[Adjutant Stormy~]

Insomnia AND I missed the GOT premiere.
That's an entirely different story, though.

The tl;dr is the worst thing to happen that day was getting sand in my beer.

[worry]

Loki, on 03 April 2012 - 06:14 AM, said:

worrywort, on 03 April 2012 - 04:55 AM, said:

I imagine that author is correct about fantasy in general (lily white farmboy saviors and all), but wrong about GRRM in particular -- he does focus on white characters for the most part, but also for the most part, they aren't exactly heroes. And sure the Easterners are the "exotic" ones, but that's still within the context (and perspective) of medieval morons slaughtering each other over a throne. I actually think complaints along those lines re: Martin are off the mark a bit. I think he's flipping the script plenty, even if it's still a medieval Europe based fantasy, because it wouldn't be honest to create non-weird cultures...just make sure to remember that Western-based cultures are just as weird. History, everywhere, is almost entirely the history of people being awful to each other. There is a somewhat tone deaf questioning of Mad Men in recent years, about the lack of non-white roles, and the response is basically: yah, that's a conscious decision, and part of the point! Though at the same time, that does mean in the real world a cast with very few slots open for non-white actors, which is problematic in another way. And indeed, in GRRM's books-turned-TV show, the same problem arises to some degree. But that's why we've got Steven Erikson, duh! Hopefully, as fantasy authorship diversifies, its ideas and peoples will too (and it wouldn't hurt to have a few non-white farmboy heroes too, at least for young adult readers).

Not discussing - just thought you might find this response by Ari Marmell interesting.

My groove is messed by the fact that I know I should be studying but I don't want to be studying. And I hate doing things I don't like. Humph!

If you're the same Loki who responded to the blog post, I liked it. White authors can and should write non-white characters when appropriate, do their best to avoid shoehorning, tokenism, or exoticism (for its own sake) as well, and yet it's also true that it just can't be done perfectly all the time and not everybody's interests can always be met. There's also balancing individual authors and their personal interests, with a problem that might belong more to the whole industry...and artists/content creators don't have a responsibility to create anything they don't want to (though it's appreciated when they challenge themselves of course). And the best point, though I've never read him, is Saladin Ahmed seems to be the best answer to his own questions: if you have the opportunity, create the content you want to see created. It's tricky from just about every angle, but in the case of GRRM, it seems to me he's basically a medieval history geek and a sci-fi/fantasy geek, and he's doing the best he can to write what he wants to write while still acknowledging that's not all there is to write about...there's a whole world out there.

I've found this to be a very fruitful non-discussion.

[Loki]

worrywort, on 03 April 2012 - 07:42 AM, said:

If you're the same Loki who responded to the blog post, I liked it.

Thank you

worrywort, on 03 April 2012 - 07:42 AM, said:

White authors can and should write non-white characters when appropriate, do their best to avoid shoehorning, tokenism, or exoticism (for its own sake) as well, and yet it's also true that it just can't be done perfectly all the time and not everybody's interests can always be met. There's also balancing individual authors and their personal interests, with a problem that might belong more to the whole industry...and artists/content creators don't have a responsibility to create anything they don't want to (though it's appreciated when they challenge themselves of course). And the best point, though I've never read him, is Saladin Ahmed seems to be the best answer to his own questions: if you have the opportunity, create the content you want to see created. It's tricky from just about every angle, but in the case of GRRM, it seems to me he's basically a medieval history geek and a sci-fi/fantasy geek, and he's doing the best he can to write what he wants to write while still acknowledging that's not all there is to write about...there's a whole world out there.

Agreed.

worrywort, on 03 April 2012 - 07:42 AM, said:

I've found this to be a very fruitful non-discussion.

As have I

[Loki]

New state government is already pissing me off.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman scraps 'waste of taxpayer money' literary awards

[Mentalist]

writing my half of the final paper is messing with my groove.

also, the fact that our section was assigned this in the end of the year, to be due the week we start finals, while the other section had to do it in the beginning of the semester.

[Illuyankas]

ARGH I FEEL UNWELL AND I HAVE PHYSIO AT THE HOSPITAL GYM TODAY

DAMN IT

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Just got sent tickets for the Africa immersion trip. Odd thing is, they're only for the trip from Jo'burg to Nairobi. So now I'm idly wondering if I, or someone else, deleted an e-mail that might have been carrying other tickets.

[pathos]

Ain, on 03 April 2012 - 11:35 AM, said:

Just got sent tickets for the Africa immersion trip. Odd thing is, they're only for the trip from Jo'burg to Nairobi. So now I'm idly wondering if I, or someone else, deleted an e-mail that might have been carrying other tickets.

What now? how does this trip thing work? how long will you be in jo'burg for?

[Loki]

'Friends' who are voting for Moiraine because I asked them to vote for Rake. Riiiiiight. That makes sense.

Friends voting for Moiraine because they like Moiraine better is fine but voting for her simply because I asked them to vote for Rake seems mega-douchey to me.

[pathos]

Loki, on 04 April 2012 - 06:42 AM, said:

'Friends' who are voting for Moiraine because I asked them to vote for Rake. Riiiiiight. That makes sense.

Friends voting for Moiraine because they like Moiraine better is fine but voting for her simply because I asked them to vote for Rake seems mega-douchey to me.

That is why i havent asked a lot of my friends.. they would do something just like that. So i only asked the none lame friends i have... didnt take to long to send one text

[Gust Hubb]

Starting the Surgery Clerkship today (3 months to go....). Miss you all for that time, maybe I'll be able to show up every so often.....

[Adjutant Stormy~]

By Gusty, someone else will have to necro threads!

Messing with my groove is how effectively I procrastinated studying for this exam.

[Loki]

A big arse box was just delivered to my doorstep, covered in fragile tape, and screaming 'Open me!' But I know it is my birthday present and I know that I said I wouldn't open it or try to figure out what it is (I'm very good at working my presents out ) - I need to make Matador give it me early....three months is far too long to wait!!!


Bloody oath! The thing is calling to me.........I'm going to go crazy in less than a week

[Shiara]

Loki, on 05 April 2012 - 05:32 AM, said:

A big arse box was just delivered to my doorstep, covered in fragile tape, and screaming 'Open me!' But I know it is my birthday present and I know that I said I wouldn't open it or try to figure out what it is (I'm very good at working my presents out ) - I need to make Matador give it me early....three months is far too long to wait!!!


Bloody oath! The thing is calling to me.........I'm going to go crazy in less than a week

Cover it in a nice scarf or cloth and strategically pose your action figures on top of it.

[Loki]

I curled up next to it....I could fit in that box. Does that mean it is something big or does it mean it has a lot of packaging?????

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Extra Special Pathos, on 03 April 2012 - 12:37 PM, said:

Ain, on 03 April 2012 - 11:35 AM, said:

Just got sent tickets for the Africa immersion trip. Odd thing is, they're only for the trip from Jo'burg to Nairobi. So now I'm idly wondering if I, or someone else, deleted an e-mail that might have been carrying other tickets.

What now? how does this trip thing work? how long will you be in jo'burg for?

Well, my school does this African immersion program for graduates, spending 3 weeks visiting schools, slums, museums, etc. Spending about a week in Jo'burg before jetsetting off to Nairobi-gonna visit Ngong Hills, Kibera slum, stuff like that

This post has been edited by Ain't_It_Just_: 05 April 2012 - 06:08 AM

[Obdigore]

Loki, on 05 April 2012 - 05:45 AM, said:

I curled up next to it....I could fit in that box. Does that mean it is something big or does it mean it has a lot of packaging?????

It is just a box and some blankets. You are going to be sleeping in that box from now on. That IS the present!

[pathos]

Ain, on 05 April 2012 - 06:06 AM, said:

Extra Special Pathos, on 03 April 2012 - 12:37 PM, said:

Ain, on 03 April 2012 - 11:35 AM, said:

Just got sent tickets for the Africa immersion trip. Odd thing is, they're only for the trip from Jo'burg to Nairobi. So now I'm idly wondering if I, or someone else, deleted an e-mail that might have been carrying other tickets.

What now? how does this trip thing work? how long will you be in jo'burg for?

Well, my school does this African immersion program for graduates, spending 3 weeks visiting schools, slums, museums, etc. Spending about a week in Jo'burg before jetsetting off to Nairobi-gonna visit Ngong Hills, Kibera slum, stuff like that

Sounds good. Jo'burg is pretty close to where i live. Might be possible for me and Alt to come say hi or something.

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Extra Special Pathos, on 05 April 2012 - 06:29 AM, said:

Ain, on 05 April 2012 - 06:06 AM, said:

Extra Special Pathos, on 03 April 2012 - 12:37 PM, said:

Ain, on 03 April 2012 - 11:35 AM, said:

Just got sent tickets for the Africa immersion trip. Odd thing is, they're only for the trip from Jo'burg to Nairobi. So now I'm idly wondering if I, or someone else, deleted an e-mail that might have been carrying other tickets.

What now? how does this trip thing work? how long will you be in jo'burg for?

Well, my school does this African immersion program for graduates, spending 3 weeks visiting schools, slums, museums, etc. Spending about a week in Jo'burg before jetsetting off to Nairobi-gonna visit Ngong Hills, Kibera slum, stuff like that

Sounds good. Jo'burg is pretty close to where i live. Might be possible for me and Alt to come say hi or something.

That'd be pretty cool We're not allowed to go off by ourselves, but I'll let you know by PM or something

[Macros]

Loki, on 05 April 2012 - 05:45 AM, said:

I curled up next to it....I could fit in that box. Does that mean it is something big or does it mean it has a lot of packaging?????

if there is a god, it will be a box within a box within a box.

a box version of russian dolls.
and inside the tiniest box?

another box, but inside THAT box? dust
anyone?
anyone?
no?
Dust?