Read on Twitter
This "lesser of two evils" idea invites a thread about the importance of realistic psychology in science fiction characterisation, and how badly-drawn real-life villains tend to be (in fictional terms).
Put simply, inability to see beyond binary terms makes for boring fiction. https://twitter.com/bIondiewasabi/status/1247939578520129536
Put simply, inability to see beyond binary terms makes for boring fiction. https://twitter.com/bIondiewasabi/status/1247939578520129536
According to Twitter, few moments rival Thanksgiving dinner to gauge opinion for quasi-random people of a certain ethnic/gender/socioeconomic background.
Reddit is essentially year-round Thanksgiving for cis/het white males aged 18-49. Twitter is for their female counterparts.
Reddit is essentially year-round Thanksgiving for cis/het white males aged 18-49. Twitter is for their female counterparts.
One consistent theme has emerged since 2016 and the subsequent xenophobic+dictatorial turn in world opinion+politics.
On Reddit, the refrain is persecution anxiety: "I am not my ancestors! We live in an equal society now!"
Twitter: "The world is on fire! How did this happen?!"
On Reddit, the refrain is persecution anxiety: "I am not my ancestors! We live in an equal society now!"
Twitter: "The world is on fire! How did this happen?!"
Social media is its own distorted reality; many are seduced by its emotional appeal.
Denialism is the ultimate outcome ― whether it's Sanders supporters' sulking or "moderates" pretending each new injustice is a bewildering anomaly puncturing their bubble of blissful ignorance.
Denialism is the ultimate outcome ― whether it's Sanders supporters' sulking or "moderates" pretending each new injustice is a bewildering anomaly puncturing their bubble of blissful ignorance.
Notions of binary "good versus evil" arise from the fundamental denial of realities intrinsic to modern life.
We all live in a global civilisation based entirely on genocide (both epidemiological and imperialist), slavery, rape, forced religious and socioeconomic conversion...
We all live in a global civilisation based entirely on genocide (both epidemiological and imperialist), slavery, rape, forced religious and socioeconomic conversion...
...and yet somehow, every infraction against our shared basic humanity invokes performances of collective surprise and despair, or furious rebuttal against apparent facts.
The outcome is the same: words without action. No change to the status quo.
The outcome is the same: words without action. No change to the status quo.
In fiction, this is "telling without showing", excessive prose for its own sake. "Telling" is a waste of space on the page for florid emotional grandstanding.
What matters is always what characters most strenuously _avoid_ saying, yet is revealed by their actions (and inaction).
What matters is always what characters most strenuously _avoid_ saying, yet is revealed by their actions (and inaction).
To conclude this thread more directly....
...well, no. That would be "telling". The thread itself already shows you enough, and what you decide to see is up to you.
Far more interesting that way, no?
Now you can write your own new story. :)
...well, no. That would be "telling". The thread itself already shows you enough, and what you decide to see is up to you.
Far more interesting that way, no?
Now you can write your own new story. :)
