Comments for average life http://blog.clintmartin.net Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:03:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on why i will never read “ender’s game” by MJ http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/09/why-i-will-never-read-enders-game/comment-page-1/#comment-9450 MJ Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:03:33 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/?p=1037#comment-9450 It is ironic that Orson Scott Card is against homosexuality, and is using his celebrity status as a launching pad for power in telling the world how to conduct their lives. The irony lies in how his stance is opposite to what occurs in "Ender's Game". Firstly, by his gaining power to influence the minds of people, he takes on the negative attributes of Peter, a villain character, who is hurtful in how he manipulates and takes pleasure in hurting others, and expands to reaching out his voice through the media and internet. Peter is Ender's brother, and has a history of being two-faced, like Card, by being seemingly kind and winsome to people, yet stabbing them in the back. Secondly, while Card himself opposes homosexuality, there is a considerable amount of homosexual-like close relations between the boys in the military school, from Ajai kissing Ender and saying "Salaam" while blushing, and later holding hands with him in the hallways (with comment on how they have roots built under their metaphorical wall between them, roots that will never be severed in their connection to each other) to many scenes of boys walking around in the nude, to, lastly a fight between Ender and another villian in a shower scene, with boys naked, Ender lathered in soap, and gymnastics. I am only halfway through the book at this point.... Mr. Card, are you hiding something about yourself, which you are violently ashamed of? Don't be ashamed. Come out of the closet! It is ironic that Orson Scott Card is against homosexuality, and is using his celebrity status as a launching pad for power in telling the world how to conduct their lives. The irony lies in how his stance is opposite to what occurs in “Ender’s Game”. Firstly, by his gaining power to influence the minds of people, he takes on the negative attributes of Peter, a villain character, who is hurtful in how he manipulates and takes pleasure in hurting others, and expands to reaching out his voice through the media and internet. Peter is Ender’s brother, and has a history of being two-faced, like Card, by being seemingly kind and winsome to people, yet stabbing them in the back. Secondly, while Card himself opposes homosexuality, there is a considerable amount of homosexual-like close relations between the boys in the military school, from Ajai kissing Ender and saying “Salaam” while blushing, and later holding hands with him in the hallways (with comment on how they have roots built under their metaphorical wall between them, roots that will never be severed in their connection to each other) to many scenes of boys walking around in the nude, to, lastly a fight between Ender and another villian in a shower scene, with boys naked, Ender lathered in soap, and gymnastics. I am only halfway through the book at this point…. Mr. Card, are you hiding something about yourself, which you are violently ashamed of? Don’t be ashamed. Come out of the closet!

]]> Comment on why i will never read “ender’s game” by Chris Haueter http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/09/why-i-will-never-read-enders-game/comment-page-1/#comment-9096 Chris Haueter Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:01:07 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/?p=1037#comment-9096 Clint, thanks for sharing your life with us. I've totally ripped off your Wordpress theme (and lowercase titles) on my own blog at chrishaueter.com. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Recently I publicly announced my SGA on Facebook. I've gotten a flurry of supportive responses, as well as some suggestions/questions from people, both those who experience SGA and those who don't. Anyhoo, I've read several of your blog posts and appreciate your openness. Clint, thanks for sharing your life with us. I’ve totally ripped off your WordPress theme (and lowercase titles) on my own blog at chrishaueter.com. “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Recently I publicly announced my SGA on Facebook. I’ve gotten a flurry of supportive responses, as well as some suggestions/questions from people, both those who experience SGA and those who don’t. Anyhoo, I’ve read several of your blog posts and appreciate your openness.

]]> Comment on why i will never read “ender’s game” by Trevor http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/09/why-i-will-never-read-enders-game/comment-page-1/#comment-9024 Trevor Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:15:18 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/?p=1037#comment-9024 Yeah, don't punish yourself for Card's wrongs. His books are really good; just get them at a library like Anon suggested. I actually reread *Speaker for the Dead* recently (first read it in junior high n-teen years ago) and really enjoyed it. I didn't know about his anti-gay-ness the first time I read it, but reading it this time I couldn't help but read with something of a critical eye this time around whenever issues of love and marriage are mentioned (and they are fairly often as leitmotifs in this book). You know what I found? It was still really inspiring. I thought it was kind of funny: he has some really moving things to say on marriage in particular which just drive home why same-sex marriage should be welcomed--at least they did to me as I read. He's a really good writer and has lots of good things to say. I don't blame you for not wanting to directly support him, but it's silly to punish oneself for another's wrongs. Yeah, don’t punish yourself for Card’s wrongs. His books are really good; just get them at a library like Anon suggested. I actually reread *Speaker for the Dead* recently (first read it in junior high n-teen years ago) and really enjoyed it. I didn’t know about his anti-gay-ness the first time I read it, but reading it this time I couldn’t help but read with something of a critical eye this time around whenever issues of love and marriage are mentioned (and they are fairly often as leitmotifs in this book).

You know what I found? It was still really inspiring. I thought it was kind of funny: he has some really moving things to say on marriage in particular which just drive home why same-sex marriage should be welcomed–at least they did to me as I read. He’s a really good writer and has lots of good things to say. I don’t blame you for not wanting to directly support him, but it’s silly to punish oneself for another’s wrongs.

]]> Comment on why i will never read “ender’s game” by Anon http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/09/why-i-will-never-read-enders-game/comment-page-1/#comment-9012 Anon Sun, 11 Sep 2011 01:58:12 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/?p=1037#comment-9012 Just check out Ender's Game from a library. No money will go to Mr. Card in that situation. (Or you could find a bootlegged copy online.) It's a good read, despite it's ethical/moral complications (see: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~tenshi/Killer_000.htm for a good article on the subject.) Also, ditto to Jacob's comment regarding the 'Homecoming Earth' series. Card's treatment of the 'Zoram' character seemed pretty sympathetic. Maybe he's becoming something of a zealot in his dotage. Also, yeah, 'Hamlet's Father' is utter shit on every imaginable level -- maddening, as it's my favorite play of all time. Just check out Ender’s Game from a library. No money will go to Mr. Card in that situation. (Or you could find a bootlegged copy online.) It’s a good read, despite it’s ethical/moral complications (see: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~tenshi/Killer_000.htm for a good article on the subject.)

Also, ditto to Jacob’s comment regarding the ‘Homecoming Earth’ series. Card’s treatment of the ‘Zoram’ character seemed pretty sympathetic. Maybe he’s becoming something of a zealot in his dotage. Also, yeah, ‘Hamlet’s Father’ is utter shit on every imaginable level — maddening, as it’s my favorite play of all time.

]]> Comment on why i will never read “ender’s game” by JJ http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/09/why-i-will-never-read-enders-game/comment-page-1/#comment-9011 JJ Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:18:19 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/?p=1037#comment-9011 I'd bet Card's kind to gay individuals despite preaching what he believes is the truth about homosexuality, but I have little regard for his incendiary rantings. They have an air of intelligence, but I think they're dogmatic and dismissive. I agree that existing twin studies leave questions, but he seems to make huge assumptions far too casually, and his speculation will carry weight with impressionable readers and "the choir". I lost interest in reading his fictional works years ago because of this. I’d bet Card’s kind to gay individuals despite preaching what he believes is the truth about homosexuality, but I have little regard for his incendiary rantings. They have an air of intelligence, but I think they’re dogmatic and dismissive. I agree that existing twin studies leave questions, but he seems to make huge assumptions far too casually, and his speculation will carry weight with impressionable readers and “the choir”. I lost interest in reading his fictional works years ago because of this.

]]> Comment on why i will never read “ender’s game” by Jacob http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/09/why-i-will-never-read-enders-game/comment-page-1/#comment-9009 Jacob Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:35:06 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/?p=1037#comment-9009 Interesting. I was unaware of his stance on homosexuality. In fact, I would have guessed that he would have a more liberal viewpoint on the topic. In his "Homecoming Saga" series, which is a retelling of the Book of Mormon as sci-fi, he has Zoram as a gay man and I don't recall any commentary on that (although he does have him marry a woman, but more out of necessity since they are in the wilderness and there's one to one ratio of women to men). I think it can be argued that statements like "they’ll just be playing dress-up in their parents’ clothes" is on the borderline of "harsh personal treatment of individuals". Interesting. I was unaware of his stance on homosexuality. In fact, I would have guessed that he would have a more liberal viewpoint on the topic. In his “Homecoming Saga” series, which is a retelling of the Book of Mormon as sci-fi, he has Zoram as a gay man and I don’t recall any commentary on that (although he does have him marry a woman, but more out of necessity since they are in the wilderness and there’s one to one ratio of women to men).

I think it can be argued that statements like “they’ll just be playing dress-up in their parents’ clothes” is on the borderline of “harsh personal treatment of individuals”.

]]> Comment on the post in which i stop being a gutless wonder, probably. by Clint http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/06/the-post-in-which-i-stop-being-a-gutless-wonder-probably/comment-page-1/#comment-8580 Clint Fri, 03 Jun 2011 02:18:49 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/?p=1024#comment-8580 @Sara - I don't know if I can compete with you on controversy. That one post was <i>craaaazy</i>. :-) @J - Instead of using a colon, you should have used a semi-colon. How's that for honesty? Ha. @Sara – I don’t know if I can compete with you on controversy. That one post was craaaazy. :-)

@J – Instead of using a colon, you should have used a semi-colon. How’s that for honesty? Ha.

]]> Comment on existential crisis(ish) by Clint http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/05/existential-crisisish/comment-page-1/#comment-8579 Clint Fri, 03 Jun 2011 02:02:05 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/05/existential-crisisish/#comment-8579 @MHH - You can go ahead and send me a KitchenAid mixer. Just think of it as a pre-emptive strike. @MHH – You can go ahead and send me a KitchenAid mixer. Just think of it as a pre-emptive strike.

]]> Comment on the post in which i stop being a gutless wonder, probably. by JJ http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/06/the-post-in-which-i-stop-being-a-gutless-wonder-probably/comment-page-1/#comment-8575 JJ Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:13:42 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/?p=1024#comment-8575 Um...I'm not feeling alienated yet...pull out the big guns, baby: I can take it. Um…I’m not feeling alienated yet…pull out the big guns, baby: I can take it.

]]> Comment on the post in which i stop being a gutless wonder, probably. by Scott http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/06/the-post-in-which-i-stop-being-a-gutless-wonder-probably/comment-page-1/#comment-8572 Scott Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:58:14 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/?p=1024#comment-8572 re: <i>Glee</i> and gay role models... Kurt actually matured a bit in the second season, and he isn't quite as selfish and whiny as he once was. But more importantly, the show introduced a few more gay characters: Blaine is quite a bit more "normal" and nearly entirely comfortable with his sexuality. Santana is a far cry from the stereotypical "butch" lesbian, and Dave Karofsky is a typical jock in every way. True, the latter two are still closeted, but that in itself provides an interesting glimpse into the life of gay teens who aren't as obviously gay as Kurt is. In combination, the four gay characters present a much broader view of homosexuality. Also, I think that Chris Colfer <i>as himself</i> is a laudable role model--based on the two or three interviews I've seen, at least. (Obviously I'm a fan of the show. But I also understand the reasons some people aren't). re: Glee and gay role models…

Kurt actually matured a bit in the second season, and he isn’t quite as selfish and whiny as he once was.

But more importantly, the show introduced a few more gay characters: Blaine is quite a bit more “normal” and nearly entirely comfortable with his sexuality. Santana is a far cry from the stereotypical “butch” lesbian, and Dave Karofsky is a typical jock in every way. True, the latter two are still closeted, but that in itself provides an interesting glimpse into the life of gay teens who aren’t as obviously gay as Kurt is.

In combination, the four gay characters present a much broader view of homosexuality.

Also, I think that Chris Colfer as himself is a laudable role model–based on the two or three interviews I’ve seen, at least.

(Obviously I’m a fan of the show. But I also understand the reasons some people aren’t).

]]> Comment on existential crisis(ish) by MoHoHawaii http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/05/existential-crisisish/comment-page-1/#comment-8569 MoHoHawaii Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:40:38 +0000 http://blog.clintmartin.net/2011/05/existential-crisisish/#comment-8569 I found <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBXkRHiPjf8" rel="nofollow">your future husband</a>. Let me know when I can send you boys kitchen gadgets. I found your future husband. Let me know when I can send you boys kitchen gadgets.

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