Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with feminist

Publishing a book on rivethead culture

velvet winter — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:51:33 -0800

I want to write and publish a book on the industrial music scene from a feminist perspective. I’m a decent writer, but I have no photography, graphic design, marketing, or publishing experience, and no industry connections. Where do I start? I have a long-standing interest in the harsh distorted music, extreme fashion, dystopian military aesthetic, and apocalyptic culture of the industrial/dark electro/EBM/powernoise underground music scene. I want to write and publish a book focusing on the people who are involved – bands, artists, fans and supporters.

There are a few books on industrial music and culture out there already, but I want to approach my project from a different angle. I envision the book as an affectionate portrait of a selected group of unusual people, focused on certain aspects of the subculture that I particularly appreciate. Rivethead culture is commonly seen as overwhelmingly male-dominated, but I see it as much more feminist-friendly than it might appear at first glance. It’s very accepting of LGBT folks, geeks, and body types that don’t fit conventional standards, for example. It’s also one of very few places (aside from a few others like goth, riotgrrl and punk culture) where women’s anger and aggression are accepted, and even encouraged.

What I want to do is shine the feminist spotlight on rivetheads of various genders, ethnicities and sexual identities. I want bold, insightful feminist analysis. I want to feature photos of real people with a variety of body types, rather than professional fashion models. I want to highlight older people involved in the scene, to counter the mistaken idea that this is just a youthful phase that everyone outgrows. And hey…it certainly doesn’t hurt that gritty settings featuring men in eyeliner and utilikilts, or women with purple hair and spiked leather jackets, are inherently interesting to me.

Inspirations for this project include:
* AxWound: Gender in the Horror Genre
(I found this while searching for one of my childhood heroes, Lt. Ellen Ripley in Alien!)
* The work of Kyle Cassidy, author of Armed America: Portraits of Gun Owners in Their Homes (previously on MeFi)
* The work of UK journalist Mick Mercer
* The Origins of Industrial Music by Jennifer Onativia

I’ve never done anything like this before. I don't know any of the people I mentioned whose work inspires me. Though the scene is fairly small, I’m not well-connected at all – I’m not a musician, DJ, or promoter. I'm just a fan with an abiding interest (and an introverted one at that). I’m definitely not a photographer. And although some of my writing has been published in small-press zines, I’m hardly a professional writer, editor, marketer, graphic designer or publisher. So I really have no idea where to start. And furthermore, I just finished a post-bac in accounting and am currently looking for a job, which means I’m cleverly camouflaged as a semi-normal middle-aged woman and would not be able to devote myself to this book project full-time.

In any case, I would not want this to be a fly-by-night kind of thing. I'm organized, hard-working and responsible, and I’d prefer to take a professional approach. I realize that the market for a book like this is very limited, and that it would be more a labor of love than a profitable venture. But beyond that, I'm clueless. What kind of budget would I be looking at, and would I have any realistic funding options aside from tapping my own pocketbook? Would it even be worth trying to pitch this idea to a traditional publisher? Are there any specific people I should talk to, and if so, what would be the most appropriate way to approach them about a project like this?

What else should I know that I probably haven’t considered?

Any advice would be very much appreciated, particularly from those who've successfully completed projects of similar scope. Thanks!

Feminist sci-fi novel featuring psychic hunting animals written b/t 2001 and 2004?

cog_nate — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:12:48 -0800

Feminist science fiction novel written between 2001 and 2004, featuring (IIRC) women with psychic connections to their hunting mount animals. I believe the title is a combination of a few letters at the beginning, then a three- or four-digit number, like NNN-####. What is the title? Also, I think the novel starts with a flashback to an attempted rape. At the time, the book read to me like a bad fever dream, and I didn't finish it. Now I want to take another crack at it. I've scoured the Locus Mag title lists and other web resources; the closest thing I've found is The Kanshou but I'm pretty sure that's not it.

How did Kyle Payne get caught?

TigerCrane — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:24:23 -0800

How did Kyle Payne get caught?

Romantic yes, but also ironic.

pseudostrabismus — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:32:56 -0800

Please suggest self-aware romantic comedies. (Rather lengthy explanation sheepishly included.) Here is a list of things I like in a movie, with examples. The basic genre is "smart romantic comedy", but there is a specific list of attributes I'm focussed on.

1. Can you suggest more movies that fit into this genre?
2. Can you succinctly name this genre?

PLOT
The major conflict is realistic & interpersonal (no chainsaws, no sharks, no murders).
The stakes are not "life v. death", they are more like "fulflling, challenging love v. boredom & loneliness" (eg, Annie Hall)
The plot is logical and simple, although it can be quirky.
The plot is possible- it could happen to almost anyone in the audience.

TONE
The tone is irreverent, ironic, and modern (although I'm very interested in classic movies that fit this genre, too).
The music is important and carefully chosen, and maybe even performed live by a character at some point (the final duet in Juno).
The locations are romanticized (Paris in Amelie, the record shop in High Fidelity, the quarry in Garden State)
I like quirky, but we don't need to go overboard (Garden State goes overboard: Juno is pushing it in a few scenes).

CHARACTERS
The characters are charming, detailed, funny, self-aware, and ironic.
Females are smart, funny, and genuinely equal matches for males. Men are not slacker cads who resent growing up, and women are not shallow bridezillas (eg, not like Knocked Up).
Not everyone is the same race, sexual orientation, social class, etc., and yet these differences are not a big deal and don't drive the plot.
There is a sense of friendly competition and fraternity between the characters, especially the lead couple (Pam & Jim in The Office).
The characters enliven their days by playing games with themselves, or indulge in small, private ceremonies (Amelie skips stones; Cusack makes lists in High Fidelity).
The characters have a high reference level- they are up to date without seeming too trendy or topical (Woody Allen knows his McLuhan in Annie Hall, Tina Fey in 30-Rock).
There are comedic "bits", plum roles, and/or killer scenes that may be somewhat tangential to the main action but add a lot to the tone. (Jack Black in High Fidelity, the orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally.)
The romance is quirky- people give each other Pepto Bismol and comic books, not roses and chocolate.
The characters tend to be a little dry, cynical, or self-conscious, but there are parts where we see their genuine sweetness and love.

SWEET ENDING
At the climax, the audience reaches a soft, open, innocent emotional state where they smile a lot and cry a little at the same time. A big, swelling, satisfying feeling (Amelie when the music swells as they ride the scooter through Paris, Wall-E when he & Eve hold hands).

AWARENESS OF VIEWER
** I'm interested in movies that only fit the above criteria- but, major bonus points if you can suggest films with the following trait as well:

The main characters are occasionally aware of the viewer and look or speak directly to camera at times.
(as occurs in The Office, Annie Hall, High Fidelity, Amelie.)

That's about it, I guess.
So, how to pithily describe this genre?
What movies should I rent in order to research it?
I also welcome general comments about the genre if you think my list of its traits is flawed or incomplete,
and resources for learning more about how best to write this specific type of movie.

Thanks for your help!

Help me find the rest of this pro-woman poem?

potatopeople — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:16:19 -0800

Help me find the rest of this poem: "to be a woman/ you don't have to put on lipstick/ or wear makeup".... I've googled variations on those phrases, but can't find it. I read it in 5th grade English and have no recollection of where it came from (whether it was an anthology, a particular poet, or what). I want the rest of it! I tried to contact the former teacher who made that poem part of her lesson plan, but she's since moved on to business school and I can't track her down. I don't know if those phrases are the exact wordings, but I'm pretty sure that's how it starts, and I can't find it anywhere. Any thoughts?

Kate Chopin's "The Awakening"

madmamasmith — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:43:24 -0800

I am trying to get a better understanding of Kate Chopin's "The Awakening" **Spoiler Alert** I see it as a woman's discovery of her freedom and independence. The main character forsakes her role as wife and mother in late 19th century society and pursues her own happiness. I don’t really understand the juxtaposition of the men in the story. Her husband ,who she escapes, is not violent or demanding and reacts to her leaving rather well by my standards; showing there was little emotional investment in their relationship. Women cant initiate divorce yet I suppose, but Edna does the next best thing by moving out. The object of her affection, Robert, refuses to be with her even though she has left her husband (because he "loves" her).But Alcee Arobin has no problem being private or public with Edna. So what do all these different male characters represent? Please let me know your ideas, Thanks!!

Is there a movie review site that incorporates the Bechdel Test?

Stacey — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:33:27 -0800

Is there a movie review site out there somewhere that regularly applies the Bechdel Test as part of its reviews? After a bit of hunting, I can't find a movie review site that regularly includes information on whether the movies pass the Bechdel Test. I'd like to find such a site. In an ideal world it would review both current movies and older ones, but current releases only would be fine.

Is there a semi-regularly updated movie review site out there somewhere that my Google searches are failing to turn up?

breaking out of the boyzone

sambosambo — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:31:16 -0800

What resources do you suggest for someone who wants to learn more about feminism? There has been a lot of discussion about feminism on various parts of this site, which has inspired me to do some searching and reading.

While what I've found so far has been fascinating, it has more importantly been convicting.

I've always thought of myself as a gentleman to the women that I know and work with, a kind, generous boyfriend, and all-around good guy. And be that as it may, I'm beginning to uncover some disappointing beliefs and attitudes about women that I didn't realize I held--to the point where I am seeing ways in which I have been (and am) manipulative and controlling in my relationships with women.

What resources can you recommend for a mid-20s man living in the San Francisco Bay Area who wants to challenge his misconceptions and raise his consciousness regarding issues that women face such as sexism and equality? Books, magazines, blogs, shows, movies, documentaries, and events are all welcome.

Identify this marriage essay without the help of my long-retired English teacher...

acorn1515 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:57:08 -0800

In high school (the late 1990s) I read an essay on marriage -- the writer's main contention was that it's unrealistic to think that a single person can ever be at the exact same life stages as yourself, e.g. Young & Passionate (teens), Ready to Have Children (30's), Wanting Intellectual Companionship (60's), and thusly, that having just one partner over the course of a lifetime is a near impossibility. I know I'm totally butchering what the life stages were, and I think reading the essay was part of a unit themed around female-writers/feminists if that helps at all. Who the heck wrote it?

Lesbian Feminist Strip Clubs?

Maia — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:34:24 -0800

Where can I find a lesbian feminist strip club? Do they exist? I know the Lusty Lady in SF is a feminist strip club - I'm looking for something along these lines, but also for lesbians.

Activist Theater in the Mainstream

divabat — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:17:06 -0800

Have there been any other plays/performances that became the center of an activist movement, similar to The Vagina Monologues and V-Day? Was TVM the first performance to bring activist theater to the mainstream?

Feminist lingo or just an abbreviation?

Madamina — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:42:17 -0800

The abbreviation "yr" as a substitute for "your": is this a feminist thing? Where did it come from? During my years at a small liberal arts college, I kept running into lots of folks, primarily womyn-with-a-y, who used "yr" instead of the word "your" when typing and printing. Now, I can understand abbreviating words (though by only two letters? overkill, perhaps?) but I'm so intrigued by the fact that this phenomenon seemed to occur primarily with chicks involved in subverting the dominant paradigm of the patriarchy, if you will. Examples: art exhibits involving ladybits, hand-lettered flyers about making your own menstrual pads, chalkings of poems about rape survival... you name it.

I'm a woman who considers herself reasonably liberal and knowledgeable about linguistic stuff, so -- having had contact with lots of feminist ladies over the years -- this continues to puzzle me.

Am I the only person who has noticed this? If you use this yourself, do you do it to signify anything in particular? I've asked this question of someone before, but I think she only did it because she thought it looked cool :P

Feminist porn lovers.

kingjoeshmoe — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 13:43:31 -0800

Pro-pornography writings by feminists? I'm looking for any books/articles/what-have-you written by feminists that support pornography. For purposes of this question, the feminists must also be female.

The more prominent the feminist, the more she's done for the movement, the better. Ideal, for example, would be a woman who marched and protested for women's suffrage in the early 1900's, has written several books on the topic of equal rights, etc. Less ideal but still great is a woman who has written extensively on feminist issues. An article written by a random woman in cosmo does not qualify. She must have some kind of bona fides as an academic or social leader.

The writing itself should do more than just say porn is good (or at least not bad). It should give reasons, and/or refute common feminist reasons (see, e.g., Catharine MacKinnon) for disapproving porn. The more analytic, the better. Thanks!

Feminist organizations in need of monetary support?

exceptinsects — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:38:06 -0800

What can you tell me about organizations that support women's rights? I would like to donate some money. I am thinking of a small monthly donation, so an organization that has a setup for that would be ideal. (e.g. charging a credit card)

I am interested in supporting reproductive rights, education, equality, etc., both in the US and internationally. I would prefer non-religious organizations.

Are there organizations I should avoid that have creepy hidden agendas? Ones that are just really super awesome? Ones that have helped you personally, or someone you know?

Please suggest great books for girls.

Morrigan — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 06:16:51 -0800

Books for nine year old girl? I've been shopping for books for a bright, verbal almost-ten year old girl and have been dismayed at how many of the new titles are just age-reduced "chick lit" about dating. Can anyone recommend books that include a female protagonist that are a little bit more...what?...empowering? (This thread was very interesting but concerns only poetry.)

How do I explain feminism to my sister?

1024x768 — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 12:39:06 -0800

Feminism Filter: How do I explain feminism to my sister? I am a feminist and so is my mother. My sister thinks that because I talk about feminism and feminist theories (I just finished a lib arts degree with a focus in woman's studies) this is indicitive of my hating men. Furthermore, whenever she hears about me doing anything traditionally feminine, such as washing the dishes or doing the laundry she mockingly accuses me of being a slave to the patriarchy (to echo a phrase I've used in describing some much more serious and egregrious historical situations), despite the fact that me and my (male) SO share the domestic resposibilties equally. How can I teach her about the validity of feminist arguments and feminist theor(ies) without her interpreting everything I say as evidence that I hate men?

(Note: This question is posted for the Significant Other of 1024x768 and any responses will be hers.)

female tricksters, pranksters, radical artists

nyoki — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:01:28 -0800

I'm looking for female tricksters, prank-sters or radical grrl artists who are creating contemporary playful political art in any genre including: pranks, graffiti, installation art or performance art, street protest groups, etc. Does anyone know where to find these wild women?

Unique female voices in electronic media? Who are the peers of Shelley Jackson and Laurie Anderson?

chocolatepeanutbuttercup — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 15:35:37 -0800

Unique female voices in electronic media? Who are the peers of Shelley Jackson and Laurie Anderson? Unique, cutting edge female voices in electronic media? Who are the peers of Shirley Jackson and Laurie Anderson?

I'm curious as to what the state of the art is in terms of female multimedia artists - I'm NOT looking for musicians or filmmakers, but female artists (art and literature) with a unique vision that you can't imagine easily being duplicated by a male. (I realize Anderson is thought of as a musician, but I think of her primarily as an artist who works in music as well as other media.)

Vagina Question

Napierzaza — Sat, 19 Mar 2005 14:11:07 -0800

Famous vagina-centric feminist artists out there? I know Judy Chicago is pretty famous for her Dinner Party and Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues is a good one too. Any others? I know there have been a few male ones too, can't remember. Google is not easy to search for this stuff! My professor said once that the beaver was a hermaphodite. I tried to look it up on Google, but "Beaver sex" or "beaver vagina" never offered good results.

PS This is a serious post.