I don’t want to derail a post to say this, but I get so annoyed when people are like, “AND THIS ISSUE ISN’T GETTING HEADLINES” when that’s not the case
The sheer number of times I’ve seen this claim cross my dash only to double check my news feed and confirm, yep, I really did see multiple headlines about this issue in the last several days is insane
And if by “getting headlines” they mean “getting as much attention on social media” then they should say that because these are two different issues
âStop saying 15 year olds with weird interests are cringe, theyâre 15â this is true however you should also stop saying adults with weird interests are cringe because who gives a shit
To wit:
I want to share some wisdom from my high school art teacher.
In my AP Art class, there was a girl who was just starting to experiment with mixed media. At this point she was still playing around, trying to decide what direction she wanted to go with her portfolio. So one critique day, she brought in an abstract canvas with some rhinestone highlights and painted and real peacock feathers. She loved sparkles and peacock feathers so she thought sheâd try introducing them a *little*. And after everyone had given some input, the teacher gave her his advice, VERY roughly paraphrased here:
âSo hereâs the thing⊠I do not like this style. These are just elements that do not speak to me personally, but I see that you like them, and youâre doing interesting things with them.
âMy biggest critique is, I only merely *dislike* this piece. I want you to make me HATE it. Go crazy with the things that you like. Donât hold back trying to make it palatable to people like me. Because I am NEVER going to like it. And if the audience does not like it, it should drive them crazy seeing how much YOU love it.â
Her portfolio was chock full of neon colors and glitter and rhinestones and splashes of peacock feathers and it was a delight. Our teacher despised every piece lol, but she got great marks and I think even won some awards. And more importantly, she was happy and proud of the results. Because she didnât limit herself by trying to appeal to people who were never going to enjoy what she enjoyed.
Takeaway here: be as cringe as you want. Donât limit yourself based on other pplâs tastes. Theyâre not you, and you are incredible đ
Todayâs aesthetic: people who are like âthis anime could have been good if it werenât for one specific detail that totally ruins itâ, and then that one specific detail is, like, the thematic foundation of the showâs core premise.
two of my favorite (non-anime) samples of this phenomenon from twitter
Have I watched the movie in the last decade or more? No. Do I have iron clad evidence to support my argument? Yes.
1. Sheâs the most knowledgeable about candy. Sheâs committed to it, and knows her stuff. When Wonka holds up a little yellow piece across the room, she recognizes it immediately. She was able to switch to candy bars for the sake of the contest, so we know she has personal discipline and is goal oriented. Also, two major projects play directly into her strong suits: the 3-course-meal gum that Wonka failed to make safe (gum) and the neverending gobstopper (longevity).
2. Sheâs the most fit to run a business. Violet is competitive, determined, hard working, and willing to take risks. Her father is a small town car salesman and politician, so she could easily pick up knowledge and support from him. (Verucaâs dad is also a business man, and in a compatible market (nuts), but itâs made very clear that Veruca has no respect or knowledge of business practices or hard work.)
3. Sheâs the most sympathetic to the Oompa Loompas. She critiques Veruca when Veruca demands to buy one. More importantly, Wonka has been testing the 3-course-meal gum that âalways goes wrongâ on Oompa Loompas while he presumably just watches. Violet is ready to put herself on the front line, instead of treating the Oompa Loompas as disposable, and would therefore be a better boss.
4. Her personality âflawâ is the most fitting for the company. In the moralizing Oompa Loompa song, they just say âgum is pretty cool, but itâs not socially acceptable to chew it all dayâ. The thing is, we already know that she can stop if she wants, because she already did that to win the golden ticket. And yeah, she is defensive about the perceived impoliteness of her hobby (like when her mother tries to shame her about her habit during a televised interview) but the obsession with candy and neglect of social norms is EXACTLY what Wonka is all about. This is on brand.
5. Her misstep in the factory is reasonable. Wonka shows everyone a candy heâs very proud of. Violet is like âoh sick, thatâs gum, my special interest.â Wonka then pulls a âWRONG! Itâs amazing gum!â In the very moments before she takes the gum Wonka has mislead her just to belittle her. So when heâs like âI wouldnât do thatâ why should she give a shit what he has to say? Sheâs not like Charlie over here whoâs all âSure Gramps, letâs stay behind while the tour leaves and secretly drink this thing that has been explicitly stated to fill you with gas and is too powerful for safe consumption, oh and also I just saw what happened to Violet so I actually KNOW what this stuff can be capable ofâ Also, Violet is not selfish about her experience, she tells everyone what sheâs tasting and feeling, and everyone is eager to hear it. Taking a personal risk to share knowledge with everyone. Violet is Prometheus: fact.
So Augustus contaminates the chocolate river. Charlie sneaks around and contaminates the vent walls. Veruca destroys and disrupts the workspace. Mike knows exactly what will happen to him and transports/shrinks himself deliberately. Violet had no idea what the gum could potentially do to her, and caused no harm to anyone or anything but herself.
Lastly: Can you imagine Charlie filling Wonkaâs shoes? That passive, naive boy? Violet is already basically Wonka. Sheâs passionate, sarcastic, candy-obsessed, free thinking, and a total firecracker. Sheâs even better than Wonka, because she doesnât endanger others.
Violet shouldâve been picked to inherit the chocolate factory.