rose_griffes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rose_griffes) wrote2020-08-31 05:56 pm
rose_griffes) wrote2020-08-31 05:56 pm
Entry tags:
conspiracies and some actual plot
I may have to put Facebook on block; it’s been a disaster for months now and is only getting worse. And now I’m seeing a few people casting about for any excuse to vote for Trump; discouraging, to say the least. The most recent iteration of this: Biden and Harris are just waiting to turn our country socialist, starting with Coronavirus-related restrictions!
I find this particular theory all the more hilarifying because one of my own relatives believes the opposite; he is certain that COVID-19 will disappear from the news if Biden wins. Most of the “hype” about it is just part of a left-wing media effort to ensure that Trump loses, you see. *sigh*
Anyway. It’s easy to find anti-Trump echo chambers, but people should know that there’s folk out there who would rather hunt for “proof” of a conspiracy theory about Biden and our impending socialist doom than actually vote for Biden.
Edited to add: for context, I grew up in a red state, with conservative-leaning parents and a conservative-leaning church population. (Well. It leans conservative in many parts of the US; outside the US is very different.) I think that Trump has been the worst possible choice for a Republican party that should be trying to widen its base rather than increase divisions. I don't love Biden as a choice for the Democratic party, but I'm happy to let the Republican party reap what it sowed.
Ironic to think that Reagan--despised by many on the left but revered in many Republican circles--was far more positive and open to immigration than the party now. Just one small example of how his party has gotten more and more extreme. /end edit
Currently reading a non-fiction book by Elizabeth Wein, about the “night witches”—women who flew attack missions for Russia during World War II. I haven’t gotten very far yet, but I’m enjoying it.
T. Kingfisher’s The Seventh Bride was compelling. Kingfisher is a nom de plume for Ursula Vernon. The setting for the books reminds me a bit of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. Not quite as bonkers, but still whimsical, with lots of references to folk legends and fairy tales… but Vernon’s world is also dark. In this story a miller’s young daughter is about to be forced into marriage with a power-hungry sorcerer. Kingfisher’s prose is lovely and the storytelling solid. My only complaint would be a wish for a slower-paced ending.
Season two of The Umbrella Academy was drawn with a lighter touch than season one, even with some of the darker themes. The actors appeared to be having fun, too, which adds to the enjoyment. My main reasons for watching: the cast is good and the visual aesthetics are fantastic. Having a coherent plot? Well... it tries! And even succeeds, at times. Feel free to talk to me about the season: I do have opinions (mostly positive) about several different pieces. I’m just too tired and rushed to recall them right now.
Season one of The Mandalorian was... fine. It was fine. It wasn’t really my thing, for whatever reason. I diagnose artistic mismatch, among other elements. I realized at the end that Jon Favreau was heavily involved in the show. His work is very hit or miss for me, and even when it’s a hit, it’s usually not a rousing success. Obviously, many others think differently; he’s been very successful working for Disney, specifically for Marvel.
I did enjoy the two-part finale. But the stand-alone episodes were, well, skippable. As in, I literally skipped one of ‘em because by that point, it was either skip something or never finish watching.
(Star Wars loving co-worker was so disappointed that I didn’t have glowing praise for the series. “Eh, it was fine” isn’t exactly what he expected. Also, I may have popped out the phrase, “Y’all just want to watch Gunsmoke with a cute alien baby” when the conversation warmed up over it, so… Heh.)
I find this particular theory all the more hilarifying because one of my own relatives believes the opposite; he is certain that COVID-19 will disappear from the news if Biden wins. Most of the “hype” about it is just part of a left-wing media effort to ensure that Trump loses, you see. *sigh*
Anyway. It’s easy to find anti-Trump echo chambers, but people should know that there’s folk out there who would rather hunt for “proof” of a conspiracy theory about Biden and our impending socialist doom than actually vote for Biden.
Edited to add: for context, I grew up in a red state, with conservative-leaning parents and a conservative-leaning church population. (Well. It leans conservative in many parts of the US; outside the US is very different.) I think that Trump has been the worst possible choice for a Republican party that should be trying to widen its base rather than increase divisions. I don't love Biden as a choice for the Democratic party, but I'm happy to let the Republican party reap what it sowed.
Ironic to think that Reagan--despised by many on the left but revered in many Republican circles--was far more positive and open to immigration than the party now. Just one small example of how his party has gotten more and more extreme. /end edit
Currently reading a non-fiction book by Elizabeth Wein, about the “night witches”—women who flew attack missions for Russia during World War II. I haven’t gotten very far yet, but I’m enjoying it.
T. Kingfisher’s The Seventh Bride was compelling. Kingfisher is a nom de plume for Ursula Vernon. The setting for the books reminds me a bit of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. Not quite as bonkers, but still whimsical, with lots of references to folk legends and fairy tales… but Vernon’s world is also dark. In this story a miller’s young daughter is about to be forced into marriage with a power-hungry sorcerer. Kingfisher’s prose is lovely and the storytelling solid. My only complaint would be a wish for a slower-paced ending.
Season two of The Umbrella Academy was drawn with a lighter touch than season one, even with some of the darker themes. The actors appeared to be having fun, too, which adds to the enjoyment. My main reasons for watching: the cast is good and the visual aesthetics are fantastic. Having a coherent plot? Well... it tries! And even succeeds, at times. Feel free to talk to me about the season: I do have opinions (mostly positive) about several different pieces. I’m just too tired and rushed to recall them right now.
Season one of The Mandalorian was... fine. It was fine. It wasn’t really my thing, for whatever reason. I diagnose artistic mismatch, among other elements. I realized at the end that Jon Favreau was heavily involved in the show. His work is very hit or miss for me, and even when it’s a hit, it’s usually not a rousing success. Obviously, many others think differently; he’s been very successful working for Disney, specifically for Marvel.
I did enjoy the two-part finale. But the stand-alone episodes were, well, skippable. As in, I literally skipped one of ‘em because by that point, it was either skip something or never finish watching.
(Star Wars loving co-worker was so disappointed that I didn’t have glowing praise for the series. “Eh, it was fine” isn’t exactly what he expected. Also, I may have popped out the phrase, “Y’all just want to watch Gunsmoke with a cute alien baby” when the conversation warmed up over it, so… Heh.)
no subject