#zin media

[miirshroom]

Elden Ring and Introduction to the FromSoftware Meta-Narrative

If a rune is a story and a great rune is a great story, then what are the great stories represented by the Great Runes? The answer that I have arrived at: The abstract concept of FromSoftware's various videogame development pipelines. Afterall, the Elden Ring represents a metaphysical concept, so why not an examination of the past, present, and future identity of a company that produces videogames. Major spoilers ahead for Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and Armoured Core 6, and minor spoilers for several other FromSoft games.

Godrick's Great Rune

The Dark Souls (2011-2018) Great Rune seems obvious - Godrick's Great rune. If the 3 ringed shape wasn't the tip-off (corresponding to 3 games) then perhaps that the dragon figure on top of the Banished Knight helmet is the same creature as the Nameless King's mount. Dark Souls Eygon of Carim wears the Morne set and guards a fire keeper named Irena, while in Elden Ring Edgar of Castle Morne in Godrick's territory loses his eyes to frenzy after discovering the death of his daughter Irena.

Godrick himself seems to function as representative of Dark Souls Remastered, in a sense that the repulsive practice of grafting is being equated to the creative dead-end of revisiting old games such as Dark Souls (2011) and pasting on updated graphics and quality of life features while having to work around out-dated code. I think that Godefroy could be seen as a much earlier use of this practice as the difference between original Dark Souls and the Prepare to Die edition (2012) that included improvements + Artorius DLC. And Godwyn's parallel would be Dark Souls 3 (2016). I would thus consider Godwyn and Godrick as brothers in Elden Ring because in the internal logic of FromSoftware there were always planned to be a trilogy of Dark Souls games.

Dark Souls 2 is annoying to explain succinctly partially because it was directed by Naotoshi Zin Yui Taimura (correction: Naotoshi Zin was the supervisor, which was his role on all Dark Souls games as president of the company from 1986-2014) instead of Hidetaka Miyazaki. In short, there are some blurry lines between Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin and Bloodborne.

Malenia's and Miquella's Great Runes

Malenia herself has an obvious match in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019) - it is in the Dragon Rot being correlated to Scarlet Rot, the parallels between Malenia's dedication to Miquella and Wolf's dedication to Kuro, and that it's one of the few recent FromSoft games to be released without paid DLC or sequel (which as it happens is common among all empyrean and their game counterparts). Numerous people have commented that Malenia feels like a Sekiro boss to fight - although with the added twist of mechanics like clearing her poise break that allow her to "cheat" compared to the bosses of that game.

However, the exact nature of Malenia's Great Rune is more nebulous - probably could be a stand-in for multiple Japanese-style combat games in the catalogue including Shadow Assault: Tenchu (2008) and Otogi: Myth of Demons (2002). Certainly, it has been confirmed by FromSoftware representatives that Sekiro was internally considered a Tenchu game for some time before release, as discussed in the aptly titled 2018 GameSpot article "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Originally Started As A Tenchu Game".

Miquella may or may not have a Great Rune. If he does, it would correspond to games in a similar spirit to Déraciné (2018), the game which Miquella most likely represents. A much smaller game, the idea of which originated in the wake of Bloodborne's release at around the same time that the idea for Sekiro began to form - twin ideas. The game Kuon (2004) also seems to have served some inspiration for the Haligtree, as there is a side-story told about silkworms and a central Mulberry Tree in that game.

Radahn's Great Rune

Radahn's Rune represents the Armored Core franchise - or perhaps the broader idea of mech combat games - while he is himself a personification of Armoured Core 6: The Fires of Rubicon (2023). The opening part of his boss fight is an artillery bombardment, similar to the long range weapon capabilities of the AC units. The central motifs of AC6 are "fire" and "coral" - and the general theme of Caelid is using fire to control the rot that has eaten Radahn's mind and which manifests in the landscape as growths resembling coral reef.

A major part of Radahn's character is that he idolized Godfrey, who is himself embodying AC4 (2006)/4A (2008). The name "Loux" means "Lynx" - and in a departure from the Ravens of earlier titles AC4 introduces the Lynx units. It also simply makes sense that the progenitor of the Golden Lineage - who I previously correlated to Dark Souls - would be represented in the first game that Miyazaki directed.

And I can see the objection that this doesn't make sense because we know that Radahn must have been born before Malenia/Miquella, so how can he represent a game that came after? Simply: it's not about when the game idea was executed, but about when the concept was first proposed. FromSoftware probably knew that they would eventually return to Armoured Core at about the time they wrapped on AC5V.

Morgott and Mohg's Great Runes

Now that some boundary conditions have been set it is easier to speculate on the nature of Morgott and Mohg - AC5 (2012) and AC5V (2013), respectively. Points of comparison: 1) They are of the Golden Lineage as they preceded from AC4A represented by Godfrey, 2) They are omens that any game without Miyazaki attached will be perceived poorly in hindsight (as he did not direct either game), 3) The AC games were at the time FromSoftware's most well known and active franchise before being overshadowed by souls games - those touched by the Crucible were once considered divine and only later fell into disfavor.

But as I already mentioned, with speculation that Radahn holds the Armoured Core Great Rune Morgott and Mohg must have claimed some other stories. This also aids in understanding how they can exist as multiple copies - there is the version of them before and after claiming Great Runes that do not match their original natures. Morgott is the easiest to figure out - it's the Elden Ring (2022) Rune. There is one Great Rune in the entire game that is mandatory to beating the game, and it is the one held by Morgott. Perhaps this raises a question of how can the Elden Ring have a single Great Rune dedicated to itself, but as I have been attempting to describe - all FromSoftware games should be treated as a single body of work looking backwards from Elden Ring. The initial concept of an "Elden Ring" stretches back at least as far as Eternal Ring (2000), and Morgott's rune is described as an "anchor ring that houses the base" so it does have a central importance.

And there's a relatively straightforward answer to which game would be considered a twin to Elden Ring - Demon's Souls (2009). The leitmotif in the menu music for Elden Ring has been identified as a more triumphant version of the Demon's Souls menu music. The core themes of Elden Ring are also much concerned with philosophies of identity in much the same way that Demon's Souls explores the definition of the self as an entity that thinks (look up "Philosophical Analysis of Demon's Souls" by The Gemsbok on Youtube for more on this). And Elden Ring serves as something of a bookend to Demon's Souls - both games are divided into 6 sections via 6 stone structures (the Archstones of Demon's Souls and the Divine Towers of Elden Ring). The 6th Archstone of Demon's Souls is broken, but what lies beyond is a snowy landscape. Elden Ring finally provides access to that snowy landscape in the Forbidden Lands, which is again only available after defeating Morgott - and with the Great Rune being activated at the tower closest to this area.

But there are independent reasons why Mohg's Great Rune should be the one that encompasses Demon's Souls. The Demon's Souls franchise potential has been irreversibly corrupted by the recent remake. The philosophy is still generally intact - that is portrayed through text. But critical aspects of art design have been altered beyond recognition - mostly of interest to me is the portrayal of the Yellow Monk and the Fool's Idol and the area of Latria in general. Mohg himself has this in the design of his robes and trident which steal the motifs of the helix and the black flame but corrupt them in ways that read almost as gibberish compared to their deliberate uses elsewhere.

The four-armed doll of the Fool's Idol hints at who the original owner of this rune might have been - Ranni's mentor Renna. And through embodying the witch Renna, it may be that ownership of this rune was transfered to Ranni before she chose to discard it. Demon's Souls did generally fit the previously established criteria of Empyrean game (no sequels or DLC), but the potential for future games is lost now as creating a sequel to the original would alienate people confused by the aesthetic corruption of the remake. There is also a rabbithole here for what all this Great Rune encompasses because Demon's Souls itself did not spring out of nowhere - it is of a similar approach to game design that was previously last seen in Shadow Tower Abyss (2003) and Kingsfield IV (2001).

The Great Rune of the Unborn

The Great Rune of the Unborn is a difficult one to pin down through this method of unpacking the Great Runes as much as any other. It seems possible that Miquella wanted this Great Rune and thought that it could be obtained by arranging his own rebirth. It is also one of two stories that must be obtained for Ranni's Age of Stars to be possible (the other being Radahn's story) - indicating that it represents something that did not exist at the time of Elden Ring's release. Running low on demi-gods, perhaps this is best understood as Melina's Great Rune. It is implied through Melina's abilities to channel Marika's echoes and through her descriptor in the code "MarikaofDaughter" that she is an offspring of Marika. Contradictory to the other demi-gods who can typically be matched to FromSoftware games, Melina's bodiless status seems to indicate that she never has been and her burning at the Forge of Giants is acknowledgement that she never will be. A comparison can be drawn between Melina and the disembodied Ayre - voice of the Coral in AC6. The unrealized potential of the Great Rune of the Unborn seems a good match to Melina.

Rykard's Great Rune

So, by process of elimination there is one rune left and it is Rykard's Great Rune. Fitting that the one game candidate remaining is Bloodborne (2015). An article titled "How the Spirit of Bloodborne Lives on in Elden Ring" (posted on VG247 by Alan Wen) goes over the ways that Volcano Manor evokes Bloodborne. The Manor sits on top of a hidden town of gothic architecture similar to Yharnam being stacked on top Old Yharnam, the Ghiza's Wheel weapon found in the manor has a clear design lineage to the whirligig saw from Bloodborne, the Iron Virgin at Raya Lucaria transports the player to a secondary location similar to Bloodborne's Kidnappers. But to me, the most clear connection is the finding of the Serpent's Amnion and Rya's dismay of being born of a hideous ritual. This seems a form of call-back or iteration to the ending of Bloodborne that involves consuming four 3rds of umbilical cord and being reborn as a Great One - a repellent little squid-slug thing.

[zoueriemandzijnopmars]

(Voor context zie de NOS/Nu.nl/Volkskrant/AD/Telegraaf/RTL)

[pal1cam]

Pieces of media to watch to educate yourself on the Palestinian cause :

“Jenin, Jenin” a documentary by Mohammad Bakri (available on Youtube)

“200 meters” a movie by Ameen Nayfeh (available on Netflix)

“Born in Gaza” a documentary by Hernán Zin (available on Netflix)

“Samouni Road” a documentary & animation by Stefano Savona (available on Netflix and Palestine Film Institute’s website)

“Edward Said on Palestine (1988)” a TV documentary style film by Christoper Skyes (available on Youtube)

“To My Father (2008)” a documentary style film by Abdel Salam Shehada (available on Palestine Film Institute’s website)

“Salt of this sea” a movie by Annemarie Jacir (available on Netflix)

“Children of Shatila” a documentary by Mai Masri (available on Netflix & Youtube)

“The Present” a short movie by Farah Nabulsi (available on Netflix)

“Frontiers of Dreams and Fears” a documentary by Mai Masri (available on Netflix & Youtube)

“The Crossing” a short film by Ameen Nayfeh (available on Netflix)

“Tantura” a documentary by Alon Schwartz (available on Youtube)

“3000 nights” a movie by Mai Masri (available on Netflix)

“Farha” a movie by Darin J. Sallam (available on Netflix)

“Arna’s Children” a documentary by Juliano Mer-Khamis (available on Youtube)

“Ma’loul celebrates it’s destruction” a documentary by Michel Khleifi (available on Youtube)

“A World Not Ours” a documentary style movie by Mahdi Fleifel (available on Netflix)

“Like Twenty Impossibles” a movie by Annemarie Jacir (available on Netflix)

“Omar” a movie by Hany Abu Assad (available on Netflix)

“Mars At Sunrise” a movie by Jessica Habie (available on Netflix)

“5 Broken Cameras” a documentary by Emad Burnat & Guy Davidi (available on Youtube)

“Aida Returns” a film by Carol Mansour (look for upcoming screenings through this link)

“Soraida, a woman of Palestine” a documentary style film by Tahani Rached (available on Youtube)

“Palestine In The Eye” a film by Mustafa Abu Ali (available on Youtube)

“ Naji Al-Ali An, Artist With Vision” a film by Kasim Abid (Available on Youtube)

“Tell Your Tale, Little Bird” a documentary style film by Arab Loutfi (Available on Youtube)

[this list will constantly be updated with more movies & documentaries that i’m reminded of, or with new pieces that i find and watch… if you have any suggestions please send them my way]

PS ; as this is a personal list coming from a Palestinian person, i will only be adding the movies and documentaries that i feel are MOST important and effective in transferring the message of the Palestinian cause… so all recommendations are highly appreciated yet this is just a personal list and doesn’t include all types of Palestinian (or Palestinian related) visual media 🙏

[martiandmichelle]

We interrupt the flow of pics and gifs of Marti to give you this picture of Zin (ne Zinnia), Marti's grandniece. This is a photo of her early in her career, I think maybe 19. (She turns 22 in early October.) No longer the baby of our females stars here at Mountain Media - that honor now goes to 18 year old Hannah - she is now a mature and VERY hot lady. AND her tits are stil growing: she is now officially and I cup!

[addledmongoose]

Good Omens Fanfic Friday (12 Jul 2024)

Some light-hearted ones; some serious ones this week. Pretty wide variety of stories, though for a change, it's all canon adjacent/compliant. No human AU in the list.

There's No I in Team (But There Is in Discourse) (1K; Rated E) by @hollybennett123

Crowley invented top/bottom discourse just for a laugh, and it's getting in the way of Aziraphale's social media browsing.

***

Wise As Serpents (2.2K; Rated G) by @on1occasionfork

Aziraphale makes friends with the snakes in St. James Park.

***

Aziraphael, the Last to Fall (37K; Rated M)

Reverse Omens. I love how the characters are portrayed here. Crowley isn't just "demon!Crowley but angel". He's someone who never Fell and his attitude and behavior reflects that. Aziraphale, on the other hand, Fell for doing what he thought was a good thing, and he's not just "angel!Aziraphale but demon". His animal aspect is a moth. He's still sweet and kind and loving, but he's also sad and depressed and doesn't respect or love God. It's mostly a through-the-ages story, from their first meeting in Gomorrah until Armageddon.

It is commonly thought that when Lucifer and his followers were cast out of heaven, that this was rather the end of the whole thing, and everyone could get back to what they were supposed to be doing, such as praying, rejoicing in the glory of the Almighty, guarding trees, and so forth.

But in actuality, although it doesn’t appear in the Bible, and has, by all accounts, been rather hushed up by all parties concerned, there was one more angel who fell from grace. Not for his part in the Great Rebellion (violence, on the whole, made him feel slightly queasy, and he’d managed to be somewhere else on the day itself), but for his flagrant disobedience in following one of Her earliest commands.

In short, he gave away a sword.

***

Kidnapping A Supreme Archangel For Fun And Profit (series) (12K; Rated T) by @waitingtobebroken

Currently a two-part series. In the first story, Grand Duke of Hell Crowley kidnaps the Supreme Archangel in order to inflict vile and torturous things on him, like dragging him to a sushi restaurant and making him walk with him in the park.

In part 2, an outsider POV, Crowley's assistant Kric (Eric with a K) is tasked with acts of incredible Hellishness, like bringing flowers to the Supreme Archangel (because flowers are poisonous to humans and angels, you see) and booking restaurants so the demon lord can overfeed his nemesis. Part 2 is particularly fun, with Kric always misunderstanding Crowley's actions. The author plans one with Aziraphale's assistant's POV, which I'm looking forward to.

***

Thanks for the Memories (43K; Rated E)

Something happened in Heaven, and Crowley finds himself with an amnesiac angel on his hands. If you enjoy memory loss fics, this is a great one.

***

Stuck On You (57K; Rated E) by @zin-lynn-c

This one has been recommended a lot lately for good reason. It's a fantastic canon-adjacent story (and an explanation of where the apology dance came from).

After a drunken handfasting ceremony goes awry, Crowley and Aziraphale find themselves magically bound to be touching at all times. In order to set the situation to rights, they must embark on a multi-day journey to seek help from the last true witch in England.

***

Edit: Almost forgot about this one, which is human AU, because I copy my list from my reddit post and posted it separately.

One Life, One Love (24K; Rated M) by @thinkinginscripts

Aziraphale and Crowley are slaves living in the Akeshi capital, meeting briefly at a slave market and making an instant connection.

Crowley dreams of the two of them running away together, before Aziraphale is sold on to a new household. Crowley prays to Aziraphale's god to make him brave enough to find Crowley again.

While they're apart, Aziraphale discovers a means of escape - across the Akeshi straits. But Crowley can't swim...

[banqanas]

Guide on where to find official EXILE TRIBE contents

This list focuses on sites/services that is managed by LDH, therefore does not include social media

Includes free and paid contents

Disclaimer: Focuses more on Jr EXILE groups contents as they're the ones I follow most.

I try to include pictures for most points, please click on them to see the details clearly

FREE

CL (LDH's own VOD site)

Type of content available:

live cast from groups & individual members

short live broadcast (<10 minutes) during concerts

original LDH show/programs (limited quantity)

is also one of the main platforms to interact with artists

✅ Not region blocked, targeted for JP & international fans

✅ Some shows have subtitles and are available in multiple languages (English, Chinese, Thailand, Korean)

✅ Types of shows varies and some dated before ~2017 (you can get to know the group from their formation until their current state)

2. Radio

Type of content available:

Early preview of new songs

Members responding to listener's requests & questions

Behind the scene stories

Some groups/members serve as DJ for various radio programs on different mediums. Some examples include:

GENERATIONS: CultureZ (Sano Reo DJ - broadcasted live on YouTube) THE RAMPAGE: WEEKEND THE RAMPAGE (Zin and RIKU DJ - BayFM) FANTASTICS: Fantastics Radio (all members - OsakaFM), Design Your Fantastic Future (Nakajima Sota DJ - FM802), Quartet (Jr Exile) EP (Sato Taiki DJ - Exile Tribe Mobile), SawaSota's carefree radio show (CL) BALLISTIK BOYZ: BALLISTIKRADIO (all members DJ, free to listen on website)

❌ Most of the radio shows hosted on Japan's radio FM are region blocked

✅ Weekly updates

✅ You get to listen to your oshi talking about mundane stuffs that doesn't fit on camera like their favourite McDonalds order or them complaining how noisy some members are during their train rides

3. TV shows

Type of content available:

Music TV show (e.g: Music Station, NHK Utacon)

Reality shows (e.g: Hirunandesu, Susteina)

drama series

Short segments in tv shows

Mainly for tribe members that are also active in acting or often goes on variety tv shows e.g: Katayose Ryota, Shirahama Alan, Sato Taiki, Yagi Yusei etc. Most JP tv shows are archived at TVer and can be watched for free

❌ Need to find TV streaming service + VPN

❌ Archives on TVer are only viewable for a week after the tv broadcast

✅ Contents that are not covered by CL

4. EXILE TRIBE MAGAZINE

LDH's own monthly magazine. Contents include:

Event reports

Interviews with artists

✅ Can see pictures from closed events that most international fans can't participate

❌ Some articles can only be accessed for FC members of respective groups

TL;DR: the are quite a lot of free contents however they are restricted behind region blocks and language barriers. You have to be updated with the group's news to catch them on tv/radio.

PAID

CL (premium account - monthly subscription)

Type of content available:

Includes aforementioned free content and more (e.g: PPV online broadcasts for concerts/events, live cast archives, CL anniversary stream)

Premium account members are also eligible for special benefits when buying CD/DVD from LDH official shops

Detailed information between free & premium account here

✅ Payment via app store available

2. EXILE TRIBE OFFICIAL FANCLUB (yearly subscription)

Type of contents available vary between each group's FC but general content each FC has includes:

monthly calendar wallpapers

exclusive images and videos that are not posted in mobile sites (after concert message, seasonal videos, video call-like videos etc)

reports from FC Events (online talk, fan meeting, bus trips, live shows etc etc) that is not covered by Exile Tribe Magazine

Messages for celebratory days (birthday, Valentines', White Day, anniversaries etc)

AR cameras

Chance to get members forgotten belongings (FANTASTICS only)

✅ Eligible to get FC only merchandise (which changes every year)

✅ Eligible for special benefits when buying CD/DVDs from LDH official shop

❌ Requires Japanese address and bank account

❌ Mainly used to get first dibs at concert tickets/fan events so unless you're planning on going to physical events, it's not that worth it.

3. EXILE MOBILE SITES (monthly subscription)

LDH's comprehensive blogging sites. Is considered Exile Tribe's/LDH main website where contents they covered is divided according to groups (refer to images above) and all of them covers:

latest news

backstage photos from concerts (rehearsals, off shots, events)

blog posts with photos/vlog updated by the artists themselves

original content (radio show, independent programs)

※ Members that are part of EXILE and other groups (e.g: Alan, Gun-chan, Mandy, SEKAI, Taiki, DEEP SQUAD) have separate blogs on EXILE mobile/LDH mobile and Tribe Mobile.

⚠️ Pictures that have the LDH/group logo on them are all pictures from their mobile sites. Please be careful of sharing them publicly (as they are widely known to be paid content)

✅ Main source of online content for Exile Tribe straight from the members themselves

✅ Updated daily (depending on member)

✅ Contents are more personal and in-depth compared to their SNS posts. I've translated some of them here and here

✅ Chance of fans directly interact with members (some would reply back to fans replies, also depending on member)

TL;DR: Paid sites are not region blocked as long as you can get through the payment site

Others (sites not managed by LDH but are official collaborations)

1.ABEMA TV - PAID (is not covered in the same category as free tv show because these are not available on regional JP tv channels:

Contents include but not limited to:

ABEMAxLDH: Concerts (PPV), documentary and fanmeets

Past and currently airing GENEkou TV episodes

Incomplete episodes of SHIBUEXILE (2020 - 2021)

2. Tribe Kingdom (puzzle mobile game) - FREE: I have made a separate post about the game here. While the in-game stories are fictional, some parts (voice lines, kitchen talk) include real facts about the artists themselves

Q&A:

How do you sign up/access sites that require JP address and phone number? A: I sign up to Tenso and use the address and number they provide. Most JP sites I've used accepts the address and phone number Tenso provides. None of the sites I've mentioned above require any sort of code to be sent to your Tenso phone number

How do you pay for the services that require JP bank accounts? A: I do not have any jp bank account and have only used my local (asean) bank account. I just pick a card and pray it's accepted by the payment site

Which site do you recommend the most for international fans? A: CL. Other than the fact that the contents are subbed, it is also the platform where you can openly post in other languages (not Japanese) whether in replies or live chats. I really encourage getting the Premium subscription to show LDH how international fans are supporting them.

What is the difference between Official Fan Club contents VS mobile sites? A: Mobile sites main contents are blog posts that are updated by members themselves so the contents mainly focus on individual members (good for people who are only fans of specific members of a group). Mobile site contents are also less formal (pictures/videos are not edited professionally). FC are mainly group-centered contents and the quantities are not as many as those that are posted in mobile sites. But no same contents are posted in both site. ※ Personal note: Mobile sites is worth your money more compared to FC

END. Thank for checking this out and feel free to hit me up if you have any questions regarding these services/sites as I've had a chance to use most of them

(e.g: I can answer questions such as how to sign up to site A, what kind of contents members A, B, C post in their blog or how regularly they post blogs, or which VPN do I use when using site A or B. Unfortunately I can't help with any question regarding payment)

Let's try to support our boys where we can :) 👍

[fantaseagal]

thought it would be fun to draw all of my queer OCs for pride and things may have gotten a bit out of hand...

list of characters below the cut:

From top left, characters listed with name, queer identity, race/class info, media of origin

Row 1: Korh (lesbian, drow ranger, BG3 Tav), Ar'iss (bisexual, githyanki druid, BG3 Tav), Volarys Callaga (aro/ace, half elf warlock, D&D)

Row 2: Ierra (pansexual, gnome paladin, BG3 Tav), Eira (lesbian, Elden Ring tarnished), Silva (bisexual, silver dragonborn cleric, BG3 tav), Zin (nonbinary pansexual, bronze dragonborn sorcerer, BG3 tav)

Row 3: Rubid (aro lesbian, human, orignal fic), Kai (aro, human, original fic), Corraga (bisexual ace, shade elf, original fic), Cyril (nonbinary, tiefling artificer, D&D), Lodathe (gay, half shade elf, original fic), Lorans (gay, half elf, original fic)

Row 4: T. Avernele (bisexual, high elf warlock, BG3 tav), Corraecith Avernele (lesbian, sun elf, original fic), Voladyn (bisexual, sun elf, original fic), Durge!Voladyn (bisexual, half elf sorcerer, BG3 dark urge)

[ts4-tzimisce]

sul sul! I'm zin, it/they, and this is a simblr blog. my main is @zinziinziiin !

currently it is primarily for storing found custom content, but I occasionally post/reblog screenshots and may upload my own cc eventually!

most commonly you will find vampires (specifically vtm vampires, more vtm sideblogs @pretend-pretend-vampire and @stimisce ), horror, goth stuff of various subgenres/styles, vocal synths, and anime (specifically love live!). others may be present from time to time.

tags (which can be requested!) are sorted by the following, where applicable:

themes (horror, cute, goth, vampires, etc.)

content warnings (blood, bones, crying, etc.)

media type (vtm, vocaloid, love live!, pokemon, etc.)

cc type (clothing, decorations, furniture, poses, etc.)

vtm clan/bloodline aesthetics (malkaviancore, samedicore, etc.)

[thottybrucewayne]

Thotty's Spring-Summer TBR

To be started

Excluded: Making Feminist and Queer Movements More Inclusive by Julia Serano Darkly: Black History and America's Gothic Soul by Leila Taylor Toward the African Revolution by Fanon Black Disability Politics by Samantha Dawn Schalk and Sami Schalk Notre Histoire: The First Hundred Years of Haitian Independence by Ghislain Gouraige Jr. Sexed Up by Julia Serano The Color of Kink: Black Women, BDSM, and Pornography by Ariane Cruz Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa Miss Major Speaks: The Life and Legacy of a Black Trans Revolutionary by Toshio Meronek Revolution is Love: A Year of Black Trans Liberation by Qween Jean and Joela Rivera Sisters in the Life: A History of Out African American Lesbian Media-Making Editor(s): Yvonne Welbon and Alexandra Juhasz Keith Haring's Line Race and the Performance of Desire by Ricardo Montez Queer Latino Testimonio, Keith Haring, and Juanito Xtravaganza: Hard Tails by A. Cruz-Malavé

To Be Finished

When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost by Joan Morgan Whipping Girl by Julia Serano Black Trans Feminism by Marquis Bey Reel to Real: Race, class, and sex at the movies by Bell Hooks Culture and Imperialism by Edward Said

Re-reads

Black Marxism by Cedric Robinson Anarcho-Blackness Notes Toward a Black Anarchism by Marquis Bey Anarchism and Black Revolution by Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire Cistem Failure by Marquis Bey Every Tongue Got to Confess: Negro Folk-tales from the Gulf States by Zora Neale Hurston The Book of Negro Folklore Editor(s) Langston Hughes & Arna Bontemps

Reccs

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon The Deep by Rivers Solomon Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton Some Wear Leather, Some Wear Lace: The Worldwide Compendium of Postpunk and Goth in the 1980s by Marloes Bontje The Blood of A Thousand Roots by Dane Figueroa Edidi My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Street Style by Ted Polhemu Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blacknes By Da’Shaun L. Harrison The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi Insights: Film & Television by TRUDY Shuckin' and Jivin': Folklore from Contemporary Black Americans by Daryl Cumber Dance

[spoofyleaf]

With the LMK Calendar event and your zine happening at the same time 🤔 I think I'll lean more towards this just because I'm more familiar with the type of event and my mutual knows you.

I wasn't aware there was a LMK Calendar event going on :")

This zine is going to be a several month long event, and hopefully a muli-media zin;, and there is a timeline that I'm going to post tomorrow. We tried to space everything out reasonably

[igglemouse]

Episode 2 ~ Wave After Wave

Narrator: Nobuske and Ui were now putting their plans in full motion and they would do so together. Nobu didn’t know simlish and so he would need to lean on Ui for recruiting and in general being the face of Glee in Simerica. She did seem up to the task. 

"I told you we’d find a star, just wait till you meet her,” Nobu had found someone, he put out an ad weeks ago on social media and did have a few hits but one more than the others stood out. 

"Ok...” as usual Ui was not prepared to be impressed.

"I think she’s perfect! She’s not fully brought in yet but that's where you come in.”

"What do you want me to say, exactly?”

"I don’t know just emphasize how safe and fun it is? You make a lot of simoleons and you have a lot of fun, focus on that,” he asked of her, she didn’t have any experience in this, neither of them did, but he was confident in her. Ui excelled at anything she put her mind to. 

"Ok, I can do that-”

"Remember too, let her know that she makes the decisions here, we are just a platform for her sexuality. She doesn't have to work with anyone she doesn’t want to,” he had to say this, it was of course a crucial tenant of Glee.sim. The porn industry wasn’t always clean, there were bad actors, evil people that looked to use their talent then toss them to the side. Glee.sim wasn’t one of them. It was first run by his grandmother, Zin, who then passed it down to her daughter Myitzu and both women had made sure that any women that worked for them had full autonomy. It was more true now than ever since their main competitors were individually run SimFans accounts. 

"Ok, ok, I think I can handle this,” Ui said, a little more enthused about it at least.

"Lots of pressure but remember she’s coming to us so she has some desire to do this, find out why, then focus on that. Maybe its not for fun, maybe she just wants the attention or maybe she gets off on it or-”

"I got this, don’t worry!”

Index - Next

[miirshroom]

Thinking about how Elden Ring serves as a Spiritual Successor to a Certain Fantasy Series

I find fascinating the lore ouroboros from reading Elden Ring in context of the Wheel of Time and vice versa. Significant spoilers ahead for Elden Ring and minor spoilers for Wheel of Time.

There's the surface level stuff like:

The Erdtree Guardians wield sword-spears and are guarding offshoots of the Tree of Life like the Aiel with Avendesora? Neat!

The previous Elden Lord fought with an axe and was succeeded by an Elden Lord who fights with a hammer and runs with wolves? Sounds a lot like the character arc of Perrin Aybarra. The Beastman of Farum Azula in Limgrave could even be a wolf brother who was "lost to the wolf"

Interesting choice to have a Commander Niall at Castle Sol, considering that Wheel of Time has Pedron Niall, the Lord Captain Commander of the Children of the Light. A villain who thinks that his cause is righteous. This has...implications...considering Miquella's connection to Castle Sol...

It gets more pointedly specific:

Raya Lucaria academy being located in a anatomically shaped body of water and governed by a woman sounds pretty similar to Tar Valon. But maybe it's just a trick of my eyes that the lake looks like an anatomical heart with the roadways and landmasses located at the major veins and arteries (I've sketched this out and it seems legit - it's an uncommonly seen angle of the heart though)

Radagon's name can be rearranged to "a dragon", is red-haired like Rand al'Thor, and his personal rune is a loose rendering of a woven Pattern - one of the central motifs of Wheel of Time. That seems a little beyond simple homage by GRRM to the works of a fellow author who he was well acquainted with (a nod from one book in A Song of Ice and Fire: "Archmaester Rigney wrote that history is a wheel, that the nature of man is fundamentally immutable. According to him, what has already happened will happen again, without remedy.").

So, what can Elden Ring be saying about Wheel of Time, a series that infamously has lingering questions that will never be answered due to literal death of the author.

There's a statue of a bearded man in the underground areas with a tablet at his feet that depicts the Imago Mundi - a real world artefact that is a map of Mesopotamia. This is implied to be the earliest age of civilization in Elden Ring just as real world civilization emerged from the river basin between the Tigres and Euphrates Rivers. This is where the ouroboros wraps back around to realizing that there may be some symbolism in Wheel of Time beginning at protagonist Rand al'Thor's home in a region called the Two Rivers.

The "Loux" in Hoarah Loux is a Germanic surname meaning "Lynx Eyed", or having sharp eyesight. The kind of eyesight that would be useful for a man out at sea navigating by the stars. The Prologue of Wheel of Time begins with the previous incarnation of the Dragon before Rand, a man named "Lews" Therin Telamon. "Theron" is a Greek word meaning "hunter". "Telamon" is the name of one of the Argonauts who sailed with Jason to find the Golden fleece. So the full name could mean "sharp eyed hunter, a seeker of the Golden fleece". It seems appropriate that Rand the 'Dragon Reborn' starts off his journey as a shepherd who tends sheep.

The Western Zodiac consists of 12 astrological signs (and sometime Ophiuchus), of which Aries is the first sign. The story associated with the constellation Aries is the story of the Golden Fleece. Wheel of Time was also supposed to be 12 books long. It was very important to author James Rigney (pen name Robert Jordan) that the series end with the 12th book - but circumstances being what they were the series eventually concluded with Brandon Sanderson writing the 12th, 13th and 14th volumes.

That's about as much as can be covered without getting really into the deep lore of Wheel of Time. I have a lot more thoughts about how both Wheel of Time and Elden Ring are thematically bound to the wheel of Vedic Astrology and invoking themes of a dreamlike collective unconsciousness (the Jungian thing). Also the alchemy stuff.

[xsweetelegantdisasterx]

I'm so glad to have finished this one. 🙌 third Rampage story completed.

Here's to Mr. Smiley himself.

➻ Title: You're the only one I want.

➻ Summary: Giselle has been oblivious to her feelings for so long. After overhearing a conversation, she slowly realizes who should have her heart.

➻ Characters: Shogo & OC

➻ Genre: Some Fluff & Some Angst

➻ Word Count: Alot. {Sorry I'm wordy.}

Taglist: @stardragongalaxy

Shogo sat watching Giselle on her balcony, downing her wine, seemingly upset. Her boyfriend of three years once again stood her up. This time though, it was deplorable. Her birthday was supposed to be a big celebration, surrounded by her friends and those she considered family. He growled under his breath, waiting for a miracle to happen, for Takashi to actually think of someone other than himself. Shogo and Elle had spent a lot of time together, going shopping, eating at her favorite restaurants, watching her favorite movies. She was the one person he wanted nothing more than to be with. Her boyfriend was treating her wrong, which irked his soul like no other, but he wasn't about to over step his boundaries. He felt there was a spark between them, but knew that Giselle was torn.

Misaki, Zin’s girlfriend looked over as she saw the sight. She walked out towards Giselle, placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked at Misaki with a half smile.

“Elle, you know you don’t have to take this from him.”

“Misa, he’s working, I can't condemn him for that.”

“Just like Valentine’s day right?”

Giselle took a sip, thinking of how Misa was right. He had avoided spending time with her on Valentine’s day. Blaming it on work, but on social media, was with his friends. Instead, Shogo spent the evening with her to make her feel better. She looked out seeing the lights illuminate the streets, annoyed by his lack of consideration once more. Just once, Giselle wanted him to match her energy. Misa developed a deep bond with Giselle when they met, due to Giselle being important to Shogo.

She looked over at Shogo. By all actions he was the one she should've picked. He acted more like her partner than Takeshi. She still remembered that day at the restaurant when Shogo and Takeshi got into it. They didn't know she was in the booth behind them.

“Takeshi, thank you for hearing me out. I just want to know why you keep Giselle when your actions scream you don't want her.”

The tapping stopped as Takeshi placed his phone down. “Iwata is it?”

“It’s Iwaya.”

“Right. Women like Giselle need to be in a relationship to feel like they have some meaning in their useless, mundane life. You see, I’m actually doing her a favor by keeping her; regardless if I ghost her.”

“Useless life? You pompous little prick. Giselle deserves better than this game your playing with her heart. She deserves the world and someone who would build theirs around her.”

“She's independent, so she'll survive.”

Shogo clinched his fists, he had a mind to drive his hand through Takeshi’s face, if it wouldn't hurt Giselle. “I hope one day you don’t realize how much of an asshole you are, so she can invest time into someone who truly cares about her!” His yell silenced the restaurant.

“I doubt she will. You see, even if our love is one-sided, she won't leave me; Giselle is too nice to ‘hurt me’,” he chuckled, “Now, why don't you two go prance your way back to the studio where you belong.” He picked his phone back up shooing them away.

Shogo stood up quickly, Zin pulling him back from making a mistake that could hurt his image. They left furious.

When Giselle came back to reality, she sighed. The pain she felt afterwards was worse than anything that had happened to her. She downed the last of her wine as she was going to make a change. Grabbing a box she went to her room throwing all of Takeshi’s items in it. Misa followed her slightly confused on what her friend had in mind.

“He said I was too nice, and my life is useless without him. I’ll show him.”

“Hell yes Elle!” Misa threw her glass down shattering it. “Shit. Sorry Elle, I got too wrapped up in the moment.” She grabbed a broom cleaning up her mess.

Giselle giggled, as she had other onlookers coming to see what the ruckus was. She focused on her task at hand though, filling up the box quickly. Shogo stood at the door leaning into the frame. He was glad she was making this decision, but wondered why the sudden change of heart with her. He overheard her tell Misa, word for word, what Takeshi said to him. Shogo never disclosed that tidbit of information, to try and protect Giselle of a broken heart.

Throwing the last article in the box, Giselle felt a slight weight lifting from her shoulders. It was well past time for her to cut ties, and start anew. She grabbed the box as Misa skipped besides her.

“Do you need a ride?” Shogo stopped her.

“Only if you don't mind, if not I can get a taxi or Uber.”

Zin grabbed Misaki’s hand as they decided to join. This was going to be a group effort. Giselle knew the code to his apartment, her plan was to drop it off as his house while he wasn’t there. Takeshi was supposed to be working, but she wasn’t prepared for what was to come.

Silently, they walked down the hall to his apartment, to not disturb the other residents. She typed in the code as the door unlocked, to sounds of moaning. Anger filled Giselle as her fists clinched tightly, turning her knuckles white. She slammed open his door seeing Takeshi on top of another woman. She grabbed the closest thing to her as she pelted it across the room hitting him in the back of the head. The girl screeched trying to cover up, rage coursing through Giselle's body.

“Seriously Takeshi?” Her yell startled everyone. “Your stuff is in the living room. You can play your stupid games with this broad.”

She shoved past everyone wanting to leave. She had feared this day would come, but wasn’t sure when or if she’d ever catch him in the act. Takeshi threw his legs over the side, rubbing his head. It was a surprise she didn’t crack his skull. He followed her outside trying to talk to her.

“Giselle, wait,” he grabbed her arm turning her around.

“I have nothing else to say to you, you’re not my problem anymore.”

He slammed her door, “Will you let me talk? I'm sorry.”

“Fuck off, you're only sorry you got caught. You have been the worst boyfriend. Cheating on me on my birthday? You showed you have no couth, many times, and I’m not lowering myself any longer to a tool like you. I deserve better than what you give me. Go back to her, she's more important.” She turned to Shogo, “Take me away from here please.”

“You’re making a big mistake! I won't take you back,” Takeshi was furious he lost Giselle.

“You don't have to worry about that, because that will never be up for discussion.”

After the long drive of silence, they arrived back at her apartment. Everyone was still there, but she proceeded to her room. She wanted to gather her emotions before she faced anyone; Misa included. She was right all along, but Giselle was living in the clouds. At this point, she didn't even know why. The breakup went a lot better, and she wasn't that hurt from it, so she didn't know why she was in the dumps about it. Shogo entered her room sitting at the foot of her bed. She turned her head slightly, not completely meeting eye contact with him.

“How did you know what he said about you, that day at the restaurant?”

“I was there, I was meeting a client for lunch when I heard the discussion. After you left, I called them and scheduled else where.”

Shogo dropped his head. The hateful words he tried to protect her from, inevitably found their way to her.

“I hope you aren't mad at me for not telling you.”

She smirked, “Why would I be mad at you? You tried to protect me, I can't be angry.”

He scooted closer to her, “But that was for naught, because you ended up hurt anyways.”

“You're not the one who hurt me. You've never hurt me, and I know you never will. This is just something I had to learn for myself. I'm better off without him anyways,” she stood up, “let's go. Everyone is about to leave.”

Shogo followed her out as Elle's apartment was emptying. He was stopped suddenly by her, confused on what she needed.

“Shogo, can you stay? I want to be around my best friend.”

He looked back at his friends as he ushered them to leave without him. He locked the door for the night as they relaxed on the couch. Giselle brought blankets and pillows for them, since they were having a night together. They only got through a full movie, before Elle passed out. Shogo laid in front of her covering her shoulders up, tucking her more in.

A smile formed on her lips as she looked at him, noticing he was almost hanging off the couch.

“Aren’t you afraid of falling?”

“I already have,” he nudged closer to her.

When Giselle woke up, she noticed the house being quiet.

Hmm. Did you really leave without saying goodbye Sho? She collected her thoughts walking through the house. Suddenly, she heard her keys jingle outside of the door. Right when she opened it, she saw a whole new Shogo. Sure, he was dressed the same with a snack hanging out his mouth, and his hand full of groceries, but he was different. The whole aura that surrounded him was enchanting. She rushed to help empty his hands, looking away suddenly. It was for sure written on her forehead how extremely gorgeous he was to her. She placed the groceries down before heading to the bathroom.

Giselle stood in front of the mirror as she was in complete shock, how she never noticed him before. She always looked at him, but not like that. The smile that he gave her, behind the snack, was burning through her mind, taking up space rent free. The cold water felt awesome, helping calm her down. She heard a light knock, followed by his sweet voice.

“Ellie, I’m gonna make you breakfast. That’s why I was gone, I hope I didn't upset you.”

Even the way he said her name had a nice ring to it now. She inhaled slowly opening the door.

“I’m not upset, was just curious where you were, that’s all.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? You seem kinda far off like something is bothering you.”

“I promise I'm fine Sho. Do you need help?”

He shook his head abruptly, “Nope that would make the point, of me making you breakfast, obsolete if I had your help. You can just keep me company.”

She smiled following him to the kitchen. Him being there made her feel better. Giselle sat at her bar watching him whip together her favorite, a sausage omelet. Hardly anyone knew that she loved them so much, she was impressed that he did. Shogo noticed her staring at him through his peripherals, he smirked as his back was to her.

“Are you going to ask me or not,” He broke her trance.

“Ask what?”

“How I knew.”

She looked over at the window, knowing he could read her mind at this point. “I’m curious.”

“I know you like the back of my hand. I wouldn’t be your best friend if I didn’t know what you liked; or what makes you the saddest, but you choose to hold it in. I'm also observant and receptive of your emotions, and just hope that I'm never in the same room while your heart shatters.”

“Sho-"

“I mean that, it controls my mood. Your emotions controls my mood,” He placed a beautifully arranged omelet in front of her with a cup or coffee.

She slowly bit a piece as her taste buds were in full ecstasy at the moment. Giselle placed her fork down, trying to come up with the words to tell Shogo how she was feeling. Everything that she rehearsed in her mind, sounded so much better there. It wasn’t that she didn’t like him, she was just scared with everything that recently happened.

“Sho, I-"

“I didn’t tell you all this for you to feel pressured to say you like me back. I just wanted to let you know that you don’t have to look very far if you want someone who cares.”

He sat down with his own plate eating, glancing at his watch. It was getting close for him to have to leave, but for the first time, he was dreading going.

“If you have to leave Sho, you can. I don’t expect your life to be put on pause for what happened. I won’t mind, I might even take a nap.”

He smiled his half smile, nodding his head. He was going to finish his plate first. They ate in silence, before he stood up to excuse himself. Giselle jumped up wrapping her arms around him.

“Thank you Sho. You’re always the one to stay by my side.”

“Always. Now get some rest. Text me later if you need me,” He lightly cupped his hand around her face.

Giselle nodded sending him on his way. From the moment he left, she replayed his words in her head. Over and over like a record stuck on one song. Every time she tried to lay back down, he ran through her mind. Her phone went off seeing Misa’s notifications. She was bored at the studio and wanted Elle’s presence there.

At first it seemed like a bad idea, not wanting to bother or distract Shogo, but then again she noticed a difference when he wasn't around. Also, she would be there for Misa, not just to see him so it would be okay. Sure, it’d be a bonus, but she was going to do her part of their friendship. Giselle looked in the mirror, getting freshened up. Her clothes were waiting on her to make her final decision, as she stood wondering what he'd like her in. Misa sent another series of texts telling her to hurry up, just as she finished dressing. She grabbed her keys heading to the studio.

Their songs could be heard down the hallway, as her heart sped up. She got to the door as she froze, hand stopping just before she reached the handle. She was blocking the door as she couldn’t put it in motion to turn it. A hand placed on hers drew her back to reality.

“You okay Ellie?” Shogo was glistening from dancing so hard.

“Sho,” she brushed her hair behind her ear, “what a coincidence that you’re here.”

He grinned lowering his eyes in confusion. “Yeah this is kind of like my second home. You gonna come in?” He helped turn the handle as Misa pulled her in.

Shogo went back to formation as he chuckled. It was apparent that Giselle was becoming bashful around him, he thought it was cute.

“I’m glad I wasn’t bleeding out, it took you long enough Elle.”

Elle nodded not hearing what was said. Misa snapped in her face. “Misa, when did you know Zin was the one for you.”

“Hey whoa. You have to get your own, he’s mine.”

“What? No, I didn’t mean it like that, I don’t see Zin like that I promise.”

Misa was splitting at the side with how worked up Giselle seemed. “Relax, I know he’s not the one you’re inquiring about. It’s about Sho isn’t it?”

“I’m actually not sure. I just feel really different around him. Something has definitely changed between us, but we haven't done anything differently.”

“Maybe you’re finally letting him into your heart.”

Giselle looked over at Sho seeing him laughing with the others. His smile was quite calming to her.

“I guess. I also find it weird I'm not upset about ending things with Takeshi.”

“Elle, he was a tool. The one that's perfect for you, hasn't been able to keep his eyes off of you since you met.”

Shogo looked over at Elle. He did look at her in the most adorning way, but she was clouded by horrible decisions. Zin pushed him forward to talk to her, since they decided to take a break. He laid his head in her lap causing her to gasp. Elle placed her hand on his head, subconsciously stroking his hair.

“Are you planning on staring at me the entire time you’re here?”

A smirk curved Elle’s lips. He caught her glancing, even while dancing.

“If it’s an issue I can stop.”

He opened his eyes gazing into hers. “You do and I’ll never forgive you.”

A light shade of pink crept across her face. It took her so long to realize that her true love was disguised as her best friend. He never made her feel less about herself. If she ever needed him, he was there on a drop of the dime. With all the chaos that ever surrounded her, he was the peace. Shogo was her tranquility, simply put. Her eyes were wide open now, and she wasn't going to lose him.

There was a risk for them taking their friendship to a whole new level, but he was worth it. To her, he was worth everything.

“Can we talk after you guys are done?”

“Of course Ellie,” He raised up inches away from her face, “Where at?”

“My apartment.”

Shogo nodded as he returned to the group. Elle was nervous to talk to him about them and where they were going to go, but she felt it was necessary. She just hoped that what he said earlier, he meant it. Back home she had an elaborate plan to cook for him. Elle made spaghetti for him, since it was his favorite dish of hers, homemade garlic bread included. Just as she pulled out the bread, her door opened. Shogo looked refreshed, getting a shower in before coming to her.

“You can literally smell this down the hallway,” He smiled sitting down at the bar in front of her.

Elle smirked as she cut the bread. Her sauce was his favorite, and she had a way with the meatballs she made. He wasn't much on them, but hers was his favorite. Elle made his plate sitting it in front of him. He leaned over taking the fork as he dug in. Finally, she sat down to eat. The meal was quiet, but it gave her a chance to gather her thoughts.

“You okay Ellie?”

“Iwaya, I have to be honest. What’s on my mind is scarier than any thoughts that have crossed it,” she continued to look down.

By this time, she had his full attention. She got nervous as she looked up at Sho, feeling like a weight was about to be lifted off her shoulders.

“If whatever you’re thinking is causing you turmoil, you don't have to tell me right now.”

“You need to know Shogo, that when I go to bed, I think of you. When I wake, if I don't see a message from you, I get this weird feeling. I feel a sense of happiness when you are around me. You have always been my person and I'm sorry I haven't noticed before. I don't want to look past you any longer.”

He smiled turning their chairs to face each other. “Are you confessing to me?”

“I am but I'm scared. I'm scared of what might happen to us.”

“The only thing that will happen is we will work out what ever is headed our way. If you love me, and I know I love you, then nothing will go wrong,” He ran his thumbs along her cheeks trying to dry her trailing tears. “Ellie, I will never break your heart. And these tears you’re crying, I will dry up the best of my ability. All we can do is take it one day at a time.”

Elle placed her hand on his, intertwining their fingers. His touch was soft and gentle.

“I love you Iwaya.”

He placed an adorning kiss on her forehead, “I love you Giselle.”

They closed the space between them. She finally had the happiness she had been searching for, it was just hidden in plain sight all along.

[saulsplace]

Woke is het hoogste stadium van kapitalisme

De term woke zou aanduiden dat iemand zich bewust is van sociale en politieke kwesties, zoals ongelijkheid en onrechtvaardigheid, en zich actief engageert om deze ongelijkheid te bestrijden. Het probleem is dat dit engagement geen eindpunt heeft. Woke wil in elke interactie sociale onrechtvaardigheid ontdekken. Deze obsessieve, wantrouwende en moreel verontwaardigde houding heeft tot gevolg dat iedere (vermeende) ongelijkheid gevoelens van verongelijktheid aanwakkert. Al worden we in absolute zin meer gelijk gemaakt, dan nóg nemen afgunst en onverdraagzaamheid toe omdat de kleine verschillen worden uitvergroot om het activisme te voeden. Bij een nadere analyse van deze ideologie, blijkt bovendien dat woke een marketingstrategie is, die juist aanwakkert wat het claimt te bestrijden.

De paradox is dat ‘woke’ pretendeert tegenstand te bieden aan de ongelijkheid die wordt veroorzaakt door de kapitalistische productiewijze, maar tegelijk de ultieme belichaming en voortzetting is van deze productiewijze. Want nu het individu is losgetrokken uit alle hechtende banden (het economisch gilde is ontbonden, vandaag volgen de kerk en het vaderland – zelfs het familieverband staat onder druk) worden nieuwe identiteiten aangedragen en gecommercialiseerd om deze leegte te vullen. De maatschappelijke betrokkenheid wordt uit de gemeenschap weggezogen en overgeheveld naar identitaire consumptieproducten. Een mens met een ‘dunne’ identiteit hunkert naar consumeerbare symbolen om een eigen identiteit mee uit te drukken.

In Nederland heeft onlangs Laurens Buijs, docent aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam, dit fenomeen op de kaart gezet. Sinds hij werd gecanceld wegens zijn kritiek op ‘non-binariteit’, eist hij veel aandacht op. Buijs profileert zich als een grote klokkenluider, wat helaas het werk van anderen overschaduwt. Mensen als Paul Cliteur werkten decennia in stilte, onder aanhoudende tegenwerking en dagelijkse laster in de wandelgangen. Rechtse academici en cultuurmakers kampen al véél langer met linkse intolerantie. Zij betalen er een grote persoonlijke prijs voor om de toorts van de Westerse cultuurcanon brandende te houden, doch krijgen – omdat zij geen linkse achtergrond hebben zoals Laurens Buijs – van media geen kans om hierop de aandacht te vestigen.

Naast het negatieve effect van deze overschaduwing, is de impact van woke ook catastrofaal op het niveau van de individuele identiteit. Woke zet namelijk aan tot identificatie met outsiders als een ‘way out’ ten aanzien van persoonlijke tekortkomingen en maatschappelijk falen. In plaats van te onderzoeken wat je kunt verbeteren op een persoonlijk niveau, worden mensen verleid om te verzinken in: “Ik kom niet aan de bak omdat ik een andere huidskleur heb, een andere seksuele geaardheid heb” – vul het verder maar in. Woke conditioneert mensen om de wereld door de lens van minderheidskenmerken te ervaren: daarmee wordt iedere tegenslag in het leven een bewijs van discriminatie. Die slachtofferidentiteit wordt vervolgens aangemoedigd in subculturen die sterk worden vermarket. 

Een ander voorbeeld zijn de ‘digitale nomades’. Dikwijls profileren zij zich als progressieve kosmopolieten die de wereld ontdekken en de corporate bureaucratieën in de Westerse wereld ontvluchten. Vaak belanden zij in landen waar het leven aanzienlijk goedkoper is, wat weer nieuwe vormen van economische afhankelijkheid schept. In Zuid-Afrika zitten er veel wereldburgers en globetrotters in goed beveiligde laptopcafé’s. Ondanks alle progressieve voornemens verwezenlijkt dit nieuwe vormen van segregatie.

Ook transseksualiteit is een voorbeeld. Iemand zou kunnen denken dat geslachtsveranderingen een uitweg bieden aan burgerlijke normstellende kaders, die zouden bepalen wat ‘mannelijkheid’ en ‘vrouwelijkheid’ zijn. De praktijk is echter dat transseksualiteit het lichaam als een winstobject onderwerpt aan de medische en farmaceutische industrie. Die industrie heeft er een financieel belang bij om verwarring en onzekerheid te zaaien over aangeboren geslachtelijke identiteiten. Hiernaast speelt het fenomeen ‘drag queens’, wat een commercialisering is van vrouwelijkheid. Die tonnen aan glitters, make-up en dramatische outfits zijn een hypercommerciële overdrijving van de vrouwelijke identiteit. 

Het maskeren van persoonlijke tekortkomingen door ze te verbinden aan de woke-ideologie, gaat een perverse symbiose aan met het kapitalisme waar woke zogezegd tegen rebelleert. Want het mediakapitaal bombardeert ons 24/7 met YouTubers die in villa’s wonen omdat zij rijk werden met bijvoorbeeld nagellak opdoen voor een webcam. De onuitgesproken vraag die met dit impulsenbombardement voortdurend meekomt, luidt: “Als zij rijk kan worden met malle filmpjes, waarom woon jij dan niet in een villa? Je hebt toch gestudeerd?” Hier zien we een perverse symbiose van kapitalistische prestatiedrang en identitaire onzekerheden. Het kapitalisme wekt een existentiële twijfel op het meritocratische vlak, die daarna een tribale uiting krijgt via de woke identiteitspolitiek. Daarin voorziet het kapitalisme ook weer. Enter de Che Guevara shirts, de Palestijnse sjaals, regenboogvlaggen en regenboog polspandjes. 

Door zichzelf ‘woke’ te noemen en zich te profileren als een onderneming die strijdt voor sociale rechtvaardigheid en gelijkheid, hopen bedrijven meer klanten te lokken en hun imago te verbeteren. Dit heet ‘woke-washing’. Bedrijven en merken profileren zichzelf graag als woke om uit te venten dat ze zich inzetten voor maatschappelijke kwesties zoals sociale rechtvaardigheid en gelijkheid. Dit varieert van het steunen van bepaalde goede doelen tot het aanbieden van producten die ‘duurzaam’ of ‘ethisch verantwoord’ zouden zijn. 

Hopelijk is de keerzijde van deze insteek nu duidelijk. Want het is een paradox dat de woke beweging – die zogenaamd opkwam om te strijden tegen de excessen van het kapitalisme en andere vormen van onderdrukking – gelijktijdig wordt gebruikt als een marketingtrend om winsten te maximaliseren en de consumptie te bevorderen. Het benoemen van de problematische aspecten van deze trend, wijst erop dat woke inderdaad hét hoogtepunt van kapitalisme is, aangezien woke bijdraagt aan de commercialisering van sociale rechtvaardigheid.

Als u het graafwerk en de visievorming van Sid Lukkassen waardeert, steun hem dan structureel via zijn persoonlijke BackMe-pagina, en om up to date te blijven, abonneer u op zijn Telegram-kanaal. Sid is u hartelijk dankbaar!

[slechterick]

what the fuck. waarom zou je je vakantie in godsvredesnaam door tiktok laten plannen. waarom zou je überhaupt uren (meervoud!!!) in de rij staan voor een zakje patat. er bestaat geen friet op aarde die zoveel beter is dan die van een tent om de hoek dat het uren in de rij staan volstaat. in die tijd kun je letterlijk* van de ene kant van Amsterdam naar de andere fietsen en ruim tijd overhouden voor een bezoek aan het Anne Frank huis. en dan kies je ervoor om die tijd te besteden aan in de rij staan. voor patat. gefrituurde aardappelreepjes. je hebt een paar dagen dat je op vakantie bent en de bestemming kan bekijken. en dan kies je ervoor om die kostbare tijd naar de rug van de wachtende voor je te staren. ik snap hier dus geen snars van. ergens wil ik het kunnen onderschrijven aan tiktok brain rot, maar dat is een te gemakkelijke uitweg. dit voelt meer als blablabla leven door de lens van social media blablabla the Matrix blablabla iets in die zin

*vanaf Dierenopvang Amsterdam (~westerse uithoek) naar Science Park (~oosterse uithoek) is precies een uurtje. i know omdat ik maandenlang naar beide heb gefietst (niet tegelijkertijd) en tussen die twee locaties in woon. bedenk me nu ook dat je t kunt checken met een Maps app, maar die zijn niet altijd even accurate met tijdsinschattingen

[major-fukkup]

YOU ARE BEING CYBERBULLIED YOU NOW MUST TELL US ALL ONE (1) THING ABOUT THREE (3) OF YOUR CHARACTERS.

Joke's on you I'm into that shit ;)

So, I didn't answer this for a while because I was hyperfixating on media blorbos and not on my own ocs, and I didn't want to take the easy way and say basic things that I've probably already posted. I wanted to post things that are actually interesting but also that you don't already know.

So!

One of Victor's absolute favorite foods is grilled cheese sandwiches.

Raven (and Drew) once started a zombie incident by accident.

Fuuuuck I can't think of which other character would be the most interesting (Aseroth or Paradox of course) 'cause most of the actually developed ones you already know about 'cause I basically just brainstormed everything I know about them in our dm 😂

How about this then you don't know them but... (I will be happy to tell you lol)

Zin and Cayrten fulfilled a prophecy (saving the kingdom from The Dark One) that wasn't actually about them.