#really do recommend the book

[a-method-in-it]

So having read a bit about North Korea (really recommend Without You There Is No Us for anyone who is curious; fantastic piece of investigative reporting by a Korean American journalist), this was immediately weird to me.

In the notes, OP says that the UN rule preventing citizens of the DPRK from traveling abroad is UN Resolution 2397. So I looked it up and read the whole thing.

First thing that jumps out is that this was passed in 2017, which...the North Korean government has prevented citizens from traveling except under very specific circumstances for decades; this is, in fact, a huge point of pain for people on both sides of the 38th parallel, many of whom were permanently separated from their relatives. Over the last 40 years there have been some supervised visits allowed, with participants chosen by lottery, but even that has been sporadic. Some families have been able to exchange letters or pay brokers in China to facilitate communication, but others have never seen their relatives again.

The idea that freedom of movement has only been restricted for citizens of the DPRK since 2017 is bonkers. But I suppose it's possible there were past resolutions that said something similar, so I press onwards.

The resolution is only 11 pages and most of it deals with cutting off the sale of goods, especially petroleum, to the DPRK in response to its latest nuclear missile test, which took place in violation of international law.

In addition, the resolution does indicate that member states should not allow DPRK nationals to work in their country for the purpose of earning money that supports the illegal missile program and should "repatriate to the DPRK all DPRK nationals earning income in that Member State’s jurisdiction and all DPRK government safety oversight attachés monitoring DPRK workers abroad." This applies unless the person has dual citizenship or is a refugee.

As an aside, it is kind of funny to see references to government attaches monitoring citizens working abroad in a document that is being proffered to support the idea that the DPRK is totally chill with people going abroad.

And it's worth pointing out that Amnesty International reports that a lot of workers from North Korea who work abroad are actually forced labor whose salaries are confiscated by the DPRK to fund government operations. So like, these people are not freely traveling to other countries for work and they are materially aiding the illegal weapons program, even though they don't have much choice in the matter.

But even ignoring that, this document really doesn't support the idea that the UN --- which actually is a more or less democratic institution by the way, unlike the DPRK which emphatically is not --- is somehow the reason North Koreans cannot travel abroad.

They can't travel abroad because the North Korean government places huge restrictions on their ability to do so and has since 1953. This is just a fact.

Yes, the way people in the West talk about North Korea is not good. However, that is mostly because people like to make it out to be either kooky or innately evil --- whereas the reality is that North Korea is a brutal dictatorship that places heavy restrictions on its citizens. It is neither kooky nor evil; it is a country that is the unfortunate victim of 70 years of totalitarian rule by a single family willing to go to extremes to maintain their grip on power.

According to Amnesty International:

citizens in the DPRK are not allowed to criticize the government or read or watch "reactionary" content,

the country in 2023 implemented new restrictions meant to limit South Korean-style speech, and these crimes are theoretically punishable by execution in order to "'break the spirit' of those 'polluted' by South Korean language and culture."

forced labor still appears to be common, including labor by children in industrial settings

some of this forced labor, again, includes people sent by the government to work in China or Russia whose income is then confiscated by the state and whose movements are controlled while abroad

arbitrary arrests by law enforcement are common as a way to suppress dissent

prison camps for dissenters and critics of the government appear to still be operating

You can criticize the way people in the West talk about and think about North Korea --- and the way American foreign policy has made the situation there worse at times --- without caping for a dictatorship.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is not democratic; it's not a republic; it's not even actually communist. It's a totalitarian state ruled by a brutal dictator for his own benefit, where people suffer as a result of his regime.

Refusing to acknowledge that is tankie shit.

really turns me into the joker hearing people be like "oh citizens of the DPRK can't travel to other countries or work, they're all trapped there" when that was literally a UN thing. like the UN is the one who decided that not the north korean government.

[giantkillerjack]

Me: hm, I want something to put on the TV as background noise... Huh. Looks like YouTube is recommending something called The Last Unicorn. That's perfect, it's probably some old shitty animation that has aged poorly! I can watch it ironically!

Me, 2 hours later as the credits roll: *crying, cheering, buying the book, composing the songs*

Me, 2 weeks later: So I have compiled all of the quotes from the book that I think could make good tattoos, and also, HOW HAVE I NEVER LEARNED ABOUT HOW THE LAST UNICORN FUCKING SLAPS??? This gay-ass little fairytale fed my soul! Watered my crops! Transed my gender! Can't believe I heard of this story from youtube recommendations, of all places!!

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

you are so whimsical i qant to check out this mdzs (..??) because of your whimsical nature thank you sorry im very high and your art moved me emotionally

This is simultaneously the sweetest and funniest thing someone has sent me, thank you.

[jesncin]

Aah I got so much love today over Lunar Boy's book birthday!! Lots of friends getting their copies in the mail or finding my book in stores! A book birthday is like a birthday, I get people congratulating me and celebrating. But instead of me getting presents, it's everyone else who gets a gift (that I made!). So really, it's better than a birthday haha.

[lactoseintolerentswag]

when they've got interpreting spiderman noir under a specific cultural lens at the function [picture of me going insane]

I cant help myself.. what can i say. And since you've mentioned some research going on behind the scenes.. do you have any fun interpretations? Or even anything fun about the 1800s!

OH HI

Hm. I don't have anything as fun as historical dancing, but I suppose this does give me the excuse (thabk u) to blab about Noir's childishness.

(wow putting this under the cut bc it got longer than I thought it would LMAO)

I think what a lot of people (including Noir's contemporary writers and yes even the spiderverse interpretation) fall for when trying to read Noir's character is the imitation of his idea of what an adult is, that he hides behind. Like Noir's persona is incredibly exaggerated. He's playing pretend. Look here, he's practicing.

A lot of his persona as Noir is imitation! Imitation of his uncle, of Urich, of the violence he's been exposed to. He's running around in his uncle's old uniform. Fundamentally misunderstanding WHY his uncle had been ashamed of it and his role in the war.

And then he goes ahead and steals Urich's alias because it sounds Cool (which is such a teenage thing to do jesus christ).

But like that imitation of The Adult isn't something that's limited to that exaggerated persona that Noir encapsulates. Peter himself is trying So Hard to be grown up and tough and responsible that it loops back around to him being a brat who would try the three guys in a trench coat trick. He even gets beat up for it when trying to defend his aunt. And I mean I've posted about him being a brat.

About how he looks at Urich as a Prime Example of what a strong and knowledgeable adult is (which is part of why he reacts so volatile in response to Urich showing he's not exactly as morally righteous as himself, he's wounded and let down). Whiskey? Whiskey sounds like someone Mature and Cool would drink, I'll have it too. And then proceeds to throw his drink at Osborn and laugh about it. The illusion was broken for me then.

But well it's not broken for everyone. I mean like obviously I poked at the contemporary writers, but I'm more talking about the other characters in the narrative. Mainly Urich and Felicia.

Urich taking Peter under his wing isn't entirely under the motivation to nurture Peter. I think it Becomes that, but he's really envious of that kid. He wants to see him lose that hope that he once had (ruh roh the opposite thing happened, being around the kid made YOU more hopeful Ben. Guess you gotta be good. Hope you don't die now).

Urich really is exposing him to an extremely harsh reality, and taking him places where adults are typically only allowed. He's letting Peter get a glimpse into what it's like, which will eventually enable Noir's tool of violence. All these tests will accumulate into what Peter thinks someone powerful and strong can be and do.

Then his problematic relationship with Felicia (writers I'm malleting you for this). He's clinging to her adulthood and the safety she represents, and he's young but she sees some adult strength in him. I mean she trusts him with the blackmail Urich gave her, which she really. Shouldn't, even if that's what Urich wanted.

Anyway, strength is something she's been consistently drawn to her in her partners. Strength to feel as her own. Even if it's to hers and others' detriment. There's also a part of Peter that's drawn to Felicia because Urich was. He's still honing in the good parts of Urich he wants to be.

I think the one person in the narrative who doesn't fall for it? Is Aunt May. You could argue it's just her being naturally motherly, but for someone who was about to be eaten alive she's pretty frank with Noir. I think she can see that that violence and exaggerated grittiness comes from someone inexperienced and young. Even if she can't consciously recognize the similarities between Noir's persona and Peter's protectiveness of her. I don't think she wants to see that. I actually have a short comic script about that, but it probably will never see the light of day.

Ugh he's like a cat puffing up to scare away a predator. It's fake!!!!! It's all fake!!!!!! He gets intimidated by JJ, he never ties his shoes, gets powers and then immediately guns to beat the shit out of Osborn, sings about the sandman when he's getting his face bashed in, crawls to Felicia all pathetic and sad, and he made a costume to run over roofs at night in.

And it's funny how he's forcing himself to grow up, but also really sad because all the things he's being exposed to is already forcing him to grow up. He's witnessing things no kid should ever see or experience.

Then there's the time period to consider. The aftermath of WWI, being in the midst of the Great Depression, and WWII just around the corner. He's faced incredible hardship and is going to continue to face so much hardship, and he's going to mature faster than he ever should have. It should have made him crash and burn Hard when he became an adult, and to me he still does because I'm ignoring everyone after ewaof LMAO.

As for my research on the 1800s NY that's for my own spider iteration run I'm working on, so not too related to Noir until I reach the 30's :3

Hope that was satisfying!!

[cutter-kirby]

one of my favorite things to come out of the book of bill is all of the bill possessing ford content. like both in canon and in fanworks. bipper did something irrevocable to me back in 2014 but ciphord/bord is such a unique clusterfuck of possession horror and it haunts me.

[gabriestat]

tagged by @chateauofmymind to post some of the books i want to read in 2025 <3. asoiaf gave me some confident regarding fantasy so id like to read some more...

tagging @cardinalvalentino @rosebriding @normalbrothers @cruelfeast @kraujuota @tesghosterone @divorceblogger @markiafc @aboutmercy & anyone who wants to do it 🤍

[gingermintpepper]

hi, i haven't read the iliad and the odyssey but want to - do u have a specific translation you recommend? the emily wilson one has been going around bc, y'know, first female translator of the iliad and odyssey into english, but i was wondering on if you had Thoughts

Hi anon! Sorry for the somewhat late response and I'm glad you trust me with recommendations! Full, disclosure, I am somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to translations of the source text of the Iliad + Odyssey combo wombo, which means I tend to prefer closeness in literal verbiage over interpretation of the poetic form of these epics - for that reason, my personal preferred versions of the Odyssey and Iliad both are Robert Fitzgerald's. Because both of these translations (and his Aeneid!) were done some 50+ years ago (63 for his original Odyssey tl, 50 flat for his Iliad and 40 for his Aeneid) the English itself can be a bit difficult to read and the syntax can get confusing in a lot of places, so despite my personal preferences, I wouldn't recommend it for someone who is looking to experience the Iliad + Odyssey for the very first time.

For an absolute beginner, someone who has tried to read one or both of these epics but couldn't get into it or someone who has a lot of difficulty with concentrating on poetry or long, winding bits of prose, I fully and wholeheartedly recommend Wilson's translation! See, the genius of Emily Wilson's Iliad + Odyssey isn't that she's a woman who's translated these classics, it's that she's a poet who's adapted the greek traditional poetic form of dactylic hexameter into the english traditional poetic form of iambic pentameter. That alone goes a very very long way to making these poems feel more digestible and approachable - iambic pentameter is simply extremely comfortable and natural for native english speakers' brains and the general briskness of her verbiage helps a lot in getting through a lot of the problem books that people usually drop the Iliad or Odyssey in like Book 2 of the Iliad or Book 4 of the Odyssey. I think it's a wonderful starting point that allows people to familiarise themselves with the source text before deciding if they want to dig deeper - personally, researching Wilson's translation choices alone is a massive rabbit hole that is worth getting into LOL.

The happy medium between Fitzgerald's somewhat archaic but precise syntax and Wilson's comfortable meter but occasionally less detailled account is Robert Fagles' Iliad + Odyssey. Now, full disclosure, I detest how Fagles handles epithets in both of his versions, I think they're far too subtle which is something he himself has talked at length about in his translation notes, but for everything else - I'd consider his translations the most well rounded of english adaptations of this text in recent memory. They're accurate but written in plain English, they're descriptive and detailled without sacrificing a comfortable meter and, perhaps most importantly, they're very accessible for native english speaking audiences to approach and interact with. I've annotated my Fagles' volumes of these books to heaven and back because I'm deeply interested in a lot of the translation decisions made, but I also have to specifically compliment his ability to capture nuance in the characters' of these poems in a way I don't often see. He managed to adapt the ambivalence of ancient greek morality in a way I scarcely see and that probably has a hand in why I keep coming back to his translations.

Now, I know this wasn't much of a direct recommendation but as I do not know you personally, dear anon, I can't much make a direct recommendation to a version that would best appeal to your style of reading. Ideally, I'd recommend that you read and enjoy all three! But, presuming that you are a normal person, I suggest picking which one is most applicable for you. I hope this helps! 🥰

[essektheylyss]

re: the fiction/nonfiction kinsey scale poll. just know that I am barely restraining myself from giving nonfiction book recs at all times. there is SO MUCH FUN NONFICTION THAT IS SUPER READABLE AND INTERESTING take my hand we can go pick out some books together

[a-menaceinpink]

read the green bone saga this week and i’m just saying. if you want an in-depth political fantasy mafia thriller (yes all of those words apply) set in a post colonial nation that is navigating an unsure global political position and the potential exploitation of its culturally significant resource that simultaneously explores the bonds between family and how they can take different shapes in the wake of loss and love and life, with brilliantly developed, fleshed out characters and realistic pacing (both in world and in the actual delivery of the story). i HIGHLY recommend.

[callmeethaniguess]

thought tumblr would like this one

He is around the size of one of those flat marbles and I adore him!! He took like an hour to make lol

[scionshtola]

i miss corishtola so bad i downloaded this horrible ad-filled game to make them in it

they’re so cute

they go on dates

here’s cori watering the floor for some reason and also them sleeping 🥰

shtola proposed at the beach and then they went to pride 🥹🥹

[inthecornerstone]

i feel like we’re sleeping on the shadowhunters book series just because it’s YA and y’all should work on that. it has:

- canonical gay pining!

- actual chosen and bonded magical soulmates who are sworn to fight by each others side but not allowed to fall in love (the lore for this is crazy)

- a kickass fashionable girl and her golden whip?! wonder woman who i only know izzy

- so much religious lore and imagery and symbolism. spn and good omens fans i just KNOW you’ll eat this up

- a MC who’s slightly more tolerable than other YA MCs. not by a lot though.

- canonically bisexual twink who also happens to be the most powerful warlock in brooklyn

- a jewish vampire

- tired werewolf dad (with a tragic backstory)

and so much more!

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

Books of 2024: WOODWORM by Layla Martinez.

Up next! Still in my Haunted House Era™: Translated Lit Fic Edition!

The great thing about being on several indie bookstore mailing lists is that you then have Several Indie Booksellers recommending you new releases published by independent presses, which almost assuredly I would not have stumbled across on my own. This one's just a little guy (149 pages), but I've been looking forward to it all year. Will report back on how it goes!

[batsplat]

my takeaway after flicking through 'pushing the limits' for the first time: casey the type of guy who would give alex de angelis the nickname 'alex dangerous' and put it in his autobiography

my takeaway after flicking through 'pushing the limits' for the 10th time: ̴̸̗͚̗̗͕̇̀̀͠ẳ̵͍̪̫͈̅ ̶̢͖̊̔̐̈́n̵̙̙͆̒͆̈́a̵̱̓̀̋r̴̩͂̈́͗r̶̹̻̀͋̒à̸̟̼̓ţ̴̛̜̻̉i̶͙̯̤͂v̷̨̝͕̀̚e̸͓̊̒ ̴̞̯̭̙̓̆̕t̴̩͕͎̓h̷̠̦̲̥̽͘a̷̳̤̙̰̾t̷̡͓͉̣̽ ̵̛̭̘͚̓͠͝c̸͈̺͔̜͂u̴̘̫͈͚͝t̵͔̬͕̬̆s̶͉͉͉̓̑̈ ̴͇͐̈́ỉ̷̪͖͇̀ͅt̸̛͙͌͗ͅş̵̳̞́è̵͋̑͜l̶̯̯̈͋̓͝f̸̢̢̈̉́͊ ̸̪́́̀͝ơ̴͍̠̲̙̈́͒̕f̷̺̍̽̇̚f̴̭̻̉̀͝ ̵͕̻͕̈f̶̪̬̮̼̍͝r̵͉̞̙̀̾̐̚o̸̺͙̜̓̏̉̚m̶̩̟̜̽ ̷̟̭̹̪̈́̎̆͠t̷͖͖̋̿̇̂͜ͅh̵̰̀ę̷̧̒̽̀ ̶̰͓́̽̽v̵͔̆ù̵̧͕l̷͍͇͔̯̽n̷͙͍͇͑̚ĕ̴̢̻̑͌r̷̯̪̙̐̾ḁ̴̰̐̆b̵̟̼̰͐̐̿͘ͅḯ̵̮̙̬̘̽l̷̬͈̓̈͆ȋ̴̭͑t̶̖̬̀̇̇͜ÿ̵̞̥̠́͋ ̸͍̺̎̒̐o̶̤͕͎͗͠f̵͚̔͑́͜ ̷͎̯̤̹̀t̶̙̩͈̂̒̕͝h̷͓̖̮̿̔e̸̹̎͜ ̶̰̓̀e̶̯͙͛̂͘x̴̼͓͍̀͒̎̕p̷̩̾͂͜ẽ̷̡͎͙ŗ̵̛̻̳͛i̷̖͍͑͂͆̐è̴̡̹͔̳n̸̮̩̤̆͋c̵̡̛̖̝̮̄̊͛ȩ̷̨̭̣͐͊́͘ ̸̝̀̉̌͘t̴̝̓͛̐ȍ̶̡ ̴̨̝̿̔̆̐d̷̜̄̄e̶̱̒͌͠͝t̴̢̢̥̮̊̕̚a̵̡̖͆ȉ̵̩̭̘̮̉͛̓l̶͈̄̓ ̸̰̽̒̊̃ţ̸̤̂h̸̖͓̗̀̀̄e̴̮̮̓̈́͠ ̸̡̪̦̣̈́̇̕h̸̰̭̾͠o̴̭̹͑͌͛̃r̴̖̝͕͋r̸̘͍̂̊͐ͅọ̶̪͗r̸̡̞͒́̕͝ŝ̴̱̋̔ ̶͚͕̓̆̀̌w̸̥̱̳̭̌̓i̶͉̭̤͒̽t̷̺̝̊̐h̵̰͌̆ò̸̻͚͖͋u̵͍̣̅̒̕͠t̸̛̪͙̒́ͅ ̶̖̓̏͝͝t̸̮̱͓͑͊͠ŗ̶̥̠̲̏͑̈ū̶͈l̵͍̯̘͂̔̎͝y̵̹͂̈́́ ̷̺̠̦̒͝c̶̬͋͛o̵̧͗̎n̷͉͆f̵̛̹͔r̸̰̈ô̸̪͙̓ń̴̹̦̬̲̃̌̕ẗ̴̯͚̺́i̴͓̓n̵̞͒̚͝g̵̨̧̉̏̀̈́͜ ̷͓̲́͊̈́t̷̼̽ḥ̵͕̮͒ͅè̷̜̦̮̯̓̄m̶͇͔̪̻͂

my takeaway after flicking through 'pushing the limits' for the 100th time: casey the type of guy who would give alex de angelis the nickname 'alex dangerous' and put it in his autobiography

[lorephobic]

some shit always going down that i dont know about