we're finally notdotq anymore
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your thoughts have summoned this post from hell
so, as i pray...| Nov 18 2008 |
Public Enemy #2 |
It's categorized as meta anibloggery.
It's tagged over nine thousand things, including: ani-nouto • author • avocados • cowboy bebop • defiance • food • gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay • gerard & jacques • infinite ryvius • jason • kodomo no jikan • mushrooms • prejudice • rage • scott • starship operators • the anime almanac • twitter • tytania. What a slut.
At least it only has 37 comments and 4,079 views.
So a couple entities renowned for their manga punditry conducted an experiment recently. These two entities are Scott[1] of The Anime Almanac and the Reverse Thieves team. The experiment was this: can bigoted humans who value principles over entertainment enjoy entertainment that violates their principles? Wait. Before I go any further, chew on that for a moment. Scott calls it a “fun challenge,” but really, what is it?
It’s an opportunity to reinforce ignorance[2].
Reverse Thieves read Kodomo no Jikan and Scott reads Yaoi. If you want a lolicon manga that touches on taboos but delivers a touching and meaningful story nonetheless, KnJ is not the right way to go. Sure it’s got some DRAMA in it but it’s mostly comedy and fanservice. It’s not going to convert lolicon haters. Similarly, manga chock-full of gay rape isn’t going to sit well with someone who hates… gay rape.
I’m not saying it’s bad to challenge your dislikes. I recently managed to make myself enjoy avocados and mushrooms, and I wouldn’t have come this far if I hadn’t forced myself. But my attitude approaching mushrooms wasn’t “fuck, I hate mushrooms… I really fucking hate mushrooms… fuck, I really fucking hate mushrooms… maybe there’s some chance I’ll like this mushroom more than the last, but it’s extremely unlikely… FUCK I fucking hate mushrooms.” It was more like, “hmm, I hate mushrooms—but I want to change that. Other people like this shit. Other people enjoy this shit. Why do I hate it?”
So while eating the vile fungus I taught myself to contemplate why exactly I disliked mushrooms. Once I figured out that there was no good reason, I began liking them more. Same with avocado.
Same with anime.
I used to be horribly prejudiced against any show that featured space. So much so that I refused to watch more than five episodes of Cowboy Bebop, back a few years ago when it was within my grasp. After a while, I came to terms with the fact that my hatred was irrational, and I overcame it, and all was well with Infinte Ryvius[3], Starship Operators[4], etc., through today’s Tytania[5].
So I think that Scott’s challenge is flawed.
The approach is all wrong, in my most humble opinion.
But all this is backstory.
Here we get to the interesting part: Scott’s blog post is, for lack of a better word, wanting. He calls rape a horrible plot device (which I disagree with). He says that yaoi can only be a guilty pleasure no matter who’s watching (which I disagree with, as someone who enjoys (without guilt!!) just about any romance, regardless of who the participants are). He blames his prejudice on his upbringing (again, I disagree—humans are free to feel however they want about whatever they want, and one’s upbringing is merely a nest from which to soar after spreading one’s wings). These are three big errors. His biggest error? He has his comments closed.
That’s right. If you want to weigh in on the stuff he writes, you need to resort to pre-WWW technology (e-mail).
There are other people who do this, but it’s not so much a problem there because their sites are less interesting. (j/k Author, <3 u) My main issue here is that Scott says interesting things, things that beg for discussion, and he shuts that discussion down before it can even come to be. But, I’m a whore. So I let him ram his method into my ass, and I e-mailed him.
Below is my e-mail. Scott had a fairly negative reaction to it, saying that I acted like an asshole, so for the sake of clarity I have identified all the contents of my e-mail as either me being an asshole or me being something else.
Now, the only two places that can feasibly be construed as me being an asshole are circled. I sheepishly admit that I did not address my latter properly (it should have been “Dear Scott:”, and I opted for a more friendly approach). I also proudly admit that I didn’t use euphemisms to cover up my opinion of his statement regarding the viability of rape as a plot device. Both of these circled spots are marginally rude. Scott, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry I hurt your feelings.
And now, apologies out of the way, I’m done with being sorry.
I’m not going to paste Scott’s e-mail here (my PR guy taught me not to do shit like that), but I will discuss its contents.
First, he says that I have a bit of an attitude problem. I’d say that that’s not news to me, but it actually is. You’re talking about the guy being inappropriately revered for laying the verbal smackdown on random e-passersby. I have a huge attitude problem (yes I am compensating for something). The other shocking thing that Scott says is that he doesn’t appreciate my attitude. The man loves Kodomo no Jikan and he doesn’t like my attitude? Shocking![6]
He then gives me advice: he tells me not to call people idiots (something I didn’t do in my e-mail) and he also tells me not to tell people that I find their websites boring. Well, fuck. I can’t tell him that his website is boring to me, but he can tell me that my sexuality is abhorrent to him?
He goes on to say that he disagrees with me (without any discourse) and finishes by telling me that I shouldn’t bother with that second e-mail, oh and by the way he’s blocking me on Twitter and putting my e-mail address on his blacklist. I thought that he was a pretty censor-loving guy when I discovered that his comments were closed, but this is straight-up self-delusion and isolation from reality! Refusing communication altogether, boxing oneself up…
Scott of The Anime Almanac is an adversary of freedom.
Scott of The Anime Almanac is Public Enemy #2[7].
P.S. his post was the best possible advertisement for Gerard & Jacques. I will make it my new goal in life to go out, purchase, and consume as many volumes of this masterpiece as I possibly can.
Footnotes
these notes are like lelouch's head to the boot of this post's suzaku- So apparently, lots of people HATE Scott, but I’d never interacted with him before, so I had no reason to. People like making jokes about Hinano and Scott because she throws a temper tantrum anytime anyone so much as @replies him on Twitter. It’s all shits and giggles… until I discovered that he really is just trash. [↩]
- By which I mean, it’s an excellent opportunity to assume something is shit, look at it through that lens, agree with your assumption, and then decide that you were right and that everything in [x genre] is also shit. [↩]
- fucking awesome [↩]
- fucking awesome [↩]
- potentially fucking awesome [↩]
- not really! [↩]
- Remember, #1 is Jason Miao. [↩]
TrackBack URI Blog Response (1)
- 11/22/08 Favorites of the week: Blog Posts « We Remember Love
Post a Text Comment Text Comments (36)
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Great post, and agreed about Gerald & Jacques. I am very intrigued.
Don’t know what else to say, other than “What did you expect?”
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Let’s be fair. Using the words “douche move” and “dumb shit like that” in your email might not have been the best route. Also you used ef as an example, and FANSUBS ARE BAD lols.
Sorry that you are done dealing with him because now you can’t use my handy bullet points of SVS info:
His statements of opinion differ in three ways from the typical style:
- They come in the form of blanket generalizations (as you say, “sweeping”), such as “Crunchyroll is bad” and “rape is a bad plot device.”
- They are stated as absolute truth.
- They are not invitations to debate.If there is no intention to debate, why open comments?
Interactions with him must take place on his own terms, and those are:
- It will not take place in blog comments.
- You should not admit to knowing Hinano.
- Fansubs are bad, mmmkay?
- It is still not an invitation to debate. Arguments will be settled with a Twitter block as SVS plugs his ears and goes LALALA I CAN’T HEAR YOU.And btw, Rape is a great plot device. Ask Krauser-san any day.
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@IcyStorm: I didn’t really expect anything. Like I said in my e-mail, I never paid much attention to his blog before (tbh, “yaoi” flagged me when it came up on ANO), and I have little faith in Hinano’s judgment of people (she’s just a bit too angry).
@otou-san: I can’t believe it, my very first comment from otou-san~! URESHII~~~
Interesting bullet points. But instead of being a guide to interacting with him, they seem like a list of excuses to not interact with him. I did not realize he was such a shitty character.
I don’t see how using the words I used wasn’t the best route. I stayed true to myself and discovered something interesting. I wasn’t going to convince him to open comments either way, it seems, so no losses, right? :P
Anyway, thanks for agreeing with me on the rape point. I trust you enjoyed my video ;). Oh, and I’ve got your latest ef post flagged in my RSS reader; I intend to get to it once I’m home from work.
Replylolikitsune — 11/18/08 @ 2:45 pm | #Link
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Ha!
…I could stop there but I won’t.
He blames his prejudice on his upbringing (again, I disagree—humans are free to feel however they want about whatever they want, and one’s upbringing is merely a nest from which to soar after spreading one’s wings).
I doubt that the nature vs nuture argument could be resolved here, but there’s always some truth to the fact that one’s upbringing affects ones perceptions and actions about and in the world around them. Sure, once you reach a certain age, you’re able to make your own decisions and “spread your wings” but you can’t act like how you’ve been (or even not been) raised doesn’t affect your natural opinions and/or disposition.
Didn’t read Scott’s post, btw. Too tired, looked boring, and automatically dislike bloggers who close comments <— damn, that’s actually part of the problem concerning this post. Oh well. Also inherently dislike yaoi. Or shouldn’t I use inherently here?
And rape is an awesome plot device. ‘Tis fertile ground for character developement.
First time I’ve actually laughed during one of your posts. I USED TO FIND YOUR BLOG BORING. Or not. Stopping typing now. So tired.
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I could stop there but I won’t.
That line alone made yours the best comment my blog has ever seen.
I doubt that the nature vs nuture argument could be resolved here, but there’s always some truth to the fact that one’s upbringing affects ones perceptions and actions about and in the world around them.
Of course, and I’m not saying that it has no effect on people. But when it comes to something as socially important as acceptance of alternate sexualities, I find it exceptional that someone who claims to be “liberal” refuses to even try to broaden his mind. Then again, the gist of this post is that Scott hates freedom, so maybe he’s not as liberal as he says…
And rape is an awesome plot device. ‘Tis fertile ground for character developement.
INORITE?
First time I’ve actually laughed during one of your posts.
First time ever for anyone, dude. No one laughs at this shit. It’s serious, and you’re a fucking disgusting human being if you can laugh about it.
Replylolikitsune — 11/18/08 @ 2:59 pm | #Link
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He goes on to say that he disagrees with me (without any discourse) and finishes by telling me that I shouldn’t bother with that second e-mail, oh and by the way he’s blocking me on Twitter and putting my e-mail address on his blacklist. I thought that he was a pretty censor-loving guy when I discovered that his comments were closed, but this is straight-up self-delusion and isolation from reality! Refusing communication altogether, boxing oneself up…
Yep! That’s what he does! He did that to me too but unlike you, I just went and called him a faggot after making fun of his anti-fansubber post :P He thinks he’s right (check out my favorites on twitter) and nothing anyone does or says will change his mind. He’s just an idiot, best left to rot in his own pile of shit. :)
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- You should not admit to knowing Hinano.
Also, I LOLed 8D
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Ill placed comment is here. A most thorough dissertation. I enjoyed. Love you long time $5.
Replymellow_bunny — 11/18/08 @ 3:32 pm | #Link
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@Hinano: see, I don’t understand such violent words until I’ve interacted with the moron in question. I don’t doubt you anymore.
@mellow_bunny: I’m not asking for five dollars, just for your vote in ABA 2009.
Replylolikitsune — 11/18/08 @ 3:38 pm | #Link
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I seem to remeber that the comments on Scott’s site were closed because one of his posts hit some unspecified social, Web 2.0-ish site and proceeded to be spammed to high heaven. But don’t quote me on that.
Honestly, this just proves that we’re not all impartial robots who can efficiently judge a series based on story, characters and merit alone. Personal things are always going to come into it. If someone doesn’t agree with using rape in manga, that’s fine. Equally, if someone doesn’t like the oversexualisation of children in manga, that’s fine too.
And also, wow. If I may be so bold as to abuse the Caps Lock, SERIOUS BUSINESS. :)
Replygerjomarty — 11/18/08 @ 4:08 pm | #Link
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@gerjomarty: I’d hate you for your easy-going attitude, but you’ve got my favorite anime character in your header so I’ll forgive you.
Replylolikitsune — 11/18/08 @ 5:01 pm | #Link
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TNH’s Conclusion of the Day:
the world of aniblogging is full of retarded shit.Reply -
Well if he can’t be bothered to allow comments then I can’t be arsed to read his post.
Sounds like I’m not missing much in any case.
I agree with Omisyth that upbringing has some part to play in the views a person plays later in life.
But I also have a problem with using that as an explain all for the way someone might act or behave.
We always have a choice, especially once we grow up and are able to discover truths for ourselves.
We can choose to blindly accept the views of our parents or we can choose to make up our own minds about the world around us.
ReplyD.J aka Sakura — 11/18/08 @ 7:04 pm | #Link
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I’d hate you for your easy-going attitude, but you’ve got my favorite anime character in your header so I’ll forgive you.
Aww, thanks. :3 I think we’ve all got to be more easy-going at times like this. Each to their own, and all that stuff. Although I do agree that this doesn’t excuse intolerance.
Loving the blog, by the way.
Replygerjomarty — 11/19/08 @ 5:44 am | #Link
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@TNH: indeed.
@D.J aka Sakura: as someone who has shed the fetters of my father’s heterosexism (among other things) in order to become more open-minded, tolerant, considerate of others (lololol, me, considerate, I know it’s funny—but IRL, I’m a different guy), I am firmly in the camp of knowing when to get ignore your parents’ teachings. :)
@gerjomarty: YOU SHOULD BE TOLERANT OF INTOLERANCE!!!!!!!1111111oneoneeleven
Glad you like the blog.
Oh, and sorry that you began following me on Twitter with such dismal timing.
Replylolikitsune — 11/19/08 @ 5:55 am | #Link
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Hmm, I think rape is quite a horrible plot device… in “Gerard & Jacques”. There are very few yaoi manga that I like, and Gerard & Jacques is definitely not among them. I, too, find the manga somewhat disgusting.
I agree with Omisyth that it is pure wishful thinking to believe that your thoughts can be completely indepedent from your upbringing. And I think Scott was trying his best to give yaoi a chance, it’s just that I have the impression his (first?) attempt has turned out bad. It took me about 2 years and a bunch of recommendations to find some yaoi that I like. ;)
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But instead of being a guide to interacting with him, they seem like a list of excuses to not interact with him.
More of a list of roadblocks should you actually try to interact. I was kicked to the curb for far less, and while being friendly. So whatever, you may as well just go ahead and be Hinano because the results are the same.
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This reminds me of a time I called a girl fat. She thought I was being mean, but I was just being honest.
I told her to get on the treadmill. It was a positive suggestion. She should’ve thanked me for it.
The next day I saw her eating ice cream despite my advice that she go on a diet. What a douche move. I was sure to say that to her face because it was honest and nobody should ever be offended by honesty.
ReplyBaka-Raptor — 11/19/08 @ 5:22 pm | #Link
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That’s the first time you’ve told a story that hasn’t left me in tears, Baka-Raptor!
Replylolikitsune — 11/19/08 @ 5:51 pm | #Link
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The moment you said you’d learned to like mushrooms, I lost faith in you as a writer and a human being.
Repeat after me: NOBODY FUCKING LIKES MUSHROOMS.
Reply -
@Maggeh: you never had faith in me. Don’t make me laugh.
Replylolikitsune — 11/20/08 @ 6:15 pm | #Link
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Then you destroyed any chance of me having faith in you.
Mushrooms? I mean, COME ON. Even Madonna would say that she hates mushrooms, and that bitch’ll take nearly anything thrown her way.
Reply -
Mushrooms are delicious.
Reply -
Also, I just want to ask: are you homosexual, lolikit?
Reply -
@Michael: the main point of me saying “my sexuality” was to demonstrate that it could be anyone he’s offending. As for what my sexuality actually is, it’s hard to tell. Fluctuates between bisexual and asexual, depending almost entirely on mood, and very frequently. I don’t think I was in a gay mood when I wrote this post, though. I was pretty un-sexual at the time.
Replylolikitsune — 11/20/08 @ 10:07 pm | #Link
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I disagree with many things I see on the internet too, but I don’t always go out of my way to voice my objections. Mainly because it’s time-consuming, hardly rewarding and overall not a “wonderful” thing to do (if you still remember). So I’m not all that bothered about Scott having his comments closed, really. However, by blocking you he might be going a little too far.
Yuuko’s rape wasn’t a horrible plot device, that’s for sure. But in Gerard & Jacques? Kinda stupid. Hey this is yaoi, so what do you expect…Replyfrankeinstein — 11/21/08 @ 9:33 pm | #Link
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1) slowpoke.dll here
2) This is only tangential, but:http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/11/did-talk-radio-kill-conservatism.html
Also, good use of rape in a film: Irreversible.
Reply -
@ Maggeh, “Repeat after me: NOBODY FUCKING LIKES MUSHROOMS.”
Not even the ones that make you see pretty pictures in your head? XD
ReplyD.J aka Sakura — 11/23/08 @ 2:46 pm | #Link
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me and you agree on things, and this post couldn’t be truer. We could be starting a beautiful friendship.
Replydigitalboy — 11/23/08 @ 6:38 pm | #Link
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@frankeinstein: I heard it was actually good in G&J. I have yet to determine for myself. Don’t worry, I’ll review the manga when I’m done with it (I have acquired a copy).
Mainly because it’s time-consuming, hardly rewarding and overall not a “wonderful” thing to do (if you still remember).
In the real world, you can’t have healthy human relationships if you never voice your disagreements. It’s not “wonderful” to pent up stress and other ill feelings. Telling someone your opinion, telling them to open their worlds a bit—that’s not at all un-wonderful.
@jpmeyer: wut @ first point. I’ll take note of your opinion on Irreversible, though.
@D.J aka Sakura: I haven’t gone for that kind yet, myself. Do you recommend them?
@digitalboy: fuck, man, you’re so cool but at the same time you’re such a fucking troll. I only like gentle, kind people. Sorry.
Replylolikitsune — 11/23/08 @ 6:50 pm | #Link
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I swear to god, I ONLY troll Yukan blog. I honestly dislike trolls becuas I am total trollbait, but yukan… fuck I just hate yukan.
Replydigitalboy — 11/23/08 @ 9:21 pm | #Link
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@digitalboy: I don’t trust you. Troll once, you’ll troll again. And how do I know you’re not trolling me right now? OMG!
Replylolikitsune — 11/23/08 @ 10:58 pm | #Link
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slowbrow.png
@mellow_bunny: HHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Otou-san’s comments were marvelous.
also, LK, were you being entirely truthful about you being “cordial” and whatnot? I lol’d for what your self-referential opinions were worth…
no offense or anything.
You know, this discourse falls into a much larger aspect of struggle. It’s also much more interesting because you can consider this. I should write a post proper…
Reply -
@lelangir: of course I was being truthful. Who the fuck do you think I am, the master of mendacity?!
Replylolikitsune — 1/5/09 @ 8:40 pm | #Link
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Where can I sign my love to you, lolikit? -looks for dotted line-
ReplyAlar — 7/21/09 @ 10:49 am | #Link
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EVERYWHERE
Replylolikitsune — 7/21/09 @ 1:56 pm | #Link
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