Essays/writings

This is basically just a place for me to dump essays, articles, papers, meta etc. I like or find interesting. I don't necessarily agree with everything in an essay (there's actually a few here that have points I completely disgaree with) and some may use outdated terms. Press the pink ? to read descriptions of the essays and content warnings (if applicable). Some may have very explicit/mature themes, so make sure to check the ? for cws if you're sensitive to certain topics!

On cringe culture and related subjects:

• Cringe culture is fundamentally ableist  ?
  CW: Discussions of ableism
  Summary: Short writing that discusses the link between autism and "cringey" interests/fandoms.
• Why Teen Girls Aren't Allowed to Enjoy Things Under "Cringe Culture"  ?
  CW: Topics such as suicide, sexism, homophobia and transphobia
  Summary: Article that ponders the question: "But why do people cringe when they see (especially teen) girls genuinely expressing and exploring their sexuality? And why do girls cringe at themselves?"
• How Furries Are Helping Neurodivergent Teenagers  ?
  Summary: Article about what the furry fandom can mean to autistic people.
• The Anatomy of Cringe  ?
  CW: Briefly talks about topics such as racism, sexism, and public humiliation. Summary: Blog entry that does a more in-depth analysis of "the philosophy of cringe", touching on the ethics of cringe and what it means.
• Beyond Based and Cringe: An Examination of Contemporary Modes of Irony and Sincerity in Cultural Production  ?
  Summary: Longer article exploring the dynamics between irony and sincerity, the concept of "irony poisoning" where ironic enjoyment transforms into sincere enjoyment. Social media's role in shaping self-awareness and ironic distance is scrutinized, along with the introduction of online terms like "based" and "cringe."
• A Psychological Perspective on Vicarious Embarrassment and Shame in the Context of Cringe Humor  ?
  CW: Brief mentions of racist, homophobic and abelist humour
  Summary: Another longer article that delves into the dynamics of cringe humor, that blends amusement and embarrassment arising from others' violations of social norms.
• Rhetorical New Materialism, Queers, and Cringe  ?
  CW: Anti LGBTQ topics
  Summary: Thesis that challenges the idea that "cringe" is a problem in the queer community. It suggests that instead of being seen as something negative, "cringe" can actually have a unique and positive connection to queerness, arguing that "cringe" can be a productive and affirming aspect of queer culture, challenging societal norms in a distinctive way.

Queer readings:

• The horror of our love: Hannibal Lecter & the reclaiming of queer villains  ?
  CW: Typical hannibal stuff- cannibalisim, explicit sexual topics, violence, past homophobic media
  Summary: This paper examines the representation of queerness in Hannibal Lecter media, from the novels to the 2013 TV show. It discusses how the TV adaptation breaks from negative stereotypes by centralizing a love story between two men, challenging the traditional link between queerness and villainy in popular culture.
• This is my Becoming: Transformation, Hybridity, and the Monstrous in NBC's Hannibal  ?
  CW: See above
  Summary: This paper explores the desire for a reclamation of queer monstrosity through 2013 Hannibal, delving into its postmodern gothicism and queer narrative.
• “You gave me no choice”: A queer reading of Mordred’s journey to villainy and struggle for identity in BBC’s Merlin  ?
  CW: Sexual imagery and explicit text
  Summary: This essay is a queer analysis of Mordred's character in BBC's Merlin in the context of the show's popularity among 'slash fans.'

Media and literature analysis/meta:

• Gale: Hypothesis and Analogies – Part 1  ?
  CW: Focuses on grooming and its affects (effects? i never know which one)
  Summary: Baldur's gate 3 tumblr meta compiling hypotheses on the subject of Gale's relationship with mystra.
• Gender Divisions and Representations in Pride and Prejudice  ?
  CW: Era-typical sexism
  Summary: Exploration of gender roles in price and prejudice
• Under the Sea  ?
  CW: Themes of drowing
  Summary: Look into the Sylvia Plath poem "Full Fathom Five" and its meaning

Purity culture and the taboo:
All the writings in this section will likely contain sexually explicit content.

• Women's Fantasies – The Latest Scientific Research  ?
  CW: Rape, SA, kinks
  Summary: While almost everyone has sexual fantasies, previous research into the subject has found between 31 and 62% of women have rape fantasies. To be sexually aroused by such an imagined scenario represents a psychological mystery. Why fantasize about a criminal act which, in reality, is repulsive and harrowing?
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