#satire sale

[satiresale]

"When someone calls me their 'spirit animal' but I'm pretty sure I'm just the housecat version of a tiger."

SatireSale #CreativeComfortort #studentsuccessentMemes #classroomjokes #memes #memesfunny #jokes #satire

[hollow-prey]

"you can't possibly fail at a dating sim" you clearly haven't met me and my impressive ability to misread social cues and choose the wrong action/dialogue because apparently I have the finesse and romantic charm of a WORM!!!!!

[dreamings-free]

Pollstar Staff | 11/1/24

Following a massively successful year with record-setting box office tallies and Taylor Swift’s highest-grossing tour of all time  — what’s next for the live biz in 2024? Pollstar’s editorial staff offers predictions.

Live Growth Spurt May Slow The live industry saw unprecedented growth in 2023 with a massive 46% growth YoY for the Top 100 Tours, according to Pollstar Boxoffice reports. 2024 should be another strong year — but perhaps not a great one. Though the U.S. economy showed promising signs with GDP increasing 4.9% in Q3, the total household debt spiked to $17.29 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve, though inflation continues to outpace salaries. Consumers may think twice before clicking the checkout box and adding another credit card charge, which may decrease ticket sales following live’s record-setting year.  – Oscar Aréliz

Reunions, Farewells & Mega-Fests It’s hard to put the genie back in the bottle, so the industry as a whole will get creative to continue the upward momentum of recent years. Expect more seemingly unlikely reunions, farewells that may not actually be final (cough, cough), and additional legs of tours that seemed like one-time affairs. Also, don’t be surprised if the mega-festival trend (When We Were Young, Power Trip, etc), continues to gather steam to the point of becoming a whole new category of yearly event.  – Ryan Borba

Ticketing: Same As It Ever Was With mounting public pressure, grandstanding politicians and supreme supernova demigoddess Taylor Swift aligning for the cause of ticketing reform, in the coming year one can expect little to change. That’s because tickets are money, whether artists, their teams, promoters, venues or ticketers keep prices low, outsmart bots, include all-in pricing, shut out the secondary or sell on the side, capitalists always gonna capitalize. – Andy Gensler

Sphere’s Innovations Break Out Many of the innovations that make Sphere so groundbreaking are likely to start trickling out to the world. Don’t expect to see 16K LED screens that stretch around concertgoers at your local arena any time soon, but it’s not a stretch that the beamforming sound system Holoplot created for Sphere becomes scalable enough for broader expansions and artists who already embrace innovation are likely to make bids at recreating Sphere’s already legendary immersive experience at other venues (as best they can). – J.R. Lind

More Protest Songs More artists will pen anti-war songs, including showing support for innocent civilians in various conflicts. We’ll also hear other politically-minded songs, such as tunes concerning women’s rights — along with more live events booked to benefit those in need and support causes near and dear to artists’ hearts, like 2022’s Love Rising Nashville organized in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Plus, it’s an election year. – Sarah Pittman

Indies Go Back To The Future Independent operators may remain fiercely competitive but, with the establishment of trade groups NIVA and NITO, a greater spirit of collaboration has emerged in the wake of COVID. In some cases, onetime rivals – including clubs and promoters – are teaming to share resources to lift all boats, while Brian Becker’s LiveCo brought together five indie promoters to expand existing partnerships with entertainment platforms to create new, innovative projects. Expect this trend to continue.  – Deborah Speer

Cloning Technology Arrives Insomniac Events founder/CEO Pasquale Rotella manages to find a scientific breakthrough getting one step closer to cloning himself by 2030. This opens doors for agents and promoters to attend all their events at once, and for artists to play multiple shows at the same time. – Ariel King

[mhmedia]

Black Friday Deal bei mhmedia.de

Überall und für jeden Scheiß donnern sie uns einmal im Jahr mit dem großen Sparmythos Black Friday zu. Als Anbieter von exklusiven Inhalten mit herausragender Qualität will auch ich dieses Jahr dabei sein. Vielleicht jetzt jedes Jahr? Nur am Black Friday gibt es hier bei mhmedia.de diesen fast schon unverschämt günstigen Deal. Sie erwerben zwei Bilder und erhalten einen Rabatt von 50 %. Das ist…

[i8i8t]

Lexus, too,

They PAID for the right to drive like an asshole

[oklahomapartisan]

Sonic Exectives Say legalizing Marijuana Would Boost Sales

From the archives of Oklahoma’s great political satire writers of decades past, we bring you this classic reprint of a spoof that caused more than a little irritation to the political class on Lincoln Blvd.

OKLAHOMA CITY (OP) – An Oklahoma City-based restaurant chain is asking the state legislature to legalize marijuana, noting that habitual users of the drug find the company’s products “hella-tasty.” Sonic, which bills itself as “America’s Drive-In,” serves up hamburgers and hotdogs in hundreds of locations around the country. 

  Executives say the company’s products are especially popular among those with “the munchies,” a side effect of marijuana intoxication. In a presentation before the House Business and Economic Development Committee, Sonic executives said statewide legalization of the drug would boost sales throughout the industry, from McNuggets to Taco Mayo’s “bitchin’” potato locos.

  In a recent study, Sonic customers who did not use marijuana rated their food from “fair” to “excellent.” However, users with the munchies said the same products were “friggin’ awesome dude.” Habitual marijuana users, also known as “stoners,” are also less concerned with customer service. They also have little use for napkins, straws and correct change.

   According to Sonic estimates, stoners currently comprise only 10 percent of the company’s customers, yet account for 40 percent of sales. They also form 70 percent of the company’s workforce, primarily line cooks and night managers. Last year, Sonic was believed to donate millions in campaign contributions. An exact amount was unavailable, however, since much of the special interest money was covered in chili and cheese.

[shithowdy]

had some disagreement on my example of palworld being a case of someone thinking they could make "pokemon but [appealing to me and not babies]" with the assertion that it's meant to be "satire" but... no, not really. a lot of people with a derivative project that turns out to be shitty will try to call it "satire" when people are put off by their work but that doesn't retroactively make it true. satire has to have a point, and that point is made by shining a light on the faults or absurdity of the thing it's satirizing through humor. it is by definition a derisive medium, parody's unkind sister. no, that project was completely earnest in its desperation to appeal to as many genres of Gamer as possible by going full survival crafter-slash-shooter-slash-mmo-slash-breeding sim. there is no hidden depth here, and the result was a game with no heart or artistic merit that sold millions of copies and instantly bored 90% of its players (this is why i called it a "flop" in spite of its sales-- it had zero cultural impact once the review cycle for it ended). if there is anything "satirical" happening here, it's the indictment of gamers themselves buying anything with "survival crafter" slapped on it, but if that's the case, do you want to support something that hates its own audience?

[gael-garcia]

SAG-AFTRA deal on AI is looking terrible, actually 😬

#SAG Actors, I want to make you aware of some of the language in the #AI portion of the tentative SAG agreement.

Though SAG leadership made much effort to protect members in AI, there are many issues you should look at. I have saved the most serious issue for the end. 1/

If a “digital double” is made of you during a film, they must get your consent and inform you of their intentions for its use, EXCEPT "when the photography or sound track remains substantially as scripted, performed and/or recorded.”2/

This is going to be left up to the studios/streamers’ interpretation. And so, any subtlety regarding how you chose to look or move for the character during the shoot could potentially be changed. Your hair, your clothes, your make-up, etc. 3/

Also, your physical placement in a scene can be changed, like your nearness or distance from another character, or even moving you from the front seat of a car "to the back seat of the car." This suggests not much agency on your part to control your character or performance. 4/

Under “(Digital Double) Use Other Than in the Motion Picture for Which the Performer Was Employed,” it says that "No additional compensation shall be required for use of an Employment-Based Digital Replica that was created in connection with employment of a performer who was… 5/

… employed under Schedule F.” It appears that if you were paid Schedule F for the first film, you don’t get paid for the sequels, where they’re just using your digital double instead of you. I suggest members get sharp clarity on this. 6/

If a “digital double” was made of you in a separate manner (on another film or privately made by you), it's referred to as an “independently created digital replica” (ICDR). There is no minimum compensation listed for studios/streamers to use an ICDR of you in… 7/

… any film they want; only consent. You will apparently need to negotiate any compensation on your own. 8/

Neither consent nor compensation is necessary to use your “digital double” if the project is "comment, criticism, scholarship, satire or parody, a docudrama, or historical or biographical work.” So, you could find yourself in a project you never consented to… 9/

…doing things you never were informed of, for no compensation at all. This is the “First Amendment” argument the #GAI tech companies are fond of trotting out. 10/

Another consent exemption is granted to "adjusting lip and/or other facial or body movement and/or the voice of the performer to a foreign language, or for purposes of changes to dialogue or photography necessary for license or sale to a particular market. 11/

The substitution of swear words is not new, but that your “body movements” would be changed suggests you’ll be used like a type of rag doll in post-production. 12/

There are still a few concerns with the Background Performers’ details, but there’s one that stands out as especially sad. "If the Producer uses a background actor’s Background Actor Digital Replica in the role of a principal performer, the background actor shall be paid… 13/

…the minimum rate for a performer… had (they) performed those scene(s) in person.” So, if an extra is “bumped up” to a principal cast member, they never get to experience that position on a set. But you get a check after the fact. 14/

And the most serious issue of them all is the inclusion in the agreement of “Synthetic Performers,” or “AI Objects,” resembling humans. This gives the studios/streamers a green-light to use human-looking AI Objects instead of hiring a human actor. 15/

It’s one thing to use GAI to make a King Kong or a flying serpent (though this displaces many VFX/CGI artists), it is another thing to have an AI Object play a human character instead of a real actor. To me, this inclusion is an anathema to a union contract at all. 16/

This is akin to SAG giving a thumbs-up for studios/streamers using non-union actors. This would be like the @Teamsters putting in their contract that it’s A-OK for the employer to utilize self-driving trucks instead of them. 17/

@Teamsters I find it baffling that a union representing human actors would give approval of those same actors being replaced by an AI Object. And don’t forget, those AI Objects are a mash-up of all actors' past performances, adding insult to injury. 18/

@Teamsters Bottomline, we are in for a very unpleasant era for actors and crew. The use of “digital doubles” alone will reduce the number of available jobs, because bigger name actors will have the opportunity to double or triple-book themselves on multiple projects at once. 19/

@Teamsters The use of these “digital doubles” will most likely preclude the need of a set or the use of many @IATSE crew and @Teamster drivers. 20/

@Teamsters @IATSE @Teamster Audition odds will change. Winning an audition could become very difficult, because you will not just be competing with the available actors who are your type, but you will now compete with every actor, dead or alive, who has made their “digital double” available for rent … 21/

@Teamsters @IATSE @Teamster … in a range of ages to suit the character. You also will be in competition with an infinite number of AI Objects that the studios/streamers can freely use. And a whole cast of AI Objects instead of human actors eliminates the need for a set or any crew at all. 22/

@Teamsters @IATSE @Teamster You are a complex & remarkable human. Don’t let the CEOs convince you otherwise. Seek out filmmakers & showrunners who value your basic worth & committed to human workers on their projects. These are the ones who will make work that matters. We’re going to be OK. Just hold on. /

[patricksbandmerch]

Band: Hewhocorrupts

Link to merch no longer for sale

Support the band on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music

Genre: satire, grindcore

[satiresale]

𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗧𝗼𝗼? 𝘽𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙏𝙤 𝙏𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙄𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩.

#SatireSale #drawing #funny #funnymemes #memes

[useless-catalanfacts]

I'm going to university now (in Germany) and the uni i'm at offers catalan as a side course. Tomorrow i'll finally be at an event where they introduce the subject among others. I'M SO EXCITED!!!!! ^^ Finally! >< Sadly, there won't be a class for catalan literature (omg actually - if you have recommendations of important works from the recent centuries, i'd love to hear, but i'm just rambling, no pressure xD). There will be linguistics and speech praxis. I can't wait! :D

That's great!! I hope you enjoy it very much ☺️

Some of the modern classics (from the late 19th century to the present):

L'Atlàntida (Atlantis, 1877) by Jacint Verdaguer. Epic poem that re-interprets history and legends. Jacint Verdaguer is the most representative poet of the Renaixença/Romanticism movement in Catalan literature.

Other poems by Jacint Verdaguer (1845-1902) and Joan Maragall (1860-1911) are the most important poetry of the Renaixença.

The theatre plays Terra Baixa (usually published in English with the title Martha of the Lowlands, 1896) by Àngel Guimerà. Also Mar i cel ("Sea And Sky", 1888) by him.

La febre d'or ("The gold fever", 1892) by Narcís Oller, the most representative of the realist movement.

The monologue La infanticida ("The Child Murderer", 1898) by Víctor Català (pseudonym of Caterina Albert). And her novel Solitud ("Loneliness", 1905), which is considered the most representative book of the modernist and naturalism movement in Catalan literature.

The satirical theatre plays by Santiago Rusiñol like L'auca del senyor Esteve (1917) —personally I really like his play El bon policia ("The Good Policeman", 1905).

The theatre play El cafè de la Marina ("The Marina Café, 1933) by Josep Maria de Segarra.

Poetry by Pere Quart (1899-1986)

La Plaça del Diamant (it has been translated to English with the titles In Diamond Square and The Time of the Doves, 1962) by Mercè Rodoreda. Her novels Mirall trencat ("Broken Mirror", 1974), La mort i la primavera (Death in Spring, 1986) and Aloma (1938) are also iconic.

The short stories books by Pere Calders, most famously Cròniques de la veritat oculta ("Chronicles of the Hidden Truth", 1955).

The short stories book El cafè de la Granota (1985) by Jesús Montcada,

Poetry: Josep Carner (1884-1970), J.V. Foix (1893-1987).

The novel Bearn, o la sala de les nines ("Bearn, Or The Doll Room", 1961) by Llorenç Villalonga.

Poetry: Vicent Andrés Estellés (1924-1993), Salvador Espriu (1913-1985), Maria Mercè Marçal (1952-1998), Miquel Martí i Pol (1929-2003).

The essays by Joan Fuster, most importantly Nosaltres, els valencians ("We, the Valencians", 1962).

Mecanoscrit del Segon Origen (Typescript of the Second Origin, 1974) and Totes les bèsties de càrrega ("All The Load Beasts"?, 1967) by Manuel de Pedrolo, also personally by him I really liked the sci-fi short stories collection Trajecte Final ("Final Journey", 1975), and I will add my dad would be upset if I didn't mention his theatre play Homes i no ("Men and no", 1957).

Incerta glòria (Uncertain Glory, 1971) by Joan Sales.

Les veus del Pamano (Voices of the Pamano, 2004) and Jo confesso (I Confess, 2011) by Jaume Cabré.

I know some of them, at least Jaume Cabré's novels, Àngel Guimerà's plays, Uncertain Glory, and some Mercè Rodoreda novels have been published in German and/or English. In fact, Voices of the Pamano was a huge success in Germany.

I hope you enjoy the class very much!

[castielmd]

Heaven can't wait. | S9EP06 |

I anticipated this episode with a lot of excitement (?) before I knew all the context of it. I knew Castiel was human and I was curious to see him in a different light. But oh man, I did not know what I was signing up for. This episode is (almost) nothing but sad — and whilst I forgot a lot of what happened previously due to my sporadic watching, I cannot not talk about it.

Disclaimer: It won't be Dean friendly.

Usage of tone tags.

/s - sarcastic/satire

/pos - positive

————

Setting the scene: Castiel, told by Dean that he cannot stay at the bunker, after finally having reached this safe place, managed to land a job at a Gas'n'Sip. He notices a series of deaths as he unpacks the newspaper and calls Dean to let him know. Dean goes to investigate the case — and after some initial exploration of his own, goes to find Castiel at his job. He shows up behind a lady in line.

Scene proceeds.

Dean [smiling wide]: I'll have some beef jerky and a pack of menthols.

Castiel [taken aback]: What are you doing here?

Dean: Gee, it's nice to see you, too, Cas.

I'm seriously stunned that Dean looks surprised and a bit irritated at Castiel's question. Dean has kicked him out of the safe place that he offered to Castiel before - I can imagine without much of an explanation. Now, Dean shows up at Castiel's work casually, as if he'd stop by to visit a normal friend on a normal day. I'd go as far as to say that paired with Dean's irritation, he might feel a little offended in this scene. It gives off the vibe "I am happy to see you, why does it seem like you aren't?" What Dean expected here, to me, isn't reasoned at all since they haven't particularly parted on good terms. Nor is the situation Castiel finds himself in one that implies perfect normalcy.

An assumed explanation would be that Dean is hoping/thinking Castiel would simply gloss over the fact that he has been dumped. If so - upon seeing that this wasn't the case, an apology or explanation would've been due. Instead, Dean tosses the ball back to Castiel and denies him the expression of his confusion and perhaps resentment. Now, Castiel has to reason his - understandable - behavior and explain himself to Dean.

Castiel: It's Steve now. And, uh, yeah you surprised me.

Dean: Well, the feeling is mutual. I mean, I knew you had to lay low from the angel threat, but uh, wow this is some cover.

Firstly, Dean agrees that the surprise is mutual — so factually I can assume he hasn't kept tabs on Castiel whatsoever. That's not a lot of concern for your friend that is hunted by his family, previously homeless and having been killed due to everyone's neglect of the situation.

Additionally, what caught my attention here, is Dean's usage of the word "cover", when referring to Castiel's work. To me, a derogatory note swings with the statement — if it isn't clear here, it'll become obvious later.

He's admitting that Castiel needed to disappear from the angels radar and in the process acknowledges the active threat looming over his friends head. At the same time, his rather demeaning way of talking about Castiel's job gives the impression that Dean deems this work beneath his level [even for a "cover" - hence this job isn't even good enough to serve as a superficial hiding space]. That's a rather high horse to sit on for someone who uses/used credit card tricks to pay his daily meals.

The usage of "cover" also implies that he doesn't recognize Castiel's blatant need for a job. He has expenses to pay now — food, clothing, water, a place to sleep.

Castiel: My grace is gone. What did you expect? Do you have any idea how hard it was? When I fell to earth, I didn't just lose my powers. I-" [looks aside, then back to Dean]

Castiel: I had nothing. Now, I'm a sales associate.

Dean: A sales associate?

Castiel: [while signing the paper]: I'm responsible for inventory, sales, customer service. I keep this place — thank you — clean and presentable. And when my manager is busy, I even prepare the food.

Dean: Wow. So you went from fighting heavenly battles, to nuking taquitos?

Castiel [nods]: Nachos, too.

Castiel picks up on the apparent image Dean seems to harbor: He takes away Dean's illusion of this being a cover by reinstating that losing his grace does not just involve losing his powers but everything else too. In my opinion, by asking Dean what he expected, he voices his disdain about Dean's blantantly ignorant behavior.

It's sad, but the thought that Castiel needs food, water, clean clothes and real money seems to have barely crossed Dean's mind. Add all of the emotional components to it: the loss of one's family, being hunted by it — and having death threats (!) on one's head + the guilt Castiel carries for being the one who caused their suffering.

In this scene, he has quickly assessed (by Dean's behavior and what he's said) that his friend hadn't spared his situation any thought below surface level. He expresses that he's faced hardships — and ultimately shatters the "cover" illusion by stating the obvious. Falling means having nothing. It means having a body to nourish at the same time. Essentially, he's lost a fundamental part of his identity.

But Castiel doesn't only stick to that resentment, grief and bitterness. No, he goes on and explains the upside. He takes away the demeaning aspect Dean has brought into the conversation by contrasting his past situation with his current standing. He has managed to land a job as a sales associate.

To him, it seems even more than that. He's lost everything - but now, he is making something of himself again. He states that he is a sales associate - it is a step towards building up his identity again - renewed. He's trying, and managing(!), to find himself again. [Note: I don't think Castiel wants to be a human/doesn't want to be an angel; but I am convinced after effectively being exiled from your home and your own species/family, you'll need to try and adapt to not fall into a dark pit. Castiel, imo, is coming to terms for now and trying to make the best of it.]

Dean, of course, can't believe it. He repeats what Castiel has said back to him — either in disbelief or in doubt. It seems as if Dean is questioning the worth Castiel is assigning his position. He seems to be questioning whether the title of a sales associate really is something Castiel is proud of — or if his job is being worth that high title. He's just a Gas'n'Sip employee after all (/s). But that's only the mean interpretation. Best case, Dean just used it to keep the conversation going.

Castiel, however, doesn't let himself be deterred. He continues to explain and list all his responsibilities: selling, tending to customers, and over all keeping this shop tidy and something customers enjoy going into. For him, to be in charge of the food whenever his manager is busy, even seems like a cherry on top. It is important to him — and really why shouldn't it be? He has achieved a structure, he is trusted in a position of power: to take care of the shop and its visitors.

Despite his attempts to show Dean that he has built something for himself, that he dragged himself out of what was essentially hell, Dean shoves the opposite in his face. Dean contrasts Castiel's past achievements to his achievements now, which are in stark contrast to one another. This is also an unnecessary reminder of what Castiel lost.

Why was there no "Wow, that's a lotta tasks. How long did it take you to learn them?" or "Nice job at landing this job."

No. The list of Castiels achievements gets torn apart in the air and replaced with underlying contempt: "You've been great, look at what you've become."

And yet Castiel persists on the importance of his tasks by not paying the comment much mind and instead adding onto it.

[Note; I am biased and reaching but: Making food, running a store - are both tasks that help us as a society and are needed. In a sense, Castiel is still helping others. Yet, this way doesn't align with what Dean deems a worthy cause. Therefore, it is a downgrade.]

Next scene.

Dean: This is not you, man. You're above this, come on!

Castiel: No, Dean. I'm not. I failed at being an angel. Everything I ever attempted came out wrong. But here, at least I have a shot at getting things right. I guess you can't see it, but there's a real dignity in what I do. A human dignity.

Here what I mentioned earlier comes into play: Deans derogatory note on Castiels job. What exactly would Castiel be above? Working? Or just working this job in particular, that doesn't suit Dean's taste because it isn't a high-end job?

For once, Dean mentions something that is partially right: that this isn't Castiel. He surely means it different than I do when I say I agree. It is, in fact, Castiel, but he's lost an integral part of his identity. He's experienced unimaginable loss, grief, and guilt. What he's doing now is what I mentioned earlier: adapt as much as he can and this way - find himself again. [However, the work (what Dean is referring to), rather speaks of who Castiel is /pos. That's where Dean would be wrong to say this isn't Castiel.]

Castiel himself corrects Dean on the second part — he isn't above this. Not this job, not this life, nothing. He's hit rock bottom and now makes do with what he can, successfully so. It is so heartbreaking that all Castiel can see are his failures. Not the kindness that sparked action — even if said actions had dire consequences. He also picked up on Dean's attitude towards his job; and denies that vision. This is work. This has dignity. What he does here matters.

I also think he's trying to come to terms with the loss of his angel identity (at least for the time being) by adding the last statement about this dignity being human. But that's just personal speculation.

Nora: Hate to interrupt you guys, but Steve, a customer had an accident in the men's room.

Castiel: I'm on it.

Nora: Oh- and, tonight, 7 at my place work for you?

Castiel: Great.

Nora: [smiles] You're the best.

Dean: [turns] That's what this is about.

Castiel: What?

Dean: The girl.

Castiel: No Dean, it's not.

Dean completely misses the point of anything Castiel has said before: losing everything, having responsibilities here, having hope to do good things here — and focuses only on the woman. Likely this is his attempt at making sense of why Castiel would be working such a job (he needs to) - but that doesn't make sense given Castiel has provided a detailed explanation. Dean's outright refusal to merge his perception of Castiel with reality. I have no clue why he is that deep in denial - I appreciate any theories.

Anyway scene goes on.

Castiel: Nora, she's a very nice woman. I'm pretty sure she's not a reaper intent on killing me, and she's asked me out. Going on dates, that's something humans do, right?

Dean: Yeah, I mean, my dates usually end when I run out of singles but eh, yeah, yeah that's something that humans do.

Not much to say on this except Castiel trying so hard to fit in, to make things work. He keeps reassuring himself — this job has /human/ dignity, going on dates is human, and so on. I think he's trying to come to terms with the fact that this is how it is for now. Maybe he is trying to make some positive experiences.

Next scene.

[Phone rings.]

Dean: This is Agent Lee Ermey. I'll be right there. [hangs up.] There was another kill, over at the highschool. You coming?

Castiel: I wouldn't be much use. I don't have my powers.

Dean: So? I've never had powers.

Castiel: You are a hunter.

Dean: And you are a hunter in training, remember?

Castiel: Yeah, I remember. And you said I sucked.

Dean: I didn't say that. I said that there was- uh- you know- room for improvement. Come on!

Castiel: [sighs] Alright, my shift's over in 5 minutes, and my date's not until later so-

Dean: Attaboy; I'll go get the car.

Castiel: Not just yet. I have to clean the bathroom.

Two things. It's so heartbreaking that it has come to the point where Castiel assigns his value only to the powers he possesses. And now that they are gone, he cannot see what contributions he could possibly make. Hm, I wonder how that came. ["He's fried.", *left in a mental health clinic with a demon neither brother trusted after becoming "a broken angel"*, "Call in another halo.", "Without your powers you're just a baby in a trenchcoat!" and so on.]

It is very important to me personally, that in this scene Castiel is shown to harbor resentment. He is perceptive and notices when someone's being mean to him. He rightfully reminded Dean that Dean said he sucked. ["You were bad everything."] Dean, best case jokingly (worst case seriously doesn't pay Castiel's grief any mind) denies that and shifts it into a more harmless version. This effectively invalidates Castiel's memories and feelings. Now he might've done so because he knew Castiel was right in his claim and he is put into an awkward position of having to admit it [which implies an apology would have to come too.] But Dean cannot face his mistake. He pushes it aside, giving the claim a "funny" twist and puts the blame on Castiel. Message sent "You're exaggerating." Message received.

Lastly: Dean is not listening to a word Castiel says unless it is agreeing with him. Castiel says his work finishes in 5 minutes — Dean immediately wants to leave.

Yes, I'll admit, in casual talk this can be interpreted as Castiel saying it's only five minutes left, so I might as well leave with you now. But given the context of the scenes:

Castiel told Dean he has responsibility in this job.

By highlighting that this job has dignity, that he wants to get things right, Castiel shows that this is important to him.

Castiel told Nora, in front of Dean, that he will clean up the mess.

The logical conclusion is to assume Castiel wants to finish his work and then leave.

Well, this is whatever. Miscommunication happens. [too often in their case.]

————

TL;DR: Castiel can explain himself however he wants to, it'll never be received.

I was going to analyze the whole episode but this has gotten too long and I don't want it to rot in my drafts forever. So I'm finishing it up and I'll get to take apart Castiel's and Ephraim's scenes later. Maybe I'll also look into Dean and Castiel's phone call at the start of the episode.

See you in a few months.

[gurggggleburgle]

I think the reason I get so hung up on the meta around pidw is that I've been a weeb for over almost a decade and half and even though I haven't read enough of the chinese novels svsss is particularly satirizing the concepts are broad enough across both ends of the market that you know and have seen pidw irl even if you don't think you have.

And that's so fascinating to me as someone who lived through multiple ages of 'hey did you watch insert horny trash media here?!'

I am fascinated with the nature of what the fandom would have been and the merch. How the idea of Shen Yuan having Binghe merch would actually be really funny because it's like being into high school dxd and demanding a figurine of the mc and not the big tiddy waifu.

Like you are asking for merch that almost no one is making compared to every other character. So how much was custom ordered or is like trying to find posters where Binghe in particular is front center on the poster. The knowledge of how these things are marketed and sold, what the art direction is likely to be, the way male dominated fandom tends to act, the various talks and deals for adaptation versus censorship. The fact that is porn and how that skews the fandom. The debate over what fetish is there for increasing sales and what airplane actually is into.

The memes. The nature of cucumber existing as an anti who literally is reading smut for the plot and how I both relate and agree its a clownable offense.

Like it's all just so funny to think about. Because the longer you consider the hill Shen Yuan literally died on the more you're like man.

Imaging cursing your last breathe on that.

[austinkleon]

Adolph Dehn, The Great God Pan (1940)

Over at the Philadelphia Museum of Art site you can see the multiple layers of this screen print by Adolph Dehn of some nuns painting the god Pan. Pretty great.

This lithograph is also great:

I'd never heard of Dehn's work before — he was a friend of the great Wanda Gág, whose book Millions of Cats I read to my kids “millions and billions and trillions” of times.

He did a lot of nun pieces:

Here's a biography of Dehn from The Smithsonian:

Dehn's satirical prints of European and New York scenes were the product of an unconventional Minnesota upbringing and an iconoclastic eye. The son of a feminist, socialist mother and an atheist, anarchist father, he was not destined for a quiet life. He studied at the Minneapolis Art Institute and the Art Students League in New York, after which he was imprisoned as a conscientious objector during World War I. On his release Dehn took odd jobs and made his way to Europe, where his work as a magazine illustrator supported him and his Russian immigrant wife in their travels. While in Europe Dehn was a critical observer of the social scene, especially in Vienna and Berlin, and a light-hearted painter of park scenes and landscapes. In 1930, after his return from Europe, his work, on both European and New York subjects, was shown at the Weyhe Gallery in New York City. The critical response was good, but sales were only moderate. In the mid-1930s, Dehn began to paint watercolor landscapes, which proved immensely popular. As a result, new commercial opportunities opened, including travels through the United States, Mexico, and Venezuela. His fame led to offers to teach and then to work for the Navy during World War II. Throughout the forties, fifties, and sixties, Dehn and his wife traveled around the world, doing commercial work and lithography. His work became less satirical and more fanciful, and he experimented with new graphic techniques. He died of a heart attack in 1968 while planning new trips, beginning a book, and organizing a retrospective.

See more of his (non-nun) work here.

[oklahomapartisan]

Sonic Exectives Say legalizing Marijuana Would Boost Sales

From the archives of Oklahoma’s great political satire writers of decades past, we bring you this classic reprint of a spoof that caused more than a little irritation to the political class on Lincoln Blvd.

OKLAHOMA CITY (OP) – An Oklahoma City-based restaurant chain is asking the state legislature to legalize marijuana, noting that habitual users of the drug find the company’s products “hella-tasty.” Sonic, which bills itself as “America’s Drive-In,” serves up hamburgers and hotdogs in hundreds of locations around the country. 

  Executives say the company’s products are especially popular among those with “the munchies,” a side effect of marijuana intoxication. In a presentation before the House Business and Economic Development Committee, Sonic executives said statewide legalization of the drug would boost sales throughout the industry, from McNuggets to Taco Mayo’s “bitchin’” potato locos.

  In a recent study, Sonic customers who did not use marijuana rated their food from “fair” to “excellent.” However, users with the munchies said the same products were “friggin’ awesome dude.” Habitual marijuana users, also known as “stoners,” are also less concerned with customer service. They also have little use for napkins, straws and correct change.

   According to Sonic estimates, stoners currently comprise only 10 percent of the company’s customers, yet account for 40 percent of sales. They also form 70 percent of the company’s workforce, primarily line cooks and night managers. Last year, Sonic was believed to donate millions in campaign contributions. An exact amount was unavailable, however, since much of the special interest money was covered in chili and cheese.

[whatevergreen]

G*e*n*o*c*i*d*e for Profit (1970s boycott poster)

In the past (and to present) Nestle has been boycotted for causing high infant mortality rates through pushing its unsuitable products in poorer nations.

Nowadays boycotts center on the company stealing water from peoples worldwide to sell for profit, and - since the start of the Palestinian genocide - on it's ownership of the Israeli company Osem.

"Nestle has said its sales have suffered this year due to boycotts of companies linked to Israel.

The Swiss conglomerate, which owns brands including Nescafe and KitKat, has become a major target for the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement due to its ownership of Israeli food seller Osem."

"Osem, which was started in 1942 before its float on the Tel Aviv stock exchange in 1992, is currently one of Israel’s largest food sellers. Nestle first acquired Osem in 2016 in a 3.3 billion shekels ($876 million) deal that saw it take 100% control over the Israeli food seller.

The Swiss firm was previously the focus of one of the world’s first major consumer boycotts in the latter half of the 1970s over its marketing of formula milk in developing countries.

Nestle, in turn, reported a 2.5% year-over-year drop in its reported sales, to 67.1 billion Swiss francs ($77.6 billion), for the first nine months of 2024, even as it increased its prices by 1.6% over the same period of time."

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/nestle-says-its-sales-are-suffering-due-to-israel-boycotts-7982f5f7

The Onion' satire back in 2022...

A (incomplete) overview of Nestle brands (apparently there are over 2000)