Dropping by briefly.

[elisi]

In case there's someone out there who's been living under a rock: Awesome TIME article about fanfiction.

Richard Dawkins fails at feminism. (And how. I think I shall pray for him that he sees the error of his ways...)

And finally, a meme snagged from my flist:

Go look at your blog. Find the last Fandom-related thing you posted. The characters in that post are now your team-mates in the Zombie Apocalypse. How fucked are you?

I HAVE DALEKS! OLD SKOOL DALEKS! (From Genesis of the Daleks specifically.) I shall sit over here and have a cup of tea while they exterminate the apocalypse. *is smug*

(Many thank yous to everyone who responded to my previous post, and to anyone who might have sent a thought my way. *squishes you all* Also I changed my layout - I wanted something brighter. And I might have fic for you - the next chapter of My Immortal 2 - fairly soon, maybe Monday? But right now I have to go spend some time with my family and watch 'Some Like It Hot. \o/)

Comments

[cinderbella333.livejournal.com]

I have heard of the Time's article on FF. I haven't read it. I don't like reading about fanfic in the media. I have various reasons why. It generally upsets me. So I suppose I will put off reading about that until I'm in a place where I feel more open to the experience. Still, thanks for the link.

And then the link to the Richard Dawkins argument. That was really fascinating. It's one of those situations where a fire starts in the middle of the pavement. Meaning, none of these individual pieces seem to have the properties to really cause a huge spark. I mean, the original posts are really about small indignities women face on a rather regular basis. Will I have men suggesting that my place as a woman in his sight is to look pleasant? Will I have men following me into areas, not recognizing that they are putting me in a physically intimidating situation, and then suggesting they want to put my intellectual persona in a sexual context? Come on, this happens to women all the time. But like the post that Dawkins first replied to suggested, *that* is a problem in itself worthy of attention. Dawkins doesn't seem to recognize that and doesn't seem to be capable of realizing his own state of privilege unless put into such an outrageous context (such as his story of women under more overtly institutionalized misogyny). And even then . . . To some extent, when men (and women!) are willing to admit and care about misogyny when placed on the level of an extreme, *foreign* problem it often causes me discomfort. It almost seems like a continuation of misogyny in itself. They admire the suffering of these women as much for the *quiet* nature of their suffering than anything else. It's all, "Those poor dears," and "Those sad creatures" and "We should be able to stop this because we are so much more civilized/important/powerful and then maybe we won't have to change anything about ourselves to feel good about ourselves". If women actually start talking about it, start complaining about it, start asking they take note of it and how it applies to *us* and *them* and *you* and *me* . . . Well, that's not so pleasant to look at it, is it? And it's the place of women to always be smiling. And 'don't take this the wrong way but' wouldn't we rather discuss this over coffee in their rooms? Right. There's nothing wrong with that at all. After all, we should be thankful with the place they've given us, because it's a privilege, not a right. Because, we should always be mindful of where we *could* be. And couldn't that be seen as a bit of a threat? Be happy with what you have, because we could always do *this* to you?

And your statement, "I think I shall pray for him that he sees the error of his ways..." is a brilliant zinger with him.

I would just ask him to kindly evolve already.

[owlboy]

Pretty much this.

And you know what the saddest part is? If she had actually gone back to the creepy guy's apartment, and something bad had happened, the same people criticizing her now would be saying "well what were you thinking, accepting an offer from a creepy dude in an elevator at 4am!!!" either way, the woman is in the wrong. -_-

I don't think Dawkins is ever gonna get it. Focus on educating the younger people who aren't as closed-minded.

[elisi]

So I suppose I will put off reading about that until I'm in a place where I feel more open to the experience. Still, thanks for the link.
Well if you ever feel up to it, I'd say it'd be a wonderful place to start - it's probably the most insightful and honest explanations of fanfiction, as described to the 'layman', as I've ever come across. If I'd ever want to explain it to someone who didn't have a clue, it'd be what I'd be pointing them towards.

After all, we should be thankful with the place they've given us, because it's a privilege, not a right. Because, we should always be mindful of where we *could* be. And couldn't that be seen as a bit of a threat? Be happy with what you have, because we could always do *this* to you?
This. This so much. And he doesn't see it at all. (Most men probably don't.)

And your statement, "I think I shall pray for him that he sees the error of his ways..." is a brilliant zinger with him.
I just couldn't help myself. *tries to keep straight face*

I would just ask him to kindly evolve already.
Oooh I hadn't seen those. Neat.