me, but ultimately meh, they're some human with a life, it's none of my business. Plus it's the character that first appealed to me, the actor is a different person. I adored Mulder, but my feelings about David Duchovny are benignly indifferent. And my god that crush lasted five years

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

What's your opinion on parasocial relationships

From: "I don't think we should be able to see fictional characters have sex because they haven't consented"

To: "Blatantly and overtly objectifies -insert celebrity here-"

There seems to be wild swinging from one end to the other 🤔🤔🤔

okay so this is uuuh a Large question and I need to start by saying flat out that "parasocial relationship" is a pretty value neutral term that's only very recently taken on a distinctly negative connotation. the term was invented in the 1950s in response to increasing television viewership in America, to describe the one-sided attachments that viewers formed with fictional characters and media personalities. while Horton and Wolh, who coined the term, did express concerns that some people might be prone to substituting parasocial relationships for real, reciprocal human connections, it wasn't intended to be a condemnation of the practice. parasociality in small amounts is essentially necessary to have any sort of stake in fictional characters or celebrities who can't love us back, and its worth noting that parasocial relationships significantly predate the terminology - humans have felt strongly about rulers who don't know them and characters from myths and stories for centuries. this sort of connection-making is fueled by the same extremely social nature that let us bond with dogs and other domesticated animals.

so the tl;dr there is that my feeling on parasocial relationships is that it largely depends on whether we're talking about, like, people having harmless crushes on attractive and charismatic actors or, like, twitter stans sending each other death threats over musicians who don't know they exist. like most things, it's harmless in moderations and is mostly down to individuals to use their grown-up brains to not make it weird and harmful.

now, onto the example you gave of people objecting to depictions of fictional characters having sex because they can't consent. I don't know that parasociality is the main issue at play here, although as we've noted a degree of it is certainly necessary to care that much about a fictional character in the first place. that particular ideological clusterfuck is a result of several things colliding, I think namely:

a.) an increasingly prevalent and normalized streak of extreme sexual conservatism amongst people who broadly consider themselves progressive. if you've spent much of the last decade online and especially in fandom spaces, you've probably seen this mindset becoming more and more pronounced via a bunch of horse-assed debates about the morality of depicting #problematic things in fiction and fanworks. sincere arguments that sex scenes are bad because made up people who don't exist can't consent to being featured in them is pretty much always where that particular line of thinking was heading.

b.) an absolutely tragic conflation of media consumption with activism and political beliefs. this overlaps heavily with point a (with a lot of assumption that if you're a Good person you must take great pains not only to not consume Bad fiction but also to call it out at every opportunity for being Bad, lest you be accused of having Wrong opinions) and also generates a lot of very stupid takes like treating Captain Marvel as a #girlboss #feminism movie despite being sponsored by the US Air Force and holding creators from historically oppressed identities to impossibly high standards of Good Representation, a thing that doesn't exist and no one agrees on. (read Elaine Castillo's excellent essay collection How to Read Now for way more eloquent thoughts on that.) the point being that people's so-called hot takes about popular media are almost conflated with their politics, whichever way they may lean. this also related to point c, which is"

c.) the internet and its many insufferable algorithms encourage outrage and conflict at every opportunity, so nobody can just say some normal shit like "I don't like seeing sex scenes on tv, it feels uncomfortable :/," because people will start crawling down their throat screaming about how it's actually very sex negative and queerphobic and problematic to dislike watching sex scenes and that the person who posted that is somehow personally oppressing people with sexual trauma who are reclaiming their relationship with their sexuality and were greatly helped by [insert sex scene here]. so you have to pre-empt those replies by acting like you're teeing up a fucking tedtalk and also are ready to throw down in defense of your lukewarm opinion, and that's a lot easier to do if you've figured out how to use language affiliated with social justice to bolster your point.

anyway. that's my opinion on that.

[dearweirdme]

Hello! I was looking for some chill Taekook blogs and I stumbled upon yours. I saw your response too an ask about Taennie and found your response very mature, well spoken and open to different opinions. Then read through your blog and really liked the chill vibe you got.

Tbh I'm not sold on Taennie either lol Not because it gets in the way of my ship (I'm a jikooker, it literally can't get in the way), neither because I'm a parasocial Tae biased fan who can't accept him being taken (my bias is actually Hobi and I would be thrilled to find out he is happy and in love), I just find the whole thing weird and suspicious.

Anyways, the reason why I came here is because I love maknae line's bond! But I think the whole Taekook vs Jikook war made both sides very bitter about the other ship's interaction and consequently created a lot of unnecessary hate toward Taehyung and Jimin. I'm mostly on the Jikook side of the internet so I can't speak for Taekook, but I often find Jikookers having a hard time appreciating sweet Taekook moments because they're afraid of toxic Taekookers invading their space with hate, so they just don't talk about it and some even grow a bitter taste with Taekook's bond. So I imagine Taekookers might go through the same because of toxic Jikookers.

And I really hate that.

I love Taekook's bond, they clearly love and care for each other so much, and they have so many cute and funny moments together. And since it's such a popular ship I wanna know more about them and understand different perspectives. So I came here because I'm genuinely curious and open to hear your opinion on Taekook!

What are moments that made you go "Huh? There's no hetero explanation for this"?

If Jikook is just fanservice what makes Taekook moments different?

Please don't take this as a toxic Jikooker invading your space, I am genuinely curious. I fully respect Taekookers opinion!

Borahae 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Hi anon! You are very welcome here, I don't mind different opinions, I think they are valuable. What's important to me is that someone comes to me in a polite way, and you are doing just that. You will at times read some snippy comments about Jkkrs on my blog I'm afraid. Some do come to me with less polite manners, and well.. my patience only goes this far. I think you and I are a bit alike, only from different sides. I also really enjoy Jimin and Jk interactions, and vminkook all the more. It is definitely sad that with those interactions automatically comes a sense of dread, because these days I just know when to expect drama in my inbox... and it's very often TKkrs in distress whenever something Jkk happens, or Jkkrs angry or gloating whenever something Tkk or Jkk happens. It's a wild situation. I wish it weres different, but at the same time... I know not to expect change.

I think many can see Taennie is not real, or at least sus. You don't even need to be part of any ship to see that. It's so obviously used for promotional purposes and severely lacking on the 'real relationship' side. My tag for it is Taennope or Taennie, and you might want to look at Gurumi as well if you are interested.

We are on actual opposing sides. If my ship is true yours cannot be, and vice versa. There's no compromising to be done. The most we can do is stay on our own sides a bit. While you are very nice, I also know we are not going to agree, but it's a nice change to see a Jkkr with a good opinion of Tae and who at least sees Tae and Jk are close. While Jkkrs often say Tkkrs hate Jimin (and to be fair there are definitely Tkkrs who talk about him wrongly) I feel this goes both ways.

To me it is not an either/or situation. If it ever turns out that Jk and Tae are not together, I wont believe Jimin and Jk are. That is just not how I see them. I understand why Jkkrs do, but... I just think you are mistaken in how you view their interactions. To me Jk and Jimin are just best friends. Super close, very playfull, flirty at times sure, but definitely platonic. If I were to compare the two. I feel with Jk and Jimin there's always a definite moment where they are "done" with each other. Like, they'll be playfull and bantery and touchy, but it's always just a moment with the purpuse of being funny, comforting, or friendly. It's not an underlying connection like Tae and JK have. Those two are constantly aware of each other, and that is not true for Jimin and Jk. You'll see many times where Jk and Jimin just don;t care what the other is up to, completely unaware.. and that is different with Tae and Jk. My taekook tag is way too full to go through, but I'll link some specific posts that contain most of my thoughts on Tae and Jk's bond at the end of this post.

I think one very important thing to be able to understand Tkkrs is that you have to be able to see that Tae and Jk never grew apart, like so many believe. It is such an accepted view throughout fandom that they grew apart somewhere inbetweeen 2016 and 2020 and that they became awkward. I absolutely do not think that is true. There is definitely less footage of them during a part of that time, and sure some awkward moments, but when you actually look at the footage that does exist, you can see a bond and a comfort that has not changed. If you are able to see that, you will also be able to see how Tae and Jk have been deliberately separated, even visibly on footage. Moments where they were close and touchy, they notice something off camera, they separate, and there's an emotional reaction to it. That does not happen with any of the other members, inculding Jk and Jimin. This is a post I made about the 2016-2020 period.

This post contains some thoughts I have on Taekook in general:

You can also find a lot of my thoughts on both Jikook and Taekook in these tags: Taekook analysis Ship analysis and there's my straws tag, but that one might also contain some snippy comments, so you might not enjoy 😶.

Thoughts on Jk and thoughts on Tae .

In general I don't think Jk and Jimin's interactions are fanservice. I think they have a genuine strong bond. Do they at times play it up for the camera's, Yes. But all members do that. While Jk and Jimin's interactions have never been avoided in official footage, Jk and Tae's have... and that's where imo the screwed vision of respective bonds comes from.

I've given much to go through, but it's too complicated for me to explain in just one post (though I have tried before 🙈).

[boblittlepage-blog]

I'm Confused About Something...

A brief update for the uninitiated, which probably means everyone. Sometime back, I attempted to strike up a friendship with noted online semicelebritytype Indigo White, who you may know from her many productions of video entertainment not intended for younger viewers (do the math). Yes, I first came across her the same way most guys do (let's just say my prostate has never been healthier), but then I started watching her YouTube videos, and was very impressed with her intelligence, sense of humor, and levelheadedness. I'm very drawn to intelligence, and decided this is someone I'd actually like to know. And through chats during live streams and interactions on Twitter and Fansly, things seemed to be proceeding nicely. I'd like to think that I made it clear that I wasn't just another dweeb who'd parasocially bonded to some e-girl, that this was genuine affection for her as a person. Seeing that in writing makes it sound weird, but so be it, let's move on.

Some time ago, Indigo came out as trans, and was now a boy. Despite the change in personal pronouns to he/him, and now sporting shorter, Beatle-ish hair, nothing much was going to change content-wise, no plans for surgery or hormones (which begs the question of just how trans was Indy actually, but we'll not deal with that here, or anywhere else for now, it's largely irrelevant).

Okay, fine, I'll play along, so long Indy didn't feel the need to undergo anything permanent, (again, usually an indicator that something else is going on, not gender dysphoria), so no harm no foul.

In the meantime, I've gotten to know several detransitioners online, and heard their horror stories about how they'd been suckered into the whole gender ideology thing (which, by the way, is the creation of a very sick man, John Money, a pedophile who should be listed right alongside Joseph Mengele for the work he did directly with a couple of twin boys, both ending in suicide, but also for his sham "work" being baked into the psychiatric and medical industries before the true horror of his acts were finally made public. The result is that actual gender dysphoria, the kind where major gender reassignment surgery is the only workable treatment, has largely been pushed aside for people who are suffering from other, less serious issues, generally from some childhood trauma, like puberty in general, and turning garden variety identity crises into reasons for these sufferers, largely teenagers, who we must remember are still highly impressionable are generally stupid, to permanently wreck their biochemistry and mutilate their bodies).

So, during one live stream, I get wind of Indy trying to work up the courage to get what is euphemistically referred to as "top surgery", i.e., a double mastectomy, for no other reason than a long time hatred of them. Turns out Indy got those DD tiddies pretty much full force, virtually overnight, and besides being literally painful, anybody who's been to school between the ages of 9 to 15 can fill in the blanks of what the reaction of the other kids was. Also keep in mind that the amygdala, the lizard part of the brain that handles trauma and triggers the ol' fight-or-flight response, doesn't differentiate between actually life threatening situations and a snide comment from a 4th grade teacher at the wrong time, trauma is trauma, and can have life altering effects, especially in kids. We're generally not even aware of this happening until pointed out to us. Digging through Indy's Tumblr, apparently there's some additional trauma back there, that is triggering enough that I'm not going to even try and ask about it, but we're still talking a response to trauma. One day, it'll have to be dealt with, not just painted over with a big ol' "Congrats! You're Trans!" label. That's not therapy, that checking a box so somebody can make a boat payment. Since lives are at stake with this nonsense, I get very pissed off.

Anyway.

Back to the case at hand. I, hoping to spare Indy the kind of life wrecking pain I've seen others going through, began pushing for the alternative of breast reduction. Less invasive, faster recovery, and coming to the conclusion that, yes, Indy's tits WERE too big (5'4", 110 lbs, shouldn't be any bigger than a B, maybe closer to an A).

Enter the Affirmation Brigade, standing by and cheering Indy forward to go forth and be sliced up like a Sunday roast, to advance the cause of TRANS RIGHTS! Which I see as an attempt to validate their own sorry existences at the expense of someone else's health and well being. Well, during an engagement with one of these ghouls, things got rather heated, and more than a little ugly. I don't particularly regret anything I said, I would've preferred it didn't have to be in the form of calling out the other person as a butcher. Not because it was inaccurate (it wasn't), but because it was somewhat undignified.

Cue another set of angry DMs with Indy, demanding that I knock it off or get banned. I'd said everything I felt needed saying, so feeling no need to press the issue any further, certainly not publicly, I agreed. And things got more or less back to normal.

However, I reached out to a noted doctor who deals with the whole trans issue, and, with a couple of links, one to Indy's Twitter profile, the second to the coming-out video on YouTube, and asked for a professional opinion. Mainly, I wanted some guidance on whether I was doing the right thing by trying to be the lone voice against the affirmation chorus, trying to make the point that major invasive surgery over a personality issue is probably a very, very bad idea. Had I pushed too far, or should I stand my ground? One of the recurring themes I'd been hearing from detransitioners was that nobody ever challenged them, made them stop and think it out, WHY did they think they were trans? Could it be something else? Let's figure this out BEFORE we start lopping off perfectly healthy body parts, and see if we can find a less bloody and traumatizing solution. We live in a world where unless you blindly affirm the choice, you're a (fill in the blank). Well, sorry, but if the Emporer is walking down Broadway bloody starkers, I'm gonna say something.

Fast forward to a couple days later, this has gotten back to Indy, and the response in DM was thermonuclear. What right did I have to do this, I'm insane, etc., etc., and that was it, I'd been given too many chances already, I was banned, with the final shot being, and I quote, "Unblocking you to say one final thing. If I didn’t have the support i have and live where i do, what you did could have gotten me killed. Think about that. Fuck you."

Okay, back that up a little.

I posted a link to a PUBLIC Twitter page, with a link to a PUBLIC YouTube video (which Indy posted herself/himself TWICE, and has pinned to various other social media sites), disclosed no information, and only asked for "a professional opinion." (For the record, the only response I got back from the doctor was "Nope.") How in this, or any other reality could that endanger anybody? Did I overstep? Okay, I'll grant that. Wasn't the first time, pretty sure it won't be the last. But possibly getting Indy killed? Sorry, but I need to hear the twisted logic that comes to that conclusion, because I ain't seeing it, and I took Logic in college, I know a thing or two about false premises and the strange places they lead.

I would like to rebuild this relationship, if possible, but I'm not holding my breath. Clearly what I did incensed Indy, and it's not likely it'll be easy to walk that back. I would still like to have that explanation, though. If you're gonna throw down something like my being responsible for possible manslaughter, I think I'm at least owed that much.

Again, Indy (if you've read this far), my DMs are open, and I did give you my phone number, provided you haven't deleted the DM (doesn't seem like it, because I've still got 'em on my end). I'm ready for peace when you are.

[stackslip]

i'm screenshotting this post not bc i want to mock it or anything, like i completely disagree but also the rest of the post's tone was pretty personal so i didn't want to reblog with my own digressions and derail the op's intentions; genuinely much love to them. it's just that this kinda jumpstarted some thoughts along with that series of panels i collected in my last post.

i don't think fujimoto is making fun of fans, or of parasocial relationships in part 2. i think the hypercommodification of chainsaw man as a brand and celebrity in-universe IS meant to be ironic and cynical (as they quite literally consume pochita from inside out and weaken him), but i don't think fujimoto is making fun of the people themselves.

so far in part 2 there are several main themes standing out to me--lost/blurred identity is one, and i have many thoughts on that one, but so far the strongest theme has been alienation under the current system and how people cope with extreme isolation and with their longing/struggle to forge an intimate relationship and maintain it. the school setting is a play on some shoujo tropes, but it's also the greatest stage for this theme to play out because schools are inherently alienating spaces, particularly for kids who don't fit the norm in a certain way. fujimoto has commented on adultism and the structural struggles of children/teenagers before, especially re denji's lack of autonomy vs the adults in his life. the previous setting WAS an adult setting, an actual workplace and office with a uniform and all.

the current school setting is all teenagers--the only adult we've seen at the school so far was the teacher in chapter 98, and said teacher didn't even seem to be teaching properly, but rather using his friendliness as a way to groom female students. so far the school hasn't been a place of learning or even companionship, but a place of bullying and of kids being shaped into being the next devil hunters--and we've seen what devil hunting is as a job! it's a nightmare of exploitation and dehumanization! yet the devil hunter club seems to run the school council and practically the school itself, luring in orphans who want revenge on devils and kids who are not allowed a part-time job and need any way to make money to survive under the current system. and again, add to that the bullying asa and yuko endure with no outside intervention, the fact that students ARE clearly starving or struggling to survive, the fact that the only social circle seems to be, again, the fucking devil hunting club....

what i'm trying to get to here is that the characters in part 2 are deeply fucking lonely, in part due to teenage years woes, in part due to the way the current system and in particular the school system is set up. the bullying yuko endures is so severe that she considers that the only way to stop it is not only to kill the bullies, but raze the school itself. she tries to connect to asa through the only way she can think of--making a contract with a fucking devil. the fact that this is her first option says a lot about just how lonely and hurt she's been. yuko focuses on chainsaw man as a symbol of justice, an idealized figure who'd do her right, unlike any adult or even other teenage figure in her life who just let her and her newfound friend suffer.

we don't know much about harumi yet, but it feels like the devil hunting club is also an unofficial chainsaw man fanclub, which is partially how he became president. chainsaw man as a subject is a way for a lot of these kids to socialize, to form bonds through their admiration for him and through the shared culture and games around him. again we don't know shit about him but he clearly also struggles with wanting to be well regarded and forge connections, and his way of doing so is emulating an idealized superhero to the point of getting fucking surgery to be closer to him!

it's like. fujimoto is not making fun of "ridiculous fans", he's commenting on how HARD it is for people to form intimate relationships, and how they use parasocial relationships as a way to do so with others, or to emulate the sentiment. yoshida actually verbalizes it in the new chapter:

why even try anymore if you're just going to get hurt or lonely again? why not project onto this perfect stranger whose image becomes a mirror to whatever your fears and desires are?

and then there's denji, who IS chainsaw man and who can't imagine being loved as himself at all, so he doesn't try! he thinks exactly like all these other kids--no-one could like me for myself. so either i remain alone forever, or i forge a relationship through this dominant cultural and political figure that can be whoever and whatever people want: a hot celebrity, a monstrous force of chaos, a prince charming who'll rescue you from abuse and a terrible face, a justice dispensing warrior, an american spy.....

(also there's no doubt in my mind that's asa's own vocal distaste for chainsaw man plays a role in why she was alienated from her peers in the first place. the class president's first attempt to befriend her is by bringing up chainsaw man and then she just stands there awkwardly as asa tells her she can't stand him! chainsaw man has become such a cultural staple that by refusing to participate in said cultural staple, asa has further been estranged from her teen classmates.)

[swampflix]

Destroy All Neighbors (2024)

I have developed parasocial relationships with several of the key collaborators behind the retro splatstick comedy Destroy All Neighbors, which has me rooting for its success.  I met one of the film’s writers, Charles Pieper, at a local horror festival a few years ago, and we established one of the most sacred bonds two people can share: social media mutuals.  The film’s score was also…

[werewolfwebsite]

OK I don't really do discourse anymore bc I'm an Adult and I know it stresses people out but the youtuber dream and the fans he has formed the most intense parasocial bonds with r sooo fascinating to me in the most horrifying way.

and the way said fans (im not using the word stan it's fucking stupid, and at this point the only fans of dream are either extremely casual and don't know shit or are have pledged their undying loyalty) treat ANYONE who distances themselves from him is. fucking crazy.

like they act as if every person who joined the dsmp owes their entire career to him when in reality, they all were already having growing online presences. I've seen people go after boo which is especially crazy to me bc their meteoric growth was already happening by the time they joined dsmp, and calling a person w severe dysmorphoa ugly & saying they would be working a minimum wage job if not for dream (which like. come on man. the people saying this shit are the most unemployed of all time) is just cruel.

I've gotten off track but my main point is that most if not all of these creators were actually more materially and directly helped and supported by each other and ESPECIALLY philza minecraft (especially with his tech support, genuinely I think most ccs in this sphere would not have as high framerates while playing games if not for him). and philza was the first person to tell dream to fuck off when he was "joking" about making tommy's career a couple years ago.

dream is literally the reason why I didn't get into the dsmp until last year, bc I thought it heavily included him and I really did not want to support him bc the way he acts w his fans & other rumours I had heard from being in the hermit side of mcyt. I'm glad I learned that literally the only thing he contributed that much was his name because the more I learn about this guy the fucking crazier it gets. idk how he even has fans like granted I've only seen him when he's been on other people's streams but he's straight up not entertaining.

[yowlthinks]

I think this is a very important message. The world is not black and white, and people who are extremely talented can also be not good people.

I think NG allegations, and the latest article that came out, made all of us think through a few big things we might not have considered that deeply before. And there are a few thoughts I had that I wanted to note down, mainly for myself.

Believing the victims vs. presumption of innocence.

Overall, I support the presumption of innocence. However, this basic belief hinges on the assumption that the police and courts are doing what we expect them to do and doing it well. When we look at the SA and rape cases, unfortunately this is not really the case.

"Only 8 percent of sexual assaults were reported to the Police" (Source: justice.govt.nz)

Out of these, only 1/3 results in convictions (there are a number of sources, but the one below also shows the staggering divide by victim's gender)

So in view of the above, while we absolutely have to uphold the presumption of innocence, we also have to face the fact that at least some, if not all, of these accusations are very likely true. And the reason why we do not have the full legal proof is that sadly, the police and the legal system are not working as we expect them to.

Also, if you are in the right place psychologically and want a powerful artistic reflection on the above, I highly recommend watching Prima Facie. It is a brilliant play that puts the focus on the above stats in a very real, personal and heartbreaking way.

Separating the art from the artist dilemma

So now we have to face the fact that someone who we thought was brilliant author AND also a decent human being, is actually very likely a violent criminal.

And there are several things that have been happening in view of this that I find deeply concerning:

- Saying he was not such a talented author anyway - let us face it, he is a talented author, not everyone's cup of tea, but he is talented.

- Saying the stories now should be forgotten, abandoned and never mentioned again, and anyone still enjoying them should be ashamed of themselves- should they really, though?

I will be honest, I do not have the answer. It is easy when the author is dead: Leo Tolstoy was absolutely awful, but I don’t see anyone frowning on the adaptations of his books or the fact that they are studied in schools. The author is no more, the art lives on. But what about someone alive? Where do we draw the line: ok to read old books? Borrow from the libraries? Anything is fair game as long as the persona non grata does not profit?

I don't know the right answer, and I think it will take me some time to figure one out for myself, but I think loving stories and seeing meaning and finding shoelace in stories, in art should be seen as separate from condoning behaviour of a person who created them. I think it is ok to fall in love with art, but we should be very careful in crowning someone as "the best person ever" and pinning all our hopes on them. Parasocial relationships don't mean you know a person and talent is no guarantee for decency.

Allowing yourself to feel

Calling the disappointed fans out as selfish doesn't help the victims.

Telling yourself that there are people out there who have been impacted much more by this then you and your little fictional character fixations is... true, but also it is wrong to not acknowledge the disappointment, the upset and the sadness something like that brings. Yes, this is obviously not the focus, but I think everyone is allowed to also think of the personal impact of the news on them, without forgetting the impact on the victims, on the society or the industry in general.

The case of JKR has taken the shine of the HP universe for me. These books and films are a big part of my youth, it is a bonding media piece for my generation, and now every time I see another news piece about her I ask myself smth along the lines of "things were so good, why did you have to go and ruin it for yourself and for all of us?" I have not watched the films since and the idea of rereading the HP series has sort off died in me, and I am somewhat annoyed at myself for failing at this artist vs art separation.

I am not a huge fan of Gaiman, but I read a few of his books and liked them, and I don't know if I will read some more in future or not. But they have certainly lost a huge chunk of their appeal.

Well, there are always people who disappoint and those who positively surprise. I hope there will be more of the latter.

[idolivesingapore]

Virtual Influencers: How AI is Redefining Celebrity in the Digital Age

The rise of social media has given birth to a new type of celebrity—one that exists purely in the digital realm. Virtual influencers, who are computer-generated characters created by companies and individuals using artificial intelligence (AI), are rapidly gaining popularity and reshaping our concept of celebrity. From fashion collaborations to advertising partnerships, these AI-driven personalities are filling a new niche in marketing, where brands seek engagement without the unpredictability of human influencers.

What Are Virtual Influencers?

Virtual influencers are digital avatars controlled by AI algorithms, often developed to represent brands, fictional personas, or cultural icons. These avatars appear on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, where they interact with audiences, share posts, and even participate in brand collaborations. Examples of popular virtual influencers include Lil Miquela, a “digital it-girl” with a compelling backstory and human-like social media presence, and Shudu, a model influencer who has appeared in campaigns for brands like Balmain and Fenty Beauty.

Unlike human influencers, virtual influencers don’t age, can work 24/7, and are free from the controversies and scandals that sometimes affect human celebrities. They represent a controlled way for brands to maintain a consistent image, allowing for curated content that matches brand values and aesthetics.

Technology Behind Virtual Influencers

Creating a successful virtual influencer requires advanced technology, combining elements of artificial intelligence, 3D rendering, and sometimes even machine learning. AI drives their personalities, enabling these characters to interact with fans and create tailored responses. Graphics rendering tools are used to design their appearance, often with remarkable realism, and machine learning helps refine their interactions to make them seem more life-like.

AI also enables virtual influencers to analyze trends and audience behaviors, which can shape the type of content they produce. For instance, AI can help these digital personas post at optimal times or create messages that appeal to specific demographics. As technology advances, some virtual influencers even simulate facial expressions and emotions, making their interactions with audiences feel even more authentic.

Why Are Brands Embracing Virtual Influencers?

Brands have been quick to embrace virtual influencers for several reasons. First, virtual influencers offer brands full control over their messaging and public image. Unlike human influencers who may have differing personal beliefs or unexpected life changes, virtual influencers can always remain on message. Additionally, brands can avoid public relations risks, as these digital personas will never post unapproved content or participate in controversies.

Virtual influencers also have a global reach. For instance, Lil Miquela has millions of followers worldwide, allowing brands to access diverse markets. Furthermore, virtual influencers provide cost-effective options for brands. While they require an initial investment in creation and design, they don’t require the same ongoing expenses, such as travel or appearance fees, associated with human influencers.

Virtual Influencers and the Psychology of Fandom

One of the fascinating aspects of virtual influencers is the fandom they generate. Despite their artificial nature, virtual influencers like Lil Miquela have developed dedicated followers who engage with them as though they were real people. Followers interact, comment, and express opinions, creating an interactive fan culture similar to that of human celebrities. Some fans even form emotional attachments, appreciating the personalities that these digital figures portray.

This phenomenon taps into the psychological elements of parasocial relationships, where fans form a one-sided bond with a media figure. For many, following a virtual influencer offers a way to participate in a unique social interaction, especially as these digital personas often adopt real-life problems, aspirations, and backstories, making them relatable despite their artificial nature.

Virtual Influencers in Advertising and Brand Collaborations

Virtual influencers have opened new avenues in advertising, with brands keen to leverage these digital personalities. From fashion brands to tech companies, virtual influencers are being used to model products, endorse brands, and even serve as brand mascots. For instance, Lil Miquela has been featured in campaigns for Calvin Klein, while Imma, a Japanese virtual influencer, collaborates with brands across various industries, from cosmetics to fashion.

Brands benefit from the fresh appeal of these AI-driven influencers, which appeals to tech-savvy consumers who are often fascinated by the blend of reality and virtuality. Virtual influencers can target niche audiences and maintain a unique “voice” or aesthetic, enhancing brand identity without the unpredictability associated with human influencers.

Ethical Implications of Virtual Influencers

While virtual influencers offer unique benefits, they also raise ethical questions. Since these influencers are not real, some argue that they create an unrealistic standard of beauty and perfection. Unlike human influencers, virtual personas can be flawlessly curated, potentially promoting unattainable standards and contributing to issues related to self-esteem, particularly among younger audiences.

Moreover, the lack of transparency about the AI and data algorithms that control virtual influencers can be problematic. For instance, if a virtual influencer promotes a product without disclosing its fictional nature, it could mislead consumers into believing they are following a real person. Brands and developers need to consider these ethical implications, ensuring that virtual influencers are transparent in their operations and interactions.

Virtual Influencers and the Future of Celebrity Culture

The rise of virtual influencers is reshaping the concept of celebrity itself. As AI and digital avatars continue to evolve, we may see more virtual personalities becoming household names. This shift represents a broader change in how society perceives fame and social influence, where the lines between real and artificial blur.

In the future, we may see virtual influencers integrated into mainstream media, from television appearances to virtual concerts. As these figures gain prominence, they may also redefine “celebrity” by making it less about personal background and more about content and engagement. For young people growing up in a digital-first world, virtual influencers could become as popular and influential as traditional celebrities, reflecting a shift in values toward curated, brand-aligned personalities.

How Consumers View Virtual Influencers?

Consumer reactions to virtual influencers are mixed. Some embrace the concept, intrigued by the creative possibilities of AI-powered personas. Others remain skeptical, feeling that digital avatars lack the authenticity of real people. This division suggests that brands need to approach virtual influencers carefully, ensuring that they are used in contexts where they resonate with the target audience.

Interestingly, some consumers value virtual influencers for their reliability and consistency. Unlike human celebrities, virtual influencers are devoid of real-life controversies, making them safe choices for brands looking to maintain a stable public image. However, the human element remains crucial in consumer-brand relationships, meaning that virtual influencers may work best when used in combination with human ambassadors.

Virtual Influencers

At their core, virtual influencers represent the intersection of art, technology, and marketing. The process of creating a compelling digital character requires a team of creatives, AI developers, and branding experts, all working together to craft a unique persona. This blend of fields illustrates how marketing is evolving into a space where imagination and technology meet.

Virtual influencers demonstrate how AI can go beyond analytics and content creation, extending into brand representation and cultural influence. They reveal how far digital marketing has come and the potential for future innovations that will further shape online interaction.

Virtual influencers are more than just a passing trend—they are reshaping the nature of celebrity and digital marketing. For media inquiries, please contact Idolive at +65 8042 3878.