That’s why it’s only a quibble, but I couldn’t remain comfortable with ignoring it. It doesn’t undermine the whole argument, but we can (and should!) do better.
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For reference, there is a sad group (who knows, maybe of one) calling themselves the SFF GUILD (not to be confused with SFWA) running around trying to convince writers that they ought to be “less political” in their SF/F stories and “focus on telling good stories”. Those familar with the Hugos: puppies, basically. Butthurt whiners who are sad that wimmins and POCs have invaded their sacred space (somehow oblivious that SF/F is the most political genre going, outside of political writing).
Please enjoy this epic response (see the entire thread):
And buy her books, because she is a good writer, not just because it will make sad puppies even sadder. The Wayward Children series is my favourite.
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Ah well, there goes The Odyssey, The Iliad, The Jungle Book*, all of Mark Twain, Larry Niven, Isaac Asimov…and that’s just the first thirty seconds of thinking about it.
*Edit - the Jungle Books contain, among other things, an attack on seal hunting, and an account of the use of animals in war which begins cheerfully and then gets darker and darker.
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And interesting stuff here:
https://www.abctales.com/story/lailoken/rise-and-fall-goddess-and-descent-woman
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Bookmarked for an in-depth look at. Kali is the goddess of both creation and destruction of maya, so in a very loose sense the ruler of this world.
Interesting as a 50 000ft overview.
I have occasionally wondered if the takeover by men happened when fighting became organised and specific weapons were developed, at the time that early civilisations started to become socially and functionally stratified. Ireland and Scotland were not “civilised” until historically very late and the Tain Bo Cuailnge describes a society in which men fight (and steal cattle) but women very much run society and the number of Irish queens, goddesses etc. (The Morrigain, Brigit, Medb, Edain and Niamh being perhaps the most famous) suggest a gradual emergence from more of a matriarchy. But I’m probably overspeculating.
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First words to my mind:
“Let me interrupt your confidence with actual facts. Or a good left hook. Your choice.”
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Some good news?
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Under Trump the Presidency seems to have morphed into a traditional monarchy complete with virtual concubines.
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Just found out someone I considered a mentor is under investigation following the collapse of a sexual relationship with a subordinate. I want a roll of police tape that says “Don’t use your subordinates for your social and sexual needs” that I can wrap around every single colleague.
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Werd. I would add another that says “Don’t socialize people into assuming that they have power over each other”, as this prevents a lot of potential exploitation from happening in the first place.
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It was fascinating how many of the comments were strictly about the Ansari story when the article only used it as a touchpoint to discuss larger issues.
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Thing is, a LOT of people don’t want to look at who and what they are. Yuh-AH, it’s painful at times, but it’s so worth the effort…well, for me, it was, lol. Still is.
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I knew there was a reason I liked this man’s work
The more people who realise this, the better. I know most of us, here, recognise the distinction, but it’s nice to see it becoming more commonly expressed.
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Yeah, I don’t know why the “Pro-Lifers” don’t: Go after the death penalty, work hard on gun control, help suicidal folks, assist in cancer and stem-cell research, and anything else that has to do with preserving life.
Why can’t folks just say what they mean?
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