this isn't at all meant to be condescending or finger-waggy because 100% we all have blind spots like this, but I'm really, really hoping that the people who never found Gaiman's approach to his own fandom concerning in any way will take this all as a learning moment.
he was an older, hyper-famous author engaging directly and frequently with an online audience of largely vulnerable young marginalized people. he presented himself as cultured and worldly, and made himself approachable as someone to go to for advice, encouragement and "wisdom." his manner of speech was extremely pathos-heavy and clearly intended to be comforting and encouraging in exactly the way his target demographic needed it to be to swallow every word. the way he spoke about stories and creativity was designed to make young creative hopefuls feel special and important, while sweeping real analytical techniques under the rug - in hindsight, likely so no one would think too critically about the disturbing amount of patriarchal abuse played for cheap shock value and voyerism in his own body of works.
Gaiman saw a target demographic that was desperate for an older creative role model to tell them they were worth something, and he exploited that pain to twist a narrative around himself where he was king and any critique leveled at him or his works were the enemy.
to be clear, he could have been innocent. he could totally have been just an out-of-touch old man saying nice things to people because he wanted to be kind and he thought he was a lot smarter than he really was. red flags are warning signs, not a surefire way to tell if someone is actually "secretly shitty."
but if you used to look up to him, PLEASE take this moment to revisit the ideas you absorbed from him. did you take his words to heart because they seemed to have objective merit? or did you take them to heart because it felt good to believe what he said? do you still hold these values? does knowing he was intentionally manipulating his online audience make you less certain? do you need more information from a different source before deciding one way or another?
again, I'm just really, really hoping people on here will take a moment to reevaluate the ideas and opinions he's injected into tumblr fandom culture, because his reach is immense and he has absolutely been manipulating popular perception of relevant topics to gain further influence and control the narrative around both his own and Pratchett's legacy. please, please take this moment to notice what he's been doing - and next time someone tries to pull the same shit, hopefully we'll be able to apply what we've learned from experience.
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Sideblog: A blog used to post content which doesn’t fit the theme of one’s main blog.
Subblog: A blog used to organise content because things have reached the point where tags are not sufficient.
Interblog: A blog used to coordinate activity between blogs.
Parablog: A blog which exists to explain the content of another blog.
Quasiblog: A blog platform used for non-blogging purposes.
Pseudoblog: A non-blogging platform made to serve as a blog.
Infrablog: A sideblog which presents itself as an unaffiliated main blog for plausible deniability reasons.
Unblog: A blog used to not post things.
Blogblog: A blog used to blog about blogging.
Superblog: But they were all of them deceived, for another blog was made.
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Jean Moreau/Shawn Anderson One-shot
I was bored so here's less than a 1,000 words for these goofballs I wrote for a warmup, set in @kevinsdsy 's Trojan's social media AU
“No, it’s crazy that they would think this is a date,” Shawn said, playing the straw of his drink. “Like us? Going on a date? Wild assumption.”
“Yes,” Jean agreed. “That would not be my first thought.”
“That’s what I’m saying! But if Derek and Jeremy are thinking that we’re going out then they must be thinking about us in that way, right?”
“In what way?” Jean asked, confused.
“In a romantic way, like we’re people who could potentially go out on dates.”
“But this isn’t a date,” Jean clarified. “We’re not people who go out on dates, then. They are wrong.”
“Damn.” Shawn rested his foreword on the table. “Way to crush my hopes and dreams.”
Jean hummed in response, taking a sip of his coffee. He was well used to Shawn dramatics by now.
“But it could be a date,” Shawn said suddenly, a flicker in his eyes.
“What?” Jean asked.
“Jean Moreau, would you like to go out with me?” Shawn asked theatrically, jumping to his feet and holding out his hand. Jean was utterly lost though somewhat amused. That was why he liked hanging out with Shawn after all.
“Very funny, Shawn,” he said, not moving from his seat. Shawn took both Jean’s hands in his.
“Do you want me to get down on one knee? I’ll propose. If that’s what it takes, I’ll do it.”
Jean raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
“Why do you want to anyways? Just to prove you’re ‘dateable’?”
“No!” Shawn said in false offense. He plopped back into his seat. “It wouldn’t matter anyways. No one’s asking me out.”
“Fine,” Jean said. “I will go on one date with you.”
“Yes! Everyone’s been saying we should get together. It’s just meant to be!”
“Everyone?” Jean asked, suddenly self-conscious.
“Well, no. Mainly just Jeremy but...”
Jeremy, Jean thought. There was slightly cinching in the muscles of his chest but he brushed it off.
Somehow, they ended back in the apartment watching some silly movie Shawn had picked out. It wasn’t unlike everything other time they had hung out, but Jean could see Shawn tweeting something that was likely going to get at least one of them in trouble.
They were crowded together on the couch. With of their heights and builds it was always a tight fit, a jumble of long limbs and rearranged pillows. Shawn’s hair kept ticking Jean’s nose as the other man lay back against his chest. Jean pulled up his hood to cover it.
“What’re you doing,” Shawn murmured sleepily.
“Fixing your hair. It’s going to make me sneeze,” Jean complained.
“What?” Shawn twisted around to look up at him. Jean was about to repeat himself along with another snarky comment when he saw Shawn’s eyes widen. Their faces were inches apart and Jean was suddenly very aware of how close their bodies were. It usual for them to be physically close with one another and this was mock date after all, right? He swallowed sharply. Shawn blinked slowly, his eyes lashes were blonde and so Jean hadn’t noticed how long they were until now.
Just as he was about to pull away Shawn asked, “are we doing this?”
Jean nodded and met him halfway for a kiss. Shawn’s lips were chapped but they were warm and inviting, nonetheless. He sunk lower into the couch, parting his legs further so Shawn could comfortably lay between them. It felt oddly familiar, Shawn’s callused hands slipping under his shirt to clutch at his torso, pulling him deeper into the kisses. Jean felt safe between the quilt covered couch and his friend above him. He slipped his tongue into Shawn’s mouth.
“So that’s why it’s called French kissing,” Shawn laughed.
“Shut up,” Jean said, “and don’t you dare tweet that later.” He looped a finger in the collar of his shirt and pulling him into another kiss.
They stayed like that for a while. The only sounds were of the creaking couch and their breathing, caught up in one another’s movements. Jean pushed off Shawn’s hood to run his hands through his hair, giving it the slightest of tugs. Shawn made a hitching noise, muffled by Jean’s mouth.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash from the action on the TV, startling them both. Their teeth clicked slightly, and Shawn pulled back, hoisting himself up with one hand on Jean’s chest.
“Jean,” Shawn breathed. Jean sat up, sensing the moment was over. “I’m down bad for Derek.”
Shawn looked at Jean expectantly. Jean shrugged. “That’s good. According to his tweets, I would say he feels the same.”
“Well, sure,” Shawn. “But you don’t have anything to admit? About Jeremy?”
Jean looked away. Shawn sighed and settled back down against his chest. “We’re hopeless romantics the two of us.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“I’m going to post that the rumors are true and you punched me in the face,” Shawn grumbled. “Also, that you’ve recruited the freshmen into satanic rituals.”
“Those are lies. I can just tell the truth that you’re secretly a chronic overthinker,” Jean said before squinting at the TV screen. “And you have a kink for making out during Cars 2.
“I don’t know if I should be proud of my influence or disturbed that you’re using it against me,” Shawn said before yawning. He fell asleep shortly after, his phone left unlocked beside him. Jean picked it up, considering what chaos he could bring with full access to Shawn’s twitter account.
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just give me a day, or two…
in which y/n and harry have been broken up for a while but the internet is still rooting for them. featuring a footballer and lots of tweets.
part two
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yn 🇮🇹 :-)
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gemmareacts a hard launch… 🫣 congrats!
harrysatellite the “m” necklace 😫😫😫
spinningouttt not calling him dad :(
ynskitten PLEASE 🫣🫣🫣🫣
narryhearts LMAO
ynspasta she can wear an “m” necklace but the “h” tattoo on her hip is permanent 🫶🏼 we stay winning
masonmm19 get over it 😘 they’re happy
phoebebridgers you’re unreal.
taylorswft im not calling him dad
clarajohns you got a new lifeeeeee am i bothering u 😫 do u wanna talk? 🥹
harry_lambert angel!
hearteyesforyn stop 🥹🥹🥹🥹
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harrystyles Satellite. Out now.
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gemmastyles 🛰️♥️
niallsfart @yn 🥹
heezushrist @yn are u- nvm.
perrieeeeeele im crying over a robot
annetwist 🛰️❤️❤️❤️
ynsbralette give me a day or two…years????
barkingforyn girl just take him back at this point………
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