On this episode, the Bitches talk about Rabid Fandoms!
Ten Superheros Who Can Never Have Sex (abridged)
Fans Who Ruin Things for the Rest of Us: (Click for link to original article)
Reference Article: “10 Things I'm Going to Have to Tell My Gamer Daughter” by Houston Press author Jef Rouner [http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2015/02/10_unfortunate_things_im_going_to_have_to_tell_my_gamer_daughter.php]
Even when you do see female characters a lot of the time they're going to be indistinguishable from power-ups or trophies. It's called objectification, and it sucks because it costs female characters big chunks of their humanity. If the woman's role could be replaced with an inanimate object with little to no change then you're seeing it, and it should trouble you.
Older male gamers may try to make you feel guilt or pity, claiming that they were picked on and snubbed by girls for their interest in video games in their youths. Empathy is fine, but the past transgressions of girls who for whatever reason (maybe because they were not really invited to the party by the industry?) treated gamers poorly are not your concern. The focus should be on eliminating current and future bullying, not maintaining a toxic space where old wounds can fester in the free air untreated.
Here is a good quote - Don't raise your kids to be little tiny douchebags.
Other unusual Fandoms?
Cosplayers we like and don't like.
Like: Cross-gender, Steampunk, awesome costumes
Don't like: Lazy, Duct tape, Halloween costumes, etc.
Why do people want to associate with the bad guys?
If you were a bully growing up - Send us an e-mail. We are totally interested in hearing if you were into the good guys or the bad guys.
Bitch of the Week: Childhood Ruined!! Here's the deal - changes or revelations about our favorite things in the past do not ruin your childhood. Because childhood is done. It can't be changed not. It might change the way you look at things going forward, but nothing is really any different than it was before you learned about it. Get over yourself and quit whining. If you want something that WILL ruin your childhood, go checked out the Scientifically Accurate videos on YouTube (Ninja Turtles, Spiderman, Duck Tales... be warned - these videos are NOT safe for work and are completely disturbing on every level). Go watch. We'll wait.
Out of Context Comment of the Week:
DC, ya done gone fuqed up again!
Recommendations of the Week:
REMINDER - Two weeks from today is our first Nerdy Bitches BOOK CLUB!! Our first selection is The Princess Bride by William Goldman. If you haven't started, get reading, bitches!!
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Welcome to Vag Power, with the Nerdy Bitches! In this episode, Heather and Liz discuss how women are portrayed in movies, video games, and comics.
Liz tells her story of her niece's realization of how discount/overstock stores work. Nerdy bitch in the making? Absolutely!
Clothing:
Comment from Jessica, a loyal listener:
“Right now I'm playing Legion of Heroes on my android phone and am trying to figure out the practicality of a lot of the outfits. I play games sometimes and I have to wear a blanket OVER my official gaming bathrobe because my female characters look so fucking cold….”
“I know men are the main demographic for video games, and I know men like seeing scantily clad women. Got it, but how would men feel if they saw their character fighting trolls on a snowy mountain in a Speedo? Their testicles would shrink INTO their small intestines.”
Fair point, Jessica. We agree!! Check out this video that completely describes what you are talking about: Female Armor Sucks
Even your average three-year old understands that it isn't fair that Wonder Woman doesn't get armor, but Batman does (with nipples!)
Listen to how we feel about an all-female Avengers. Check out the Hawkeye Initiative to see how it would really look if male characters were drawn like female characters. (And we vote Death to Duckface!!)
The Bechdel Test - Does it have a good representation of women?
What movies failed? Avengers, Spiderman, Batman (new or old), Superman
Let's talk about the ways in which media has gotten women's roles right:
What does the future hold? We've come a long way, but still have a ways to go. We have hope with Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel coming up in the next few years.
ANNOUNCEMENT: We are announcing our first official choice for the Nerdy Bitches Book Club: Princess Bride by William Goldman. We will be discussing this book in three weeks (Episode 12)! Go, read it. Then listen. It's a book club, so there will absolutely be spoilers.
Random - Liz reveals her awesome Zombie Apocalypse Plan. Heather is just planning to burn her home down while still inside.
Bitch of the Week: Electronic addictions. Video games (Heather) and Internet (Liz).
Out of Context Quote of the Week:
“A story about a female superhero is just too far-fetched. Studios won’t make what they can’t sell. They'll stick to machine gun raccoons and emotionally complex house plants. It’s just easier for people to relate.” -BigLuca
Recommendations:
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