blamebrampton (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
blamebrampton) wrote2011-01-08 04:37 pm
blamebrampton) wrote2011-01-08 04:37 pm
A case in point ...
So, there we were, having a chat on a friend's LJ about the differences between the US and the UK for purposes of a self-Britpicking list, with participants from both sides of the pond and beyond and frequent diversions into baiting and comedy from all sides, and apparently it has become a source of Flocked Drama.
Consider the argument very carefully: At least one American is very upset that British people prefer to be depicted in accurate ways.
And if you can't see why that's a bit dodgy, replace the word British with any other nationality.
I don't want to overstate the case, because really, it doesn't culturally oppress us the way that some other cultures have been oppressed by this sort of thing, since we don't deeply care and we had an Empire first. And while the original source of the complaint is a preference, it's certainly not a sine qua non, and we read heaps of stuff that gets us wrong, and some of it is good and some is crap, and really, at the end of the day we still pronounce and spell aluminium in ways that are scientifically logical, which in itself is enough. But, honestly ...
Interestingly, one of my points of difference was a tendency to soap-opera-like over-reactions in fiction. Clearly I drew the line too narrowly.
AND I left off the fact that it the entire United States has been the subject of mass-brainwashing to accept caffeinated flavoured beverages as coffee. Though I see Starbucks has dropped the word from their logo, truth in advertising at last!
Consider the argument very carefully: At least one American is very upset that British people prefer to be depicted in accurate ways.
And if you can't see why that's a bit dodgy, replace the word British with any other nationality.
I don't want to overstate the case, because really, it doesn't culturally oppress us the way that some other cultures have been oppressed by this sort of thing, since we don't deeply care and we had an Empire first. And while the original source of the complaint is a preference, it's certainly not a sine qua non, and we read heaps of stuff that gets us wrong, and some of it is good and some is crap, and really, at the end of the day we still pronounce and spell aluminium in ways that are scientifically logical, which in itself is enough. But, honestly ...
Interestingly, one of my points of difference was a tendency to soap-opera-like over-reactions in fiction. Clearly I drew the line too narrowly.
AND I left off the fact that it the entire United States has been the subject of mass-brainwashing to accept caffeinated flavoured beverages as coffee. Though I see Starbucks has dropped the word from their logo, truth in advertising at last!
Re: Smoking
Whoa, what a broad statement to make. You might not respect smokers but I really do not think you can say that about, oh, I don't know, let's just say a LOT of people. I don't smoke. I don't like smoking. If someone around me lights up it tends to activate a latent tendency to asthma, but even I wouldn't go so far as to make a broad brush statement like that. I actually have a couple of friends who are pretty much chain smokers and they happen to be lovely people with a very bad habit. I don't respect them any less as people.
To me, it's a signal that the person writing is almost certainly immature.
Another intersting thing to say. Do you consider my fic immature? Me immature? I have smoking in several of my fics for some very salient reasons--as an insight into character--not because I have a secret agenda to promote smoking or think that it's really cool or is a sad attempt to make my characters sophisticated or any of the other perjoratives used above.
Re: Smoking
And lots of other excuses but -- you're right. Even I (Great Attacker of the Smoking Fic) respect a lot of people who are smokers. I just don't respect their smoking. And I'm sure that's a flaw in me, but it started after my aunt, the only person in my childhood I was sure loved me, died from lung cancer, as her mother did, both of them smokers. the nonsmoking people who shared their genes lived and mostly are living far longer, and no lung cancer.
What I was reacting to is a larger-than-normal group of fics and art this Xmas where I felt smoking was portrayed as an attractive habit. I couldn't help thinking that the people writing the fics were very young -- just as I react when I read that every Friday night everyone goes and drinks themselves into a stupor, without even a hint that this may not be the most healthy way for adults to behave, or in fact, not the norm. I could absolutely believe in an alcoholic trio who are self-medicating, but would expect them to explore at least a little if there might be healthier and more fun ways to relax than drink themselves into bad judgment calls and then live the next day with their self-infliected alcohol poisoning.
But writers which don't even acknowledge that there are serious problems with smoking really bother me. Product placement in films meant everyone was smoking cigars on camera for a few years; now it's cigarettes again. It reminds me very much of WWII smoking propaganda, where Big Tobacco took steps to insure that every American equated cigarettes with patriotism and winning the war. then in the 50s they used the result (everyone smoking) to make sure the most admirable and interesting characters were the smokers. It's the "bad boy" meme where someone is a little wild and resistant to authority. It works really really well with adolescents, particularly ones who are otherwise quite intelligent. So when I see smoking used as a marker for romantic behavior, I see writers who are not yet fully self-reflexive or able to see other points of view concerning their behaviours. That's what I was getting at, and my generalizations were insulting to 21 year olds who are serious and reflective about addiction.
As you know I love your work, and I wouldn't if I felt you weren't reflexive and thoughtful about people. (I even like your Snarry fic a lot, and since you know what I think of Snape generally, please take that as a compliment.) I never feel in your fics that people smoke because it's normal to smoke and natural to smoke and nonsmokers are very uncool. When Draco smokes, it's all about character, and I believe it. (I wonder occasionally how Harry can stand the taste, but that's love. My ex is now partnered with an occasional smoker, and the agreement is that the smoker will NEVER kiss her without brushing her teeth first.) It's the naturalization of a destructive act, with the underlying message that it's edgy and dashing, which disturbs me. I knew I'd hate to be around Draco and his receptionist, but I also know people like that and there was humour involved. I'd be equally upset -- and view it as the same problem -- if the Golden Trio met every Friday night to shoot up heroin, and pleasantly floated around the next day; or had a drink before departmental meetings and that was presented as the best way to deal with the problem.
I've also concluded that I better pull back on smoking rants unless I can focus on the problem rather than the person with the problem. I take it far too personally, and being on state substance abuse boards and such doesn't help the objectivity. So again, I do appreciate your reminding me that exaggeration in the pursuit of persuasion is a vice.
Re: Smoking
I've had a hell of a year and have not read much HP fic lately, and Christmas is always a crazy time, so the holiday fics often pass me by, but I will say that to these admittedly uninvolved eyes that there seems to be a general trend toward the trivial. There is a HP new fest being promoted that focuses on disabilities. I am tempted to join it and write a story about someone losing limbs to diabetes, or committing suicide because of mental illness, or going to rehab, or losing an eye because of a bludger to the face. I imagine that is not the intent of this fest. I don't know anyone who has a leg missing, but I know a lot of people in wheelchairs, those who suffer from the daily and incessant pain from fibromyalgia, and those who struggle to stay sober. My mother broke her leg very badly many years ago and limps. My stepfather was a POW in a Japanese prison camp and suffers from PTS. I saw the promotion for that fest and thought of them. Hopefully the writers will focus on the magnitude of living with disabilities, as opposed to writing stories that are nothing but oh-Draco-has-a-booboo-let-me-suck-your dick schtick
And since you were so gracious I will admit that I've realized that I use drinking as a gag in several fics (the humorous ones). Given that my own father was a horrible alcoholic you'd think I'd be super-sensitive to this issue. I made a vow six months ago to stop with the alcohol-based humor. It gets a laugh but at what cost?
In short, I agree with you that issues like smoking or drinking need to be shown in all their glory. Nothing like that should be candycoated. To romanticize them is grossly irresponsible (something I have been guilty of and which I hoped I addressed in some fashion with my Ron/Pansy fic).
We're good!