#performative idiots

[fourgottencoast]

Lots of leftists are posting about how we need community more than ever, we need to care about each other etc etc but most of y’all can’t even be bothered to continue masking to protect your community 💀

[supercalisunshine]

Hc that in Edinburgh when Aziraphale is like “Still, that was very kind of you” and Crowley’s like “Not kind. Off my head on laudanum. Not responsible for my actions” etc etc, Aziraphale was calling him kind in hopes he’d get pushed up against a wall again

I think that is why he does it always lmao like

the way he looks at him and leans in

bbg you’re so silly and down so bad oml

Istg he thinks he’s performing a proper temptation here what a silly goose

[marypsue]

So if you follow me (and aren't just stopping by because you saw one of my funney viralposts), you probably know that I've been writing a bunch of fanfiction for Stranger Things, which is set in rural Indiana in the early- to mid-eighties. I've been working on an AU where (among other things) Robin, a character confirmed queer in canon, gets integrated into a friend group made up of a number of main characters. And I got a comment that has been following me around in the back of my mind for a while. Amidst fairly usual talk about the show and the AU and what happens next, the commenter asked, apparently in genuine confusion, "why wouldn't Robin just come out to the rest of the group yet? They would be okay with it."

I did kind of assume, for a second or two, that this was a classic case of somebody confusing what the character knows with what the author/audience knows. But the more I think about it, the more I feel like it embodies a real generational shift in thinking that I hadn't even managed to fully comprehend until this comment threw it into sharp perspective.

Because, my knee-jerk reaction was to reply to the comment, "She hasn't come out to these people she's only sort-of known for less than a year because it's rural Indiana. In the nineteen-eighties." and let that speak for itself. Because for me and my peers, that would speak for itself. That would be an easy and obvious leap of logic. Because I grew up in a world where you assumed, until proven otherwise, that the general society and everyone around you was homophobic. That it was unsafe to be known to be queer, and to deliberately out yourself required intention and forethought and courage, because you would get negative reactions and you had to be prepared for the fallout. Not from everybody! There were always exceptions! But they were exceptions. And this wasn't something you consciously decided, it wasn't an individual choice, it wasn't an individual response to trauma, it wasn't individual. It was everybody. It was baked in, and you didn't question it because it was so inherently, demonstrably obvious. It was Just The Way The World Is. Everybody can safely be assumed to be homophobic until proven otherwise.

And what this comment really clarified for me, but I've seen in a million tiny clashing assumptions and disconnects and confusions I've run into with The Kids These Days, is that a lot of them have grown up into a world that is...the opposite. There are a lot of queer kids out there who are assuming, by default, that everybody is not homophobic, until proven otherwise. And by and large, the world is not punishing them harshly for making that assumption, the way it once would have.

The whole entire world I knew changed, somehow, very slowly and then all at once. And yes, it does make me feel like a complete space alien just arrived to Earth some days. But also, it makes me feel very hopeful. This is what we wanted for ourselves when we were young and raw and angrily shoving ourselves in everyone's faces to dare them to prove themselves the exception, and this is what I want for The Kids These Days.

(But also please, please, Kids These Days, do try to remember that it has only been this way since extremely recently, and no it is not crazy or pathetic or irrational or whatever to still want to protect yourself and be choosy about who you share important parts of yourself with.)

[secriden]

*cracks knuckles* Okay lets talk about the elephant in the room: Style going to the support group for those who've suffered loss and telling what appears to be a fake story about losing his pet dog.

I'm going to point out a few things that I think provide a framework for Style's actions here. Not because I think it excuses what he did, but because I think a nuanced read is what the character deserves.

Point 1: An irresistible opportunity

The subs put the "Support Group for Loss" on the image in the notebook, but I'm not sure there's anything to suggest that Style would've known that was what this image represents until he showed up and saw the sign on top of the door.

In episode 2, Bison says, "He plans everything down from years, months, weeks to days" and then tells Kant:

So Style is literally just going to addresses/locations at given days and times, potentially not knowing what to expect. And as much as Fadel is certainly attending this meeting as a response to having that heartbreaking flashback (😭), this is also something he attends regularly and has planned to attend way in advance. So Style has no reason to think Fadel is attending this meeting because of a recent resurfacing of his pain.

What we, the audience, and what the characters know are very different things.

Now, should Style have turned his cute ass right around once he realised what this meeting was? Of course he should. But that wouldn't have been true to Style's character. We've been told by his best friend that he is "crazy" and been shown repeatedly that he lives right up to that description.

Style is impulsive. He's all base instinct and he acts on his desires without thought or contemplation. And by this point he is desperate for a deeper connection with Fadel. He's fascinated, captivated by the mystery that is Fadel and this is an excellent opportunity to finally see behind the wall Fadel so carefully maintains.

When Style sees the sign above the door, Style looks at the notebook (which, again, shows nothing but people sitting in a circle with the words RISE UP) like he's just realising what it means. He then gets this amused, almost rueful look on his face (like he's thinking "am I really going to do this?") before it shifts to determination and he walks through the door.

(My soul for the ability to once again gif something because FUCK Dunk is doing SO MUCH in this show!!)

To Style, this is just too good of an opportunity to give up.

Because let's be real, Fadel is so clearly lying and hiding something:

Fadel is shady as FUCK. He is simultaneously actually a really good cook (Style finally tries his burger so he knows, now), and also has the skills to work at a strip host club, and also can take on 3 guys in a fight, and also can break a man's arm with his thighs. Can you honestly blame Style for losing his mind just a little bit about wanting to get his hands on something, anything, to figure this man out?

Style is being absolutely consistent in his persistence to understand Fadel. This isn't about the car or about finally 'winning' the fight (thank you @airenyah for giving such a detailed framework to understand what Style's been doing until this point) anymore. This is about Style wanting to know Fadel himself.

Point 2: The potential implications of the setting

Now, what might give us a bit of insight as to why Style is this way? I have a theory (albeit one that could prove to be very wrong, but hear me out). I think this whole entire show is set in what could potentially be quite a small town/suburb.

There's a few things that make this theory plausible:

(1) Fadel and Bison are in hiding after Bison blew their previous cover. They're probably on the run from some section of the authorities and so it makes sense to settle in a quiet/out of the way place.

(2) Style seems to be really familiar with the people in the area. Like he grew up there and its the kind of small town where everyone knows everyone and everyone is in everyone else's business.

(3) Style is clearly the darling of the market aunties and uncles.

Style just lost her a sale and potentially a loyal customer, and she's still rooting for him? In episode 2, when Style asks the uncle to let him borrow his cart, it takes nothing but his word for the uncle to give Style his entire cart of produce for his ridiculous scheme.

Style is so clearly someone they all know well and have great affection for, and a very plausible explanation for this is that they all watched him grow up and the entire market (town/village) is fond of him.

And honestly?? Yeah, we see the way Style is actually quite sweet in that careless, guileless, thoughtless way. He goes the extra mile to fix his mistake with Fadel by replacing his car parts for free in episode 1. He helps out by taking orders in episode 2 without being asked and takes it seriously. In episode 3, he tries to drive more business to Fadel's store (bless him, he so clearly does NOT understand how restaurants work, but he MEANS well!!), and can we all acknowledge that it works?? He understands how to appeal to potential customers in the area because he knows the people there. It's not (entirely) his fault that Fadel wasn't remotely prepared for an actual rush crowd and Bison was off getting kinky with Kant and not doing his (fake) job. He is so clear about not judging Fadel's host job and tries his hardest to help him (to absolutely NO effect, but still) when the 3 guys gang up on Fadel.

Style is so loved and more importantly so very loveable.

Point 3: What this could mean for Style's character

So, potentially, Style is someone who grew up in a small town, who has been well loved, potentially spoiled and coddled, but also very much kept within the confines of the narrow viewpoint that a quiet, country town places on you.

It's in the way his dad scolds him as if he was still a child when he's at least in his mid to late 20s. It's in the way Style was so mad at Fadel for scolding him ("thanks for the lecture, dad"), like that hit a sore point for Style. It's in the way no one in the market takes him seriously; they're fond, but he's still a kid in their eyes. It's in the way he has an abundance of free time like he doesn't REALLY need to work at his dad's shop. It's in the way he sees Fadel beat 3 guys up with ease, starts wondering if Fadel is an assassin or a hitman, and is completely unfazed like he doesn't quite have a handle on reality.

It's in the way his best friend is a man who has no qualms about lying to him and putting his life in danger, and how Style seems to have no other friends or people (aside from his dad) in his life.

@wuxian-vs-wangji made a comment to me about Style being desperate for a meaningful connection, and I think she hit the nail on the head. Because along comes Fadel, a mysterious stranger with a suspiciously versatile set of skills who is also very hot and keeps giving Style these wonderfully complex reactions? Who sometimes wants nothing to do with Style, but at other times seems to be at war within himself about desperately wanting him? Who treats Style with anything but apathy?

This is catnip to Style; he never had any hope of resisting this.

Breaking news: Style is a complex and imperfect character...

Here's the thing, though: he was never going to try. The show has been incredibly upfront about who Style is as a person. Regardless of whether I'm correct about why he is this way (ie. that he is very much the product of the environment that didn't know how to handle a kid with Style's personality), episode 3 shouldn't have surprised anyone about Style. He's been incredibly consistent and true to himself.

He wants Fadel and he's "crazy" enough to go all in, no holds barred about it, and the Support Group was the biggest doorway to finally discovering something REAL about Fadel.

And its not just about sex or to prove his superiority anymore. Because if it was just that, then Style would have reacted very differently to their first time.

In this scene, Style is pleased and evidently enjoying himself, but he isn't exuberant. He isn't overcome with joy. If anything, he was more happy and excited when Fadel let him help out in the diner (I mentioned this in the tags in this post too) than he was when Fadel is literally fucking him. He lets Fadel set the pace; barely moves to touch Fadel except to hold him close. Almost like he doesn't want to accidentally mess this up, like he's worried he'll take too much, so he'll take what Fadel gives him and no more (please appreciate @braceletofteeth's amazing tags on this post). For a character that has been so aggressively on the offensive, this is shocking until you realise that sleeping with Fadel - while it's a step in the right direction - isn't Style's end goal anymore.

And he makes that abundantly clear in this episode:

Does Style even fully realise the weight of this desire? I doubt it. But I do believe that Style is in earnest. He doesn't fully understand his own feelings, but he also doesn't really care to either. All he knows is that he wants Fadel, wants his attention and his passion and his focus and his heart.

...but Style is also kind of, sort of, perfect.

Because he's exactly, precisely, breathtakingly exactly what Fadel needs.

Because Fadel is hurt and broken and bleeding inside. Because Fadel is barely holding it all together for Bison's sake, but has already given up hope for any true happiness for himself. Because Fadel can't trust anyone or anything in his life, when he's been used and used and used by the family who should've loved and cared and protected him.

Because it's going to take nothing short of this kind of unwavering, unshakable, uncomplicated determination to give Fadel even a chance of healing and opening his heart to love again.

[rxvera]

Every time I see someone demand artists draw an Iranian/Iraqi/Palestinian/Afghanistani/Saudi Arabian/Yemeni/Other Islamist Reigon female subject with hijab or niqab because “it’s their culture” I die a little on the inside.

Women’s forced veiling, abuse, and oppression is not culture. It is an atrocity. Demanding they must be covered in art is cruel, disrespectful, and foolish.

Insisting that women are silenced and rejected control over their own body because of “culture” shows that you are a useful idiot only interested in supporting the oppressors.

You do not care about the culture you claim to defend, nor do you care about the women suffering under Islamist tyranny. You care more about performative pseudo-awareness than human beings.

Women deserve choice. Compulsory veiling is not choice. Do not idiotically push the idea that it is remotely acceptable because of “culture” and demand we cover artwork to fit the Ayatollah’s vision.

[crimeronan]

re: hunter's compersion. there's a lot already establishing how scared luz is that hunter may be physically incapable of loyalty/love for anyone besides her.... but it's also worth noting how scared HUNTER is that luz can't love anyone except HIM.

he'd never voice that aloud in any way shape or form, because luz will 100% interpret it as, "oh, i've been too clingy and i'm burdening him. i should distance myself." when what hunter Actually means is "i love you so much. what are you going to do if something happens to me....??"

so anyway. him seeing luz not just Want somebody else, but actually Pursue that for the first time, like, Ever....

hunter is so happy about this. luz and amity can be as gross as they want, he's not gonna stop being happy about this.

[iguessitsjustme]

I think it was really important specifically for Dee to kiss Yak when he did. Because now, no matter what happens in the future between him and Yak, no matter what pain could come, Dee can look back on his first kiss without regrets. Because that was a kiss made of love. It was made entirely of love for Yak. For who Yak is. For the bond they have. For their friendship. For their relationship. For them. Dee will always be able to look back on his first kiss and know that he got exactly what he wanted from it. He got to keep his silly notion of the perfect first kiss. He got to willingly give his kiss away to someone who he loved that needed it. Every single type of love went into that kiss and now Dee can finally, finally let himself breathe.

[speakercrab666]

Republican Green Day fans just now realising American Idiot is about them has gotta be the funniest thing i've ever fucking seen. like my guy they are a pop punk band. they be popping and punking. they've BEEN popping and punking. who the fuck did u think they were talking about????????

[uhbasicallyjustmilex]

every time i rewatch the miracle aligner music video i am just flabbergasted. FLABBERGASTED. like. they really chose to make it like THAT. and by 'like THAT' i am specifically referring to:

1) “an attempt to extract the truth... approximately" *cue rosepetals and intense eye contact*

2) THIS being the opening shot of the two of them

3) miles legitimately spending the first minute of the entire video blatantly checking alex out

4) literal rainbow lighting around them

5) endless hand holding and twirling

6) that moment where miles's hand reaches ever so reflexively for alex's neck

7) the fucking closing scene?????????

[clementimetodie]

The millenials and zoomers who still unironically believe the entire planet will flood and catch fire by 2050 are just as stupid and gullible as the boomers who believed the 2012 doomsday prophesy was real

[lancecharleson]

Hey, if you are someone, whether you're trans or an ally/friend of trans people, living in the UK, I highly recommend writing to your MP to demand they challenge the labour health secretary Wes Streeting's plan to make the former tory gov's temporary ban on puberty blockers permanent, based on the phoney pseudoscience-driven "cass review." The same review which has been wildly debunked by medical experts and academics across the globe, has come under greater scrutiny in court following the introduction of the temporary ban, and resulted in 16 trans kids dying as a result of their clinic closing in Travistock.

Let them know that his unfounded decision will not go unchallenged, both in court and in parliament.

In order to write to your MP, you can find out who's representing your constituency either here at the official Parliament website, or here at WriteToThem.

And here's a handy dandy email template to use if you're having trouble putting into words why no one should be taking the "cass review" seriously.

One last thing, if you have spare cash to throw away to further the fight back, this could do with a boost!

Trans rights are human rights.

[inkyminx]

Decided to rewatch Kabaneri cause I love it so much and miss it. And words can't describe how much I love this scene.

I introduce wingus and dingus 🤍

[deaddee-anime-brownfanlady]

I swear some of the people on this hellsite, especially from these so-called supposed "Leftists " or so-called " Activists," who want to act like they are allies for the oppressed and marginalized seems to be so super fine with literally letting an racist bigoted unhinged and highly unsabtle convicted criminal rapist take back the White House again.

Some of ya'll on this site truly be showcasing just how fake-ass and full of complete bullshit some of ya'll are in terms of " Activism " if you are fine and okay with America losing full Democracy in this upcoming election and as well as throwing many vulnerable groups and minorities within the country under the bus because it's convenient for you to do so.

Then please don't fucking call yourself a ally or activists of any kind if you're fine with letting democracy die and Fucking over so many people within this country due to some stupid moral purity shit or wanting everything to go to hell because ya'll idiots think it will bring about your so-called " GlorioUs RevoluTion ."

Seriously, as I said before, some of the people on this site really be showcasing just how much they seem to want the world to actually go to hell instead of taking real effort and effect to work to get shit done and take steps to make real changes within the Government possible.

These morons just show how unserious they are when it comes to politics and matters that affect actual people lives, but still wanna act like they are " GOOD ActiviSTS " and still be going on their usual anti-voting rhetoric bullshit, while still pretending to give a shit about minorities rights all while showing how alright they are with the growing could be possibility of America turning into a Christto-Fascist authoritarian nation by a unsabtle convicted rapist and his VP pick who are still out here spreading awful racist rhetoric against Haitians immigrants.

As said before, seriously Fuck these phony performative fake-ass bastards.

[starlitangels]

Okay I don’t think the timeline quite matches up because I think Guy is a few years younger But

Imagine that Guy and Damien are the same age and stuck as partners for a high school Honors English class

[yashley]

from exu prime to aimee’s appearance now, she really is just beaming as such a force. aimee speaking about her having gained confidence playing since her beginning and it’s just. so good… everytime this joke* character named deni$e turns completely serious, asks such intuitive questions, even just affirming once more to abaddina that she is going to honor their deal. chills. seeing her confidently take charge of situations is just. so fucking great.

[seaofolives]

🎭 #torokatober2024 day 12/31: pierrot 🎻

Even the bed creaks stutter with Quatre’s hips, the pressure between his straddled legs bursting in waves. This is where he usually screams.

He doesn’t. The circus grounds are so quiet, and this is their last night together before Trowa goes on tour to the farthest cluster known to man.

Trowa brings him down to his feverish chest, turning them on their sides on his narrow bed, in his cramped tent.

Quatre strokes the glitters on his cheek from tonight’s makeup. He’ll miss him.

Trowa kisses him deeply, his tongue and his hips moving again.

Quatre sighs, his toes curling.

find the list of prompts here!