Hey everyone thanks for watching xx, just wanted to add this before I touch grass, but I am aware that the Biden administration has done things. I was upset and disappointed when I recorded the video and honestly am still sort of working through rotting. So it was a moment of non nuance, no need to well actually
I appriecate your work and what you shared at the beginning. I am concerned about all that as well. I know many felt that Democrats have not been doing thier best, but I wanted to believe that many saw how a few Republican leaders want to harm nearly everyone. I want leaders who stand for growth and well being. I don't think we have that now. Thank you for sharing.
Yeah. They say "I want to meet in the middle" and "reach across the aisle" then "but they make it difficult. And don't lead by example, not even small gestures. I hate to sound centrist, but that is a problem with both parties. They say nice things and don't do anything themselves to make that happen
@@ThreadBareHope1234There’s no discussion to be had when someone‘s whole position is just „my brain became ossified in the Bush era and I don’t want to be well informed about any marginalized group that started getting more attention after that.“
@@ThreadBareHope1234I’m a radical leftist but only because I have basic empathy for people suffering. I feel bad that people are homeless in the richest country in history and they struggle to survive. Same for medical issues, or hunger, or less tangible benefits like dignity and history. My mom raised me right but I also watched way to much Star Trek. The future is Gay Luxury Space Communism not because I am gay (because I ain’t) it’s just what-would-Jesus-do for nerds like me. “Imagine aliens advanced enough to have the solutions to all Earth’s problems. Some technology but cultural and economic and logistical and historical and so forth.” We have been trying different approaches to right wing ideology since the Iron Age when the kings men had swords and the rest of us had chains. Then it got weird; the violence was promised and so were the chains. So many authoritarian religions to aid&consolidate political power. But none of them worked for long. The stability and security were promised but fell through in the end. If it was going to work it would have happened by now. Yet dictators, cult leaders, and business owners keep on trying to control us. “I’m tHe bOsS and you are not. Do as I say” that’s some Iron Age nonsense. Huh, turns out I have a lot more reasons to lean as far left as I possibly can and drag the government to the left. So the state can counter balance the mythology of authoritarian regimes past: corporations, and religious dogmas, and on and on.
I'm so tired of hearing that the left introduced the trans and queer issues. We literally are just responding to the conservatives who have made us a moral panic. God I hate moderates.
Yeah, I think people have no ability to take their heads out of their rear ends. The issues of people who are clear and trans have always been apparent, social media just made it much easier. People who are trans and queer shouldn't be used as political pawns for anyone, much less radical conservative politicians.
Coming after a woman for being self centered when she's talking about her struggles with CANCER, and helping other women with spreading the word about medical misogyny, is a real internet low point. Halsey is doing her art after almost losing her life, and also being a valuable medical activist at the same time. Good for her
Yeah, I'm a 2x cancer survivor and "The End" made me SOB. I haven't actually listened to the rest of the album because I'm nervous about what it will do to my emotional state. Perhaps the people who are saying they can't relate to it should be glad that it's not relatable to their life experiences, because it means they haven't been through those particular awful experiences. Like, I'm so happy for them that they don't know what it's like to live this. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. But the fact that you can't relate probably means it's not intended for you.
I'm Disabled by chronic illness, and unfortunately, this is nowhere near just how low the internet can get with its treatment of people like me. This is mild. Recently, when discussing my frustration with common bigotry against Chronic Illness, someone compared my complaints against medical misinfo that endangers my health to how they "don't get offended about Metalhead opinions they don't like" and another person flat out told me "you are beyond help" for refusing an exercise regimen proven not to aid my condition. To be Disabled is to be reviled for your weakness, mocked for requesting basic dignity, then envied for what few accommodations you do get. "Your pain is profoundly unrelatable" is thus nothing to me compared to all that. I know my pain is unrelatable to the abled world. I know that every time I have to struggle in my wheelchair to enter a building with an inaccessible door. I know especially every time I remember that Donald Trump and his cronies would simply like me to die off like a good little useless eater because they see my healthcare as a waste of money. I know most people aren't going through what I am. I'm not asking to be relatable. I just wish they would care.
@@emexdizzy IMO "your pain is unrelatable" is people's way of shifting the blame for them being unwilling to learn or listen. It's not *their* fault for being unimaginative and unempathetic, it's your fault for having the audacity to be Not Like Them and ask to be treated as someone whose thoughts might be worth hearing.
What bothers me the most is that imo she was so fucking humble about all of it, just being like hey I literally almost died but wanted to make sure my child had something to remember me by and know the full story of my life. Then on top of that being so vulnerable and calling out the misogyny only to receive even more is insane. Granted i know it’s just the tip of the iceberg, but still sad.
@@billygoodin6194 My theory is the more traditionally 'sexy' a woman presents herself as, the more outta control judgement she'll get from everyone, but it's most marked from other women. I mean, ALL women get some version of unfair judgement, but Britney Spears and Marylin Monroe were really targets of a special kind of really out there vitriol 😞
I agree and it sucks, because main character syndrome could easily be used to say that someone lacks self awareness, but the more I see it being weaponized like this the less I like it.
I’m so selective in my commentary that I thought ppl exclusively used it 2 describe a selfish positionality. Like an “everything exists 4 me” mindset. I’m so glad I’m selective with content bc it seems like the half of ppl who use it incorrectly don’t realise it’s about them. Cmon, calling out an “attention whre” is just saying “ur not exactly how i want u.”
I feel like a year ago everyone was saying "romantize your life" and "be the main character" like it was a new self help tool to make life feel more meaningful in the mundane and now all the sudden it's passe and a sub-in for narcissism. Why?? Who is my life and art supposed to be for?
Because that definition isn't fully correct and it's not how people use "main character syndrome" in the internet spaces it originated in. What's equally important is how you see other people around you, as real other people who are the leading protagonist in their own life, as we all are, or npcs and supporting characters only there for your story.
As an art historian, art and the arist and the background can never be seperated. Only this artist can make this art during this time. Seperating it feels like saying "apples don't grow on trees, they come from the supermarket".
You can tell who only went to Freshman level when they talk about separating art from the artist. "Art out of context" and "art as a singular entity" are tool you learn early on in critique that helps you examine media from different angles, but then you circle back and integrate them as one lens of many. I understand and respect those unfortunate souls who are obligated to use those lenses as a euphemism to deal with their social position in which disavowing a problematic financial enterprise would be socially harmful, even if I don't agree. I have less respect for those who use the lens as an excuse to promote their own pseudo-superiority and excuse real context within the real world.
I feel like both exist simultaneously and the degree to which each exists depends on the work. There will always be separation between the artist’s personal relationship to the work and an audience member’s personal relationship to the work because the artist’s history informed the creation of the work and the audience member’s history informs their interpretation of the work. The same song can mean different things to different people, the artist included. However, some works are more generally worded than others. Some cover almost universally relatable topics, and some reference specific events in ways that can’t be ignored. For example, Taylor Swift’s “Marjorie” is specifically about her grandmother and even features a clip of her grandmother singing. This cannot be separated from Taylor at all, but folks will still add their own layer of meaning as they are reminded of their departed loved ones. I short, I do agree; the artist can never be separated. However, I think the individual’s interpretation and relationship with the piece can’t be either. But Fantano calling this album “Main Character Syndrome” will always be offensive.
I always admired Manga artists who depicted themselves as funny little mascot creatures in their "behind the scenes" bits. I always thought it was a good way of "connecting" with the audience while allowing for their privacy and refocusing the audiences attention back to the fictional work and not onto the artist themselves. There's an idea in my head that I always spin round, that maybe we should treat online audiences with fairfolk rules. Don't give them your real name, be wary of accepting gifts from them, no matter how nice they are to you assume that you'll break some nebulous rule and they'll curse you horrifically for it, be careful of getting trapped in their circles etc. Like we made these stories up for helpful reasons half the time, maybe we should do it again.
Huhhh... That reminds me of way back years ago when I followed Sixpenceee on tumblr (before I knew about the drama), and tried to not read most of the horror short stories they posted, but I did read one about the fay folk, and seeing those two things collide here feels... I dunno. Poignant? I think that's the word for it.
... That was a general rule about the internet when it started. You don't give out your actual name, you don't accept gifts from strangers, et cetera and all the rest... The problem is most people have forgotten it and companies have made a living off of profiting all of our data and trying to get all our information
For all its faults, one thing I still appreciate about Tumblr as a platform (social media or not) is that anonymity is part of its design and a part of the culture. I never post my name or similar personal details, I don’t try to use Tumblr to network with people I know irl, and I feel like most other users do the same. I wasn’t online in the blogging era, but it does feel like a vestige of the time when internet safety was about separating/protecting your real life from your online life.
That's how most of the Internet used to be. Things like Myspace and Facebook changed that. Tumblr feels like the last remaining vestige of that old era.
I don't use personal information on internet, because I was raised on how you should always watch what you're doing on internet. It's baffling how everyone is disregarding that now. Even creators by the way, when I started watching youtube everyone used pseudonyms and a lot of people didn't show their face it's weird how it changed .
@@krankarvolund7771 There definitely has been a shift. I'd never disclose any of my real names, show my face, hometown, where I live, which school I go to/went to, the exact job I have etc on the internet. That just doesn't feel safe to me. But nowadays it seems it's normal for people to share a lot about themselves online. If you want to become an influencer/RUclipsr/etc it kind of makes sense to show your face online but I'm still surprised by how many do it. And with how unconsiderate people are with filming in public, many can't even decide if they want their face on the internet or not. But because so many people have no problem with it, they also don't respect other peoples privacy.
@@krankarvolund7771same! Thats how I grew up and I was clowned for years bc I didn’t post pictures of myself - esp when Instagram was at its height. And I still don’t but I can understand how the online friends I’ve made throughout the years might find that weird now. I just think with the way this are headed, the less info online, the better…
Your words inspired me. Just like other people are flipping the "Snowflake" rhetoric on conservatives, we should flip virtue signaling. "Ugh we get it Becky, your just saying that stuff about trans women because you're just virtue signaling. If you really mean those words you should go take social security away from old ladies instead of yapping."
Ikr? As a exvangelical, whose childhood was spent literally being taught to "virtue-signal" at the pulpit, it felt so dystopian to watch all these politically right-leaning religious people complain about it. How are we supposed to be in community, with people, who assign meaning to words according to their feelings and preferences?! 🙃
All of these reviewers who say Halsey isn’t relatable make me roll my eyes so hard I cure my own binocular vision dysfunction. They just need to say they’ve never been chronically ill and move on. Halsey has made me feel seen as a disabled, chronically ill mum.
Thank you for this! I completely agree. I don’t think Halsey’s work can say everything for every chronically ill person ever, but I’ve deeply appreciated their attempts. Accusations of main character syndrome and being dramatic are reasons I tend NOT to tell people about the extreme abuse I suffered, followed by cancer. My life isn’t your tv show, and your discomfort shouldn’t become my problem
@@roblynh2809 I think it would be both impossible and unproductive if any one person whose battle chronic illness tried to speak for all of us. There's so many different diagnoses and also intersections of race, gender, and queerness that impact each story. That's why, though, we band together in community despite the differences. When we all have each others' back, we are stronger for it. From one struggler to another, I'm glad you fought through it, I'm glad you are here.
To me, I've used the term "Main character syndrome" in reference to people calling other's NPCs or referring to generic, popular music as a "Coworker music". I've never understood MCS as attention seeking, in fact, the prototypical MCS individual is a cynical loner in my eyes (basically me at 15) . It's not external behavior, it's an internal perspective. But, of course, that's not as easy a label to stick to anyone you find annoying so of course the worst interpretation of the term became the most popular.
I’ve thought MCS referred 2 believing the world was made 4 u. MCS turning n2 “attention whre” so it can b prescribed 2 women is the most MCS thing u could do. My prototypical MCS is hegemonic masculine men. Sm of them loudly declare their rights & feelings matter more than others 🙄 imo, misogyny is a massive display of MCS.
"its remarkably unrelatable" is it not main character syndrome to believe everything should be relatable to you? is it not enough to appreciate someone elses life for what it is?
Every time I had something that I wanted to say with regards to something brought up, you got right to it all the way down to the Sarah Z video. Killing it once again, truly. This is such an interesting video because I feel like this term is something that exists a little outside of my own online spaces and it's so... surreal and disturbing to see in play. The idea of pathologizing someone getting dressed up to get milk... when I was pulling myself out of a real pathological pit during the early years of the pandemic, I used to put on a Halloween costume every time I couldn't find the energy to go to the pharmacy because I just needed to have something to make myself feel a little better, just enough to get outside. People have so many reasons for doing the things they do, and whose business is it if someone wants to be slaying at 3 pm on Tuesday in the milk aisle? It's sad to see the mundane cruelty of wanting to publicly tear people apart for the crime of standing out even a little. And the way that people will be out inventing ever more specific fictitious diseases to make Morally Unacceptable because it maybe got a little suspicious whatever their last insult was. I truly hope we can make a kinder world.
one thing I forgot to mention is that a lot of women are socialized to go outside looking their best no matter what! I know for me I was told that I needed to wear earrings because they were more ladylike! ppl are always in your business.
@@Princess_Weekes Also super real!!!! I have known so many women in my life who never leave the house without doing their full routine because they were taught it was something to be ashamed of to do anything less and they should expect ridicule for it... This whole thing feels like with a little self reflection people could figure out that it's kind of a nothing condition
I used to really love Halsey and I’m not super familiar with their newer stuff I haven’t listened to the album but it’s truly shameful how she’s NEVER been taken seriously and she is ALWAYS accused of being superficial and dramatic simply because she was a young woman. She was never given any grace I haven’t listened to the great impersonator (but the single that came out earlier this year was really good and I remember being like wow this genre really suits Halsey’s voice.) it’s just sad after all she’s been through publicly she still isn’t respected as an artist and she harbors way more hate than she deserves.
It’s wild that this era specifically she isn’t taken seriously. A huge portion of this era is “I’m sick (mentally & physically) & life hurts.” Every part of the rollout was simultaneously campy but deeply sad. I genuinely cannot understand the commentary on this era if it’s not just misogyny. I’m so glad that discourse got sparked bc the criticism was so unjustified.
I didn't watch any promo material for it. It's pretty decent lyrically. I like it a lot better than most Taylor Swift stuff bc Halsey's production does better justice to her/their lyrics. I mostly listen to Nine Inch Nails and the Cure and stuff, which is often full-on cwoe is me' main character syndrome, but also ya know white guys, so they get to do that.
Because she doesnt know who she is and she has no signature sound or identity. She's prided herself on changing her sound. When the only change that applies to, is the production.😂 that's it! Not her actual voice and melodies from that 😮
@@chayo4537 so you either haven't listened to the music or have no ear for vocals, because to say her vocal quality is not changed when she changes genres is genuinely laughable. not liking her music is fine, not listening to it is fine, but to pretend it is not primarily misogyny that drives hatred of her is to ignore reality
I only knew Halsey from the song they did with the Chainsmokers a long time ago. I didn't like it. The Chainsmokers' music is juvenile, opportunistic, and emotionally empty. How can I take anyone's art seriously when it's associated with them
I also think it’s important that we do not downplay online work and community, I am very disabled and many of my online community are as well. Together we share a lot of important resources, as well as help keeping people housed and fed with mutual aid boosting. I just say this because I’ve seen a lot of fashy liberals saying online work doesn’t count, when that’s all many people have access to. Especially because no one will mask
thank you for bringing this up. i get a little tired of being dismissed as “chronically online”, and it doesn’t feel like a coincidence when you consider what context people usually hear “chronically” in. same with “touching grass” tbh-i would love to spend more time in public, but like you said, people aren’t masking.
Super agree. Online work is so extremely important. That’s a wild conception. Attitudes from online trickle n2 irl communities. It may seem like the online doesn’t matter until kids start saying or doing inappropriate things bc they heard it from a podcast.
Yeah! The internet is just as real as the physical world for so many Disabled folks. It's where I connect with my friends, friends who are real, whose last names and addresses I know because we mail each other packages and postcards, friends who tell me about family struggle and trauma, friends I support and who support me. Work and community from home is real for us. It might not be ideal, and it might not be that intimate for others, but we deserve to have that accessibility.
I became disabled at 23 and managing pain became my whole "identity". I lost a lot of friends and family members bec. as a society, we have internalised: - that chronicle/"permanent" pain is annoying and disgusting - that disabled people should be relegated to spaces outside/separated from regular people - that disabled people shouldnt "burden" their* loved ones with our issues, etc. I feel, like this specific form of ableism plays in these reviews of Halsey's album.
I don't understand how to avoid the "identity politics" conversation, when entire identities, what and who people *are* in their very essence, can be considered wrong, inferior, illegal, disgusting, dangerous, and/or worthy of discrimination. Some issues do not have a perfect middle ground. We either acknowledge that someone has the right to exist as who they are, or we don't.
I'm autistic and I used to have emotional regulation problems, as well as problems knowing when to regulate my volume before I was diagnosed/in the early years when I was still figuring out what to do with it (or that I even had these problems because late diagnosis, nobody told me). I also liked to wear colorful make up. I hate the insinuation that some of my bullies had that I thought I was the main character...just because a behavior gets attention doesn't mean that the person who did it is trying to get attention. I have so many stories. I also agree that some of the main character syndrome symptoms sound like someone with social anxiety that is now stage fright due to the way that the world becomes more of a stage when we have phones and can be recorded at any time.
I hate this because if other people perceive you a certain way they mske it YOUR problem even though perception is literally a them problem in their own head. If someone does dress entirely for themselves then they are judged "for standing out" even if that attention is you know outside their control. Combine that with misogyny and you get some whack ass social norms. (Also autistic and i dress for me and generally am baffled by perception very rarely do i factor in others in how I dress and even nore rarely can i gauge their likely perceptions anyway)
watched this earlier today as i was braiding my hair. came back to leave a comment! very well done, also thank you for bringing up racism regarding white women centering themselves when it comes to trafficking and kidnapping.
The whole attention/panopticon culture reminds me of that Thomas More quote about making thieves and then punishing them - we are simultaneously taught to crave validation and attention, which often comes in a much larger scale than intended, and shamed for doing things to achieve that.
I think you made such a good point about people wanting to keep fandom spaces 'apolitical' while at the same time engaging with art that is decidedly not.
14:59 I came into Halsey with "Gasoline" because I was looking for music that would help me express how I feel with my Borderline & CPTSD diagnosis. It was so apt to how I was feeling about myself & the world, and I dove in. The more I listened, the more I learned about then, the more I loved them and was joyous that there was a big music artist that I could actually relate to, as I am biracial, bisexual, genderfluid, fembodied, and neurodivergent with personality disorders & chronic pain. I now had music, which is my first love, that could express with the same intensity my joy, self loathing, love, my punk sense of justice& DIY, and the frustration of trying ornhaving to mask in relationships and against the world, in a way that is fitting to their genre hopping & experimentation. I loved that their mood & emotions guided the genre of music for the song. Halsey has an amazing ear for sound construction & production, and a mind that's quick to be superfluous or blunt with words. I love it. And will defend and advocate for them & their creative self, because I have to defend and advocate for myself- I know how hard that is on a personal level, let alone on a public stage.
As someone who’s been a Halsey fan since 2015 and devoutly disgusted by everything True Crime for around the same time, I’m so grateful for this video!
I had always interpreted “main character syndrome” as just another word for “self centered,” and specifically in how you interact with people in your life, not necessarily online. So interesting that its come to mean “acting like you have an audience.” My mom would constantly point out the appearance of other people in public and make fun of them. I was a fat kid that grew into a fatter adult and I felt like everyone is looking at me and judging me. It made me extremely self conscious and I now actively ignore everyone around me in public. I now dress up pretty much every day, still ignoring everyone around me because I don’t want to realize that they are definitely looking at me. I’m frequently the largest person in the room and I wear alt fashion I stand out a lot LOL. But I’m doing it because it makes me happy and makes it worth leaving my house. New anxiety unlocked: being accused of trying to be the “main character” lol.
30:48 Dude, I told the same thing to my husband. I listened to Eminem's album and Halsey's album as soon as they were out. Then, I read the reviews. Both had some notorious bad reviews, but no one was calling Eminem out for having "main character syndrome" although the term would have applied perfectly. Even more than to Halsey I would say ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ This only taught me to keep away from music reviews 😂 I loved both albums, for what's worth.
I’m so curious as to why people take any criticism as being “mean” or making them feel “dumb”. Is it the black-or-white Puritanism thinking that does this? Like they don’t want to face they messed up because then they see themselves as inherently bad? Time and time again I see people make a minor mistake or are ignorant in something; and instead of saying oh I’m sorry let me learn more about this! They double down and get mean. Ita mind boggling to me
Whenever that happens I realize I'm discussing the topic with a child and like... Fuck it. I kinda hate that kids with a half brained understanding about politics get into serious discussions that need your full understanding to handle it and then get mad and turn into literal high school bullies when you prove their understanding is half-assed or wrong while also using their ages ti get out of it like "why are you discussing about politics with me, a 15 year old? lmao go do you taxes old woman" So I stopped trying to "educate" people when I see they're parroting big words they can barely understad, some people just can't stand hearing they're wrong.
@ the annoying part is that I’ll make a post on Twitter, for example speaking about my experiences being excluded as a disabled person in leftist spaces and then I’ll have leftist and liberals attacking me just for sharing my experience. It’s like they go out of their way to be harmful. It’s really disheartening, but it is what it is. I guess I’m trying to just focus on my community and doing what I can there rather than teaching people who don’t wanna learn. I do try to do what I can in my daily life with people that I know are at least somewhat open to listening and learning, and I have seen progress in that way. He
people are just eager to dismiss ableism as a form of oppression-i think coming to grips with the ways it manifests strikes some people as an insurmountable task because it would mean confronting their own capacity for doing everyday harm / harboring regressive perspectives. whole lot of defensiveness. you’re right tho. solidarity ❤️🩹
In a time where it seems like we only exist in subcategories of aesthetics and "*whatever*-core" branding, you'd think an album about an artist exploring herself through existing in different aesthetics and paying homage to various artists would be better received. I think it's very of its time, but (some) people view that as a bad thing for some reason.
There are a lot of phrases that I feel people overuse. They heard it somewhere and they just can't wait to go out and apply it, whether or not it's actually appropriate. “Main character syndrome” is one of those phrases to me.
That's the point. They take a word that they've heard and use it to seem cool and events the word loses its meaning. These sorts of people are incredibly obnoxious.
I saw Halsey album and got scared bc I love it omg. As a chronic illness girlie, I ate the album up so hard. I don't have lupus but I do have seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and they have a lot of similarities, particularly in pain and immunocompromised status.
While I don’t have an arthritis diagnosis (or any diagnosis, for that matter) I freeze up every time someone discusses the Halsey album, because half the time it’s just the same things and the same kind of ableism. I’m glad to finally see someone normal about it
I’m glad my parents warned me to avoid a lot of social media early on, because I can safely say my online footprint is pretty much just a few memes on Reddit about Bisexuality and Elden Ring.
18:49 this is so true! As a white person I really struggle when the white women around me constantly emphasize how dangerous the world is and how women are constantly in danger of being kidnapped or assaulted and talk about how you always have to trust your “instincts.” Cause those “instincts” are sometimes just implicit bias that needs to be unpacked and resisted!
@@Lopsided_Butterfly honestly. And to be frank, every woman regardless of color is in danger of assault from a man, but the reality is that man is statistically white and not a stranger.
This is a big reason why I stepped away from a handful of true crime podcasts and shows after many years, especially the ones hosted by white women. They keep trying to square "Fuck politeness" with ideas like "Systemic problems created 'bad neighborhoods'". These things rarely run parallel. I appreciate the growth that some hosts have demonstrated over time but the math still isn't mathing and I can't wait for them to catch up anymore.
Ikr? There has been too many cases of suburban ww using their "fear"/"anxiety" to try and incite a lynching. I remember Sherri Papini (?) blaming "jealous" and "thuggish" Latina women for her abduction, I remember an influencer pretending a Latino couple tried to kidnap her "blue eyed" children, etc. 🙄🙄🙄 Meanwhile, I also remember reading about a suspected serial killer, who had abducted and killed 20+ Black women. The police was alerted and did nothing (and the media didnt report on it) until one of his victims managed to escape. The local Black community was left to fend by itself: using social media to try and alert Black women to avoid the locations where he was "prawling". There is also the horrifying case of Indigenous American women being murdered in total indifference. A lot of ww cant even fathom and/or dont care about what it means to be the victim of a horrifying crime and being met by total institutional indifference. 💔💔💔
I think you’re spot on about the desire for authenticity and online characterism. I wonder if our cultural misogyny also plays a bigger role. You touched on it. I think any mistake that’s made by a woman is often pulled on and ripped open until it’s a giant void of unforgivable sin. Unacceptable cultural behavior. Not just celebrities, female bosses too. Anywhere where women hold power. I just struggle to think of a stereotypical male artist being diagnosed with the same condition. You should look up Dr. Geoff Lindsay’s video about Vocal Fry and why we hate it so much. It just feels like she’s not culturally acceptable and how could she be. She has a voice and likes to use it. When you’re expected to be quiet people aren’t going to like you taking. And I just wanna be clear I’m not a fan of her. I don’t like her music. I don’t really care for her as a person, but her being diagnosed with main character syndrome. I think is more of a reflection on the people diagnosing her and less a reflection of her.
I really appreciate seeing and hearing you articulate so many thoughts and feelings that, honestly, I’m working through myself. I feel you and I hope you have a nice day 👌🏽
As a mixed race person, I feel like I hopped on the Halsey-hate train because I was scared of people saying about me the things they say about her and this video made me rethinking some things. Thank you
I really appreciated both parts of this video (in the first part, that clip from the View? the tiredness of the one presenter trying to push back, "maybe they should listen to the news on their way to work" I really feel that tiredness). Also though, I'm learning that "main character syndrome" is not what I thought it was. The way I've heard my Gen Z-aged friends use it, I honestly just thought we were talking about Mary-Sue, basically--or maybe lauding mediocrity? I'm surprised that anyone takes it seriously enough for a WebMD page to exist, and that its origin was so specific to people putting themselves in true crime narratives. Also, I really loved that Sarah Z video that you mentioned, I hadn't quite connected the narcissism and Main Character Syndrome discourses like that, but it really makes a lot of sense to me
I re-found your account yesterday after your name change (somehow was not subscribed before like ..???) and binge watched already so much. So i am here, subscribed and clicked so fast on this video. Thank you for your work!
I use the term main character syndrome for DnD players who show up and expect to be the main character while every other player is there as support. 😂 I think it's fine to be focused on yourself and to make art about it. The problem is when you expect everyone else to be obsessed with you. Other people are not your NPCs.
Well, with Baldur's Gate 3 they can be the main character 😂 They got catered to, ironically. But hey, most people play that game for how great it is, and not to feel superior in any way 😊
I was taught stranger danger on the internet my whole childhood. I dont have any pictures of me anywhere, i dont have any social media, especially none linked to my irl name, and my digital footprint is nearly nonexistent. Seeing people get dragged for minor offences makes me grateful to be a digital hermit.
Stephen A Smith talking about misinformation & women’s sports when this year he’s been one of the biggest opps women’s basketball has had. He IS the problem when he sets the conversation to demonize black women in sports as jealous/aggressive/dangerous the exact same way republicans set the conversation around trans women in sports. Hate that man for real.
a bit random and im only a minute in, just on the "seeing stuff outside your bubble" topic, want to recommend peter santenello's videos going around parts of the US (and other places) and talking to locals and hearing why people feel the way they feel (even tho ofc theres no excuse to vote for anyone that ignores human rights and equality). the series on appalachia he did was really interesting. you could really see how ppl are in such an exploited mindset that they feel upset that the work in the mines disappears "bc we lost our jobs and cant make a living!" without really facing the fact that the work in the mines was horrifying and exploitative (which he does cover by asking the right questions and talking about the real history). so yeah, just a rec on something ive been enjoying to see lots of different perspectives, as a european who likely will never set foot in the US.
i haven't read the review but it seems like there's a degree to which ableist fears of people faking illness or disability for attention come into this? like, maybe they're not outright saying the specifics of her pain aren't real, but they're doing the sort of "okay, but do you need to talk about it?" thing. tbh i think the concept of unrelatability is interesting because it's so far from universal what people relate to. a lot of music is about being rich and famous and i don't think that's relatable to a lot of people but hey
Very nuanced and intentional and excellent video/argument. Felt respected as an audience member, not judged or pandered-to. I really hope you receive a huge audience for this video. This is vital work, thank you❤
Your nuanced insight is a breath of fresh air, as usual. Something someone else recently pointed out: "Lately I've been thinking about a trending criticism, the tendency to say some people act like "they're the main characters of their own stories". This one really puzzled me for a while until I realised most peoples' exposure to fiction is much more limited than mine so they assume "main character" is another term for "hero". Naturally, if your life is a story, then you're the main character. If not you, who? Name anyone and you'll sound pretty pathetic. "My boyfriend/my mother/my dog is the main character of my story." Oof."
re: your point about being one bad day away from going viral and the the panopticon of social media - in the same way that understanding the context can completely reshape the way we feel and think about visual art that we might otherwise deride with only a glance (see: feel it motherfuckers by john s. boskovich), so too could context reshape the way we think and feel about viral social media villains of the week. but the nature of social media is such that it encourages people to quickly make a black and white judgement with only that single glance into those situations with no further consideration or search of context before they become old news. it's sad and it really has led to a greater sense of paranoia within me about going outside as an autistic person who has meltdowns due to overstimulation sometimes.
The aftermath of losing this time feels watching the world turn against you and the people you love the moment it decides you're no longer fashionable, all while claiming they're not doing exactly that.
I must say, as someone who also deals with a lot of chronic health issues, I found Halsey's new album very relatable. Also, everyone gets seriously sick at some point in their life, and that's when it will be more relatable. If it's not your taste and not what you want to listen to when you are sick or to prepare for when it inevitably happens, that's fine. Find something you do like. But the idea that illness "isn't relatable" is just ridiculous.
10:30 as someone who is living in a red state in a red area, I would probably be considered one of those "transplants," but I honestly feel like getting to a big blue city is my best chance at success. I've never felt like the place I was raised in could ever be my home, but if I can't move to work, then there is nowhere I can belong. I'm a bit concerned about hositility to transplants being a microcosm of hostility to immigration, when there are many cities with a surplus of homes sitting empty due to corporate greed and lack of government intervention.
i think saying a singer songwriter like halsey, taylor swift or many of the new pop girlies have main character syndrome is just an easy way to justify why you don’t like their music. not a very good one, but i’ve noticed it’s what people do (not like you owe people a reason why you dont like someone’s music). the halsey criticisms feel particularly vile though
23:55 I think you have a pleasant voice! I clicked on your video today actually just to hear it. Voice tone is a critical part of my ability to enjoy a long form video and yours scratches an itch in my brain to hear.
Hello fellow South Carolinian, this election was a nightmare. I stood in line for over an hour listening to retired conservatives complain and romanticize their party. The older generation does not care about anyone but themselves :(
@@Oddash-lz6kw Fellow SC native here, did you vote during the early voting period or on election day? I went late morning (~11ish) on election day and had to wait behind 3 or 4 people--poll worker said lines and waits were crazy during the early voting period, but that it was dead after the first hour or two on election day. Every municipality can be different though, I may have just gotten lucky.
@@bb-anon6746 Early voting because my job doesn't always guarantee time off on Election Day. I try to early vote whenever I can because there are so few people and it shocked me to see a huge line this. That's why I'm convinced that the older voters were motivated by spite. They had nothing to lose, nothing to gain and they were all there day one 🙁
I just started this video (time stamp 11:56), but I just wanted to say thank you. You are voicing such important points with grace and thoughtfulness. Looking forward to enjoying the rest of this video.
16:42 WithCindy has a video on a book that has this exact problem called Haunting Adeline and is prob one of the most egregious examples of this in fiction, highly recommend Cindys video its both funny and educational
I literally saw the words 'election angst' on the chapter title and was just like 'nope.' but also I'll leave it playing on a muted tab because I want to support the channel lol. I'll come back and actually watch it later.
On the point about critics putting music in context, Abigail Devoe excellently laid out how essential this is in her “critic to critic” video last week.
I think now more than ever, we need to support BIPOC and trans voices. We need art that represents joy and new stories that include Palestinians and Romani in ways that aren’t inherently political, but weave the story in. Less edgelord media and casting diversity without people of color and marginalized voices every step of the way… I don’t know how we do that without a foot in the door, but that’s what JK doesn’t understand. She could grant SO MUCH light and space for voices. We need more young and diverse voices centered.
If only they made stuff that was interesting for a lot of people to care. I’m saying this as a queer bipoc, a lot of the shit we make is too boring. We need to learn more style
Well, it's been a rough couple weeks, but at least the RUclips algorithm finally chose to let me know about your channel - you were always one of my favorites over on The Mary Sue, so it's really nice to see you again.
I appreciate the care you brought to the introduction of the video as well as the unpacking of the concepts in the main part of it. I do think there are some interesting ties between them both in the stance of the importance of individualism in the US and how we promote that idea globally and at home. I am trained in social work, but from a macro perspective, and I find that I sometimes serve as a reflective supervisor for individuals I am not the supervisor of….which makes things weird at times for sure. People will seek out outlets for their needs…in an ideal world it will be with someone who they can be fully authentic with…I am glad I can be that for others even when ideally I shouldn’t be their first option. While not always a bad option for some, I feel for those that have no option but online connections…even if online is the best option for them, authentic,in-person connection should be a given option for everyone.
I feel the income things so strongly we moved away from my family away from our support networks across the country from Oregon to Florida for my husband to have a job that would allow us to be able to afford having a child and building our own family and in that time our grocery bills have exploded or housing has skyrocketed despite moving from a major metropolitan city to a smaller college town. It boggles my mind that between my husband's veterans benefits and his job we bring in nearly 90K and have to seriously penny pinch. We're barely scraping a middle class life for what is objectively a large income. How can anyone survive it's beyond me at this point
I don't buy the "we're tired of being talked down to" rhetoric. It's awfully convenient but the reality is Harris' campaign hardly touched identity politics. Look at the state of online discourse(especially on Twitter) yet people claim cancel culture is an issue.. There is nothing that you can reasonably do to appeal to these people who will complain no matter how easy they have it.
I find that line of argument to be questionable. As well as this move to the center talk that is going around. The Democrats at best pay lip services to the greater social problems to hide the fact that economically there is little difference between them and Republicans. I find this talk of dumping any vague notion of fighting for minority groups an and out betrayal of the party. We see in people like Bernie Sanders (you is an independent admittedly) that if politicians stand up for the working people which many minor groups are one can build a massive support and win. We need the party that gave us Social Security and Civil Rights more than ever before.
Agreed, it feels like scapegoating when all of Harris's messaging was economy, abortion, and Trump is unhinged and dangerous. One thing I noticed is that many Trump supporters (some that I talked to) said they liked Trump because he would do this, and then when you bring up another unpopular policy that he has, they would be like, but he won't actually do that one. Like how do you even argue with that?
THIS!! Most of these people don't even pay attention to politics enough to know what Harris was for or wasn't for. They see the dem party as the woke side and applied all of it to the Harris campaign. People just love to have something to hate and "woke" conveniently not only gave them something to hate, but let them also feel like the victims.
@@PoojaPatel-mj7pzyes! Republicans tried to make it seem like we were the ones just voting for Harris so he doesn't win but really a lot of them were voting for him to spite the "woke people. So many don't believe he's going to do what he says or believe he's not gonna do it "like that" or "that much"
*What "Main Character Syndrome" Was Supposed to Mean:* People acting like nobody else mattered in public spaces and being disruptive and obtrusive to others. *What "Main Character Syndrome" Has Come to Mean:* You're a narcissist if you don't hate yourself, or you have the nerve to believe your own life and existence is about you personally.
You're so spot on with the community organising and needing to build community offline. We shouldn't have to meet people in the middle as far as bending on our values and ideals, but we need to get better at relationships and being able to hold people through learning without them feeling "under attack". It's frustrating but the want for people to further isolate and protect their peace scares me, connecting with community and not just holding empathy but showing it, is the only work that will save us, and the only work we know will crack through far-right programming/conspiracy etc. Really appreciate your content, thank you for your thoughts!
Part of the definition for main character syndrom you mention here also sounds like a laymans misunderstanding of autistic masking and that makes me extra unhappy.
I think you articulate really well a lot of these things about the digital panopticon that I've been thinking for a while! I'll be recommending some of my family members this video.
One thing that pisses me off with both this election and the 2016 election was both times I heard over and over "don't vote for her just because she's a woman" yet those same people never said jack about those who voted against Hillary/Kamala just because they were women
I think what it really comes down to is that the Right has control of the narrative. Their points of view are simple, punchy, cater to inherent biases, and wrong. Our ideas are thoughtful, nuanced and based in reality, but too complicated to convey quickly to someone who doesn't already understand. It's so frustrating. Especially what you said about how hard it is to convince people they were wrong and they were fooled without them feeling like you're attacking them.
Don't like most artists talk about their pan and their experience? Like, Spielberg often have dysfunctional families reuniting in his movies because he was traumatised by his parents divorce, Hitchcock was fascinated by the trope of the innocent falsely accused because he was falsely accused as a child, etc... Writing about yourself is the basis of writing what you know after r alll XD
Thank you for your opening talk. I'm going to watch the rest, but I want to thank you now. You hit a lot of points I've been grappling with myself and it was good to hear some similarities to my own thoughts process these last few weeks as well as a few other things I had not. You always bring a level of compassion and realism to your videos in a larger, cultural lens and it's seen and appreciated. Wado (thank you).
So the first part of your video really hit home. Ive been in my current town for half of my life and i was just getting used to thinking of it as my home. Until the voting came in. south dakota is notoriously republican and always has been but the reminder that how much i love my community doesnt change the fact my community would turn against me. Its really sad and frustrating, because of financial issues i have no chance of moving, even if there was a place id be more comfortable.
I just have so many really strongly worded political things to say and they ultimately don't matter in this space so what I will say is thank you! As always, I so greatly appreciate and value your opinions and insights in basically all things. As someone who lives in an extremely conservative place, sometimes listening to videos from creators like you is the only time I feel like I can breathe... and then I get all vive la revolution fired up again but still! Please never stop talking (unless you need to for your own sake). Your voice is both beautiful and important.
Thanks for this video. It was lovely and the "Jezebel spirit" line gave me a much needed laugh today. You made a lot of good points too, lots of food for thought.
When it comes to the current politcal climate & dealing with people who oppose you ideologically, I feel theres two main options & I only really like one of them. 1. You could face them the way many have online, by meeting them with venom & belittling them. Its tempting cuz oftentimes they do it themselves, but if you do that it only hardens ppl against you, naturally leading to escalation & culminating in conflict. 2. You can practice communicating with people as people. Talk to them humanely. Treat them with respect. Even if you're educating them or communicating an empassioned ideal, there's always a way to communicate in a way that recognizes & respects the individual you're speaking to. This doesn't mean shrinking or biting your tongue either. Speak your truth. Be your full self. But do so with grace, honor & respect. These are, of course, my personal findings & opinions, but they're affirmed by interactions I've had with people that start as strong disagreement & end with respect & mutual understanding. I hope all reading this are well. Peace & blessings ✌🏾🙏🏽 Edit: regarding treating ppl who threaten, disrespect or generally oppose you with respect & humanity, I know its difficult to do so & its not to say resistance is not sometimes necessary, but more times than not conflicts can be avoided if we connect with one another, as there's more uniting us than there is dividing. We just gotta get to the core of those things
We cannot throw marginalized ppl under the bus in the search of broadening our appeal. But what we can do, is try not to to needlessly alienate ppl for no reason. And even asking ppl not to that that is received as a huge imposition. Look at the reaction to ppl saying that maybe we shouldn’t constantly degrade snd insult men. Their reaction is outrage, that you would dare tell them its not actually productive to sh*t on half of voters
Yeah I see a lot of comment chains where a guy will come in with a questionable take and get immediately blasted in the replies. Then both parties start talking past each other without listening, I'm not sure if it actually increased since the election or if I'm just noticing it more
I haven't been too interested in the last few pieces of media that you discussed but I love love your videos and your insight. When something goes viral or gets really popular its important to pay attention to how fandoms respond. How people respond. Thank you as always for doing the work. Your work is appreciated 💜
I really related to the way you describe anxiety and I'm starting to think I've got it too, so Imma get some things checked out. Thanks for talking open about your anxiety, I know it's hard especially on the internet and especially on vids so many people will see. Sending virtual good vibes because I'm still working through my rotting post-election too.
Art has always been political. Always, always, always! Its main purpose is political! Its entire existence is political. Saying otherwise is ignorant. Not being mean, it’s just having the privilege to choose to ignore all that bc it doesn’t affect your everyday life isn’t a choice everyone else can make. In my opinion, the top of the ladder has always resisted change. Part of losing privilege is realizing what u had for free and didn’t have to earn. People don’t like that, they endure too, but that’s not everyone. Lawyers are fighting. Activists are fighting. Resistance is strong. We live in a country founded on protest. Our history is filled with fighting back. The revolution starts in the soul and the mind, that’s why it’s not televised. We’re still moving forward. It’s just frustratingly slow.
I agree, ultimately everything is political whether we like it or not, and many of us don't have the option to be ignorant because we're actively harmed by the system
For a while, I saw “main character syndrome” mostly in the context of people demanding that content that might not be for them specifically to cater to them regardless. Like, watching a recipe video from a creator and then commenting “what do I do if I don’t eat x, y, and z?” Or the pancake/waffle thing mentioned in this video, for sure. It was a while before I saw it being ascribed to racists and misogynists.
Had to pause and plan to come back to this video at about 15 minutes in, as the emotions relating to my own trauma from medical neglect are currently much too raw to engage further with how comfortable so many people feel minimizing or outright denying the marginalization and abuse that disabled people experience on a regular basis, but I wanted to say thank you for spotlighting this issue (and making me aware of an album that I can already tell is likely to be hugely cathartic-I didn’t know Halsey had released new music but I am now excited to listen). I find that even in supposedly more radical leftist spaces, awareness, compassion, and advocacy for disabled folk is often sorely, SEVERELY lacking. Ability level even gets assigned moral value/malicious intent by those who don’t care enough to learn more, and that perpetuates the excruciating isolation and ostracization that we experience, inevitably leading to more trauma and feelings of hopelessness. I could go on about this for a long time, and will likely end up creating my own essays because many in our system have a whole lot of thoughts and feelings on the matter to process and eventually share, but yeah-Thank you♥️
Anna Akana said in a video once that "wanting attention and validation are normal things for people" which made me realize how much we villify wanting ANY type of attention, and also RECEIVING any type of attention. People didn't criticize the Mary Sue because she was perfect, they did it because they resented how they couldn't counter the praise they assumed she would receive. We also do that, as a society, to disabled people and mentally ill people. We resent the fact that they need more attention than others, so we criticize.
The "Center" problem is really a problem of reach. Even with good policy and messaging, getting that info to the people who are not chronically online is as hard as its ever been. Online spaces are fractured and curated by algorithms for engagement. Traditional media is shrinking and neglecting its duty to truth, prefering to report what was said without fact checks. Dem policies do appeal to the center, they just don't know it.
Small critique: While Jeremy Bentham conceptualized the panopticon as a type of prison, it was the French philosopher Michel Foucoult who applied the concept to society at large as a metaphor for the totalitarian state in his book Discipline and Punish. Leaving this comment just to help people better understand where the concept as a critique of society comes from and hopefully inspire people to read more philosophy.
Thank you so much for talking about the election at the beginning. I'm still so upset I don't even know how to process it. It was really helpful to hear someone I look up to break it down.
Hey everyone thanks for watching xx, just wanted to add this before I touch grass, but I am aware that the Biden administration has done things. I was upset and disappointed when I recorded the video and honestly am still sort of working through rotting. So it was a moment of non nuance, no need to well actually
I get it, and I’m sure a lot of others do, too. I’m honestly angry still, at nobody and everyone. I’m nearly numb. lol.
I get it for sure
thanks for addressing, it's so easy on youtube to just get defensive about generalizations like that and miss the actual points
It’s FO season for pickmes, oh well. This 👵🏽 has laid down her sword and shield. The cape’s gonna be part of a niece’s cosplay. 🛖
I appriecate your work and what you shared at the beginning. I am concerned about all that as well. I know many felt that Democrats have not been doing thier best, but I wanted to believe that many saw how a few Republican leaders want to harm nearly everyone. I want leaders who stand for growth and well being. I don't think we have that now. Thank you for sharing.
"Let's meet in the middle" says the unjust man. You take a step forwards and he takes two steps back. "Meet me in the middle", says the unjust man.
Yeah. They say "I want to meet in the middle" and "reach across the aisle" then "but they make it difficult. And don't lead by example, not even small gestures. I hate to sound centrist, but that is a problem with both parties. They say nice things and don't do anything themselves to make that happen
@@ThreadBareHope1234There’s no discussion to be had when someone‘s whole position is just „my brain became ossified in the Bush era and I don’t want to be well informed about any marginalized group that started getting more attention after that.“
@@ThreadBareHope1234I’m a radical leftist but only because I have basic empathy for people suffering. I feel bad that people are homeless in the richest country in history and they struggle to survive. Same for medical issues, or hunger, or less tangible benefits like dignity and history. My mom raised me right but I also watched way to much Star Trek. The future is Gay Luxury Space Communism not because I am gay (because I ain’t) it’s just what-would-Jesus-do for nerds like me. “Imagine aliens advanced enough to have the solutions to all Earth’s problems. Some technology but cultural and economic and logistical and historical and so forth.” We have been trying different approaches to right wing ideology since the Iron Age when the kings men had swords and the rest of us had chains. Then it got weird; the violence was promised and so were the chains. So many authoritarian religions to aid&consolidate political power. But none of them worked for long. The stability and security were promised but fell through in the end. If it was going to work it would have happened by now. Yet dictators, cult leaders, and business owners keep on trying to control us. “I’m tHe bOsS and you are not. Do as I say” that’s some Iron Age nonsense.
Huh, turns out I have a lot more reasons to lean as far left as I possibly can and drag the government to the left. So the state can counter balance the mythology of authoritarian regimes past: corporations, and religious dogmas, and on and on.
See also the Overton Window. It keeps shifting further and further right
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window
This is also called "the ratchet effect"
I'm so tired of hearing that the left introduced the trans and queer issues. We literally are just responding to the conservatives who have made us a moral panic. God I hate moderates.
You may appreciate the video essay from Innuendo Studios titled "The Cost of Doing Business"
Yep. Can confirm, Trans people were using bathrooms and minding their business before 2016.
Thank you! Yes
Yup. If it weren’t for them there WOULDNT EVEN BE AN ISSUE. LET PEOPLE LIVE THEIR LIVES.
Yeah, I think people have no ability to take their heads out of their rear ends. The issues of people who are clear and trans have always been apparent, social media just made it much easier.
People who are trans and queer shouldn't be used as political pawns for anyone, much less radical conservative politicians.
Coming after a woman for being self centered when she's talking about her struggles with CANCER, and helping other women with spreading the word about medical misogyny, is a real internet low point. Halsey is doing her art after almost losing her life, and also being a valuable medical activist at the same time. Good for her
Yeah, I'm a 2x cancer survivor and "The End" made me SOB. I haven't actually listened to the rest of the album because I'm nervous about what it will do to my emotional state. Perhaps the people who are saying they can't relate to it should be glad that it's not relatable to their life experiences, because it means they haven't been through those particular awful experiences. Like, I'm so happy for them that they don't know what it's like to live this. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. But the fact that you can't relate probably means it's not intended for you.
I'm Disabled by chronic illness, and unfortunately, this is nowhere near just how low the internet can get with its treatment of people like me. This is mild. Recently, when discussing my frustration with common bigotry against Chronic Illness, someone compared my complaints against medical misinfo that endangers my health to how they "don't get offended about Metalhead opinions they don't like" and another person flat out told me "you are beyond help" for refusing an exercise regimen proven not to aid my condition.
To be Disabled is to be reviled for your weakness, mocked for requesting basic dignity, then envied for what few accommodations you do get. "Your pain is profoundly unrelatable" is thus nothing to me compared to all that. I know my pain is unrelatable to the abled world. I know that every time I have to struggle in my wheelchair to enter a building with an inaccessible door. I know especially every time I remember that Donald Trump and his cronies would simply like me to die off like a good little useless eater because they see my healthcare as a waste of money. I know most people aren't going through what I am. I'm not asking to be relatable. I just wish they would care.
@@emexdizzy IMO "your pain is unrelatable" is people's way of shifting the blame for them being unwilling to learn or listen.
It's not *their* fault for being unimaginative and unempathetic, it's your fault for having the audacity to be Not Like Them and ask to be treated as someone whose thoughts might be worth hearing.
What bothers me the most is that imo she was so fucking humble about all of it, just being like hey I literally almost died but wanted to make sure my child had something to remember me by and know the full story of my life. Then on top of that being so vulnerable and calling out the misogyny only to receive even more is insane. Granted i know it’s just the tip of the iceberg, but still sad.
@@billygoodin6194 My theory is the more traditionally 'sexy' a woman presents herself as, the more outta control judgement she'll get from everyone, but it's most marked from other women. I mean, ALL women get some version of unfair judgement, but Britney Spears and Marylin Monroe were really targets of a special kind of really out there vitriol 😞
half the time "main character syndrome" just feels like a way to say "attention whore" in modern day. but we don't wanna seem as directly misogynistic
... It kind of is. And anyone can be an attention whore. There are plenty of men who are attention whores.
ok actually though. "main character syndrome" really does feel like the "politically correct" version of "attention whore" 🫢
I agree and it sucks, because main character syndrome could easily be used to say that someone lacks self awareness, but the more I see it being weaponized like this the less I like it.
Top tier comment🫡💯
I’m so selective in my commentary that I thought ppl exclusively used it 2 describe a selfish positionality. Like an “everything exists 4 me” mindset. I’m so glad I’m selective with content bc it seems like the half of ppl who use it incorrectly don’t realise it’s about them. Cmon, calling out an “attention whre” is just saying “ur not exactly how i want u.”
I feel like a year ago everyone was saying "romantize your life" and "be the main character" like it was a new self help tool to make life feel more meaningful in the mundane and now all the sudden it's passe and a sub-in for narcissism. Why?? Who is my life and art supposed to be for?
Because that definition isn't fully correct and it's not how people use "main character syndrome" in the internet spaces it originated in. What's equally important is how you see other people around you, as real other people who are the leading protagonist in their own life, as we all are, or npcs and supporting characters only there for your story.
As an art historian, art and the arist and the background can never be seperated. Only this artist can make this art during this time. Seperating it feels like saying "apples don't grow on trees, they come from the supermarket".
You can tell who only went to Freshman level when they talk about separating art from the artist. "Art out of context" and "art as a singular entity" are tool you learn early on in critique that helps you examine media from different angles, but then you circle back and integrate them as one lens of many.
I understand and respect those unfortunate souls who are obligated to use those lenses as a euphemism to deal with their social position in which disavowing a problematic financial enterprise would be socially harmful, even if I don't agree.
I have less respect for those who use the lens as an excuse to promote their own pseudo-superiority and excuse real context within the real world.
@@gossipsquirrel you're not being a populist, you're just being a jerk
@@chavesa5xoxo
I feel like both exist simultaneously and the degree to which each exists depends on the work. There will always be separation between the artist’s personal relationship to the work and an audience member’s personal relationship to the work because the artist’s history informed the creation of the work and the audience member’s history informs their interpretation of the work. The same song can mean different things to different people, the artist included. However, some works are more generally worded than others. Some cover almost universally relatable topics, and some reference specific events in ways that can’t be ignored. For example, Taylor Swift’s “Marjorie” is specifically about her grandmother and even features a clip of her grandmother singing. This cannot be separated from Taylor at all, but folks will still add their own layer of meaning as they are reminded of their departed loved ones.
I short, I do agree; the artist can never be separated. However, I think the individual’s interpretation and relationship with the piece can’t be either. But Fantano calling this album “Main Character Syndrome” will always be offensive.
I always admired Manga artists who depicted themselves as funny little mascot creatures in their "behind the scenes" bits. I always thought it was a good way of "connecting" with the audience while allowing for their privacy and refocusing the audiences attention back to the fictional work and not onto the artist themselves.
There's an idea in my head that I always spin round, that maybe we should treat online audiences with fairfolk rules. Don't give them your real name, be wary of accepting gifts from them, no matter how nice they are to you assume that you'll break some nebulous rule and they'll curse you horrifically for it, be careful of getting trapped in their circles etc.
Like we made these stories up for helpful reasons half the time, maybe we should do it again.
"Bring back ye olde occult" wasn't something I was expecting to hear today but I gotta agree.
Huhhh... That reminds me of way back years ago when I followed Sixpenceee on tumblr (before I knew about the drama), and tried to not read most of the horror short stories they posted, but I did read one about the fay folk, and seeing those two things collide here feels... I dunno. Poignant? I think that's the word for it.
This is brilliant.
I love the idea of viewing online audiences more like Fae patrons. 🤣🤣
... That was a general rule about the internet when it started. You don't give out your actual name, you don't accept gifts from strangers, et cetera and all the rest... The problem is most people have forgotten it and companies have made a living off of profiting all of our data and trying to get all our information
For all its faults, one thing I still appreciate about Tumblr as a platform (social media or not) is that anonymity is part of its design and a part of the culture. I never post my name or similar personal details, I don’t try to use Tumblr to network with people I know irl, and I feel like most other users do the same. I wasn’t online in the blogging era, but it does feel like a vestige of the time when internet safety was about separating/protecting your real life from your online life.
That's how most of the Internet used to be. Things like Myspace and Facebook changed that. Tumblr feels like the last remaining vestige of that old era.
I don't use personal information on internet, because I was raised on how you should always watch what you're doing on internet. It's baffling how everyone is disregarding that now.
Even creators by the way, when I started watching youtube everyone used pseudonyms and a lot of people didn't show their face it's weird how it changed .
@@krankarvolund7771 There definitely has been a shift. I'd never disclose any of my real names, show my face, hometown, where I live, which school I go to/went to, the exact job I have etc on the internet. That just doesn't feel safe to me. But nowadays it seems it's normal for people to share a lot about themselves online. If you want to become an influencer/RUclipsr/etc it kind of makes sense to show your face online but I'm still surprised by how many do it.
And with how unconsiderate people are with filming in public, many can't even decide if they want their face on the internet or not. But because so many people have no problem with it, they also don't respect other peoples privacy.
@@krankarvolund7771same! Thats how I grew up and I was clowned for years bc I didn’t post pictures of myself - esp when Instagram was at its height. And I still don’t but I can understand how the online friends I’ve made throughout the years might find that weird now. I just think with the way this are headed, the less info online, the better…
Your words inspired me. Just like other people are flipping the "Snowflake" rhetoric on conservatives, we should flip virtue signaling.
"Ugh we get it Becky, your just saying that stuff about trans women because you're just virtue signaling. If you really mean those words you should go take social security away from old ladies instead of yapping."
Ikr? As a exvangelical, whose childhood was spent literally being taught to "virtue-signal" at the pulpit, it felt so dystopian to watch all these politically right-leaning religious people complain about it. How are we supposed to be in community, with people, who assign meaning to words according to their feelings and preferences?!
🙃
This is honestly such a good idea. The right has its own forms of virtues that they never let the rest of us forget. Time to flip the script
All of these reviewers who say Halsey isn’t relatable make me roll my eyes so hard I cure my own binocular vision dysfunction. They just need to say they’ve never been chronically ill and move on.
Halsey has made me feel seen as a disabled, chronically ill mum.
Thank you for this! I completely agree. I don’t think Halsey’s work can say everything for every chronically ill person ever, but I’ve deeply appreciated their attempts. Accusations of main character syndrome and being dramatic are reasons I tend NOT to tell people about the extreme abuse I suffered, followed by cancer. My life isn’t your tv show, and your discomfort shouldn’t become my problem
@@roblynh2809 I think it would be both impossible and unproductive if any one person whose battle chronic illness tried to speak for all of us. There's so many different diagnoses and also intersections of race, gender, and queerness that impact each story. That's why, though, we band together in community despite the differences. When we all have each others' back, we are stronger for it. From one struggler to another, I'm glad you fought through it, I'm glad you are here.
“Main character syndrome” feels like a repackaged accusation of narcissism and we all know how very accurately that was applied
To me, I've used the term "Main character syndrome" in reference to people calling other's NPCs or referring to generic, popular music as a "Coworker music". I've never understood MCS as attention seeking, in fact, the prototypical MCS individual is a cynical loner in my eyes (basically me at 15) . It's not external behavior, it's an internal perspective. But, of course, that's not as easy a label to stick to anyone you find annoying so of course the worst interpretation of the term became the most popular.
I’ve thought MCS referred 2 believing the world was made 4 u. MCS turning n2 “attention whre” so it can b prescribed 2 women is the most MCS thing u could do.
My prototypical MCS is hegemonic masculine men. Sm of them loudly declare their rights & feelings matter more than others 🙄 imo, misogyny is a massive display of MCS.
"its remarkably unrelatable"
is it not main character syndrome to believe everything should be relatable to you? is it not enough to appreciate someone elses life for what it is?
Every time I had something that I wanted to say with regards to something brought up, you got right to it all the way down to the Sarah Z video. Killing it once again, truly. This is such an interesting video because I feel like this term is something that exists a little outside of my own online spaces and it's so... surreal and disturbing to see in play. The idea of pathologizing someone getting dressed up to get milk... when I was pulling myself out of a real pathological pit during the early years of the pandemic, I used to put on a Halloween costume every time I couldn't find the energy to go to the pharmacy because I just needed to have something to make myself feel a little better, just enough to get outside. People have so many reasons for doing the things they do, and whose business is it if someone wants to be slaying at 3 pm on Tuesday in the milk aisle? It's sad to see the mundane cruelty of wanting to publicly tear people apart for the crime of standing out even a little. And the way that people will be out inventing ever more specific fictitious diseases to make Morally Unacceptable because it maybe got a little suspicious whatever their last insult was. I truly hope we can make a kinder world.
one thing I forgot to mention is that a lot of women are socialized to go outside looking their best no matter what! I know for me I was told that I needed to wear earrings because they were more ladylike! ppl are always in your business.
@@Princess_Weekes Also super real!!!! I have known so many women in my life who never leave the house without doing their full routine because they were taught it was something to be ashamed of to do anything less and they should expect ridicule for it... This whole thing feels like with a little self reflection people could figure out that it's kind of a nothing condition
I used to really love Halsey and I’m not super familiar with their newer stuff I haven’t listened to the album but it’s truly shameful how she’s NEVER been taken seriously and she is ALWAYS accused of being superficial and dramatic simply because she was a young woman. She was never given any grace I haven’t listened to the great impersonator (but the single that came out earlier this year was really good and I remember being like wow this genre really suits Halsey’s voice.) it’s just sad after all she’s been through publicly she still isn’t respected as an artist and she harbors way more hate than she deserves.
It’s wild that this era specifically she isn’t taken seriously. A huge portion of this era is “I’m sick (mentally & physically) & life hurts.” Every part of the rollout was simultaneously campy but deeply sad. I genuinely cannot understand the commentary on this era if it’s not just misogyny. I’m so glad that discourse got sparked bc the criticism was so unjustified.
I didn't watch any promo material for it. It's pretty decent lyrically. I like it a lot better than most Taylor Swift stuff bc Halsey's production does better justice to her/their lyrics.
I mostly listen to Nine Inch Nails and the Cure and stuff, which is often full-on cwoe is me' main character syndrome, but also ya know white guys, so they get to do that.
Because she doesnt know who she is and she has no signature sound or identity. She's prided herself on changing her sound. When the only change that applies to, is the production.😂 that's it! Not her actual voice and melodies from that 😮
@@chayo4537 so you either haven't listened to the music or have no ear for vocals, because to say her vocal quality is not changed when she changes genres is genuinely laughable. not liking her music is fine, not listening to it is fine, but to pretend it is not primarily misogyny that drives hatred of her is to ignore reality
I only knew Halsey from the song they did with the Chainsmokers a long time ago. I didn't like it. The Chainsmokers' music is juvenile, opportunistic, and emotionally empty. How can I take anyone's art seriously when it's associated with them
I also think it’s important that we do not downplay online work and community, I am very disabled and many of my online community are as well. Together we share a lot of important resources, as well as help keeping people housed and fed with mutual aid boosting. I just say this because I’ve seen a lot of fashy liberals saying online work doesn’t count, when that’s all many people have access to. Especially because no one will mask
Thank you 🙏
+
thank you for bringing this up. i get a little tired of being dismissed as “chronically online”, and it doesn’t feel like a coincidence when you consider what context people usually hear “chronically” in. same with “touching grass” tbh-i would love to spend more time in public, but like you said, people aren’t masking.
Super agree. Online work is so extremely important. That’s a wild conception. Attitudes from online trickle n2 irl communities. It may seem like the online doesn’t matter until kids start saying or doing inappropriate things bc they heard it from a podcast.
Yeah! The internet is just as real as the physical world for so many Disabled folks. It's where I connect with my friends, friends who are real, whose last names and addresses I know because we mail each other packages and postcards, friends who tell me about family struggle and trauma, friends I support and who support me. Work and community from home is real for us. It might not be ideal, and it might not be that intimate for others, but we deserve to have that accessibility.
I became disabled at 23 and managing pain became my whole "identity". I lost a lot of friends and family members bec. as a society, we have internalised:
- that chronicle/"permanent" pain is annoying and disgusting
- that disabled people should be relegated to spaces outside/separated from regular people
- that disabled people shouldnt "burden" their* loved ones with our issues, etc.
I feel, like this specific form of ableism plays in these reviews of Halsey's album.
the urge to watch new princess video instead of finishing a paper due today... i'll be back in a few hours
This from a college professor, go write your paper and make the Princess video your reward!
@mamimelusine I finished the paper yesterday, thank you! Now to watching the video :D
SAMEEE
I don't understand how to avoid the "identity politics" conversation, when entire identities, what and who people *are* in their very essence, can be considered wrong, inferior, illegal, disgusting, dangerous, and/or worthy of discrimination. Some issues do not have a perfect middle ground. We either acknowledge that someone has the right to exist as who they are, or we don't.
I'm autistic and I used to have emotional regulation problems, as well as problems knowing when to regulate my volume before I was diagnosed/in the early years when I was still figuring out what to do with it (or that I even had these problems because late diagnosis, nobody told me). I also liked to wear colorful make up. I hate the insinuation that some of my bullies had that I thought I was the main character...just because a behavior gets attention doesn't mean that the person who did it is trying to get attention. I have so many stories. I also agree that some of the main character syndrome symptoms sound like someone with social anxiety that is now stage fright due to the way that the world becomes more of a stage when we have phones and can be recorded at any time.
I hate this because if other people perceive you a certain way they mske it YOUR problem even though perception is literally a them problem in their own head. If someone does dress entirely for themselves then they are judged "for standing out" even if that attention is you know outside their control. Combine that with misogyny and you get some whack ass social norms. (Also autistic and i dress for me and generally am baffled by perception very rarely do i factor in others in how I dress and even nore rarely can i gauge their likely perceptions anyway)
Serotonin levels are linked to our mood. When they go up, it helps us feel calmer. And Normotim supposedly helps increase serotonin.
watched this earlier today as i was braiding my hair. came back to leave a comment! very well done, also thank you for bringing up racism regarding white women centering themselves when it comes to trafficking and kidnapping.
It’s a weird mindset those women have, it’s statistically very unlikely
by the way I LOVE your channel
The whole attention/panopticon culture reminds me of that Thomas More quote about making thieves and then punishing them - we are simultaneously taught to crave validation and attention, which often comes in a much larger scale than intended, and shamed for doing things to achieve that.
I think you made such a good point about people wanting to keep fandom spaces 'apolitical' while at the same time engaging with art that is decidedly not.
14:59 I came into Halsey with "Gasoline" because I was looking for music that would help me express how I feel with my Borderline & CPTSD diagnosis. It was so apt to how I was feeling about myself & the world, and I dove in.
The more I listened, the more I learned about then, the more I loved them and was joyous that there was a big music artist that I could actually relate to, as I am biracial, bisexual, genderfluid, fembodied, and neurodivergent with personality disorders & chronic pain.
I now had music, which is my first love, that could express with the same intensity my joy, self loathing, love, my punk sense of justice& DIY, and the frustration of trying ornhaving to mask in relationships and against the world, in a way that is fitting to their genre hopping & experimentation. I loved that their mood & emotions guided the genre of music for the song. Halsey has an amazing ear for sound construction & production, and a mind that's quick to be superfluous or blunt with words. I love it. And will defend and advocate for them & their creative self, because I have to defend and advocate for myself- I know how hard that is on a personal level, let alone on a public stage.
As someone who’s been a Halsey fan since 2015 and devoutly disgusted by everything True Crime for around the same time, I’m so grateful for this video!
I had always interpreted “main character syndrome” as just another word for “self centered,” and specifically in how you interact with people in your life, not necessarily online. So interesting that its come to mean “acting like you have an audience.”
My mom would constantly point out the appearance of other people in public and make fun of them. I was a fat kid that grew into a fatter adult and I felt like everyone is looking at me and judging me. It made me extremely self conscious and I now actively ignore everyone around me in public. I now dress up pretty much every day, still ignoring everyone around me because I don’t want to realize that they are definitely looking at me. I’m frequently the largest person in the room and I wear alt fashion I stand out a lot LOL. But I’m doing it because it makes me happy and makes it worth leaving my house.
New anxiety unlocked: being accused of trying to be the “main character” lol.
30:48 Dude, I told the same thing to my husband. I listened to Eminem's album and Halsey's album as soon as they were out. Then, I read the reviews. Both had some notorious bad reviews, but no one was calling Eminem out for having "main character syndrome" although the term would have applied perfectly. Even more than to Halsey I would say ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ This only taught me to keep away from music reviews 😂 I loved both albums, for what's worth.
I’m so curious as to why people take any criticism as being “mean” or making them feel “dumb”. Is it the black-or-white Puritanism thinking that does this? Like they don’t want to face they messed up because then they see themselves as inherently bad? Time and time again I see people make a minor mistake or are ignorant in something; and instead of saying oh I’m sorry let me learn more about this! They double down and get mean. Ita mind boggling to me
Whenever that happens I realize I'm discussing the topic with a child and like...
Fuck it.
I kinda hate that kids with a half brained understanding about politics get into serious discussions that need your full understanding to handle it and then get mad and turn into literal high school bullies when you prove their understanding is half-assed or wrong while also using their ages ti get out of it like "why are you discussing about politics with me, a 15 year old? lmao go do you taxes old woman"
So I stopped trying to "educate" people when I see they're parroting big words they can barely understad, some people just can't stand hearing they're wrong.
@ man I’ve had these conversations with full grown adults more often than not though
@ the annoying part is that I’ll make a post on Twitter, for example speaking about my experiences being excluded as a disabled person in leftist spaces and then I’ll have leftist and liberals attacking me just for sharing my experience. It’s like they go out of their way to be harmful. It’s really disheartening, but it is what it is. I guess I’m trying to just focus on my community and doing what I can there rather than teaching people who don’t wanna learn. I do try to do what I can in my daily life with people that I know are at least somewhat open to listening and learning, and I have seen progress in that way. He
Because nuance is dead. People can't think in terms that aren't black and white anymore. At least on the internet...
people are just eager to dismiss ableism as a form of oppression-i think coming to grips with the ways it manifests strikes some people as an insurmountable task because it would mean confronting their own capacity for doing everyday harm / harboring regressive perspectives. whole lot of defensiveness.
you’re right tho. solidarity ❤️🩹
In a time where it seems like we only exist in subcategories of aesthetics and "*whatever*-core" branding, you'd think an album about an artist exploring herself through existing in different aesthetics and paying homage to various artists would be better received. I think it's very of its time, but (some) people view that as a bad thing for some reason.
PLEASE dont EVER stop these lectures, im sighing up for the class EVERY SEMESTER.
There are a lot of phrases that I feel people overuse. They heard it somewhere and they just can't wait to go out and apply it, whether or not it's actually appropriate. “Main character syndrome” is one of those phrases to me.
That's the point. They take a word that they've heard and use it to seem cool and events the word loses its meaning.
These sorts of people are incredibly obnoxious.
Gaslighting is a big one as well.
I saw Halsey album and got scared bc I love it omg. As a chronic illness girlie, I ate the album up so hard. I don't have lupus but I do have seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and they have a lot of similarities, particularly in pain and immunocompromised status.
This is such a good video, seriously. You're always killing it and I'm here for it.
if you don’t mind me asking-one arthritic to another-i’m curious, is there a reason why you specify seropositive?
While I don’t have an arthritis diagnosis (or any diagnosis, for that matter) I freeze up every time someone discusses the Halsey album, because half the time it’s just the same things and the same kind of ableism. I’m glad to finally see someone normal about it
I’m glad my parents warned me to avoid a lot of social media early on, because I can safely say my online footprint is pretty much just a few memes on Reddit about Bisexuality and Elden Ring.
What about bisexual Elden Ring?
I mean, I’d quite like to be softly kissed by an intact Radagon as I lie in the arms of Nepheli Loux, but you don’t really get the chance in game.
@@thejohnhopkinscompany9599 i think it is time for the moddors to get to working!
Noice.
18:49 this is so true! As a white person I really struggle when the white women around me constantly emphasize how dangerous the world is and how women are constantly in danger of being kidnapped or assaulted and talk about how you always have to trust your “instincts.” Cause those “instincts” are sometimes just implicit bias that needs to be unpacked and resisted!
Big same
@@Lopsided_Butterfly honestly. And to be frank, every woman regardless of color is in danger of assault from a man, but the reality is that man is statistically white and not a stranger.
This is a big reason why I stepped away from a handful of true crime podcasts and shows after many years, especially the ones hosted by white women. They keep trying to square "Fuck politeness" with ideas like "Systemic problems created 'bad neighborhoods'". These things rarely run parallel. I appreciate the growth that some hosts have demonstrated over time but the math still isn't mathing and I can't wait for them to catch up anymore.
Racism doesn't come from nowhere, it is being inculcated by their environment.
Ikr? There has been too many cases of suburban ww using their "fear"/"anxiety" to try and incite a lynching. I remember Sherri Papini (?) blaming "jealous" and "thuggish" Latina women for her abduction, I remember an influencer pretending a Latino couple tried to kidnap her "blue eyed" children, etc.
🙄🙄🙄
Meanwhile, I also remember reading about a suspected serial killer, who had abducted and killed 20+ Black women. The police was alerted and did nothing (and the media didnt report on it) until one of his victims managed to escape.
The local Black community was left to fend by itself: using social media to try and alert Black women to avoid the locations where he was "prawling". There is also the horrifying case of Indigenous American women being murdered in total indifference.
A lot of ww cant even fathom and/or dont care about what it means to be the victim of a horrifying crime and being met by total institutional indifference.
💔💔💔
I think you’re spot on about the desire for authenticity and online characterism. I wonder if our cultural misogyny also plays a bigger role. You touched on it. I think any mistake that’s made by a woman is often pulled on and ripped open until it’s a giant void of unforgivable sin. Unacceptable cultural behavior. Not just celebrities, female bosses too. Anywhere where women hold power. I just struggle to think of a stereotypical male artist being diagnosed with the same condition. You should look up Dr. Geoff Lindsay’s video about Vocal Fry and why we hate it so much. It just feels like she’s not culturally acceptable and how could she be. She has a voice and likes to use it. When you’re expected to be quiet people aren’t going to like you taking.
And I just wanna be clear I’m not a fan of her. I don’t like her music. I don’t really care for her as a person, but her being diagnosed with main character syndrome. I think is more of a reflection on the people diagnosing her and less a reflection of her.
Absolute bars!! You hit the nail on the head here with the role of misogyny!
I really appreciate seeing and hearing you articulate so many thoughts and feelings that, honestly, I’m working through myself. I feel you and I hope you have a nice day 👌🏽
As a mixed race person, I feel like I hopped on the Halsey-hate train because I was scared of people saying about me the things they say about her and this video made me rethinking some things. Thank you
I really appreciated both parts of this video (in the first part, that clip from the View? the tiredness of the one presenter trying to push back, "maybe they should listen to the news on their way to work" I really feel that tiredness). Also though, I'm learning that "main character syndrome" is not what I thought it was. The way I've heard my Gen Z-aged friends use it, I honestly just thought we were talking about Mary-Sue, basically--or maybe lauding mediocrity? I'm surprised that anyone takes it seriously enough for a WebMD page to exist, and that its origin was so specific to people putting themselves in true crime narratives.
Also, I really loved that Sarah Z video that you mentioned, I hadn't quite connected the narcissism and Main Character Syndrome discourses like that, but it really makes a lot of sense to me
I re-found your account yesterday after your name change (somehow was not subscribed before like ..???) and binge watched already so much. So i am here, subscribed and clicked so fast on this video. Thank you for your work!
Welcome back and thank you xx
I use the term main character syndrome for DnD players who show up and expect to be the main character while every other player is there as support. 😂
I think it's fine to be focused on yourself and to make art about it. The problem is when you expect everyone else to be obsessed with you. Other people are not your NPCs.
Well, with Baldur's Gate 3 they can be the main character 😂
They got catered to, ironically.
But hey, most people play that game for how great it is, and not to feel superior in any way 😊
Do we have to do the "no politics" talk everywhere? Themes are political and all stories have themes.
I was taught stranger danger on the internet my whole childhood. I dont have any pictures of me anywhere, i dont have any social media, especially none linked to my irl name, and my digital footprint is nearly nonexistent. Seeing people get dragged for minor offences makes me grateful to be a digital hermit.
Stephen A Smith talking about misinformation & women’s sports when this year he’s been one of the biggest opps women’s basketball has had. He IS the problem when he sets the conversation to demonize black women in sports as jealous/aggressive/dangerous the exact same way republicans set the conversation around trans women in sports. Hate that man for real.
a bit random and im only a minute in, just on the "seeing stuff outside your bubble" topic, want to recommend peter santenello's videos going around parts of the US (and other places) and talking to locals and hearing why people feel the way they feel (even tho ofc theres no excuse to vote for anyone that ignores human rights and equality). the series on appalachia he did was really interesting. you could really see how ppl are in such an exploited mindset that they feel upset that the work in the mines disappears "bc we lost our jobs and cant make a living!" without really facing the fact that the work in the mines was horrifying and exploitative (which he does cover by asking the right questions and talking about the real history). so yeah, just a rec on something ive been enjoying to see lots of different perspectives, as a european who likely will never set foot in the US.
i haven't read the review but it seems like there's a degree to which ableist fears of people faking illness or disability for attention come into this? like, maybe they're not outright saying the specifics of her pain aren't real, but they're doing the sort of "okay, but do you need to talk about it?" thing. tbh i think the concept of unrelatability is interesting because it's so far from universal what people relate to. a lot of music is about being rich and famous and i don't think that's relatable to a lot of people but hey
Very nuanced and intentional and excellent video/argument. Felt respected as an audience member, not judged or pandered-to. I really hope you receive a huge audience for this video. This is vital work, thank you❤
I love little Alucard and little Luz just peaking out from directly behind her head the entire video.
Your nuanced insight is a breath of fresh air, as usual.
Something someone else recently pointed out: "Lately I've been thinking about a trending criticism, the tendency to say some people act like "they're the main characters of their own stories". This one really puzzled me for a while until I realised most peoples' exposure to fiction is much more limited than mine so they assume "main character" is another term for "hero". Naturally, if your life is a story, then you're the main character. If not you, who? Name anyone and you'll sound pretty pathetic. "My boyfriend/my mother/my dog is the main character of my story." Oof."
re: your point about being one bad day away from going viral and the the panopticon of social media - in the same way that understanding the context can completely reshape the way we feel and think about visual art that we might otherwise deride with only a glance (see: feel it motherfuckers by john s. boskovich), so too could context reshape the way we think and feel about viral social media villains of the week.
but the nature of social media is such that it encourages people to quickly make a black and white judgement with only that single glance into those situations with no further consideration or search of context before they become old news. it's sad and it really has led to a greater sense of paranoia within me about going outside as an autistic person who has meltdowns due to overstimulation sometimes.
The aftermath of losing this time feels watching the world turn against you and the people you love the moment it decides you're no longer fashionable, all while claiming they're not doing exactly that.
So true
I must say, as someone who also deals with a lot of chronic health issues, I found Halsey's new album very relatable. Also, everyone gets seriously sick at some point in their life, and that's when it will be more relatable. If it's not your taste and not what you want to listen to when you are sick or to prepare for when it inevitably happens, that's fine. Find something you do like. But the idea that illness "isn't relatable" is just ridiculous.
10:30 as someone who is living in a red state in a red area, I would probably be considered one of those "transplants," but I honestly feel like getting to a big blue city is my best chance at success. I've never felt like the place I was raised in could ever be my home, but if I can't move to work, then there is nowhere I can belong. I'm a bit concerned about hositility to transplants being a microcosm of hostility to immigration, when there are many cities with a surplus of homes sitting empty due to corporate greed and lack of government intervention.
i think saying a singer songwriter like halsey, taylor swift or many of the new pop girlies have main character syndrome is just an easy way to justify why you don’t like their music. not a very good one, but i’ve noticed it’s what people do (not like you owe people a reason why you dont like someone’s music). the halsey criticisms feel particularly vile though
23:55 I think you have a pleasant voice! I clicked on your video today actually just to hear it. Voice tone is a critical part of my ability to enjoy a long form video and yours scratches an itch in my brain to hear.
I live in the buckle of the bible belt (in SC) and I was still surprised about the the election outcome. It's not just you.
Hello fellow South Carolinian, this election was a nightmare. I stood in line for over an hour listening to retired conservatives complain and romanticize their party. The older generation does not care about anyone but themselves :(
@@Oddash-lz6kw Fellow SC native here, did you vote during the early voting period or on election day? I went late morning (~11ish) on election day and had to wait behind 3 or 4 people--poll worker said lines and waits were crazy during the early voting period, but that it was dead after the first hour or two on election day. Every municipality can be different though, I may have just gotten lucky.
@@bb-anon6746 Early voting because my job doesn't always guarantee time off on Election Day. I try to early vote whenever I can because there are so few people and it shocked me to see a huge line this. That's why I'm convinced that the older voters were motivated by spite. They had nothing to lose, nothing to gain and they were all there day one 🙁
I just started this video (time stamp 11:56), but I just wanted to say thank you. You are voicing such important points with grace and thoughtfulness. Looking forward to enjoying the rest of this video.
16:42 WithCindy has a video on a book that has this exact problem called Haunting Adeline and is prob one of the most egregious examples of this in fiction, highly recommend Cindys video its both funny and educational
I literally saw the words 'election angst' on the chapter title and was just like 'nope.' but also I'll leave it playing on a muted tab because I want to support the channel lol. I'll come back and actually watch it later.
On the point about critics putting music in context, Abigail Devoe excellently laid out how essential this is in her “critic to critic” video last week.
I think now more than ever, we need to support BIPOC and trans voices. We need art that represents joy and new stories that include Palestinians and Romani in ways that aren’t inherently political, but weave the story in. Less edgelord media and casting diversity without people of color and marginalized voices every step of the way… I don’t know how we do that without a foot in the door, but that’s what JK doesn’t understand. She could grant SO MUCH light and space for voices. We need more young and diverse voices centered.
If only they made stuff that was interesting for a lot of people to care. I’m saying this as a queer bipoc, a lot of the shit we make is too boring. We need to learn more style
Well, it's been a rough couple weeks, but at least the RUclips algorithm finally chose to let me know about your channel - you were always one of my favorites over on The Mary Sue, so it's really nice to see you again.
I appreciate the care you brought to the introduction of the video as well as the unpacking of the concepts in the main part of it. I do think there are some interesting ties between them both in the stance of the importance of individualism in the US and how we promote that idea globally and at home. I am trained in social work, but from a macro perspective, and I find that I sometimes serve as a reflective supervisor for individuals I am not the supervisor of….which makes things weird at times for sure. People will seek out outlets for their needs…in an ideal world it will be with someone who they can be fully authentic with…I am glad I can be that for others even when ideally I shouldn’t be their first option. While not always a bad option for some, I feel for those that have no option but online connections…even if online is the best option for them, authentic,in-person connection should be a given option for everyone.
I feel the income things so strongly we moved away from my family away from our support networks across the country from Oregon to Florida for my husband to have a job that would allow us to be able to afford having a child and building our own family and in that time our grocery bills have exploded or housing has skyrocketed despite moving from a major metropolitan city to a smaller college town. It boggles my mind that between my husband's veterans benefits and his job we bring in nearly 90K and have to seriously penny pinch. We're barely scraping a middle class life for what is objectively a large income. How can anyone survive it's beyond me at this point
I don't buy the "we're tired of being talked down to" rhetoric. It's awfully convenient but the reality is Harris' campaign hardly touched identity politics.
Look at the state of online discourse(especially on Twitter) yet people claim cancel culture is an issue..
There is nothing that you can reasonably do to appeal to these people who will complain no matter how easy they have it.
I find that line of argument to be questionable. As well as this move to the center talk that is going around. The Democrats at best pay lip services to the greater social problems to hide the fact that economically there is little difference between them and Republicans. I find this talk of dumping any vague notion of fighting for minority groups an and out betrayal of the party. We see in people like Bernie Sanders (you is an independent admittedly) that if politicians stand up for the working people which many minor groups are one can build a massive support and win. We need the party that gave us Social Security and Civil Rights more than ever before.
Agreed, it feels like scapegoating when all of Harris's messaging was economy, abortion, and Trump is unhinged and dangerous. One thing I noticed is that many Trump supporters (some that I talked to) said they liked Trump because he would do this, and then when you bring up another unpopular policy that he has, they would be like, but he won't actually do that one. Like how do you even argue with that?
THIS!! Most of these people don't even pay attention to politics enough to know what Harris was for or wasn't for. They see the dem party as the woke side and applied all of it to the Harris campaign. People just love to have something to hate and "woke" conveniently not only gave them something to hate, but let them also feel like the victims.
@@PoojaPatel-mj7pzyes! Republicans tried to make it seem like we were the ones just voting for Harris so he doesn't win but really a lot of them were voting for him to spite the "woke people. So many don't believe he's going to do what he says or believe he's not gonna do it "like that" or "that much"
@@destined2bebossy Every accusation is a confession.
*What "Main Character Syndrome" Was Supposed to Mean:* People acting like nobody else mattered in public spaces and being disruptive and obtrusive to others.
*What "Main Character Syndrome" Has Come to Mean:* You're a narcissist if you don't hate yourself, or you have the nerve to believe your own life and existence is about you personally.
You're so spot on with the community organising and needing to build community offline. We shouldn't have to meet people in the middle as far as bending on our values and ideals, but we need to get better at relationships and being able to hold people through learning without them feeling "under attack". It's frustrating but the want for people to further isolate and protect their peace scares me, connecting with community and not just holding empathy but showing it, is the only work that will save us, and the only work we know will crack through far-right programming/conspiracy etc.
Really appreciate your content, thank you for your thoughts!
Part of the definition for main character syndrom you mention here also sounds like a laymans misunderstanding of autistic masking and that makes me extra unhappy.
I've heard your name in passing many times, but this is the first of your videos that I've actually watched, and it was great. Keep up the good work.
I think you articulate really well a lot of these things about the digital panopticon that I've been thinking for a while! I'll be recommending some of my family members this video.
One thing that pisses me off with both this election and the 2016 election was both times I heard over and over "don't vote for her just because she's a woman" yet those same people never said jack about those who voted against Hillary/Kamala just because they were women
I think what it really comes down to is that the Right has control of the narrative. Their points of view are simple, punchy, cater to inherent biases, and wrong. Our ideas are thoughtful, nuanced and based in reality, but too complicated to convey quickly to someone who doesn't already understand.
It's so frustrating. Especially what you said about how hard it is to convince people they were wrong and they were fooled without them feeling like you're attacking them.
Don't like most artists talk about their pan and their experience? Like, Spielberg often have dysfunctional families reuniting in his movies because he was traumatised by his parents divorce, Hitchcock was fascinated by the trope of the innocent falsely accused because he was falsely accused as a child, etc... Writing about yourself is the basis of writing what you know after r alll XD
Thank you for your opening talk. I'm going to watch the rest, but I want to thank you now. You hit a lot of points I've been grappling with myself and it was good to hear some similarities to my own thoughts process these last few weeks as well as a few other things I had not. You always bring a level of compassion and realism to your videos in a larger, cultural lens and it's seen and appreciated. Wado (thank you).
So the first part of your video really hit home. Ive been in my current town for half of my life and i was just getting used to thinking of it as my home. Until the voting came in. south dakota is notoriously republican and always has been but the reminder that how much i love my community doesnt change the fact my community would turn against me. Its really sad and frustrating, because of financial issues i have no chance of moving, even if there was a place id be more comfortable.
I just have so many really strongly worded political things to say and they ultimately don't matter in this space so what I will say is thank you! As always, I so greatly appreciate and value your opinions and insights in basically all things. As someone who lives in an extremely conservative place, sometimes listening to videos from creators like you is the only time I feel like I can breathe... and then I get all vive la revolution fired up again but still! Please never stop talking (unless you need to for your own sake). Your voice is both beautiful and important.
Thanks for this video. It was lovely and the "Jezebel spirit" line gave me a much needed laugh today. You made a lot of good points too, lots of food for thought.
When it comes to the current politcal climate & dealing with people who oppose you ideologically, I feel theres two main options & I only really like one of them.
1. You could face them the way many have online, by meeting them with venom & belittling them. Its tempting cuz oftentimes they do it themselves, but if you do that it only hardens ppl against you, naturally leading to escalation & culminating in conflict.
2. You can practice communicating with people as people. Talk to them humanely. Treat them with respect. Even if you're educating them or communicating an empassioned ideal, there's always a way to communicate in a way that recognizes & respects the individual you're speaking to. This doesn't mean shrinking or biting your tongue either. Speak your truth. Be your full self. But do so with grace, honor & respect.
These are, of course, my personal findings & opinions, but they're affirmed by interactions I've had with people that start as strong disagreement & end with respect & mutual understanding. I hope all reading this are well. Peace & blessings ✌🏾🙏🏽
Edit: regarding treating ppl who threaten, disrespect or generally oppose you with respect & humanity, I know its difficult to do so & its not to say resistance is not sometimes necessary, but more times than not conflicts can be avoided if we connect with one another, as there's more uniting us than there is dividing. We just gotta get to the core of those things
I find you so relatable and inspiring. I wanna be you, or rather, you inspire me to do my version.
Your election recap is healing, ty
We cannot throw marginalized ppl under the bus in the search of broadening our appeal. But what we can do, is try not to to needlessly alienate ppl for no reason. And even asking ppl not to that that is received as a huge imposition. Look at the reaction to ppl saying that maybe we shouldn’t constantly degrade snd insult men. Their reaction is outrage, that you would dare tell them its not actually productive to sh*t on half of voters
Yeah I see a lot of comment chains where a guy will come in with a questionable take and get immediately blasted in the replies. Then both parties start talking past each other without listening, I'm not sure if it actually increased since the election or if I'm just noticing it more
I was listening to this in the background while cleaning and I stood straight up as soon as you mentioned X-ray Spex, 100% agree, this video is great.
As a Leo, how dare you be 100% correct about me.
As an Aries just know I'm right there with you (just slightly behind the Scorpio)
I haven't been too interested in the last few pieces of media that you discussed but I love love your videos and your insight. When something goes viral or gets really popular its important to pay attention to how fandoms respond. How people respond. Thank you as always for doing the work. Your work is appreciated 💜
Oooh, I like the outro song.
Great video. I subscribed!
Speaking as someone with locs, your locs look amazing 🔥
LOVE the rachel berry shade montage
I really related to the way you describe anxiety and I'm starting to think I've got it too, so Imma get some things checked out. Thanks for talking open about your anxiety, I know it's hard especially on the internet and especially on vids so many people will see. Sending virtual good vibes because I'm still working through my rotting post-election too.
I have such a low but constant underlying worry about getting filmed in public during a bad or easily misinterpreted moment
Thank you for breaking this down Princess Weekes.
Wonderful essay as usual
Art has always been political. Always, always, always! Its main purpose is political! Its entire existence is political. Saying otherwise is ignorant. Not being mean, it’s just having the privilege to choose to ignore all that bc it doesn’t affect your everyday life isn’t a choice everyone else can make.
In my opinion, the top of the ladder has always resisted change. Part of losing privilege is realizing what u had for free and didn’t have to earn. People don’t like that, they endure too, but that’s not everyone. Lawyers are fighting. Activists are fighting. Resistance is strong. We live in a country founded on protest. Our history is filled with fighting back. The revolution starts in the soul and the mind, that’s why it’s not televised. We’re still moving forward. It’s just frustratingly slow.
I agree, ultimately everything is political whether we like it or not, and many of us don't have the option to be ignorant because we're actively harmed by the system
For a while, I saw “main character syndrome” mostly in the context of people demanding that content that might not be for them specifically to cater to them regardless. Like, watching a recipe video from a creator and then commenting “what do I do if I don’t eat x, y, and z?” Or the pancake/waffle thing mentioned in this video, for sure. It was a while before I saw it being ascribed to racists and misogynists.
Had to pause and plan to come back to this video at about 15 minutes in, as the emotions relating to my own trauma from medical neglect are currently much too raw to engage further with how comfortable so many people feel minimizing or outright denying the marginalization and abuse that disabled people experience on a regular basis, but I wanted to say thank you for spotlighting this issue (and making me aware of an album that I can already tell is likely to be hugely cathartic-I didn’t know Halsey had released new music but I am now excited to listen). I find that even in supposedly more radical leftist spaces, awareness, compassion, and advocacy for disabled folk is often sorely, SEVERELY lacking. Ability level even gets assigned moral value/malicious intent by those who don’t care enough to learn more, and that perpetuates the excruciating isolation and ostracization that we experience, inevitably leading to more trauma and feelings of hopelessness. I could go on about this for a long time, and will likely end up creating
my own essays because many in our system have a whole lot of thoughts and feelings on the matter to process and eventually share, but yeah-Thank you♥️
Anna Akana said in a video once that "wanting attention and validation are normal things for people" which made me realize how much we villify wanting ANY type of attention, and also RECEIVING any type of attention. People didn't criticize the Mary Sue because she was perfect, they did it because they resented how they couldn't counter the praise they assumed she would receive. We also do that, as a society, to disabled people and mentally ill people. We resent the fact that they need more attention than others, so we criticize.
I really related to your intro about the election. I especially appreciate you expressing your sane views on/support for trans people!!
subjecting your bare head to laguardia got a chuckle out of me
The "Center" problem is really a problem of reach. Even with good policy and messaging, getting that info to the people who are not chronically online is as hard as its ever been. Online spaces are fractured and curated by algorithms for engagement. Traditional media is shrinking and neglecting its duty to truth, prefering to report what was said without fact checks. Dem policies do appeal to the center, they just don't know it.
Small critique: While Jeremy Bentham conceptualized the panopticon as a type of prison, it was the French philosopher Michel Foucoult who applied the concept to society at large as a metaphor for the totalitarian state in his book Discipline and Punish.
Leaving this comment just to help people better understand where the concept as a critique of society comes from and hopefully inspire people to read more philosophy.
Thank you so much for talking about the election at the beginning. I'm still so upset I don't even know how to process it. It was really helpful to hear someone I look up to break it down.