Social Media Outing - The Weinstein Factor & The Risk Of Getting It Wrong.

I've been wrestling with something recently that has seen me run afoul of a few people. 

It has to do with the issue of publicly outing individuals - via social media - who have (allegedly) sexually harrassed or committed acts of sexual violence. 

I initially opened with an abrupt tweet, in which I made an observation the comparison between being made to feel uncomfortable and the ongoing practice of female genital mutilation in some parts of the world - particularly parts of the world where women have no access to social media and no access to justice.

This was inconsiderate and rude on my part.

With the now proven allegations of multiple instances of sexual violence committed by Harvey Weinstein and others, there has been a daily procession of men being outed via social media for their behaviour. In some cases multiple women have publicly accused the same individual of sexual harrassment/violence. Such instances are undoubtedly worthy of investigation and I believe that law enforcement agencies should be rallied to investigate those instances to the fullest extent. 

But here's the thing. 

With the daily procession of new accusations appearing on social media, particularly Twitter and Facebook - some quite serious accusations - I am growing increasingly concerned and I question the wisdom of using such platforms to "out" perpertators of sexual harrasment/violence.

Publicly accusing individuals of sexual harrasment/violence removes the long held legal maxim of innocent until proven guilty. If so many of these instances are being publicly declared, it creates a web of enquiry any investigative process couldn't possibly hope to explore and prove.

A common argument I've seen made is that law enforcement agencies and legal institutions repeatedly fail to act in investigating cases of sexual harrasment/violence. But how can they hope to act when allegations are publicly expressed and commented on, on social media jeopardizing any chance of an effective investigation? 

Another argument I've seen is that reporting services and support for victims are inadequate or non existent. 

This is simply not true. 

A search for reporting and counselling services across major cities world wide throws up numerous and well resourced organizations who are especially equipped to help individuals - men and women - who have experienced sexual harrasment/violence. They have established links with law enforcement agencies and health organizations who can continue with support and guidance. 

The risk with social media is that it cannot be vetted. Accusations posted on social media cannot hope to be tested throughly, nor can support for victims hope to be anything close to adequate.

And what if an accuser gets it wrong? What if the agenda of an accuser is less than honorable? What if the accused is triggered by such allegations and decides to act - violently?

I posed these questions in an extensive Twitter exchange with several people yesterday, as the result of my questioning the wisdom of publicly outing someone accused of committing acts of sexual harrassment/violence. 

I was attacked, ridiculed and received both death and rape threats. All because I dared to question the calling out of someone's behaviour publicly. 

Social media has given people all over the world a platform to express themselves in all kinds of ways. This is both good and bad.  

I believe the trend of publicly outing individuals is dangerous and it *will* lead to an instance of someone - who is completely innocent - having their life destroyed as a result. 

What do you think? Am I wrong?

Being Badly Motivated - A Look At The Bad Motivators Star Wars Podcast

The best Star Wars conversations, in my mind, are the ones that recall the best bits of your childhood. You know those ones - where you would gather round with your bestest friends, who were as equally in love with the saga as you, and you would wonder, speculate and imagine where George Lucas would take the story next. 

In the early 80's, that was my experience. Riding my BMX around the back hills of Yallourn North with my friends, playing cricket in the park, talking Star Wars whenever the opportunity arose. In those heady days, particularly during the years between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, there was never more enthusiasm for the franchise. There was a wide eyed wonderment, an innocence - and there were none of the complications modern day Star Wars fandom seems to attract with ferocity.

In the 80's, I was the kid in back (image credit 21 Laps Entertainment.)

I thought those innocent conversations were a thing of the past and I've often lamented it. With the advent of podcasting, a whole world of conversation is now available at ones fingertips - literally! And while this is welcome, for me, it's been a quest of mine to find a show that harkens back to those days in the early 80's when Star Wars was king.

The Bad Motivators podcast is, perhaps, one of the best examples of Star Wars commentary that captures the essence of my childhood wonderment around Star Wars. The brain child of Eric Strothers, Luke Cruser and Dallas Woods, The Bad Motivators broadcasts weekly and covers the latest news from the Star Wars franchise, discusses the hot topics which has captured the attention of fans and explores the wider themes from the franchise that have so inspired millions around the world.

The Bad Motivators album art  - (image credit TBM)

The genius of the show - which takes its name from a scene in A New Hope where Luke Skywalker informs Uncle Owen their initial droid purchase from the Jawas has a bad motivator - lies in the infectious enthusiasm of the hosts, who approach Star Wars in a way which recalls that childhood wonderment I spoke of earlier. I've noted a tendency for Star Wars themed podcasts to approach the franchise with a cynicism, a need to knock aspects of the franchise they don't like. These shows also make the mistake of making the show about themselves and they assume a sort of ownership over Star Wars that leaves little room for inclusiveness, a variety of viewpoints and a respect for the franchise. 

"This R2 unit has a bad motivator. Look!" - (image credit Lucasfilm Ltd.)

The Bad Motivators approach their fandom with reverence for the saga, a positivity that is refreshing and an enthusiasm for their audience. They invite you in, make you feel welcome and you leave with a smile on your face.

The Bad Motivators & friend - (image credit Dallas Woods).

I often wonder what it would've been like to have lived back in the 80's and had access to the kind of podcasting The Bad Motivators produce. I think it would have made the experience just as cool. In this day, and age though, The Bad Motivators shines a positive light in the dense world of Star Wars fandom. 

Tweet with The Bad Motivators here.

Subscribe to The Bad Motivators on iTunes here. 

Subscribe to The Bad Motivators RSS feed here. 

Shop at The Bad Motivators store here. 

DFA.   

We Have To Talk About Fandom - Why I Love That My Snoke Theory Sucks

Pop culture fandom is an interesting beast. The public discourse, examining the minutiae of today's pop culture franchises is, at once, something wonderful and engaging. At the same time it can be overwhelming and potentially fraught. There are a lot of competing interests in this most particular of realms. Competition for attention, competition for ideas and competition for a kind of supremacy of influence over the fandom of a franchise.

In the past week, I have observed a disturbing discourse in an area of Star Wars fandom that illustrates a gross misunderstanding of the love of the franchise. 

It all begins with a bumper sticker.

(image credit: Steele Saunders.)

When Star Wars: Episode 7 - The Force Awakens burst onto cinema screens in December 2015, heralding the return of the much loved franchise, Star Wars fans were elated with the cinematic triumph. In the three years since it was announced by Lucasfilm that Star Wars would be returning to the screen, fan communities - already energized with anticipation and reveling in the pre-release fervor that traditionally accompanies a Star Wars film - responded to the return of Star Wars with an outpouring of gratitude and renewed vigor that fed into their various communities. Once again, Star Wars had become a part of the pop culture consciousness. 

In the aftermath of the release, conversations, fan theories, debates and discussions took place that actually made social media something worth engaging with again. The discourse was (and is) lively, it attracted new fans to the franchise and it opened up opportunities for people to connect with like minds and enhance their love for Star Wars. 

Sure - at times, the conversations and fan theories, have taken on a life of their own - a life as big and as bold as the franchise itself. People, understandably, get excited and they want to express their point of view. That's okay. It's a part of being a pop culture fan. Except when the discussion becomes fractious. 

The viral meme "Your Snoke Theory Sucks", the brain child of Melbourne comedian Steele Saunders was born out of the fervent discussion around who the chief antagonist in the new Star Wars trilogy might be. 

(image credit: Steele Saunders.)

Designed as an affectionate "dig" at the sometimes over-blown discourse over a character that is designed to be intentionally ambiguous, "Your Snoke Theory Sucks" encourages fandom to have a laugh at itself and, perhaps, to take a little hot air out of the Snoke debate. It has become a viral meme, a bumper sticker, a T-Shirt and a key to one of the most welcoming communities of fandom I've ever been in.

Let me explain this. 

Australians are known for their sense of humor. It is laconic, insightful and it is generally built on a healthy foundation of affection. We often express our love for something with a kind of back handed compliment - with a wink and a smile whereby we trust in the intelligence of others to interpret our real intent and acknowledge it with a cheeky tap on the nose that says "I see what you did there."

"Your Snoke Theory Sucks" is a perfect example of this kind of laconic humor. It is not malicious nor intended to be a serious put down of anyone. In fact, it has contributed to the discussion of fan theories around Supreme Leader Snoke. And it has found favor across Star Wars fandom - even crossing over into the Star Wars production community itself with notable figures such as Episode 8 director Rian Johnson and Ahsoka Tano voice artist Ashleigh Eckstein getting in on the fun.

(image credit: Lucasfilm.)

But some in the Star Wars fan community have taken exception to the meme, misunderstanding its intent and they have attacked the creator with accusations of bullying and gate keeping. They have failed to see the affection with which "Your Snoke Theory Sucks" has been delivered and they have refused to engage in a discussion about the intent of the meme. Instead, they have pursued an argument that aims to divide and alienate. 

Steele Saunders is one of the most engaging and welcoming Star Wars fans I've had the pleasure to meet and interact with. Through his podcast "Steele Wars" and his associated social media presence, Steele has fostered a community of inclusion and engagement where people are free to express their love for Star Wars and debate, respectfully, the minutiae of Star Wars culture. Steele has opened me up to a community of fans who are among the most likable, loyal, friendly and engaging I've ever met and we're all indebted to Steele for facilitating our connection. 

And we get the joke. 

We get what "Your Snoke Theory Sucks" really is. It has become a means of connecting, of coming in through the doors of Star Wars fandom and it encourages us to not take ourselves too seriously. It is a love letter to Star Wars by fans, for fans.

I feel sad for those who don't get it.

Connect with the Steele Wars Star Wars fan community here.

DFA.  

When Star Wars Rogues Unite - A Look At Rogue Won: A Star Wars Podcast.

In the ever expanding world of Star Wars podcasting, fans of the block buster franchise are spoiled for choice. A quick iTunes search will immediately yield dozens of shows examining the minutiae of Star Wars - from the films, to television, to collecting, to gaming. Literally any branch is catered for. 

As a long time listener of Star Wars podcasts, I've traversed all of these branches of fandom in audio form and have encountered many fine examples of Star Wars podcasting. My tastes have evolved over the years. Whereas once, I sought out podcasts with a specific bent - like collecting, nowadays I find myself drawn to more general conversations about Star Wars that speak to me as life long devotee of the franchise - podcasts that remind of the kind conversations I used to have with my childhood friends growing up in the 80's.

In the past two or three months, I have come to the podcast Rogue Won: A Star Wars Podcast For Winners. Adapting its name from the most recent film in the franchise, Rogue Won is hosted by New Jersey native Johnny Grasso, Alabaman Hawes Burkhardt and New Yorker Michael Pappas, Rogue Won is a weekly show that explores the most recent news pertaining to the franchise and engages in a lively banter about Star Wars that harkens back to those distant back and forths I had from childhood.

The genius of Rogue Won lies in the engaging personalities of the hosts - the razor sharp and lovable smart arse in Johnny Grasso, the gravelly acerbic and witty raconteur in Hawes Burkhardt and the bolshie tough guy with a heart of gold in Mike Pappas. They bring the show together from across considerable distances in North America to present an almost small town audio love affair with Star Wars that oozes charm and recreates the child like appeal that Star Wars draws from within all of us fans.

Rogue Won's on air team (L-R) Johnny Grasso, Hawes Burkhardt, Mike Pappas.

And yet, underlying this veneer is a smart and analytical exploration of franchise news, franchise politics and fandom - aided by the fine repository of up to the minute content from the team at Making Star Wars - that goes beyond the superficial. It is often fearless, unafraid to poke holes in the imperfect beast and it baulks at the kind of sycophantic devotion to Lucasfilm inherent in other podcast offerings. But it does so while maintaining a respect and reverence for the franchise and, as such, this sets Rogue Won apart. As a result - and in quite a short span of time - Rogue Won has cultivated a loyal army of listeners and fans which has undoubtedly contributed to its rapid rise on the iTunes charts.

For me, Rogue Won: A Star Wars Podcast For Winners rekindles that old school innocence of 80's Star Wars fandom and as such, it rises above many of the other podcast offerings out there in the wilds. 

Visit Rogue Won: A Star Wars Podcast For Winners here. 

Subscribe to Rogue Won at iTunes here.

Join the Rogue Won Army here.

Isolation, Silence & Dysfunctional Fandom.

It's been a week since my surgery.

A long, slow, grinding week, characterized by constant pain, an inability to eat anything more substantial than liquids or pureès, an inability to form anything more than a few words that register above a whisper. I've spent long hours looking at the walls, wrestling with the most basic of decisions - (should I pick up that empty toilet roll tube off the floor so that the dog doesn't chew it - or no?)

I took a photo of the visible part of my throat last night. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to see it and I when I did see it I was sure that I didn't - and I wish I hadn't.

It is raw. It is mutilated. It is green! There is so much putrid slough in there that mere sight of it makes me want to gag. If only I could gag.

In short - I am thoroughly sick of myself.

I'll understand if you choose to vague out now because I know my misery can be interpreted as self indulgent. But I will say that blogging about this experience has gone some way in helping me cope with the situation.

And I will say that on Thursday, I had a slight bump in energy and motivation - enough that I took my dog Sam for a walk to the park and let him off to run around for a bit. Adelaide's parklands near my house are a wonderful open space, safe from traffic and just perfect for burning off some canine energy. Sam was, of course, as pleased as punch. The walk ruined me but I was glad I did it.

I also did some writing on Thursday. Not much - around two thousand words; but they are new words I've committed to a project I've tentatively called Walhalla - one that I've been trying to get going for a little while now. Again, my concentration collapsed after a few hours but, for a time their, it was really nice to just write something - to have some creativity flowing through me. I have only the vaguest idea of where this material will fit into an eventual story. That doesn't matter to me though. These things can be worked out later.

As I predicted, the pointy end of necessary human interaction is beginning to make itself felt and it is not encouraging. Of the few trips I've made to my local grocer this week, I've found them to be understanding without having to divulge the circumstances of my situation. Other places have regarded me with confusion, a latent suspicion and unabashed antipathy. One lady at the chemist the other day when I was trying to mouth the word tramadol, came right out and said, rather incredulously, "You can talk you know!"

A predictable ignorance.

The minute you hope for understanding, human nature comes in and shits all over it.

So I'm avoiding going out unless it's absolutely necessary. Soon, sadly, it is going to be necessary. I'm dreading that.

I think I'm done with pop culture. Looking through my social network feed this week, I've seen a number of spot fires raging around controversies within the Marvel and Star Wars universes and they are just so hack. Something about Captain America being a Nazi now and, shock horror, the forthcoming Rogue One film has to undergo some reshoots - like that never happens.

The pretentiousness of these hyper fans is really difficult to cope with and I feel as though there is an expectation on the part of some of them to engage in a war to justify some sort of defense of an ideology. It's fucking fiction! It's not key to human survival. Their consistent argument is that "my fandom is bigger than your fandom so your opinion has no validity!" I've encountered this personally in just the past week. It is confronting.

It's indicative to me that fandom is essentially broken and that maybe it is time to abandon certain franchises - *cough* Marvel *cough* that have already been twisted up in so many knots, the ability to ret conn them is virtually useless.

Further, I find that fans in my own beloved franchise have hitched themselves to it in sych a way that they have begun identifying themselves as "Star Wars" celebrities. That, because they flaunt their fandom as though it's some kind of penis symbol, they have assumed the right to be intertwined with the universe - almost as if they were in the fucking films themselves. It is annoying. Infuriating even.

I am trying to pay attention to the Federal Election campaign here currently because I like to think of myself as a responsible civic citizen and I want to take my vote seriously. But, I can't make sense of any of the arguments being put forward by the participating political parties. It's becoming lost in confusion and slogans. The only things the nation seems to have been talking about is the economy, superannuation, tax and jobs. Nothing about the arts. Nothing about social justice issues. Nothing about climate. We are a nation obsessed with money and the problems we face as a nation going forward require more than just money to address them.

But then I'm lost again.

Anyway, I have gone off on a major tangent. But it is illustrative of where my mind is at right now. I am unable to focus on anything for more than a short period of time before I am quickly distracted - then disinterested.

And I sit and look out the window.

There's a toilet roll tube on the top of the fence paling.

DFA.