Tag: Joss Whedon

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On Joss Whedon and social media

This isn’t done to mock Joss Whedon or feminist activists who took umbrage with his latest film Age of Ultron.

This is about whether or not you should,  as a creator, separate art from politics,  especially in these times and with the increasing outrage and partisanship.

I like to keep my art and politics separate.  That doesn’t preclude me from feeling and supporting compassionate and progressive causes but like faith, it’s become a private matter. 

Refusing to bear an insult or injury is the bedrock of activism but when you look at political activism and social networking, there’s a lot of people who are so quick to dismiss or celebrate that you can get whiplash just watching. 

Such mercurial judgements and absolutism aren’t healthy for the artists who court them.  This applies whether you court any group at all.  Look at how Buffy and Firefly were heralded as progressive icons and now being lined up like cattle in a slaughterhouse. 

And for what?

Joss owes us nothing personally.  Only whatever work he does that you’re willing to pay for.  Same as with any artist.  That he’s not going to be a paragon of your perceived virtue is a given and he wasn’t especially vociferous about it. Yet he’s had threats and character assassinations, and all he did was make a fucking movie. 

If you’ve ever sent a threat online,  I pity you.  I used to troll after a fashion and it’s a short hit of adrenaline and a slow,  ugly comedown. 

Joss will be back but, like a lot of creators, probably won’t engage with his audience in the same way as before.  Perhaps that’s for the best but I think that every time someone gets the lynch mob,  that we’re throwing away something that we craved pre internet. I get it though,  focus on the work and those who love you and your work. 

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books creative writing writing

Nothing Keeps Me Anywhere 04.02.2015

Today was fun. Although I do talk about the work aspect of writing, there’s a pleasure to be had from the simple act of writing. Think of it as a gift to yourself.

When I see people online who complain about a major piece of corporate entertainment not representing them, I empathise because being a white male, I’m pretty much in everything.

Not me personally, although I’m not bitter about my cameo in 50 Shades of Grey being cut, although the lawsuit is problematic.  Still if you shout ” he makes the maid wash his sex toys, run you silly girl, run” then you best prepare to pay the iron price.

Hey a 50 Shades of Grey and Game of Thrones reference in one paragraph, but I digress.

My point, and there is one, make the art that features you. If you’re not seeing romances between different ethnicities or abilities, write it. Even if it sucks the first time out, keep going. Talk about it and get it funded if you have to. If you want to see yourself in the art you enjoy, don’t ask Joss Whedon to make it for you, make it yourself.

Anyway, I have started writing a confrontation where I hope to show John seeking redress for a previous assault/insult through his confidence and understanding of people. Which is how I’ve avoided being punched in the past.

The crying helps too, I’m sure. Fetal position fu, yo.

Actually it probably helps that I have a shaved head, big shoulders and hands, and I can make eye contact plus I am quite softly spoken but a deep voice. If you want peace, be a peaceful person.

I just went dating profile, but I’m used to being sexually objectified by my followers. If by used, you mean ‘hoping desperately’

I had fun today with the two pages, I hope that you have the same because although I am all about getting the work done, it’s still a thing of joy isn’t it? Akin to magic, because you can reach someone you’ve never met with words in the right order.

It might be gauche but I passed the 500 follower mark yesterday, which is touching. It isn’t touching because touching 500 people is probably tiring and opens me up to legal action with some of you.

Although hugs are good, yeah? Or we can just shake hands.

Thank you for reading these posts. If there’s anything that you’ve liked or commented on, then thank you again. For a simple blog that’s mainly a writing diary with poems and the odd session on craft, it’s been a pleasant experience. It’s good to have something to talk about. You know what you are getting with me, for the most part on here.

You’re not alone, you know. There is a whole world waiting to read what you’ve written and see what you’ve drawn or photographed or filmed. The universe isn’t made up of atoms, it’s stories and I wait for yours.