Saturday, July 8, 2017

Special Saturday edition.

On July 12, 2017, websites, Internet users, and online communities will come together to sound the alarm about the FCC’s attack on net neutrality. Learn how you can join the protest and spread the word at https://www.battleforthenet.com/july12/.

Right now, new FCC Chairman and former Verizon lawyer Ajit Pai has a plan to destroy net neutrality and give big cable companies immense control over what we see and do online. If they get their way, the FCC will give companies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T control over what we can see and do on the Internet, with the power to slow down or block websites and charge apps and sites extra fees to reach an audience.

If we lose net neutrality, we could soon face an Internet where some of your favorite websites are forced into a slow lane online, while deep-pocketed companies who can afford expensive new “prioritization” fees have special fast lane access to Internet users – tilting the playing field in their favor.

But on July 12th, the Internet will come together to stop them. Websites, Internet users, and online communities will stand tall, and sound the alarm about the FCC’s attack on net neutrality.

The Battle for the Net campaign will provide tools for everyone to make it super easy for your friends, family, followers to take action. From the SOPA blackout to the Internet Slowdown, we've shown time and time again that when the Internet comes together, we can stop censorship and corruption. Now, we have to do it again!

Learn more and join the action here: https://www.battleforthenet.com/july12

Friday, July 7, 2017

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Panic! At the Fandom

I've never seen an episode of Supernatural, and I don't plan on starting ever. I've only seen 2 of Dr. Who. And I've only just begun Steven Universe. What do these shows have in common?

Aside from hundreds of memes.

They have intensely devoted fandoms. Like, you know the stereotype of the Star Trek nerd who learns Klingon, carries a bat'leth, and spends days debating Kirk vs Picard? All of these fandoms have their own versions.

Granted, intense, or dangerous fans of anything are nothing new. You can find people obsessing over almost every show, to unhealthy levels. Game of Thrones fans naming their kids Circe and Jamie. The guy who dressed as The Joker who pointed a gun at traffic. And the many, many shooters who claim Catcher in the Rye inspired them.

I too have been a obsessive fan of many things. The Simpsons, Ghostbusters/The Real Ghostbusters, Futurama, and A Nightmare on Elm Street come to mind. But I've never obsessed to the point of detriment. No spending money I can't afford on paraphernalia, no buying items I don't need to 'complete' the collection, no harassing other fans for their lack of knowledge on the subject, or claiming they're not 'real' fans (a practice known as gatekeeping). So being obsessed in and of itself doesn't turn me off. If something's good, of course people are going to obsess, and go a little overboard.

This wasn't even an opening event. I was just with friends (trimmed to protect the innocent).

There are 2 reasons I refuse to begin watching Supernatural: the proclaimed drop in quality after some specific, early season (I think 6), and the fans on Tumblr constantly screaming about the amazing show that I MUST love, since I also like Sherlock.

The connection there is baffling to me: fans of Dr. Who and Sherlock I get, Steven Moffat is involved with both. But how does the distinctly American Supernatural fit into the SuperWhoLock triad?


The Dr. Who fandom is actually not so bad in comparison; understanding the connection between it and Sherlock is helpful. Plus, many of my friends are fans, unlike Supernatural. I may eventually get to Dr. Who, but I'm not jumping at it.

Steven Universe is the one I face with the most trepidation.

Pure terror.

To be brief, a kid with magic powers hangs out with women with magic powers and saves the world. He's a good kid, and it's a light, fun show.

Until the episode Cat Fingers. Watch at your own risk.

My brother in law got me into the show recently. I've been curious for a long time, hearing about how the show addresses dark, deep issues, while keeping a fun tone (mostly). I've really liked the episodes I've seen, and I'll be watching more.

The problem, again, is the fandom. The most striking example of that problem is the story of Zamii.

 Zamii is an artist who drew a picture of one of the characters thinner than she is drawn in the show. In response, other fans on the internet bullied Zamii until she tried to kill herself. She's getting the help she needs now, thank God.

A Co-Producer of the show had this to say: "Fanartists can create whatever art they want & everyone has the freedom to criticize it for any reason. However, bullying is not criticism."

This resulted in the 'fans' turning on THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THE SHOW.

 I'm not afraid of internet bullies. But the toxicity of this subset of fans is off-putting. I'm not the only one who's noticed, or stayed away from a show, book, or movie due to toxic, gatekeeping, dangerous fans.

I'm obsessed. I'm obsessed with funny things, scary things, weird things. I'll buy toys and books and shirts and DVDs. I'll talk your ear off. I'll write blogs about the things I love. I'll do everything I can to entice you, excite you, include you in this thing I love.

The moment I start telling you that you're garbage for not being as obsessed as I am? Or because you're doing something different than the cannon? Or telling you that you're not a "real fan" because of ANYTHING?

Take me out, because I've been replaced by a pod person.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Rays of Ravishing Light and Glory

In my 4th of July viewing, my husband and I watched a few things that spoke to use. 1776, The Simpson's episode about Immigration, and Futurama's freedom of speech 'Freedom Day' episode in particular.

As I write, I'm watching the number my husband performed 8 years ago when we did the show.


The wars, the strife, and the murders that still continue because of this. The hypocrisy. Our country was born in blood, and rife with blood it lives.

And even if you forget this stain, we still have the anti-immigration, pro-isolationism bent haunting us.


And lest we forget, the press and our freedom of speech may be next. The White House won't let reporters tape press sessions any more. The person elected to our highest office lies and denies facts, while bullying people over the internet.


Never say I don't love my country. But never think I've ignored where we came from, what it cost us to get here, and how far we still have to go. Out nation is far from perfect.

I have no idea if the founding fathers would be proud or angry or rolling in their graves over things like abortion rights, or gerrymandering, or taxation laws. I'm no historian, or medium. All I am is someone who is proud to be an American. And I'll do everything, say everything, write everything I can, to remain proud of of this nation, its ideals, and its future.

The founding fathers fought for our rights to do just that. And I'm damn well not going to let that go to waste.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Happy 4th!

Please enjoy these patriotic memes, songs, and videos.










Monday, July 3, 2017

Trailer-splosion

So, FOUR trailers for things I'm very interested in all came out the same day. Hold onto your hats, folks. I have a lot to unpack.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle


So, some people (like me) are really excited about this film.


There are also a lot of whiners and complainers stating that this movie didn't need to be a Jumanji sequel, how dare they, etc.

1. Be glad it's a sequel, not a remake. They straight up refrence Alan Parrish (Williams) in it, we've been assured.
2. It looks like a fun way to revitalize a 20 year old property with some amazing actors.
3. If it wasn't a sequel, you;d be whining that it was a Jumanji ripoff.

Frankly, I'm not bothered. First, because of these reasons:


Second, the headcannon my friends and I came up with is that the original game was made by an African Trickster god as revenge for colonialism. Makes send that that god would see nobody plays board games anymore and make a video game version.

Also, Australia may be the result of a game that was never finished, which is why it's still a huge death trap.

You explain Drop Bears.

Cult of Chucky:

Did you know we're up to 7 total Chucky movies? And that the last one was released to DVD, and was actually pretty good/scary?

The tomato doesn't lie.

I really like Chucky. I won tickets to the premier of Seed in Detroit. I own all the films, aside from 3 (which we don't talk about). I couldn't be more excited for this. Chucky in an insane asylum? It practically writes itself!

Death Note:

So, a few months ago I watched the Death Note series on Netflix. I haven't seen any of the other film adaptations (and there are a lot), and I have mixed feelings about this one. Willam Dafoe's Ryuk is perfect casting. But why is it in Seattle? Why is Light not Asian? Why is L doing a press conference? Why is Light saying "We're not the good guys anymore." when his whole deal is that he IS the good guy, the ultimate good guy who will wash all evil from the earth, along with anyone who gets in his way?

I don't know. This is a real wait and see affair.

But to end on a high note, Rick and Morty Season 3:


AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!