idle thought #541

I do think writers have a responsibility to think about how they write things, but you know who has barely any effect here? Fanfic writers; it’s the fanfic writers. I do think Disney has glorified heteronormativity and in some cases blurred the lines of consent, and Hallmark obviously has a lot to answer for in convincing guys that stalking tropes are *romantic*, but that tiny creator with an even tinier following? Absolutely not. I’ll name specifics: Nick Spencer should absolutely have had a sensitivity reader at worst and probably rethought at best his whole Nazi AU Captain America storyline (which was absolutely not helped in any way shape or form by the accompanying ad campaign. JKR could decide not to be a massive tool becoming the public face of a massive transphobic hate campaign. Joss Whedon could have decided not to be a creep and harass his actors. It’s even good to listen and do your own research when a creator (like Somerton) gets called out, but do your own research, look at the receipts, etc. Or, if you don’t have the time or spoons to look into it but feel uncomfortable...just stop interacting, but don’t pick up a pitchfork and torch if you haven’t done the research and don’t actually know. If you’re a kid and you don’t know what’s normal in the real world, do your research and don’t just accept someone’s definition of pedophile or child porn—note that both involve real people, not fictional ones.