DefinitelyNotAFae's recent activity

  1. Comment on How right-wing superstar Riley Gaines built an anti-trans empire in ~lgbt

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    Fully agreed. And if everyone was being genetically tested so many more people would find out their chromosomes and assumed sex/gender didn't align. I would fully support a more equitable system...

    Fully agreed. And if everyone was being genetically tested so many more people would find out their chromosomes and assumed sex/gender didn't align.

    I would fully support a more equitable system for sports than gender, I just despair of that being a reality in a world where women's sports are already an afterthought until it became a handy excuse for the demonization of trans people.

    In the meantime, now all the locker room harassment has expanded to come from parents, school officials and TV personalities. Instead of treating Riley Gaines like the sore loser she is, they've applauded her bigotry and bad sportsmanship and fed it. I hope it consumes her quickly and we can move on. Sigh

    7 votes
  2. Comment on How right-wing superstar Riley Gaines built an anti-trans empire in ~lgbt

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    If trans women were in fact dominating women's sports I think it would make sense to look at the system for changes but that just hasn't been the case. Most sports had some method for saying you...

    If trans women were in fact dominating women's sports I think it would make sense to look at the system for changes but that just hasn't been the case. Most sports had some method for saying you had to be on hormones for a length of time. (As it stands hormones are used to disqualify cis women and intersex folks regularly, which isn't ideal) And before the recent bannings of trans women competing at all... There was still no evidence of trans women dominating.

    And none of this will make either a trans girl in school sports feel safer while also leading to the harassment of cis girls who grow tall early, or have a square jaw, or a flatter chest and an athletic figure, or who are black and read as "masculine" to white PTA Karens. So yay, we have allegedly "fairer" girls and women's sports, something people can hardly manage to care about or fund otherwise on the back of harassment and hate with no statistical evidence of a problem. How many deaths by suicide will this lead to as a "side effect"

    There are probably different ways to separate different sports. Gender is so baked into our culture I doubt we can ditch it but given the flawed system, we don't have to exclude trans folks to get competitive and fair sports

    13 votes
  3. Comment on Tildes Book Club Discussion - November 2025 - We are Legion (We are Bob) by Dennis Taylor in ~books

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    Not my preference either, I get it.

    Not my preference either, I get it.

    3 votes
  4. Comment on Tildes Book Club Discussion - November 2025 - We are Legion (We are Bob) by Dennis Taylor in ~books

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    It's an audible exclusive and the ebook is published under an Amazon exclusive license. Other countries or the high seas would be the only real alternative options. Basically no one else has the...

    It's an audible exclusive and the ebook is published under an Amazon exclusive license. Other countries or the high seas would be the only real alternative options.

    Basically no one else has the rights to any of it. So then it's just about how many physical books are out there.

    3 votes
  5. Comment on Shock discovery reveals sea urchins are basically 'all brain' in ~science

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    Beavers and Capybara are fish for the purposes of Lent

    Beavers and Capybara are fish for the purposes of Lent

    1 vote
  6. Comment on Hoopla Bonus Borrows for November 2025 in ~books

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    I was considering the Neon Gods novel.and Broadchurch but I'll pick Neon Gods and The Lion of Judah instead 😂

    I was considering the Neon Gods novel.and Broadchurch but I'll pick Neon Gods and The Lion of Judah instead 😂

    3 votes
  7. Comment on Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world in ~health

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    Unfortunately you're coming in at a low - and very expensive - point due to the "Big" spending bill. Employers subsidizing healthcare definitely hides the cost, and then when the government...

    Unfortunately you're coming in at a low - and very expensive - point due to the "Big" spending bill. Employers subsidizing healthcare definitely hides the cost, and then when the government decides to stop subsidizing the marketplace, people end up screwed.

    But yes, I've been lucky to have good corporate and now state employee healthcare, there are definitely worse employer plans that at least used to make the marketplace more appealing, but now, I'm not sure how it pans out.

    Good luck

    6 votes
  8. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    Bernadette Peters is wonderful! And I do enjoy Sondheim

    Bernadette Peters is wonderful! And I do enjoy Sondheim

    1 vote
  9. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    Into the Woods has a publicly released ProShot, just not marketed as heavily or as recent as Hamilton. All shows are recorded for archival purposes as I understand it but not accessible to the...

    Into the Woods has a publicly released ProShot, just not marketed as heavily or as recent as Hamilton. All shows are recorded for archival purposes as I understand it but not accessible to the public. My sister did her masters thesis on a topic that got her access to that library!

    I think theater fans mostly want a proshot over an adaptation but I think adaptations can be great...If they're made by people that know the genre and care about it.

    2 votes
  10. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    It just aligns with the real world though? There could be more but it doesn't matter because ultimately nothing justifies or explains the hate. It's never actually rational. The in-movie history...

    It just aligns with the real world though? There could be more but it doesn't matter because ultimately nothing justifies or explains the hate. It's never actually rational. The in-movie history lesson (and in the book as well iirc) provided the Great Drought (mirroring the Dust Bowl) as a trigger for tensions and the wizard (and Morrible) as being opportunistic and taking advantage of it.

    But there's no more actual reason for it than any hatred. Even the most obvious current comparison of the violent detainment and incarceration of immigrants - most of whom have at most minor violations - might pretend to have policy arguments and is really just a xenophobic, racist action to remove "undesirables" as defined by people like Stephen Miller. By the time you're at Dr Dillamond being dragged off, it's moved past any made up reasons. It's just bullshit

    1 vote
  11. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
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    Yeah I knew there were specific critiques, but as an Into the Woods fan the casting is just one I know is always an issue. That movie could have been so good. It's one of my favorite musicals....

    Yeah I knew there were specific critiques, but as an Into the Woods fan the casting is just one I know is always an issue.

    That movie could have been so good. It's one of my favorite musicals.
    â”»â â”»â ïž”â ăƒœâ (⁠`⁠Д⁠®⁠)⁠⁠⁠┻⁠┻

    2 votes
  12. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
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    Generally a frustration with casting actors with no theater/singing/musical skills rather than people like Cynthia Erivo who act and sing and have stage experience...usually so they can hire big...

    Generally a frustration with casting actors with no theater/singing/musical skills rather than people like Cynthia Erivo who act and sing and have stage experience...usually so they can hire big names because they're afraid of taking a risk.

    There are specific critiques of the movie itself but I'm not a Les Mis person and don't have the knowledge to share them beyond googling. But.... Like what you like. There's no shame in enjoying it. Some folks are just being theater snobs about it.

    2 votes
  13. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    It would undercut the fact that there's zero reason to be afraid of the Animals? That's actually one of the critiques of Zootopia, that there is a good reason to be scared of predators as a prey...

    It would undercut the fact that there's zero reason to be afraid of the Animals? That's actually one of the critiques of Zootopia, that there is a good reason to be scared of predators as a prey animal undermines the racism analogy.

    (In Baum Oz, all animals can speak they mostly don't choose to, which is why Toto doesn't for a while)

    1 vote
  14. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
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    Unless it's something they added, nope. The wizard is using it as a way to control Oz. There's nothing more behind it than the setup for the metaphor because Baum's world has all animals, even...

    Unless it's something they added, nope. The wizard is using it as a way to control Oz. There's nothing more behind it than the setup for the metaphor because Baum's world has all animals, even visiting ones, capable of speech and thought, down to flies.

    The closest thing to any additional explanation in the musical and Part 1 is implied bigotry. Zootopia does at least make that bigotry blatant.

    I don't think you'll be satisfied here but I think what youre looking for doesn't typically come from musical theater and would bog down the story

    1 vote
  15. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    Im not saying they don't hold together, they hold up nicely regardless of their lack of a hard magic system. Oz is definitely a fairy tale type world and operates at the whims of several young...

    Im not saying they don't hold together, they hold up nicely regardless of their lack of a hard magic system. Oz is definitely a fairy tale type world and operates at the whims of several young girls mostly.

    My point is that the backstory would not actually be satisfying and isn't really needed. It becomes Oz the Great and Powerful which I hear is awful. Doing prequels to explain the world is way less satisfying than telling a story (and I think Wicked succeeds as a play - I haven't seen part 2 yet - for spinning off the original, not actually explaining the world). I really can't imagine having to watch Glinda get spoiled growing up or something to explain her... She just is. (And tbh even Part 1 gives her a kinder edit than the musical IMO)

    McGuire's Oz takes the premise and goes forward rather darkly. if you wanted more potential backstory, I don't personally recommend the book, and the Shiz part of the story is quite minimal so Glinda isn't that important... And I don't recall much explanation of any of the things you ask about, but it's your best shot. It's just not an enjoyable read IMO.

    I liked both the Incredibles and this, so I'm not sure what factors work for you in one vs the other. Wicked has always been pretty watchable by kids but they'll miss the already hinted at themes of fascism, xenophobia, etc.

    5 votes
  16. Comment on Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world in ~health

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    Has the ACA made an impact on that at all? I agree that it makes a difference on where you live though. My Appalachian ancestors worked in the coal mines so for better or worse they (eventually)...

    Has the ACA made an impact on that at all?

    I agree that it makes a difference on where you live though. My Appalachian ancestors worked in the coal mines so for better or worse they (eventually) had healthcare before mostly moving away over the years.

    Still lost a great uncle to tetanus at the age of 5 and don't know how great grandpa lost his leg, just that his draft card said it was missing

    3 votes
  17. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
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    Baum's original novels don't really explain why Oz is the way it is. If you're only familiar with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz but keep reading you'll find quite a few more witches, a deadly border...

    Baum's original novels don't really explain why Oz is the way it is. If you're only familiar with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz but keep reading you'll find quite a few more witches, a deadly border desert, and yet neighboring kingdoms, a princess heir to the throne that's completely forgotten about (she's a trans icon btw), and the Emerald City is built either by the Wizard or it's always been there depending on the day (said princess says both). It has precisely 9,654 buildings and absolutely no explanation for why or how it was built either. The sort of magic and tech available varies based on plot, need a couch to come to life? We got you. A witch who can swap heads? We got you. A magical belt that daily grants 1 wish, teleports you and gives you chocolate? Guess what!

    And the original movie is much the same. There's no reason Dorothy couldn't have gone home via the shoes from Munchkin land, for example, because they combined the Good witches into one character. Why does water melt a witch? Does it melt all witches or just evil ones? How'd she fly in a tornado then, notably full of rain. And since it's all a dream, nothing has to make any sense.

    Oz just isn't the sort of place that should have explanations IMO. It's fair not to enjoy it, opinions differ. I find the music very catchy and memorable for example; I have the entire show memorized. But I just want to push back on the idea that movies should explain everything. Especially with a property that started without that internal logic and whose fanfic mostly continues without it.

    14 votes
  18. Comment on ‘Wicked: For Good’ opening to $150m; records broken for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Broadway musical feature take and more in ~movies

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    They're both more adaptations of the concept as applied to the original movie in the same way the movie only sort of adapted the book(s). Return to Oz hit a lot of the darker notes of the original...

    They're both more adaptations of the concept as applied to the original movie in the same way the movie only sort of adapted the book(s). Return to Oz hit a lot of the darker notes of the original books - the Wheelers remain haunting - with a more age appropriate Dorothy while insisting on a psychiatric hospital framing narrative.

    I really wonder what kind of fever dream an accurate adaptation would look like.

    6 votes
  19. Comment on Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world in ~health

    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link Parent
    It's not my experience that this group doesn't go to the doctor. They do look for doctors who will enable them, but we're not talking about the Amish - whose views on vaccines I don't know and who...

    It's not my experience that this group doesn't go to the doctor. They do look for doctors who will enable them, but we're not talking about the Amish - whose views on vaccines I don't know and who I see at hospitals often enough - often folks are trying a mix of medical and non-medical treatments. And the anti-vax movement certainly changed after Jenny McCarthy but I think that's the actual pivot point rather than YouTube which is much more of a conspiracy theory factor now than in 2007. Things were just shared on forums and websites instead of via video.

    9 votes
  20. Comment on Looking for a non-smart watch recommendation in ~tech

    DefinitelyNotAFae
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    I bought a refurbished Fitbit Charge 3 for like 20 bucks off eBay. Done it 2-3 times so far. Does my step count, notifies me of calls and texts (optional) and that's basically it. Lasts for 5ish...

    I bought a refurbished Fitbit Charge 3 for like 20 bucks off eBay. Done it 2-3 times so far. Does my step count, notifies me of calls and texts (optional) and that's basically it. Lasts for 5ish days between charges.

    Works great for me.

    2 votes