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jovialyouthmusic · 3 years

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Two’s Company

Brad retrieves a vital memory, and Lucy goes to visit Hana and Sophia Lykel at the Palace.

Word Count 3973

A/N No smut, some drama and a lot of fluff. Still, due to the adult nature of other chapters No under 18s please

8 Looking to the Future

‘Sorry I’m late. Thanks for your patience, Miss…?’

‘Uh, Lucy’ The young woman looked at him with a strange expression, as if she had been knocked off balance.

As had he. There was something about her that he couldn’t put his finger on. None of the ladies of the Cordonian Court had whatever it was she had. His stomach did somersaults and his heart faltered as he gazed into her eyes, hypnotised. He pulled himself together.

‘Charmed to make your acquaintance, Lucy’ The words came easily as soon as he drew himself up into what Drake called ‘regal mode’ – the role he had practiced with his brother but never thought he’d have to fulfil. Apparently the young woman was having similar problems, as it was a second or so before she responded with…

‘The pleasure’s all mine. It’s nice to meet you’ The strange vacant expression on her face cleared, and she tucked her note pad into her apron pocket with a smile ‘Now let me put your order in. Be right back’ She turned and whisked away behind the bar, leaving him feeling like a fish stranded on dry land, and he stood gawking.

‘Brad – Brad?’ The voice seemed to come from far away. He didn’t want to answer it. He wanted to wait for the young woman to come back. He wanted to put on his best smile and charm her into lingering at the table.

‘He didn’t hit his head, did he? Please tell me he didn’t’

‘No, he went down like a bag of rocks, but he didn’t hit his head’

‘I didn’t think he’d take it like this. Should we call a doctor?’

‘He’s coming round – his eyes are flickering’ The voice was Maxwells. He opened his eyes to see his friend bending over him, a look of consternation on his face. Behind him was Drake, and beside him…

‘Miss - Lucy? Is our order ready yet?’ His own voice seemed strange, and his head hurt. He was lying on the floor, and went to sit up. That made his head feel worse, and he put his hand up, groaning. His mind was a whirl of images and voices. The young woman was by his side, supporting him and murmuring quietly. She smelled of roses and lavender.

‘Brad, take it easy. It’s okay, I’m here – and Drake, and Max’ He looked beyond her at Drake. One moment he knew who Lucy was, the next – she was a stranger. He tried to get up, and Drake helped him to a seat in the booth. It looked exactly like…

‘The dive bar – in New York’ Half of his mind understood, half did not. ‘Lucy’ his head snapped toward her ‘We met here’ She sat heavily at his words, tears welling up in her eyes and a weak smile on her face.

‘You remember’ she said, her voice faltering.

‘I - I’m not sure’ He rubbed his forehead. ‘It comes and goes.’ His hand fell to his lap and words poured from his mouth. ‘We were in New York, on my bachelor party. Drake arranged it’ Lucy was nodding, eyes bright. ‘We went to a bar like this – Max was here – and Tariq.’ He looked round ‘Where is Tariq?’ Lucy shuddered.

‘One step at a time, Brad’ she said softly ‘don’t try too hard, let it come naturally’ He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His face cleared, his expression peaceful.

‘You took me to the Statue of Liberty’ he murmured. ‘You were – like nobody I’d ever met before’ he reached out to caress her cheek. ‘Thankyou Lucy’ The two of them sat staring at each other until Maxwell piped up.

‘Yay, Brad remembers. Now where’s those burgers?’

------

‘So I had the staff make the cellar out like my old bar and went into town to buy this outfit’ Lucy said as she munched away on her burger. Max was on his second and Drake had gone to fetch more barbeque sauce and salad. Alcohol was again off the menu, despite them sitting in the mock up of the dive bar Lucy had worked in when Drake had taken Maxwell, Tariq and Brad there. Drake was still not drinking and of course Lucy couldn’t. Brad felt a little guilty for having had a small whiskey beforehand.

‘Strictly speaking, if we’re going for authenticity, you should be serving at the bar, not eating with us’ Drake pointed out. Lucy reached across and punched his upper arm. He yelped and rubbed at it ruefully.

‘Shut up, you. All that matters is Brad remembering when we met’ she said sharply, then turned back to him. He was feeling a lot better with some food in his stomach, and his memory was consolidating.

‘I do!’ he said triumphantly. ‘I remember that evening. I remember waking up the next morning and wishing I could see you again, then…’ his face fell. ‘That’s it so far’ Lucy patted his hand.

‘It’s a start. We’ll try revisiting some other meetings, but I’ll check with the doctor again and make sure you don’t have a reaction like this one.’ She frowned ‘You fainted clean away. I’ve never seen anything like it. How did it feel?’ He put his burger down and wrinkled his forehead.

‘It was all muddled. Seeing you in that outfit – it was so confusing, but it must have triggered something. I just – blacked out when it got too complicated. It was – it was like an electrical fault. Everything flickered.’ He nodded in affirmation ‘and then the memory remained.’

‘I’m so happy’ Lucy said, scooting closer to him on the bench and putting her head on his shoulder. He put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head, but inwardly he wasn’t sure just how much more he was going to recall, or even if the memory he had just unearthed would remain. The question of where Tariq was niggled at him, but he could tell that it was something Lucy didn’t want to talk about.

Drake returned with more food, and Brad smiled to himself. Both he and Maxwell had healthy appetites – it was perhaps the only thing they had in common. Usually they bickered and sniped at each other, but Lucy seemed to affect the two of them in a positive way.

‘It’s the Lucy effect’ he said aloud, another memory bubbling up. Wherever she went, she inspired and united people. She was a catalyst, changing others but remaining the same. He was so lucky to have met her, and even more fortunate to have ended up marrying her – even if he couldn’t remember it. She twisted to look up at him, her expression bright.

‘Oh, you remember that?’ she said. ‘That wasn’t so long ago – or at least you told me just after we called Drake…’ her voice trailed off as Brad looked blank, and shook his head.

‘I may have made some progress, but something tells me we still have a long way to go’

------

Understandably, Lucy wanted Brad to sleep with her that night, so Drake and Maxwell sat up in the mock bar shooting the breeze.

‘It looks like Lucy’s idea worked’ Maxwell remarked ‘But I suppose you’re not letting the whole story out to the press. How is he really?’ He leaned forward on his elbows and Drake sighed heavily.

‘It’s odd. Without Lucy I don’t know how he’d cope – but he can only remember snippets of their time together. There’s other bits missing from his memory, but we can’t find anything in common with the gaps’

‘That must be hard, man’ He seemed lost for words for a moment and leaned back into the padded back of the bench. Drake was unsure about whether to tell him about Lucy’s pregnancy. She’d not mentioned it to Max herself and had been too preoccupied with setting up their distraction to discuss the matter with him. Drake’s sister knew, but he didn’t trust Max not to accidentally let it slip. That was a solid ‘no’ then.

‘So what else are you going to try?’ Maxwell asked ‘I could do an interpretive dance if you like’ Drake snorted.

‘I’ll take a pass, thanks. But the next thing has to be the Ball. Lucy still has the dress she wore, and there’s a charity event coming up for the orphanage.’ Maxwell pushed out his bottom lip and nodded.

‘See, I wasn’t far off the mark.’ He yawned ‘I’d better get to bed. Lucy said she’d arranged to see Hana tomorrow, so I said I’d give her a lift’ Drake blanched as Max got up and stretched.

‘Please tell me you’re not driving.’ Max scoffed as Drake’s expression changed.

‘You and Bertrand – I don’t know why you don’t trust me behind the wheel. Don’t worry, I’ve got my driver, remember.’ Drake scowled.

‘Just because you’ve got a chauffeur doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be in the driving seat.’ He glared at the younger man ‘Promise me you’ll sit in the back with Lucy, or so help me…’

‘It’s fine, I’d rather sit with her than drive. Then we can hold hands and canoodle…’ he dodged as Drake lunged at him, but he failed and ended up with Drake’s fist grasping his shirt front, other fist cocked. ‘Joke, Drake, joke!’ he squeaked ‘She’s already got two men to keep her happy, I’d never…’ Drake let him go, and he readjusted his tie.

‘You’d better not have any ideas’ he growled.

‘Of course not, she’s like a sister to me’ Max said reassuringly ‘And…’ he looked down at his feet, shuffling uncomfortably. ‘I think I’ve met someone.’ He looked up quickly ‘But don’t ask me anything, I don’t want to jinx it’

‘Fine, Max, find. Just don’t even hint at making my life any more complicated’ Drake shook his head ‘You have no idea’ Max looked at him with sympathy.

‘You can always talk to me, y’know. Friendly ear, a trouble halved – all that’ Drake softened. Max meant well, he was sincere – but he couldn’t risk it.

‘Thanks. I appreciate it, but maybe another time, Max. I’ll get off to bed too. See you in the morning’

--------

The following day, true to his word Max set off with Lucy, and under Drake’s watchful eye made a show of sitting in the back seat with her. Hana had been at Ramsford helping to look after Bartie, but she was at the Palace ready to help Bastien and Sophia when the twins came. She had discovered that she doted on small children and babies, and Savannah had recommended her as support and babysitter. Maxwell was only stopping to say hello before going back home to help or hinder his brother.

Hana waited for Lucy at the front of the Palace, and hugged her tight as she got out of the car. Bastien hovered behind her keeping a respectful distance.

‘Lucy, you look amazing!’ she smiled ‘How’s his Majesty?’

‘Brad is improving’ she said ‘But it’s difficult to say how much of his memory he’ll get back’ She turned to Bastien ‘How’s Sophia? It can’t be long now’ He stepped forward and took her offered hand, clasping warmly it in both of his.

‘She’s – well to be honest she’s cranky and bored’ he smiled ruefully. ‘Thankyou for asking, your Majesty. If you have time to pop in to our rooms and say hello she’d be grateful’ Bastien and Sophia had married shortly after Anton’s trial, and he had stepped down from his role as Captain when Sophia became pregnant. He was still employed as security advisor and also sat on the new Council that Brad had set up to break the power of the nobility and involve commoners more in the running of the country. For the time being they still lodged at the Palace, moving into a larger suite in the staff wing, and planned to move to their own place when they had settled more into family life.

‘I’ve ordered afternoon tea in my suite. I know it’s only lunchtime, but I thought I’d be rebellious’ Hana interjected, a hint of mischief in her eyes. ‘Sophia’s more than welcome to come along’ Bastien made a face.

‘That’s most kind of you, but she’s suffering from heartburn and can only tolerate small meals’ he replied.

‘I could go and see her first’ Lucy smiled ‘I’d like to talk to her and Hana together if it’s possible’ Bastien ran his fingers through his carefully styled hair, and Lucy wondered how his personal grooming routine would stand up to dealing with newborn twins.

‘I’ll go and ask her now – I’ll let you know, your Grace’ he inclined his head politely and went back into the Palace. Lucy turned back to the car.

‘Thanks for bringing me, Max’ she said ‘Say hi to Savannah for me. I’ll try and pop by in a week or so. Are you coming in?’

‘Nah’ Maxwell waved his hand dismissively ‘Savvy’s been texting me asking when I’ll be back, so Bartie’s probably playing up. Fun Uncle Maxie is needed’ he winked, gave her a salute and got back into the car. ‘Ramsford next – full speed ahead, Steve’ Within seconds the car had set off back down the drive.

‘What’s the betting he’ll be in trouble with Bertrand before the end of the day?’ Hana laughed. ‘Now then, you said you had some important news for me’

‘I do, but it’s strictly hush hush, and I’d like to tell Bastien and Sophia too’ Hana clapped her hands delightedly.

‘Oh – I think I can guess’ she cried, ‘More cuddles for Auntie Hana?’ Lucy looked around carefully

‘’Shhh don’t let on, it’s a secret, but you guessed right’ Lucy smiled ‘I hope Sophia’s feeling up to us visiting’

‘Oh she’s fine, she just likes to keep Bastien on his toes’ she giggled. ‘We might as well make our way there, she’ll be delighted to see you’ The two women went into the Palace and strolled the corridors on their way to the Staff wing. Just as Hana predicted, they were only halfway there when Bastien caught up with them.

‘Sophia says go right on in. If you’ll excuse me your Grace, I have a meeting. Lady Hana knows where to go’

‘Could you spare us five minutes first please, Bastien?’ Lucy asked ‘I have some news I’d like to share’ He frowned, looking at his watch, then looked up brightly.

‘They can’t start without me, so of course. Follow me’ He stopped outside the door to his quarters and paused ‘If you don’t mind, can I ask how the King is coping? He seemed to be doing quite well when he was here, but of course you’d notice more’

‘He’s improving. We’re building up a relationship. It’s almost as if we’d just met, but he’s accepted who I am and we’re working on it. I’m planning a few events to jog his memory, and we’ve had some success already.’ Bastien nodded solemnly.

‘That sounds good. Now come on in’ He ushered them inside to the lounge, the décor and furnishings showing Sophia’s softening influence on Bastien’s love of order and neatness. Sophia rose to greet them, belly prominent. She wasn’t a slight build, but Lucy wondered how her body could possibly adapt to growing two offspring. Sophia put her hand in the small of her back, and Bastien rushed over to help steady her.

‘Be careful theà mou, not too fast’ he chided, and she rolled her eyes.

‘Stop fussing, Bas. I need to get up every now and again, I can’t just sit.’ she muttered, but still held onto his arm as she made a tiny curtsey, grimacing slightly as she rose. Lucy went forward to take her hand. ‘So good of you to come, your majesty - sorry, hugs aren’t really practical right now’ Sophia smiled ruefully ‘I can hardly remember what it’s like to be a normal size.’

‘Please, call me Lucy – you too, Bas. There’s nobody to judge your lack of formality.’ She and Hana sat, and Sophia lowered herself back into her easy chair with Bastien’s help. He pulled up a footstool and helped her to rest her feet.

‘I’d offer you tea, but I can’t stomach it at the moment. I’m sure you’ll have a lovely meal with Hana’ Sophia grimaced a little, and her partner solicitously rearranged the cushions for her. She touched his hand gratefully and gazed up at him. It was obvious that they were devoted to each other, and Lucy envied them for a moment, despite Brad’s returning memory and affection.

‘I’m glad Bastien could join us’ Lucy started, her hands in her lap. She drew a deep breath. ‘It’s early days and we’re keeping it quiet for the moment, but… I’m pregnant. If all goes well, Cordonia will have a new heir in seven months’ Sophia’s hand flew to her mouth in surprise, and Bastien beamed broadly.

‘I suspected as such. Congratulations, I trust his Majesty is pleased. I know he’s always wanted a family’ Sophia was smiling after her initial shock.

‘Oh your – Lucy, that’s marvellous news! Don’t mind me complaining about all this’ she rubbed her belly. ‘You’ve caught me at the worst stage, and I’m told it’s not difficult.’ she rolled her eyes at Bastien.

‘Now that’s not what I said, theà mou’ he started ‘I just pointed out how many women…’ she smacked his hand.

‘Stop mansplaining. I don’t care what other women did, every pregnancy is different’ she snapped, her sunny mood breaking a little, and he winced. She turned to Lucy. ‘If you need any advice, ask away. How’s the morning sickness?’ It was Lucy’s turn to grimace.

‘Not pleasant’ she sighed. ‘Dry biscuits help’

‘I was lucky, it didn’t last too long, but this last trimester is a beast with two on the way. I feel as big as a whale’ Sophia sighed.

‘Well, I have to go’ Bastien said, and bent to kiss his wife ‘Is there anything you need?’

‘No, I’ll be fine. I’ll call housekeeping if I do’ He was almost at the door when she called him ‘Oh, but you could bring me some Ben and Jerrys when you get back’ He paused mid stride and turned. His face was impassive and his tone neutral.

‘Of course, my goddess, what flavour?’

‘Surprise me’ He blanched slightly at that, but smiled and made a little bow to Lucy and left. Sophia threw back her head and groaned.

‘Oh my god, there’s nothing I can do to rattle him.’ She looked at the two women’s astonished expressions and pursed her lips. ‘Bas is just so bloody perfect. I’m trying to get him to crack, it’s my only entertainment right now, he won’t let me go anywhere. Not that there’s anywhere I want to go, and I can only really manage a waddle.’ Hana made a sympathetic noise.

‘Are you sure you won’t take early afternoon tea with us? I can always have it brought here’ Sophia picked at a piece of lint on the swell of her belly, sighing heavily.

‘No, it’s fine. I’m pretty tired, I’m going to try and have a nap’ She stopped and made a little squeak and Lucy swore she could see a tiny lump appear and disappear on her baby bump. ‘If these two hooligans let me. I swear they’re having a party in there’

‘Well, I’m sorry you’re having a hard time, but it won’t be long now’ Lucy said ‘You’re welcome to come stay at Valtoria and have extra hands to help, and it will give the boys a taste of what’s to come.’

‘I’m pretty sure we’ll have that here, but if we want a change of scene I’m sure Bas will bring me over’ Sophia made as if to rise out of her seat, but Lucy put out her hand to stop her.

‘Please don’t get up again. We’ll see ourselves out. We could ask a member of staff to come and sit with you’

‘Oh don’t worry, Bas checks on me regularly. I have a panic button and he actually tunes into my fitness tracker to check my heartbeat. One of his staff hacked into it and he can keep tabs on me with his phone.’ She showed her the band she wore on her wrist. ‘If I really want to freak him out all I have to do is take it off. He’d get an alarm message and he’d be here so fast it would cause a sonic boom’ Lucy chuckled.

‘When it comes down to it I’ll probably have either Drake or Brad hovering at my side twenty four seven when I get near my due date. Probably sooner knowing them’

‘Well good luck.’ Sophia smiled ‘Thanks so much for coming. Are you staying long?’

‘No, I’m staying over and going back in the morning, but I’ll be back for a few days with Brad when the charity ball’s on. I have a plan to jog his memory’ Lucy could see Sophia was a little flushed and she looked tired, so the two women left her to rest.

Back at Hana’s quarters, afternoon tea was beautifully presented on a table by the window overlooking the grounds. She could see the maze and the knot garden, and in the distance, the summerhouse was hidden in the trees by the lake. Lucy eyed the spread of food laid out, wide eyed. Tiny sandwiches, savouries and pastries were arranged on a cake stand, and a jug of sparkling apple juice stood ready with two glasses.

‘Oh my goodness, is that Brie on the cracker? The guys would freak if they saw – and chorizo?’

‘Don’t worry, it’s safe’ Hana smiled ‘I tried to get a few things that look naughty but aren’t. You can eat anything on the table. All the cheeses are made with pasteurised milk, and the meats are vegan substitutes. I even taste tested them to check how good they are. The kitchens had already sourced a lot of pregnancy friendly things thanks to Bastien.’

‘Well, it all looks spectacular, and I’ll ask for them to send their recommendations to the Cook at Valtoria.’

‘Tuck in’ Hana smiled ‘How’s your appetite?’ Lucy frowned as Hana picked up a tartlet.

‘It’s increasing. The guys don’t know it, but I have a secret chocolate stash in my study. I locked it away in the desk and keep the key in my purse’

‘Well, you’re eating for two’ Lucy picked up a tiny sausage and popped it into her mouth, rolling her eyes at the spicy tang.

‘What is it about men trying to control what we do and what we eat? I’m only eight weeks in and already Brad’s turned into the food police.’

‘Let me guess, Drake sneaks you a few treats’ Hana giggled ‘He always did like to challenge authority’

‘Not so far, but they are kind of ‘good husband, bad husband’’ Lucy replied ‘Whatever one insists on, the other one vetoes. It’ll probably be the same with our kids. They’ll be champions at playing one off against the other.’

‘They mean well, I’m certain’ Hana picked up a dainty sandwich and nibbled at it ‘They only want to make sure you’re properly looked after’

‘I suppose so’ Lucy sighed ‘I just like a bit of alone time to feel normal, you know, and not have to think about it constantly’

‘Well you can always come and visit me, though I may have my hands full with the twins if all goes well’

‘Even better, I can get some first hand experience.’ Hana poured some sparkling water out for the two of them.

‘Let’s drink to Sophia and Bastien’s new family, and to yours too’ she smiled, and they clinked glasses and drank to the future.

@sirbeepsalot @fluffyfirewhiskey @katedrakeohd @dcbbw @camillemontespan @kingliam2019 @notoriouscs @texaskitten30

#Two's Company #lucy valois #lucy and brad #drake x lucy #drake x lucy x brad #Hana #sophia x bastien

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redbeardace · 4 years

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August TAAAP Chat Notes: Sex Ed

This is a scattered bunch of thoughts and notes on some of the things that were discussed about sex ed in the August TAAAP Pride Chats. There’s no solid thesis here, but maybe a few conversation starters. Some of what’s here is a post-chat thought and wasn’t even discussed at all. This should also be taken as incomplete and not a full overview of what was discussed. (Notably, it doesn’t include much of what went on in the voice chats.)

[Cross-posted from Pillowfort.]

Include aces and aros. Unsurprisingly, one of the main things was that aces and aros should be included in sex ed courses.

Sex ed has gone backwards since the early 90s? Either I had a wildly advanced program in my schools (in a deeply conservative rural area), or the fallout of Jocelyn Elders and the “abstinence-only” nonsense of the Bush years completely obliterated the usefulness of sex ed. We had a program that spanned multiple years, starting with a single day vocabulary lesson and “puberty is coming!” warnings in the 5th or 6th grade, through a two week lesson about all sorts of things in 9th or 10th grade health class. We were told that masturbation and gay people and condoms and oral sex existed, although there were no details about how any of those things worked. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. But a lot of the people in the chats were talking about their sex ed, and it sounded woefully, frighteningly inadequate.

What is “sex ed”, anyway? School, teaching the basics? Information for adults? Training courses for professionals?

Cover the basics. The basics are important. Anatomy, menstruation, common medical issues down there. Cover what’s “normal” and what should be taken to a doctor.

What about other classes? How can a math teacher express support? Hang a flag. Tackle amatonormativity in story problems. Discuss it in the staff room. Point the sex ed teachers at aro/ace resources. Be out. Stories about aromantic people read in English class. Asexual people talked about in history. GSAs/Pride groups in school that are aro and ace inclusive.

Desire for sex or romance are not universals. Stop with the “Everyone wants it eventually”, and switch to something more like “a lot of people do, but not everyone, and it’s okay if you don’t.”

Reframe the discussion of “No”. Too often, in sex ed, it’s all about when you’re “ready”, with the implication that you will be “ready” one day. And when you’re “ready”, there’s the implication that you’re ready and willing for everything from that point forward. Like if you say “yes” to a date and you’ve opted in to all the romancey things, say “yes” to sex and you’ve opted in to all the sexy things. That’s not right. It should be more focused on what you want to do, and empower people to say “no” to things they don’t want. Discuss reasons for saying no, include “I just don’t wanna”. Normalize the permanent “no”.

Look for backdoor opportunities for inclusion. For example, the new Washington State Comprehensive Sex Ed law requires teaching of sexual orientations and gender identities as listed in the definition used by another section of state law. So if that other section gets updated to include aros and aces, the sex ed curriculum will also have to be updated.

Connect with the people doing the work. There are groups who build sex ed programs and lobby for them. Work with them to include ace and aro topics.

Beware the head-in-the-sand crowd. There is a very loud, very active anti-sex-ed lobby out there. In WA, they got the sex ed law put up for a vote. Some of their objections are that affirmative consent goes against their religious teachings, and that although they can opt out their kids from the lesson, they can’t opt out their kids from schoolyard talk, so your kids have to remain ignorant, too.

Fuck you, Kemper Freeman. Seriously. Fuck that guy.

How do you accommodate varying levels of interest and aversion, while still providing necessary levels of detail? The topic of sex ed is a bit of a minefield. Some people want to know all the things, some people want to know very very little. Some topics are dysphoria triggers, some topics are aversion triggers, some topics are just not interesting or of any practical use. There’s a baseline of information that everyone should know, and there’s a level of detail that the interested people should get. But how do you do that in a classroom setting? One suggestion was to allow people to freely step outside for certain topics. Another was to have an interactive lesson, where the student is able to adjust the detail based on their comfort level and interest. It would start out with a “default” level of detail, but would allow the student to request less detail or more detail for each topic. The less detail level would still have all of the baseline level information that everyone should know, while the more detail would go beyond a surface level summary. Likewise, images could be switched between text description, line art diagrams, and actual photos.

Resources! Scarleteen, Sexplanations, etc.

Discuss healthy relationships and consent. Provide practical examples. Not just how/when to say yes or no, but how to bring up things you want to do or are curious about. Include queer relationships. How to ask for what you want. How to know what you want. How to say no to what you don’t want. All relationships, not just sexual or romantic.

Reconsider segregation by gender. A lot of sex ed is done with a gender split, but does it need to be? If there is a value to such a split, how can it be made trans and intersex supportive?

Bring up body variations. There’s a wide variety of genital configurations, so mention them. Discuss intersex bodies. Discuss small parts, large parts, asymmetrical parts. This would likely be an appropriate place to include actual photos, because so many people said that actual photos were only used in the STD scare tactics.

Elaborate on “sex”. Too often, it’s discussed as just PIV to orgasm and that’s that. But what about things that don’t involve Ps or Vs or do involve Ps and Vs, but not the I? What about stuff before and after? What alternatives are there if you don’t like certain aspects but are fine with others?

Cover everyone. If there is a separation, each group should cover the same things, at least at some level. Everyone should come out of sex ed knowing about their own body and its processes, as well as about bodies they don’t have, and their processes.

Don’t “teach” through fear. STDs are bad, but they’re preventable with caution and mostly treatable in some form or another. Pregnancy typically isn’t desirable for high schoolers, but here’s a dozen ways to avoid it. Give direct information, don’t try to terrify people.

Mention pleasure. Mention the basics of obtaining pleasure, whether alone or with others. If anyone walks out of a sex ed course of any kind without knowing about the clitoris, it’s a failure. People should know that most clitoris owners can masturbate, and can experience pleasure from sexual acts, if done the right way..

Dispel myths and lies. Not everybody wants it. Vaginal penetration isn’t necessarily going to lead to orgasm. It’s not supposed to hurt the first time. You don’t have to have an orgasm. It’s okay not to know what to do. “Girls don’t want it.” “Boys will be boys.”

Toys. AFAB people don’t have to only use vibrators to masturbate. AMAB people can use toys.

What is “Attraction”? And along those lines, what is “Libido”? What do these things feel like? How do you know what you’re feeling? What are these experiences like for different people?

Hygiene. Give information about keeping various zones clean. Talk about the results of various activities, partnered or not, and what steps might need to be taken.

Porn is fake. Watching porn to pick up information about how to do sex is roughly equivalent to watching a crime procedural to learn how to become a cop. You’ll get a very skewed view of things. Pleasure isn’t always visible or audible.

Destigmatize it all. Sex is seen as taboo and secret, and not to be spoken of, and that attitude harms people. It prevents them from feeling comfortable to bring up important things or ask important questions. It prevents them from learning things they need to learn. It forces people into bad situations and mediocre encounters because they don’t know it doesn’t have to be like that.

Teach people how to learn. Sex is currently a subject fraught with misinformation. Porn or Cosmo are main sources of information, yet aren’t super accurate. People should be given tools to know how to find and evaluate the information.

Consent is bigger than the bedroom. Consent includes touch, jokes, conversations, etc. It’s anywhere boundaries exist.

More than just cis white male voices. So much of sex ed is heteronormative, amatonormative, tailored for specific cases, and mired in the ignorance of the past. Sex ed needs more perspectives.

#asexual #aromantic #sex ed

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magicalthoughtsendinterriblefics · 7 years

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Miss Something - Request

Requested by @mrsdeanfuckingwinchester: Dean x reader have been married for years, she gets pregnant but he doesn’t want it. She leaves but never moves on. He ends up in another relationship and about to marry her. At the altar he decides he needs to be with reader and their child. & Anon: Part three to "Miss Everything- Miss nothing" where Dean bonds some more with his daughter but mostly of his relationship with the reader becoming even stronger? & @captain-morgans-bitch: Please continue and make a series out of this & A bunch of people voting for it in the past two Sequel Fridays.

Summary: After apologizing and meeting his daughter, Dean is willing to get back to her life for once and for all. He wants everything back, including (Y/N) who is still reluctant about his comeback.

Pairing: Dean x reader.

Word count: 3,755

Warnings: None.

A/N: I wanted to focus more on Samstiel with Louise, but also daddy!Dean and his relationship with reader (if that makes any sense at all). Happy Sequel Friday!

Enjoy!

| Miss Everything (1) | Miss Nothing (2) |

Dean followed the deal like an obedient man. He called Louise every day after school – or at least after eating something because they would spend hours talking and Louise would forget to eat – and then he called (Y/N) to have dinner on Saturday.

Sam and Castiel weren’t only cheerful, and proud of Dean finally manning up and trying to make things better, but they were also far too excited to meet the little Winchester.

They would have dinner together at (Y/N) and Louise’s house that day. Sam made sure to buy pie and wine, while Castiel spent his whole morning collecting flowers at the nearest park – because Sam told him it was polite to go to a home with a present for the owner – and Dean made sure to buy Louise a colouring book and (Y/N)’s favourite sweets.

The three men arrived punctual to the appointment and Sam was impressed to notice how (Y/N) still looked the same. She was at the kitchen, checking the oven, when they arrived and so she didn’t notice. However, Louise had heard Baby’s roar and she stormed out of the house, excitedly.

“There’s my chipmunk.” Dean spoke proudly as he turned Baby off.

“She looks just like mom.” Sam commented.

“No.” Castiel stated, “Your mother is a woman, the kid is just a child. How c…?”

“I’ll explain later.” Sam promised and so they all got outside the car.

Louise was about to rush to her dad, but Dean stopped her knowing that it was dangerous to cross the street without looking twice. Instead he rushed to her side at the porches and hugged her tightly, lifting her from the ground.

“I missed you.” Louise said over his shoulder.

“I missed you too.” Dean said and then pulled away, gesturing at Sam and Castiel. “This is your Uncle Sam, and that one is Cas.”

“Hi, Louise.” Sam greeted, kneeling down to be at her height, “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” She said politely, “Mom told me you were tall.”

Sam chuckled. “I’m sure I grew up a bit more since the last time we met.”

Dean cleared his throat, calling back their attention to Castiel. “Hi.” He greeted awkwardly.

“Hi.” Louise greeted back, giving him a toothless smile. “How do you do, Mr. Angel?”

“I do er…” He looked at Dean, asking for help.

“He’s good.” Dean replied for him and then (Y/N) appeared at the door.

She was wearing the slightest bit of makeup, yet she looked like a movie star. She had styled her hair and left it loose, and she was wearing the typical chic-mom outfit. Dean found himself drooling over her.

“Sam!” She cheered, “You grew up so much since the last time I saw you!”

“I knew you would say that.” Sam giggled and hugged (Y/N). Dean suddenly became jealous of the affection his brother was receiving. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I miss you too.” (Y/N) said and then pulled away. “You must be Castiel, hi!”

“Hello, it’s a pleasure to be here.” And then the angel proceeded to make an awkward bow. (Y/N) chuckled and bowed back. “I brought you a present.” He said, and pulled out of his trench coat the now withered leaves. His face fell in disappointment but (Y/N) didn’t mind.

“Thank you.” She said truthfully, and took the flowers. Castiel smiled shyly, glad that she wasn’t as strange around him as Lisa used to be.

Dean was next in line, and he was anxiously waiting to get acknowledged by (Y/N). He was carrying the pie and the bottle of wine, as well as the bag with the presents for the girls. (Y/N) looked at him, not knowing if it would be rude to be less affectionate with him or acceptable considering his past actions.

They ended up nodding at each other.

(Y/N) asked them to go inside. They had a very pleasant dinner – barbecue ribs – and Sam made sure to update her in everything she had missed, knowing exactly how to tell the stories without touching any soft spot or triggering a discussion.

She was a laughing mess, enjoying each and every single anecdote Sam told her and adding some snarky comments every so often. Dean was happy to see her relaxed once again; it really brought him back to the times when they were together and there were no hard feelings between them.

Louise was sitting at Dean’s lap, making a really funny drawing of Dean, (Y/N), Castiel, Sam and her hunting monsters together. It was funny because Sam had mentioned the moose part and Louise had drawn him antlers; she had also added a squirrel tail to Dean and made Castiel’s wings hot pink – she took a joke from Dean a little too literal – and they all seemed to be like a family.

Once she finished, she showed everyone the drawing.

“Antlers?” Sam chuckled, “I might as well star using them because they do look good on me.” He joked and Louise giggled and blushed which created an adorable image of the little girl.

“My wings aren’t this colour…” Castiel mumbled.

“I think you would look pretty if they were.” Louise observed. Castiel smiled at her and thought of a clever response to it.

“Maybe you could paint them for me.” He said and Louise’s eyes sparked in excitement.

“Well, I’m definitely not going to use a squirrel tail but good try kiddo.” Dean said and Louise bopped his nose with a tiny finger.

“What about a squirrel nose?” She asked innocently.

“That could work.” Dean granted, making a really strange yet tender face that (Y/N) remembered very well.

She was leaning to the front, staring in awe at the image she had so painfully pictured every night during her pregnancy and Louise’s first years. Dean, holding their daughter and being cute and fluffy with her, at a table in their house and making her giggle.

She was so mesmerized by them that didn’t notice when Sam caught her, less to say the small smile that grew on his face when he understood that there was still a chance for them to go back to being a family.

(Y/N) had always been a great support from Sam. She was the only one who didn’t blame him for wanting to leave, and she even gifted him a few law books so he could continue to learn in spite of not being in Stanford anymore. She was like the kind, older sister he had needed as a child… Not because Dean wasn’t enough, but because she could balance him, get him on the right track.

He missed those summer nights, going to the nearest beach or forest with (Y/N) and Dean, talking about everything with them without fearing to be judged because they would understand – and if Dean dared to bother him, (Y/N) would slap his face so hard he would apologize to Sammy in a matter of seconds – and they would get in all kinds of trouble, and go hunting together, and just being a weird family.

“Uncle Sam?” Louise called, dragging both (Y/N) and Sam out of their trances.

“Yes?” He inquired as the little girl left Dean’s lap to walk by his side.

“Daddy told me you like Harry Potter and other nerd stuff.” She said, “Would you mind watching the Puppet Pals with me?”

Sam smiled tenderly. “Sure, if it’s okay with your mom of course.”

(Y/N) nodded. “Just don’t spoil her; she hasn’t finished the books yet.”

“No problem.” Sam winked, “Cas? Want to come?”

The angel alternated his gaze between the Winchesters and (Y/N) for a few times before he understood that Dean wanted to have a private conversation with (Y/N).

“Yes, I believe I would be of no use in the private conversation that will take place…” They all shushed him before finishing the sentence.

“Uncle Cas, you don’t talk out loud of the private conversation, you pretend not to know.” Louise explained and grabbed his hand, dragging him to the living room. Castiel managed to offer apologies before disappearing along with Sam.

(Y/N) and Dean walked out to the back yard. They could hear the Ticking Noise song playing out loud at the living room, as well as Castiel’s concerned voice asking all kinds of strange questions about the puppets.

They were quiet, remembering the feeling of being right by the other’s side but feeling it too odd to be familiar or warm.

They sat there, at the edge of the two stair steps that led to the grass part, looking at the horizon and thinking of ways to start the conversation they both craved to have.

“Sam really likes her.” Dean finally said, “And Castiel… I know he’s not expressive at all, but he adores her, he really does. He has a soft spot for kids, mostly because they are more patient with him.”

“Louise isn’t precisely patient.” (Y/N) muttered, “But she’s kind, and she won’t stop until she paints his wings pink.”

“I’m sure he will find a way to make it happen.” Dean said.

“She… She wanted to meet Sam so much, you know? She always found him interesting.” (Y/N) confessed, “I mean, besides the fact that he kept in touch for a while… She wanted an Uncle to watch Harry Potter with and read books… All that jazz.”

“Sam never really forgave me for what I did.” Dean mumbled.

“I’m sure nobody has.” She said.

“Not even Louise?” Dean inquired sadly.

“No, she waits next to the phone every afternoon. Fingers crossed, praying that you do call.” (Y/N) trembled.

“I promise, I’m not leaving you two anymore.” He said, placing a warm hand over her knee – a hand she didn’t shook off.

“You can only prove it with actions.” She whispered, looking directly into his watery, green eyes.

Dean’s jaw clenched as he nodded. “I will.”

The silence took over once more. His hand was still on her knee, and it eventually got covered by one of her hands. It was almost the same feeling as when one finds old memories and starts remembering every sensation, or when one hears their old favourite song and finds out they still remember the lyrics.

His hands were drier, but they still felt like home. Her hands were just as soft, except she wasn’t wearing her Vegas ring anymore. The lack of the cold iron made Dean’s heart ache, but having her hand with his once again fixed it a little.

“I miss this.” (Y/N) confessed in a whisper.

“Going out while Sam was doing research and doing nothing.” Dean said, knowing exactly what he meant. “We can still have it back.”

“I’m not sure I can.” (Y/N) muttered, “It’s too fast.”

“Ten years from now, then.” Dean stated, “I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes.”

“Thanks.” She whispered.

Dean left a soft, slow kiss on the forehead, which lingered down to her cheek before her head fell to rest over his shoulder. He turned his palm so they were holding hands properly, like they used to, and then they both felt at peace.

“I don’t get it.” Castiel said as they drove back to the bunker. “You love her, she loves you, why aren’t you together?”

“It’s not that simple, man.” Dean said.

“It’s never that simple.” Castiel groaned, “You humans are odd.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Cas.” Louise comforted him, “I also don’t understand. Just flow with it.”

(Y/N) had agreed to let Louise stay at the bunker as long as she approved it. So the three men and Louise were at the Impala while (Y/N) drove close by. Dean had begged her to go with them in Baby, but (Y/N) knew he would use it as an excuse to make her spend the night as well and she wasn’t ready for that.

They finally arrived, or at least to the front part in which the only visible thing – and only to the trained eye – was the metal door that led to the underground bunker.

“Right, you took the soldier thing too literal.” (Y/N) joked as Sam unlocked the door.

When they entered, both girls were shaking. The bunker was incredible.

(Y/N) made Dean show her every single protective measure there was. From sigils to traps and alarms, Dean showed her everything only to make her agree on letting Louise stay with them for the night.

Louise, on the other hand, was marvelled at the thousands of books at the library, and Sam and Castiel were happily explaining to her what they were all about.

“What’s Bu-Bubbly Asian Beauties?” Louise asked as she caught glimpse of one of the magazines.

“NOTHING.” Sam exclaimed and blocked the rest of the magazines with his body.

“Look, fairy tales!” Castiel gasped, pointing at the opposite side of the book shelf. Sam gave him a thumbs up and proceeded to take each magazine away from her view by placing them on top of the shelve.

(Y/N) and Dean returned from the garage; where (Y/N) almost fainted at the many beauties parked there and slapped Dean’s shoulder for not taking them out for a ride – “You know they need to be used, right?” She argued, and Dean couldn’t help but to melt at her actions.

“Everything in order, inspector?” Sam joked as he caught glimpse of her.

“Yes, ma’am.” (Y/N) joked back. They used to do that all the time when they were younger.

“So I am staying.” Louise gasped.

“Only in one condition… Well, more than one condition.” (Y/N) warned, kneeling down to be face to face with her daughter.

“I’ll do anything.” Louise said.

“First, you have to behave.” The kid nodded, “Second, you have to eat right. Whatever they give you, okay? No picky scenes.” Louise nodded again, “Third, you have to call me before going to bed and when you wake up.” (Y/N) looked back at Dean to make sure he understood and he nodded, “Fourth, you can’t skip the shower. Okay?”

“Okay.” Louise pouted and her resemblance to Dean became more obvious, which made Cas’ mouth form an O.

“I see it now.” The angel commented.

“I love you. I’ll come tomorrow afternoon to pick you up.” She gave Louise a kiss on the forehead and then kissed Sam and Cas’ cheek goodbye.

Dean walked her outside.

“I’ll take good care of her, I promise.” Dean assured, “I’ll be a better nanny than I was with Sam.”

“I know, I trust you.” (Y/N) said. “Just… No pie after ten, nor chocolate. She has to sleep at eleven…”

“Isn’t that too late for a kid?” Dean interrupted.

“I don’t know, she got that from you. So you tell me, Winchester?” She snapped and Dean breathed out a smile. “Just… Bed at eleven, please.”

“Of course.” Dean said.

“She loved bacon in the mornings, and don’t give her coffee or I’ll swear you’ll regret it… She goes all hyper and… No, you don’t want that.”

“No coffee, got it.”

“She knows how to shower by herself, but you will have to push her inside the shower if necessary.” (Y/N) continued.

“She got that from Sam, I swear.”

“I know.” (Y/N) said, “Also, please, I know you don’t like vegetables either but she has to eat some.”

“Sam will take charge of that. Anything else?” (Y/N) breathed in deeply.

“I don’t know how good friends you are with that Crowley but please, no demons when she’s here.”

“But tonight is Poker night!” Dean whined and (Y/N) gave him a death glare, “I’m joking. Neither demons nor supernatural creatures while Louise is here. Don’t worry.”

“Good.” (Y/N) exhaled in relief. “I think that’s it. I’ll call when I’m on my way.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” Dean inquired.

“It’s not like I live two states away… Just a few minutes.” (Y/N) rolled her eyes.

“I know, I’m just worried.” Dean muttered.

“You’ve seen me drive your ass to the hospital at 3 am with vampires chasing after us without getting a single scratch on Baby. I think I can handle it.” She beamed.

Dean gave her a shy smile and then wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her closer. For a split second, they remained like that, enjoying the warmth in each other’s arms. But then they remembered everything they had once built had been destroyed, and they had to start from zero.

(Y/N) was the first to pull away, and she could see in Dean’s eyes how much he wanted to stay in her arms for a while longer.

“Good-bye Dean.”

It was almost Louise’s bed time. She was in Sam’s bed, watching Netflix – Bones, to be specific – while Sam braided her hair into a braid. Castiel was sitting right by her side, asking all kinds of questions that Louise was more than willing to answer to.

Dean was leaning against the door frame, drinking a beer and admiring his daughter in her pink elephant pyjamas, with Sam braiding her hair like a professional and Castiel making questions on purpose to make her feel intelligent.

It was the life he had missed for five years. Five long years away from such an amazing being like Louise, and away from his one and only love (Y/N). How dumb had he been, trying to keep her away from a life he had suffered in, not knowing that she would only make it better.

She was fear-less a badass in dragon slippers and pink pyjamas. With leather-jacket wearing Barbies and knowing how to use a gun before she even learned what lipstick was. She was his daughter, he was meant to be with her and because of his self-loathing and childhood traumas he had forbidden himself from a happiness they were all meant to have.

“Daddy, do I look pretty?” Louise asked from the bed once Sam had finished.

“What are you saying? You are always pretty!” Dean cheered and Louise blushed and furrowed her nose. Castiel smiled warmly at her.

“I think you look like a princess.” The angel said.

“A tough princess like Merida?” Louise asked with widened eyes.

“Tougher than that.” Castiel said and bopped her nose.

“I want to braid Uncle Sammy’s hair now!”

Because they couldn’t say no to her, Sam ended up with five different braids all over his hair. He looked hilarious and Dean took a picture and sent it to (Y/N) who replied with laughing emojis. Then, it was time for bed, and because Louise didn’t want to sleep alone, Dean allowed her to sleep on his bed.

Sam was at his room, Castiel was at the library trying to learn as many fairy tales as possible. Dean was tucking Louise in bed while she hummed a song.

“The Beatles, huh?” Dean inquired, sitting by her side.

“Yes, my mum sings it to me all the time.” Louise said.

“My mum used to sing that to me too.” Dean confessed as his heart fluttered, knowing that (Y/N) did it because she still remembered him somehow. No matter what he had done, she wanted her to at least have that in common with him.

“Can we call mum now? I’m tired.” Louise yawned.

“Of course.” Dean reached for his phone and dialled her phone number.

After two rings, (Y/N) answered. She was nervous, it was the first time Louise and Dean would spend so much time together, and it hadn’t even been long since they met and (Y/N) didn’t want him to ruin it.

After listing everything she had done throughout the afternoon, Louise and (Y/N) shared their good-nights and Louise fell asleep. Dean left the room, with (Y/N) still on the phone, to continue talking.

“She’s great.” Dean said, “Yes, she did took a shower… Ugh, you didn’t tell me it was for tomorrow morning? No, I did dry her hair. (Y/N), chill! Yes, yes, yes… Okay. Got it… (Y/N)…” Dean took in a deep breath. “I know, don’t worry. We’re all fine. I love you.”

Dean didn’t freeze at his own words, he knew what he felt for her, but when (Y/N) replied with an “I love you too” his whole world turned upside down and a new hope rose in front of his eyes. Maybe it wouldn’t take ten years after all.

The next day, after a large breakfast Dean and Castiel prepared, the boys sat with Louise to share jokes and stories about their hunts until (Y/N) arrived.

Louise was at the car, with Sam and Castiel talking to her through the open window. Meanwhile, Dean and (Y/N) shared the awkward conversation every divorced couple shared when picking up the child from the other’s house.

“Next weekend then?” (Y/N) asked.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Dean smiled, “Maybe we can go hunting.”

“Sure… But easy hunts, please. Louise is… She’s a beginner.” (Y/N) begged.

“I wouldn’t risk our daughter for anything.” Dean promised.

What followed next was worse than awkward. They were unsure on what to do. Kiss on the lips? Or maybe on the cheeks? Was a kiss proper? Or was it too much? Maybe a friendly handshake would do, but they craved for more.

Dean took the first step and hugged her just like before, except their noses were touching the other’s. Eyes connected, just like they were used to; and their breaths were mixing. Dean smelled like cologne and musk; (Y/N) smelled like that perfume she always wore, and which Dean could recognize anywhere.

They were so close, and their whole bodies begged for them to take the next step… But it wasn’t good. They had to start from zero, rebuild everything so they wouldn’t repeat their same mistakes. They couldn’t just fix a whole in a shattered construction. No, they had to start all over.

“I’ll see you next weekend.” Dean whispered.

“Sure.”

And just like an impulse, Dean pressed his lips to her for a split second. Fast enough so Sam and Castiel didn’t see them, but long enough so (Y/N)’s knees trembled. Their eyes meet afterwards; they reflected the surprise and the need to be together. But they also reflected her reluctant attitude and the fear she felt by being exposed like that to the man that had once betrayed her.

But she wanted him as well. And she wanted the family, and Sam and Castiel were included. She wanted everything she had wished for secretly in those five years when (Y/N) and Louise only had each other. She wanted it so badly…

Masterlist.

SPN Tags: @dreamingintheimpalawithdean @roseyhxnt @thisisjessicatalking Dean Tags: @coffeebreakandwinchesters @oaisara @rdy4thevoid

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thefeedpost · 5 years

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Silicon Valley’& rsquo; s inequality maker: a discussion with Anand Giridharadas

Editor’’ s Note: Technology, start-ups, entrepreneurship, unicorns, S-1s. Silicon Valley has actually produced a financial engine unlike any other on the planet over the previous couple of years. That success has actually featured amazing impact over our society, politics, and economy, an impact that is progressively under the microscopic lense. Our market has actually gotten outsized power, and now it requires to satisfy that power with outsized obligation.

In a brand-new series for TechCrunch Extra Crunch, Greg Epstein, the humanist pastor at Harvard and MIT , will question problems of principles and how they use to innovation and start-ups today. As Epstein composes:

In 2018 I signed up with MIT in addition to my function at Harvard, and the experience of ending up being a pastor at what is formally an innovation institute influenced me to reorient much of my pursue assisting individuals think of and develop ethical lives in a technological world.

I’’ ve basically moved from studying faith to studying tech, and it ’ s a remarkably natural shift. The late terrific tech critic and ethicist Neil Postman initially composed about the concept of a religious beliefs of innovation back in 1992, revealing issue about the function of the fax device in modern-day society.

And no matter what you think, the ‘‘ faith of’ tech, ’ if such a thing exists, would likely have more fans than any other religious beliefs worldwide. The concern I’’ m most thinking about asking, then, is: how do our worths form the innovation we produce? Well, that and its inverse: how is our innovation forming our worths?

Today, Epstein interviews Anand Giridharadas , who has actually turned into one of the world’’ s most popular critics of inequality and injustice in modern commercialism. His book Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World has actually set off a discussion around the ramifications of our financial structure and what must be done about it.

In Cambridge today, Epstein and his workplace will be granting the Rushdie Award to Giridharadas for his humanist accomplishments, and Giridharadas will keynote the ““ Social Enterprise Conference ” at Harvard.

This interview is around 5,300 words/ 22 minutes checked out time. The very first 3rd has actually been ungated provided the significance of this topic. To check out the entire interview, make sure to sign up with the Extra Crunch subscription .|Danny Crichton

. Intro and the significance of development.

Photo by Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images

Greg Epstein: How would you summarize your argument in Winners Take All?

Anand Giridharadas: The heart of the argument is that we reside in an age of incredible inequality, that is essentially about a monopolizing of the future itself. The winners of our age, individuals who handle to be on the best side of a period of sheer modification and churn, have actually handled to construct, run, and keep systems that siphon off the majority of the fruits of development to them.

I put on’’ t believe there ’ s an individual alive today who would reject that this has actually been an extremely fertile age for development. That there ’ s been no lack of brand-new things created, brand-new guarantee, brand-new business, brand-new capital investment.

Take any step of … I frequently joke, development is the Latin word for brand-new shit. I wear’’ t believe anyone would state, ““ I feel scammed in the outright level of brand-new shit in this age.” ” I ’ m not exactly sure what age you would chosen to have actually resided in.

I have never ever in my life had a conference, or an interview with somebody in financing who resembles,” Well, our service is actually about motivating connection through loan in our neighborhoods.”.

But if you go to lots of, numerous societies, consisting of the one you and I reside in, however numerous others, and you ask individuals, ““ What about development? ”, which is the majority of people ’ s lives improving, in my meaning, I believe it would likewise be difficult to reject that lots of, if not the majority of people, in definitely the innovative nations, will inform you, ““ No. I sanctuary ’ t experienced much development, and I do feel scammed on that rating.””

And so, if you begin with the facility of how is it that we reside in an age of remarkable development, and for many individuals, so little development, the response is the winners of our age have actually cornered the fruits of development, so that they stop working to equate into development.

And, at the heart of what I’’ m attempting to develop with the book, is how they have actually then reversed, and in reaction to this exemption, and the anger it produces, looked for to pass themselves off as modification representatives who can repair the issue that they are complicit in triggering, and who can battle the fire that they assisted set.

This is not the very first generation of ultra abundant individuals in history to look for to validate their own guideline, however they’’ ve discovered an especially innovative method to do it, which is to look for to be the service to the issue that they are still actively working to trigger.

Greg: What do you state to the folks who would state it’’ s not simply brand-new shit, as you put it so well, however that all the brand-new shit, even if there is more inequality, amounts to a much better lifestyle for everyone? That yeah, there is increasing inequality, however everyone’’ s driving around in an automobile, everyone’’ s on the phone. Individuals are by and big living longer. They’’ re living more healthily. They ’ re living with less violence.

Greg Epstein. Image through Humanist Hub

Anand: No. That’’ s incorrect. Life span has actually decreased, for the last 3 years, in America. Do individuals understand that? Do the readers of TechCrunch understand that life span has decreased in America? Do the readers of TechCrunch understand how uncommon that remains in history, for life span to decrease?

Think about the last time you went to the medical professional. Consider all the tests they do nowadays. We have 2 kids. We have a one-year-old and a four-year-old. In between the birth, in between the pregnancy with the four-year-old, and the pregnancy with the one-year-old, there were numerous brand-new tests, and brand-new innovations developed, that we had access to with the one-year-old, that weren’’ t prepared yet when we had the four-year-old. That’’ s just how much brand-new shit there is. How is life span going down?

I begin the book with all these statistics, and attempt to separate out the development from the development. Literacy has actually not enhanced in America, although all these books have actually been scanned. Another location that the TechCrunch reader would undoubtedly indicate, too, it’’ s end up being much easier than ever to begin your own service and be a business owner. One 3rd as lots of youths today own their own service, as they carried out in the 80s. One 3rd as lots of. The typical twelfth grader tests more improperly in checking out today, than in 1992.

If you think of all the brand-new tests, returning to that medical example, all the brand-new diagnostics, all the brand-new hereditary work that has actually been done, it truly in fact needs a remarkable quantity of rigging to have all of that enter into one end of the maker, and have a decrease in life span come out of the other.

That’’ s not a natural event. The natural incident would be for individuals to live longer, due to the fact that of all the things that’’ s occurred. You need to actually jury rig the society, to make sure that in some way a large variety of individuals are untouched by that favorable things, and in truth undergo a lot of unfavorable things that the favorable things can’’ t touch.

.Tech and faith.

Greg:’I believe what we ’ re informed is that the favorable things would not be possible, if it wasn’’ t for that jury rigging. And I believe what you’’ re doing, and a variety of individuals are doing, is pressing back versus that story.

Anand: That ’ s at the heart of this entire thing. That is the faith that my book looks for to kill, is the faith of win-win-ism, which is an incorrect religious beliefs. And it’is a religious beliefs that states that it ’ s real in both its win-win type, and its inverted lose-lose kind.

What win-win-ism states is, the very best method to assist the’least amongst us is to do what ’ s helpful for the wealthiest and most effective. The very best guide to what’’ s going to benefit America is going to be what ’ s great for Jeff Bezos, and Amazon, and Facebook, and Google, and Goldman Sachs. The inverse is likewise real. The win-win faith holds that if you do anything that has any expense, substantial expense, for the winners of our age, you will just be injuring the most helpless amongst us.

Greg: I’’ m amazed by the method you mention win-win-ism as a religious beliefs —– in the book you likewise discuss how high-powered experts at locations like McKinsey sign up for a ‘‘ faith of truths.’ ’ And in a profile piece on Justin Rosenstein of Asana, you depict him relaxing a table in Silicon Valley, discussing neighborhood and stating a nonreligious grace. It looked like you were attempting to reveal that what you call this ““ faith ” even has its own routines, its own churchgoers.

And it’’ s not simply you: I ’ ve been studying the crossway of secularism and faith for practically 20 years, and now that I’’ ve began to deal with the principles of innovation, I’’ ve discovered practically everybody I’’ m reading appears to describe innovation as a type of nonreligious faith. I’’ m questioning what ’ s going on there.

What ’ s the value of utilizing those terms, for you? How does that aid your argument?

Anand: I believe it’’ s really handy to comprehend as a faith to comprehend how eliminated it is from truth. Due to the fact that, otherwise, you’’ re entrusted the puzzle of how can individuals at Silicon Valley continue to spread out the story that as long as you spray their algorithms on things, they will tend towards emancipation, equality, and justice.

They’’ re still spreading out that story now. I suggest, it’’ s blockchain today, and tomorrow it will be something else. We now have 25, 30 years of proof that in truth these innovations played into existing power divides, and in numerous cases emphasized them.

I suggest, with all the entire allegedly leveling tech transformation, less business now run America than did prior to the tech transformation. And they all understand this at some level. They comprehend the realities. They comprehend that we do reside in this winners-take-all world that has actually been rich-splained to us as being some sort of brand-new age of emancipation.

To my mind, the only method they can keep thinking is as an act of faith. I put on’’ t believe it ’ s possible to take a look at the world today, and objectively state what they continue to state, which is that them supervising, these innovations supervising, abundant individuals doing more of what they have actually been doing, it’’ s gon na conserve us. You can just keep this view if it’’ s a faith, continuously re-evangelized. Which’’ s why I believe they invest a lot time in conferences. I believe if they were at house more, or in the workplace more, I believe they would actually fall victim to doubts.

Greg: The conference is sort of the revival conference of the tech faith.

Anand: It is 100% a revival conference, yes. And I believe they require it.

.Silicon Valley and Winners Take All.

Photo by Patrick Nouhailler by means of Flickr utilized under Creative Commons

Greg: Venture capitalists are another parallel I see to religious beliefs. You discuss how they are seen today as thinkers, theorists. I tend to think about VC’’ s as priests in the tech faith. What response have you been obtaining from that neighborhood in specific? From tech VC’’ s, or from Silicon Valley as a whole?

Anand: I hear anecdotally, to start with, that Winners Take All has actually triggered a great deal of conversation in the Valley. Individuals text me from supper celebrations stating, ““ Oh my god, a battle simply broke out at my supper celebration about your book.” ” And I would state the Valley has actually most likely been the most resistant to my review. A lot of individuals, even in the stratospheres I compose about, comprehend that there is something terribly incorrect, the system requires to seriously alter.

Even in the very best possible case where you are a great individual who made good cash, you have actually gained from a system of tax, for beginners, that chose it was a higher concern to ensure you hung on to as much of that cash as possible than it was to make certain that individuals had good schools in this nation.

A great deal of individuals connect to me [independently] and state, ““ appearance, I wear ’ t understand rather how to arrive, however I sort of concur with you that I’’ m living on top of an indefensible mountain here. And I’’ m unsure how to come down. I’’ m not always even sure how I got up here, however I’’ m mindful that this is an indefensible mountain, and I’’ m mindful that I ought to not be on it. Let’’ s talk. ” But, in Silicon Valley in basic, I believe there has actually been the most resistance. Since [lots of] are really had of the sensation that leaving them alone, and letting them do whatever they wish to do, and grow nevertheless they wish to grow, is what is finest for the world.

My finest continued reading somebody like Mark Zuckerberg is that he regards feels that he was an unusual, fortunate individual in history who has the advantage of having specific understanding, and insight, and a concept that if he is left alone to pursue to its maximum will emancipate the world more than perhaps any federal government, more than possibly any social motion, and so on. I believe Zuckerberg really feels, and I have actually sort of pertained to comprehend this from individuals who understand him, and comprehend how he believes, that reporters asking him concerns, or regulators pressing back, are basically postponing his emancipation of the world. I wear’’ t believe that makes him … I put on ’ t believe he is a cynic.’Which ’ s why he is so challenging to handle. I believe he is a real follower. That makes him in some methods even more hard for us to deal with.

Greg: I indicate, in the religious beliefs metaphor that would make him more like a Messianic figure.

Anand: Which he definitely is.

Greg:. In spiritual history, some Messianic figures really think their Messianism.

Anand:. And I believe in some methods our society is much better secured versus a Goldman Sachs defending bad policy in Washington, making a lot of loan on it, and after that tossing 5 million dollars at a ladies’’ s shelter. We ’ re not excellent at it, however if you consider the monetary market, we control the hell out of them. It’’ s not best, however we are all up in their grill.

There are individuals at the SEC viewing every path. And I believe that’’ s due to the fact that everyone comprehends the video game, like, they’’ re attempting to earn money. I enjoy individuals in financing, due to the fact that nobody in financing has actually ever attempted to encourage me that they’’ re not in financing, or they ’ re not encouraged by financing.

I have never ever in my life had a conference, or an interview with somebody in financing who resembles, ““ Well, our organisation is actually about motivating connection through cash in our neighborhoods.””

Greg: I have really had that precise conference, by the method.

Anand: That’’ s type of fantastic. In basic, individuals in financing own the concept that they work in financing. Whereas, with tech, I believe a great deal of our culture has actually purchased into the concept that there are these figures of emancipation, and freedom, and social leveling. And it has actually purchased them an incredible [quantity] of area and flexibility that they have actually made use of and abused.

.A more recent generation is believing in a different way?

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todorokicourse-archive · 6 years

Text

Just in case dandymeowth deletes the old posts they had on their blog (Part One)

9/10/16: bizarropurugly

list of things anti-sj have told/believed about me, this list is not exhaustive

tw for animal death/cruelty, nsfw, ableism, pregnancy, rape mention, drugs, pedophilia, etc

I personally created the Butthurt Brigade and did it to stalk and harass autistic kids on deviantART.

Also, I was kicked out of the BHB because I was “psychotic” about stalking and harassing autistics and the other members became afraid of me. Or wait, no, it was because I was obsessed with rape and murder and the other members became afraid of me. Or wait, no, it was because I kept harassing people sexually and the other members became afraid of me. Or wait, no, it was because I wouldn’t stop posting NSFW in the group’s private chatroom and etc etc etc

I deny I was ever a part of the BHB.

I ran multiple accounts posing as the BHB/members of the BHB across multiple websites just to prove that all anti-sj content is a conspiracy to kill me. (???)

I got pregnant on purpose to just to have an abortion, multiple times.

I kill cats. I harassed staff and admins on various websites for pity while killing cats. Refusing to take cats to the vet, to fix them, or to let them be inside cats. I started a fundraiser for a cat who I won’t neuter and whose kittens I put in trees to scam people.

I consider myself a “shitposter extraordinaire”.

I’m anti-kink, anti-nsfw, and anti-porn.

I call people anti-choice if they keep a pregnancy. I want all pregnancies everywhere forever aborted and I think anyone who disagrees with that is a misogynist.

I use my depression as a defence when people criticize me, or as an excuse to not improve. I threaten suicide over this.

I write fanfics for rape and have been banned from multiple websites for it. I also draw rape art of people I don’t like.

I’m always smoking weed, constantly, nonstop. But also, I claim to hate marijuana.

I’m always masturbating, constantly, nonstop. I consider myself crazy, quirky, and random for having sex toys or naming my sex toys, and regularly post pictures of them. I spam my followers asking what I should do with my sex toys next.

I haven’t had a job for several years.

I believe / I said austistics are being raped and beaten in the streets in broad daylight.

I love spamming people with and generally being into hardcore guro.

I’ve been in / I am currently in groups that have the intention to give people seizures on purpose. I hate epileptics and think they shouldn’t be allowed anywhere but particularly the Internet.

I chased down and harassed, threatened, spammed multiple people for genderbend art. And for liking Uncle Grandpa, in fact I specifically followed the show’s tag to find victims.

I claim to be triggered by Uncle Grandpa existing and that Uncle Grandpa is child abuse.

I run WNSE posing as a medical expert / a medical professional.

I am intersex, or that I stated having a mole made me intersex.

I created Ham Ham Kingdom and left it in shitty code disarray. I did this with several websites and refused to let anyone else be administrators.

I lost my virginity for shits and giggles and did it with a coworker sexually harassing me. Also, I did it to prove sex was bad and so I could post all over my Tumblr how wrong and oppressive sex is.

I have a phobia of Middle Eastern men and it keeps me from sleeping well.

I lie about hating alcohol and get drunk regularly.

I groom children for pedophilia by posting instructions on how to masturbate.

I made a chatroom on dA for posting nsfw, guro, rape, etc and it was banned.

Scrapping a character and story about a single father because it wasn’t about rape or gayness.

I think age of consent laws are stupid and meaningless. I am sexually attracted to minors.

9/10/16:bizarropurugly

And now for the truth of these lies (if there is any)

same warnings as before

I didn’t create the BHB or come anywhere close to doing that. By the time I joined the BHB it had already been restarted several times, with each time having less of the original crew (and consequently having more mortal enemies from that original crew). I was briefly an admin after it had been restarted again after the dA deactivation fiasco, and then was removed as an admin as part of a fake fight, but I never asked to be reinstated, so I wasn’t. Yes, all I had to do was ask, there was no amazing revolution or conspiracy involved at all. What happened was that, in one of the few times I was ever in the BHB chatroom (which was rarely ever populated if I could remember right), we got to talking about reverse racism and how awful it was (yes, really), and that dA admins were being shit about it (which was a frequent focus). So the idea came up to make “secret” white pride groups to bait dAdmins to deleting it so that we could prove the reverse racism. Revolting as it was, they weren’t deleted, but Fuhrer Glasses and I came up with separate groups, had a “fight” about it, and when I wouldn’t say that his was funnier, he removed me as an admin until I would or until I asked. (This is different from what I had said before, I know; I had said that he edited a picture of me and I didn’t find it funny so he removed me in the same manner, but I actually remembered that that particular event happened afterwards and what he was threatening me with was actually a temporary ban from the chat, but that he didn’t go through with, and which he threatened because I wouldn’t tell him why I was asking him not to post it. At the time I didn’t want to admit I had really bad body image and dysphoria because, well, does the BHB sound like a safe place to admit to those things? Especially since I had seen members and admins alike misgender trans people they deemed “lulcows”, which is a tradition these types of groups continue now.) After that, I gradually stopped being active as I grew apathetic with dA and became less active in general on it, finding Tumblr to somehow be more preferable (maybe ‘cause all my friends had left dA too? lol). Yes, it was a troll group, and yes, it did involve harassing others like any and all other troll and anti-sj groups that have since spawned in its place. And that’s literally all it was - the same shit you’ll find on places like Tumblr, Kiwi Farms, Encyclopaedia Dramatica, and etc. It was never a specific group against any particular persons or identities, although like these places definitely featured ableists, eugenicists, Nazis, and somesuch. It’s not a proud time in my Internet history by no means, but no, I wasn’t leading a secret war against autistics, I didn’t send or threaten anybody with sexual content (the only people I talked to on messengers were Fuhrer Glasses on MSN and former-admins-now-enemies years later on Skype), I wasn’t kicked out because everyone got scared of me (honestly that’s a really laughable thing to claim if you remember who the admins were), and honestly the only place I’ve ever publically gotten into details about my kinks has been Tumblr (later FurAffinity and Weasyl), and only in recent years have I ever really openly discussed kinky stuff with people in private conversation or through messages. The only place I could think this claim would come from was when I was in the chat of the enemy group (ie, the anti-BHB) and kept talking about milk machines, which got me temporarily banned because I wouldn’t shut up and was making the chat too nsfw for everyone’s likings (generally jokes were the only OK things). I admit to making people uncomfortable here because I was an excitable shit who kept infodumping at random and I want to send out an especial apology to toonlink about that shit in particular. But no, this wasn’t the BHB and this was after I had already been removed as an admin from the BHB. The BHB wasn’t allowed to be talked about there, really. And I’ve never denied that I was a part of the BHB, ever. Denied that the BHB was all the scary made-up bullshit people who weren’t even admins claim? Yeah, and I’m really surprised at the amount of people who remember BHB and being in it, and even praise its existence and/or mourn it, but yet simultaneously think the admins ever cared about who got harassed or that the BHB was some eugenics agent group.

The “multiple accounts posing as BHB” thing came from a single person’s post that was 100% a bunch of lies and bullshit they never answered for. Other BHB members/ex-members along with myself have even denounced it. This came from the same person claiming I created the BHB, created it to stalk autistics, and was kicked out (despite being the founder? lol) because the BHB grew a conscience somehow and started caring about autism. That’s all bullshit, so is the claim that I’ve made accounts on Reddit, LJ, and side accounts on Tumblr to pretend to be the BHB to give it a bad name or to create evidence that anti-sj people are trying to kill me or some weird ass bullshit that made 0 sense. This person claimed to have been a BHB admin (they weren’t, at least not while I was ever part of it, and nobody else has heard of them) and also to have been a Skype buddy of mine during a time I didn’t use Skype but instead MSN, and as I’ve said the only BHB people I’ve talked to on Skype were original-now-ex-members, which all have attested to this being bullshit. And what’s funny is that this out-of-nowhere post appeared during a dispute with user noyka about whether ableism is real and whether the disabled are oppressed, and has subsequently been used by said user as proof that I’m The Real Ableist. This was also the same user claiming I said autistics were being beaten and raped in the streets, which has never been anything I’ve said, not literally and not in spirit. This claim came from our argument after I linked various articles of autistic children being killed by their parents and receiving sympathy for it as part of evidence of ableism being real. In other words, not just a strawman of what I said but a complete lie. That and the frequent use of autistic as an insult and casually suggesting euthanasia as a treatment for “autists” being constantly brayed by the people who’ve created and perpetuated these lies should really be all the proof anyone needs as to their veracity.

The claim I kill cats comes from intentional misreading and outright lies about pasts posts I have made regarding the death of my animals. The posts gathered have spanned at least 3 or 4 years and are often presented out of order or under the impression that they’ve all happened within the same span of months. Another thing to understand: these posts were made while I was living with my parents still and didn’t have a job. The posts presented do talk about cats dying, but “in horrible, avoidable ways” can be a stretch, considering some of them are just that the cats disappeared, and others died as a result of illnesses and issues that either came suddenly or that we’d been trying to fight for a long time. For example, a post taken as proof of me killing my cats and “feeling nothing about it” was a post I had written after we had put Crookie down about how upset I was that she had died and that this had happened. This was taken as me trying to garner pity for an animal I purposely and cruelly murdered and put all the focus on how hard it was to be me. We had Crookie for several years, and while she was young she was hit by a car and suffered spinal damage, and this ended up being why she had to be euthanized; I don’t quite remember what it was that was specifically wrong, but the vet told us that frequently it is missed and while the cat seems to improve, it will eventually begin to decline up to and including total pelvic shutdown, which Crookie was getting near to. It was horrible to witness her climbing trees but then in a few months unable to support her hind end, because we had been fooled into thinking she was going to be okay. It’s such a specific condition that it is rarely seen or checked for; there was no plausible way for us to have seen it coming. That’s why she died. It wasn’t instant, she wasn’t a baby, it wasn’t a decision made on the fly, and you bet your ass I fucking cared about it and bawled for days on end about it. Crookie was incredibly special and a fucking gift to this earth, I didn’t want her to die and I damned well wasn’t fucking ready for it. Could she have not been hit by a car? Yeah. Yeah she should have been inside. But it wasn’t in my fucking power; it wasn’t my house. I had no control over that shit. That’s your answer to every “why weren’t they inside” and “why didn’t you bring them in” - because I wasn’t allowed to! And no, I also didn’t have the personal finances at the time to take anyone to a vet, not even to be fixed. My parents are fucking awful about this and ever since I have moved out I have been the one taking these animals to the vet even though I don’t live with them anymore, and I’m frequently berated by them about how much money I “waste” while doing this. And that’s how a lot of the “evidence” for this claim is. They take posts out of context of their time and my place, line them up together, and say I personally and intentionally killed a million cats in a month. They said I killed a kitten, because it crawled under my brother’s jeep hood and got its neck broken. Because he kept driving into the yard after we had repeatedly told him not to, and never checked his vehicle before starting it, because he quite fucking frankly doesn’t and never cared. They said I murdered it, and that I was abusive and evil because I made a post about it - about the horror of fucking witnessing a literal fucking baby struggling and dying in fear and panic right before your fucking eyes and not knowing what to do and how awfully it fucks with your head, with your life, to be in that position. They said I killed a kitten I raced to the emergency room because my parents called at midnight saying he couldn’t breathe, that I dropped 600 dollars down without question for the surgery that could save him, that he fucking died in anyway, that they called me at 3 in the morning and told me he didn’t fucking survive. My parents said I wasted my money, that I should have told them not to even try. And they said I purposely put kittens in a tree - intentionally stripping the context of how that’s where they were born, and that we stopped trying to take them down because the mother kept taking them back up there and we were afraid she’d fucking drop them. They also claimed that this cat from posts 3 years prior, that I had while living with my parents and that had been adopted to another family, was the cat I was raising funds for and thus I was scamming people. The cat I raised funds for was a black “male”, she was an orange mother cat, and again there’s 3 years and two locations between those posts - there’s no way to confuse the two, but there is if you’re desperate to smear someone as psychotic animal murderer because you know they’re sensitive to cat death! Basically, they twist my posts of me mourning my beloved pets as being “woe is me give me money” posts, and spread the rumour that I just let these things happen.

When I posted the “shitty artist” list, like every time this kind of post is made, it was reduced and watered down to make out like the OP is a radical hater who wants everything censored, and so I was called anti-kink, anti-porn, and anti-nsfw because of my pointing out the problems with these artists that of which some were porn artists. Which when it came to those it was generally the issue of pedophilia, zoophilia/bestiality, rape, fetishization especially of trans people, the usage of transphobic/intersexist slurs (like f*ta), and other really nasty shit. As a result a lot of my nsfw work is used as an “aha!” for why I’m stupid, a hypocrite, and a disgusting creep. It’s really hilarious to try to drag me for being openly sexual, while also calling me these things. So am I a slut or a prude? Whichever works to whip up the crowd, I guess. And of course, dragging me for the same things they praise and defend in others. But no, I’m not anti any of those things. I have had “kink positive” as a descriptor for a long, long while. I think the peak of funny when it comes to these claims is when anonymous people tried to warn one of my friends and fave kink artists about me, about how I was a kink-shamer and swerf/radfem and they should be careful. But yeah basically these kinds of claims are from people who think “you can draw porn just don’t use slurs” and “this person is a pedophile/rapist/animal rapist” are kink-shaming.

The anti-choice thing is from a particular shitty little brat who is fucking furiously obsessed with me because I told them they’re not my friend and I don’t like them or want anything to do with because they are anti-choice. I kept explaining how and why they are anti-choice, but they prefer to lie and say I called them anti-choice because I don’t think people should have babies. They’ve taken this lie and ran with it, including posting about it on the submissions/pages of other anti-choicers and linking me so that they’ll attack me. If I even still used the word, I’d say they’re the definition of butthurt. They may also be the reason for the idea that I get pregnant just to have abortions, or at least spread it themself.

The “rape fanfics” crap started over To Violate. To Violate was a story I was writing about Candler’s background (spoiler alert? haha) and, yes, it involved rape. Because the story was about how he became a the person he is, which included that he was sexually abused and later sexually abusive himself. Actually the main idea behind it was that he and Zed have both been sexually abused, but each reacted radically differently to it, and I guess the ultimate goal was to write this and Zed’s history down and basically show how we can react in our own unique ways to the trauma we experience. I’ve removed it myself (it has never been deleted from anywhere else otherwise) from the places I had it posted due to the fact it was way, way too ambitious of a project for me (for now) and was just downright written badly. Like, really badly. And I’ve since significantly changed Candler’s backstory… But it wasn’t a “fanfic” for rape - detailing sexual abuse and pedophilia and how it screws you up isn’t exactly what I would call a “fanfic”.

I haven’t smoked weed in a long, long time, and at no point did I ever say I hated it. What I DID say was that it was exhausting - because I’m very intolerant of smoke, so a hacking fit to the point of seeing stars or going temporarily blind was always guaranteed. As for not getting a job, that was when I lived with my parents, and never have I asked for money while living with them; my asking for financial help is relatively new (within the last 2 years at most?). I don’t like alcohol. I can drink here and there, but only wine coolers or Mike’s Hard and other lightweight stuff. Something in particular about alcohol is incredibly vile and wretched to my taste buds. The posts brought up of me drinking/being drunk are several years old, and most of them aren’t even of me being drunk. I think I’ve only legitimately been drunk maybe twice in my life. The posts in context with them also frequently talked about how I was harassed into drinking most times, because people don’t like to hear “no” about this, but of course that was omitted when bringing this terrible sin up. Like marijuana, I haven’t had alcohol in a very long time.

So my sexuality frequently becomes a subject, as mentioned. For whatever reason, a bunch of redditors chose to read the post I made about my first sexual encounter as me being a nasty radfem tricking a poor boy into sex just to destroy him and spread that sex was bad. I really don’t have to explain why this is bullshit because if you know me you know I’m not anti-sex at all. (WNSE? lol?) This same post is often brought up to mock me for no reason because I guess the very thought of a “sjw” having sex and posting personal posts on a personal blog is laughable? I didn’t have sex “just to lose my virginity”. I have never expressed anything like that in my life. If anything, most of my life I bought into the bullshit of coveted virginity. My early sexuality is a real complicated topic, but at no point did this ever become a thing. And when I did have that first encounter, I don’t think I even had a job? So no, I wasn’t going to sleep with my sexually-harassing-coworker. I actually met him online at FetLife (wouldn’t recommend that!), I don’t remember exactly how it started but we wound up exchanging numbers and chatting and talking on the phone frequently. This shit might have been pulled out of the asses of the anti-feminists who attacked me for making a post for the former “why I need feminism” trend; the post I had made was about how I was being harassed and creeped on by a coworker, and I complained about it to my mother because this was the guy I had bummed rides off of. She was all with me about how creepy and stalkerish he was being, up until she realized I was talking about someone my age rather than someone her age, and then she did a complete 180 and started yelling at me for “being so antisocial” for thinking this was shitty behaviour. The reason I said I needed feminism was because my mother and family thought this behaviour is acceptable as long as it’s from someone my age, and anti-feminists leaped on the post saying I was calling all men rapists, lying about my sexual harassment, lying about my sexual abuse and the way my parents treated it (like a joke), saying sex is bad, and etc. The rest of the shit about my sexuality is generally just for some reason finding it vile and creepy for me to even post about it on my personal blog, regardless of whether the claims are true - such as, no, I’ve never spammed anyone about my toys nor posted a million pictures of them? but even if I did so?? what?? Which again is hilarious when these are the same people decrying me for supposedly being anti-porn and anti-kink. And for the record, no, I’m not into hardcore guro. If we’re talking about gore at all I’m a real lightweight and I don’t really find it sexually exciting. I don’t find murder sexually exciting in itself either.

“Seizure Terrorists” is the only group I’ve ever known that would come anywhere close to fitting the description of a group made to give people seizures. And that’s not at all what they do - the group is just a place for flashing images and icons. During my time on dA around the same era as the BHB, rapid flashing images were incredibly popular. Some kind of meta level offensive shit. I’ve never been a member of Seizure Terrorists and the cap that was presented as proof (well, the one I saw) is cropped and snipped so badly I don’t know why people believe it. It also only made its appearance after I asked if ST was what they were referring to (because, again, I have no idea about anything else that comes close). The only affiliation I’ve had with them is that they’ve requested some of my stamps in their group. Idk if this is still true, but on dA when you’ve got images in a group, you’ll show up on their front page regardless if you’re a member, and it will say something like contributor or something?? Anyway, that’s how they got that cap, mate. Not a single person has responded to me about that.

Oh boy, the SU/UG thing. So it began a while ago before this thing in which some little truscum shit jumped on my post about how I was tired of seeing objectifying shitty genderbend art in the tag for the character Mephisto Pheles. Mind you, my personal is always set not to show up in search and I didn’t tag this post with anything relevant. In other words, this person showed up out of nowhere and started screaming at me for criticizing genderbending. They stopped replying after I asked for proof of me harassing anyone. This same person then went on to claim I had attacked and threatened their friend(s) (they kept changing the number) and several other artists over genderbend art. They were just thatmad about it. And when it came to my post about how I didn’t like the Steven Universe/Uncle Grandpa crossover, they couldn’t wait to spam tags and inboxes about how I had done this and was also now doing it to Uncle Grandpa fans and the fandom tag. Again, they stopped replying to me when I demanded they post the proof. At no point had I ever ventured into a tag. I avoid tags as much as possible. All the things I had posted were replies to reblogs of my post, or replies to messages I was being sent. I also never said anything about being triggered, or that Uncle Grandpa is child abuse. What I did say was that cartoons are important especially for children’s developing selves, as a response to people saying that cartoons don’t matter so we should just ignore the problems they present or feed into. This person and another screencapped a few of my posts which people love to run wild with as proof of this harassment, but, again, the caps are of me replying to my messages and reblogs of my posts. And also, for context: that person who posted the screencaps I’m pretty sure was one of the blogs that popped up solely to attack SU fans over this episode. In other words, was dedicated to that harassment they claimed I was committing. Both these users misgendered me multiple times, intentionally. You don’t have to just take my word for it since archive.is has it all. You know, a lot of these anti-sj types nearly piss their pants about people who lack reading comprehension, or take things out of context to vilify, including by digging up old and irrelevant “evidence”, and yet that’s what I’m constantly seeing them doing. In fact…

I have never claimed to be intersex and the “evidence” that has been used about that is the description of a stamp I made against genital cutting, talking about the fact that my mother 1. told me I should have my genitals altered because they’re “not right” and 2. told me she believes intersex children should have their genitals altered, going along with that same logic. You can even read that yourself in the links people provide about that. Again, it seems the people who explode the worst about reading comprehension and context are the people who commit this folly the most.

HHK brings back fond memories of me being a teenager. I’m 26 now. HHK was my place about 10 years ago. And no, none of us acted really well; we were all in some way definitely some pretty crappy kids. This was years before I even went with BHB, people are surprised about it? I’ve been an admin on it off and on, sure, but Heru was the creator and destroyer of HHK. Not really sure how that managed to get fucked around since it’s always been Heru. We tried a revival that wound up being deleted for unknown reasons, which was made by Wolfeinheim, not me, although I was an admin off and on with this version too. I tried to remake the third incarnation but by then we’d all gone our separate ways. As for multiple websites and forums dying, yeah, like most teens I tried to make a free forum over anything. Is that really a crime? Silver Fang Fanhouse was the only one that got anywhere, and I’d left it to the rest of the staff before I got on Tumblr. They have access to my account to make any changes they couldn’t otherwise and have had this access for a while, and of course at any time before were able to come tell me to do something. While I have left I didn’t just drop off the edge of the earth without a word or any way to contact me. This is a really reaching and weak receipt.

I am not phobic of any race and never have I lost sleep about that kind of thing? I did once make a racist post about “Arabs”, probably soon after watching Taken or some other shitty movie about kidnapping women into sex slavery. That was bad, absolutely, and I have apologized for that (which if you don’t accept that’s fine, that’s not a problem), but getting “phobia and can’t sleep” out of a single post about sex trafficking is a fucking stretch. For the record, I have always had insomnia issues up to and including night terrors, paranoia, and fear of sleeping in the dark / sleeping alone. That has shit all to do with a racist post I made and reducing my lifelong sleep problems to that is pretty fucking shitty.

I’ve made a couple posts about and answered minors about masturbation. Teaching how to masturbate or getting into details about what masturbation entails, and about sexual development in general, may be a controversial subject. In fact I would say it’s so controversial I was told my sex education project for highschoolers that featured simple pink circles showing how hymens can form and details about the myths surrounding hymens was given a lower grade for being “inappropriate”. But I’m pretty sure talking to teens about their bodies, especially how they can do things themselves and don’t need someone else to, and that there’s nothing immoral or wrong with that, isn’t grooming. But maybe that’s just me. I guess if you disagree with that you’re free to unfollow but I’m not going to feel bad about not posting purity myth level “education”.

I made a chatroom on dA but it pretty much died within 2 months. I realized I didn’t care that much. It was never banned or deleted as a punishment; if deviantART chatrooms do not have participants for a certain amount of time they’re automatically removed to save on webspace. I really don’t know where this rumour came from since I think maybe 4 people including myself ever attended that chatroom?

The single father story still exists. I just haven’t written it yet. If you read the post referenced, that’s exactly what I said - I didn’t write it, kind of lost the details, but I will some day when I remember them better. If you don’t believe me, his name is Frederik Botip and he is Zed’s best friend, he owns the organic grocery store that Zed shops at.

The age of consent claims relate to an incident with a user that stated that I and two other users had banded together as friends and sexually abused them/their friends and that one of us was using their sj blog(s) as a way to meet and subsequently abuse minors. There’s a lot of reasons why that was a bunch of crap but the post I’ve made about it is long gone thanks to my account being deleted. I’ll need to make a new post on it… But as a part of that one of their friends reblogged a post I had made about age of consent being tricky, because some places have it set ridiculously low, and the number of years between partners not exactly being the only thing to determine abuse, etc. It’s a subject I’ve covered a million times on WNSE. What happened is that person reblogged the post but took out everything but the opening sentence “Age of consent can be a tricky thing” and claiming I was making a case for child sexual abuse/pedophilia as a part of saying I tried to rape their friend. (This was also a person who said that it could never be possible for someone to rape/abuse someone older than them hence the context of my reply.) (For the record because I know the above is potential worrying content, if you don’t feel comfortable with me that’s fine. I don’t expect you to buy everything I say especially now that the evidence is gone.)

#dandymeowth #dandymeowth is shit masterposts

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