Cultural Opabinia

[Valmy]

I think you are probably missing at the historical component that white people were the ones who had money and thus the ones that could purchase things like books, as well as own the presses.

Naturally then they created books with a slant to white people. If women form the majority of readers then it makes sense that books would be slanted to white women.

I already note that I think white women probably are more of a plurality of readers rather than a majority. Something that really isn't all that interesting to discuss anyway.

The interesting part, and the surprising part to me, is that they would be so much of a plurality and majority that non-white authors would actually come under pressure to write shit for them from publishers. As if any other market segments were so unimportant there was no room or reason to pander to anybody else. That was what was blowing my mind, not that they were an important demographic.

[garbon]

I think you are probably missing at the historical component that white people were the ones who had money and thus the ones that could purchase things like books, as well as own the presses.

Naturally then they created books with a slant to white people. If women form the majority of readers then it makes sense that books would be slanted to white women.

I already note that I think white women probably are more of a plurality of readers rather than a majority. Something that really isn't all that interesting to discuss anyway.

The interesting part, and the surprising part to me, is that they would be so much of a plurality and majority that non-white authors would actually come under pressure to write shit for them from publishers. As if any other market segments were so unimportant there was no room or reason to pander to anybody else. That was what was blowing my mind, not that they were an important demographic.

Really? It is surprising that non-white authors would feel like they need to write for a white audience? That's kinda what is mainstream.

[Valmy]

Really? It is surprising that non-white authors would feel like they need to write for a white audience? That's kinda what is mainstream.

Books seem like quite a niche product though. You don't have to sell a million copies to make money. It is not like big budget movies or AAA video games.

[garbon]

Really? It is surprising that non-white authors would feel like they need to write for a white audience? That's kinda what is mainstream.

Books seem like quite a niche product though. You don't have to sell a million copies to make money. It is not like big budget movies or AAA video games.

True. If you aren't trying to live off your writing, why you don't even need to charge for your book. Just make a free e-book.

[Zoupa]

Garbon abhors the cultural appropriation of his native culture.  Whatever culture that happens to be this month.

Indeed. I lol'ed

[garbon]

Garbon abhors the cultural appropriation of his native culture.  Whatever culture that happens to be this month.

Indeed. I lol'ed

The old jokes are always the best.

[HVC]

Garbon abhors the cultural appropriation of his native culture.  Whatever culture that happens to be this month.

Indeed. I lol'ed

The old jokes are always the best.

That's why they're called classics

[Gups]

I think you are probably missing at the historical component that white people were the ones who had money and thus the ones that could purchase things like books, as well as own the presses.

Naturally then they created books with a slant to white people. If women form the majority of readers then it makes sense that books would be slanted to white women.

I already note that I think white women probably are more of a plurality of readers rather than a majority. Something that really isn't all that interesting to discuss anyway.

The interesting part, and the surprising part to me, is that they would be so much of a plurality and majority that non-white authors would actually come under pressure to write shit for them from publishers. As if any other market segments were so unimportant there was no room or reason to pander to anybody else. That was what was blowing my mind, not that they were an important demographic.

Writers who want to get rich (best seller/movie option) will write with a particular audience in mind.

Bit strange that Marlon James complains. His last book (which is very good for the most part and would have been brilliant if not for 100 pages of dreadful stream of conscious shit) deals with the attempted assassination of Bob Marley, Jamaican politics, the US crack academics. It contains some very violent and sexual and violent sexual and certainly isn't aimed at the mass market. But it won the premier UK literary award and sold a bunch.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

What I'd like to know is to what extent the label of cultural appopriation is leveled at white people.

Cause  we all know that a great many of those other groups whining about it had at some point or other their own empires. Or in some cases, still have them.

Making them at least a bit hypocritical and making their complaints smell about jealousy that it wasn't their group that ended up on top.
Better luck next time seems to be the appropriate response.

[garbon]

What I'd like to know is to what extent the label of cultural appopriation is leveled at white people.

Cause  we all know that a great many of those other groups whining about it had at some point or other their own empires. Or in some cases, still have them.

Making them at least a bit hypocritical and making their complaints smell about jealousy that it wasn't their group that ended up on top.
Better luck next time seems to be the appropriate response.

[Razgovory]

I really wish I could have found a picture of an Opabinia wearing a hat.  That would seem more cultured.  I did find a picture of an anomalocarid wearing a hat.  They were far more dapper pre-Cambrian organism.

[derspiess]

I really wish I could have found a picture of an Opabinia wearing a hat.  That would seem more cultured.  I did find a picture of an anomalocarid wearing a hat.  They were far more dapper pre-Cambrian organism.

How about an Oprahbinia?

[derspiess]

Florida State University is saying Harambe costumes are cultural appropriation

[HVC]

Florida State University is saying Harambe costumes are cultural appropriation

Is that racist? That might be racist.

[Scipio]

Florida State University is saying Harambe costumes are cultural appropriation

Is that racist? That might be racist.

Surely, it's racist to say only black people can wear gorilla costumes, or only native Swahili speakers can joke about Harambe. Right?