A Smattering of Ignorance

Once in awhile, I'll get "why didn't you recommend fics X, Y, & Z" or "why don't you rec fics of this particular genre" questions on my Steve/Tony fic rec list, so I figured I'd answer this with a post about my general policies, preferences, and opinions.

( Under cut )

Further Thoughts On Fandom Misogyny

You know, I'm disturbed by how often the male characters who treat people (especially women) like crap are the fandom darlings. They become the woobie who can do no wrong, because he's deep, he has layers, he's had bad things happen to him, he's misunderstood (especially by all those evil female characters). They often have huge communities devoted to them and metric tons of fic describing how wonderful and perfect they are. I'm not trying to criticize people for loving the characters they love. We all have our preferences, and deeply complex characters are interesting, and often feel more real.

What's really bothering me here are the gender politics that go on in fandom, and the double standard between the way female characters are treated versus male characters.

Let's take Tony DiNozzo from NCIS. Yes, I like him too. He is a complex character, he's had some wonderful moments of heroism, and he has struggled with some tough times in his life. But let's be honest: he's rude, he's dismissive, he bullies people, he objectifies women constantly, and he also tends to blame women ("it's always the wife "). Before anyone jumps in to accuse me of misunderstanding poor Tony, let's take a step back and deconstruct things a bit.

Take some time and really, truly, and honestly think about this: if Tony was instead a woman, let's say Tonia, what would you think about her? When she constantly objectified men while simultaneously dismissing and blaming them, how would you feel? When she bullied, belittled, and tormented Tim, would it seem just as funny (because, after all, she really does love Tim like a brother, right)?

There are some people who can truthfully say they'd love Tonia just as much as Tony, because it really is just about what they like about the characterization, regardless of gender. Tonia has probably also gained some brand new fans, who like her because she turns the dominant paradigm on its head- they'd enjoy watching a woman constantly objectifying men, and running roughshod over everyone.

But be honest: how many people would call Tonia a slut, a bitch, a whore, or a harpy? How dare that uppity woman torment poor little Timmy! Who does she think she is?

Let's try an opposite sort of example, and take Rose Tyler from Doctor Who. Rose consistently gets accused of being a Mary Sue, a selfish brat, a chav, and all sorts of other similarly offensive things. Imagine, however (honestly and deeply), if Rose was instead Ryan, played by someone like Bradley James. Let's say we now have a young man who doesn't have much in the way of education, but who pick things up pretty quickly, someone who's compassionate and friendly, and who loves the Doctor deeply. Ryan is suddenly reminding me a lot of a modern version of Jamie McCrimmon. How many people hate on Jamie, or call him a Gary Stu, or accuse him of being selfish for loving the Doctor? Just how many of the people who despise Rose would hate Ryan just as much?

Try taking any female character you dislike, and transforming them into a man... how does this change how you look at them? There are still going to be plenty of characters you dislike, regardless of gender, because they're still a cat hater, or a Yankees fan, or they look just like that math teacher who used to call you stupid. But how much time would you spend bashing them? Do you think there would be whole communities devoted to hating them? Would they be constantly vilified in fanfic?

But what does it matter if we bash female characters? They're only fictional, after all. I'll just say this- I don't think it's a good idea to spend a lot of time disparaging and despising women, even if they aren't real, as that's the sort of thing that can become a habit.

Yes, I'm oversimplifying things, being judgmental, and the people who see this are almost certainly the last people on earth who need to read it, but I had to throw it out there.

Thoughts, critiques, attacks, opinions?

You're very welcome to share this/link to it.

It's no secret that "The End of the World" is one of my favorite Doctor Who episodes, and that the Nine & Rose photos from EOTW = LOVE. While browsing though Tragical History Tour, I discovered that there were some new photos from said shoot, so of course I felt compelled to add the new to my old favorites, and make a picspam.

Because Nine and Rose are just too adorable (and gorgeous) to resist.
( There's me... )

General Whovian Rec List Part 2 last updated March 14, 2010.

The list was getting a bit too unwieldy, so I split it. Doctors One through Five can be found here. All of my Doctor Who rec lists can be accessed here.

Organized by Doctor's era. Adult fics are labeled as such.

( General recs part two )

My collection of Lord Peter Wimsey (from the books by Dorothy Sayers) fanfic recs.

Last updated October 18, 2010.

It's a small but excellent fandom, and the list is comprised of a bit of everything- gen, het, slash, AUs, and crossovers.

( Lord Peter Views the Body )

General Whovian rec list last updated March 14, 2010.

The list was getting a bit too unwieldy, so I split it. Doctors Six through Ten (and other) are now located here. All of my Doctor Who rec lists can be accessed here.

I figured it was high time to do a non-D/R fic rec list. This is a mixed bag of gen, ship, slash, et al, though I tried to label them all appropriately, including marking adult fics as such.

Organized by Doctor's Era.

( The Doctor. Just The Doctor. )

I've only just gotten into Pushing Daisies, and now it looks like it is pretty much doomed to be canceled. Why, ABC, why?

If you've got a sec, here's a site dedicated to save the show:



So if you love Pushing Daisies and you've got a sec, go sign a petition, write an email, write a letter, or watch an episode online...

I just can't help myself. Erika and I were talking about the upcoming G.I. Joe movie, and I felt compelled to post another Eccleston picspam.

( lots of planets have a North )

With all the insanity of the S4 finale, I feel like the Ninth Doctor's been a bit neglected. And so, another Chris/Nine picspam.

( There are angels in your angles )

I accidentally spoiled myself on some end of series four/beginning of series five Doctor Who speculations, and they left me rather unhappy. To repair my damaged psyche, I'm doing a rather large Nine/Chris Eccleston picspam, as (no offense to the other Doctors/actors, I do love you all!) he is far and away my favorite Doctor.

( Gotta love a docs & leather jacket wearing, smouldering, intense blue eyed Doctor from the North )