Comments on: Free Stuff! http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/ In defense of the sanctimonious women's studies set. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:48:46 +0000 hourly 1 By: nerdlet http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-61091 nerdlet Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:23:14 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-61091 <blockquote>That’s where I’m coming from. And I also haven’t seen the movie, though it’s on my list, hence the question.</blockquote> There are a few prime examples of racism and sexism in the books (wicked dark-skinned worshippers of an evil moon god/demon, the few powerful adult women all being evil) but there's very mild sexism at best in the movie. The books also have heavy Christian stuff that's really apparent to adults but not so much to kids - Lewis said that it's not allegory because Aslan isn't a Christ figure, he *is* Christ (yeah, I don't get it either). That is also weakened in the movie - it's still prominent, but I don't think any kids watching it are going to think "Aslan died for my sins! I must be redeemed!" or anything. Overall, I found it a thousand times less problematic than the Lord of the Rings movies! Also: less walking.

That’s where I’m coming from. And I also haven’t seen the movie, though it’s on my list, hence the question.

There are a few prime examples of racism and sexism in the books (wicked dark-skinned worshippers of an evil moon god/demon, the few powerful adult women all being evil) but there’s very mild sexism at best in the movie. The books also have heavy Christian stuff that’s really apparent to adults but not so much to kids – Lewis said that it’s not allegory because Aslan isn’t a Christ figure, he *is* Christ (yeah, I don’t get it either). That is also weakened in the movie – it’s still prominent, but I don’t think any kids watching it are going to think “Aslan died for my sins! I must be redeemed!” or anything.

Overall, I found it a thousand times less problematic than the Lord of the Rings movies! Also: less walking.

]]> By: Gordon K http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60881 Gordon K Tue, 22 Aug 2006 21:35:57 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60881 <blockquote>I haven’t seen the movie, but when I read the books as a kid all the Christian stuff went right over my head. Had my religious upbringing been less half-assed, I might have seen it.</blockquote> That's where I'm coming from. And I also haven't seen the movie, though it's on my list, hence the question.

I haven’t seen the movie, but when I read the books as a kid all the Christian stuff went right over my head. Had my religious upbringing been less half-assed, I might have seen it.

That’s where I’m coming from. And I also haven’t seen the movie, though it’s on my list, hence the question.

]]> By: Car http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60876 Car Tue, 22 Aug 2006 21:25:59 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60876 It isn't stealing. They're giving it away. If you take something that someone is giving you, it's not stealing. There's a huge discussion on Pharyngula about the ethical implications of taking advantage of the offer, including that you're very possibly helping them retain their non-profit status regardless (because of the amount of giveaways they have) and that's why they have it set up that way. Be assured, a corporation that big has already calculated the probable amount being given to people who don't really want it and figured it into their bottom line. My only problem (besides ending up on their mailing list) is that it contributes to their total numbers of hits on the site and orders of their literature. It isn’t stealing. They’re giving it away. If you take something that someone is giving you, it’s not stealing. There’s a huge discussion on Pharyngula about the ethical implications of taking advantage of the offer, including that you’re very possibly helping them retain their non-profit status regardless (because of the amount of giveaways they have) and that’s why they have it set up that way. Be assured, a corporation that big has already calculated the probable amount being given to people who don’t really want it and figured it into their bottom line. My only problem (besides ending up on their mailing list) is that it contributes to their total numbers of hits on the site and orders of their literature.

]]> By: Katie http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60859 Katie Tue, 22 Aug 2006 20:30:49 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60859 I just ordered 96.00 of stuff. I AM SO EXCITED!!!! I got some book for women only about men. I think the tagline said something about "Why men need sex to feel emotional" or something like that. Yes! I just ordered 96.00 of stuff. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

I got some book for women only about men. I think the tagline said something about “Why men need sex to feel emotional” or something like that. Yes!

]]> By: Kaethe http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60792 Kaethe Tue, 22 Aug 2006 14:45:31 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60792 I'll be going back often. I think every kid/library/school should have multiple copies of both the <em>Chronicles </em>on CD and the <em>Lion, Witch, Wardrobe </em>DVD. These are resources that many school and public libraries can't afford, sadly. And I'm guessing I'll be able to pick up the other movies as they are released. Thanks, zuzu! I’ll be going back often. I think every kid/library/school should have multiple copies of both the Chronicles on CD and the Lion, Witch, Wardrobe DVD. These are resources that many school and public libraries can’t afford, sadly. And I’m guessing I’ll be able to pick up the other movies as they are released.

Thanks, zuzu!

]]> By: Kaethe http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60789 Kaethe Tue, 22 Aug 2006 14:23:19 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60789 We really enjoyed <em>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</em>. We were inspired to spend a lot of time in the front yard with plastic swords and bows and arrows and throwing daggers, beating the shit out of the tree standing in for the White Witch. Off to order some stuff. We really enjoyed The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We were inspired to spend a lot of time in the front yard with plastic swords and bows and arrows and throwing daggers, beating the shit out of the tree standing in for the White Witch.

Off to order some stuff.

]]> By: zuzu http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60785 zuzu Tue, 22 Aug 2006 13:25:28 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60785 Lewis was a big fan of allegory (which is one of the places where he differed from Tolkien). Aslan is a Christ figure and the whole damn thing is an allegory. I haven't seen the movie, but when I read the books as a kid all the Christian stuff went right over my head. Had my religious upbringing been less half-assed, I might have seen it. It does look like Tilda Swinton has a lot of fun working the White Witch thing. Seeing her driving a sled pulled by polar bears is enough for me to want to take a look. Lewis was a big fan of allegory (which is one of the places where he differed from Tolkien). Aslan is a Christ figure and the whole damn thing is an allegory.

I haven’t seen the movie, but when I read the books as a kid all the Christian stuff went right over my head. Had my religious upbringing been less half-assed, I might have seen it.

It does look like Tilda Swinton has a lot of fun working the White Witch thing. Seeing her driving a sled pulled by polar bears is enough for me to want to take a look.

]]> By: nerdlet http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60770 nerdlet Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:45:37 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60770 <blockquote>It’s been a long time since I read it … was it all that bad? Or was the movie worse?</blockquote> I'm not Christian, and I don't remember anything particularly offensive in the movie. And believe me, after hearing it described by the producers as "The Passion of the Christ for kids," I looked.

It’s been a long time since I read it … was it all that bad? Or was the movie worse?

I’m not Christian, and I don’t remember anything particularly offensive in the movie. And believe me, after hearing it described by the producers as “The Passion of the Christ for kids,” I looked.

]]> By: Wren http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60756 Wren Tue, 22 Aug 2006 02:07:46 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60756 Although I must say, I think my favorite is the his & hers back-to-school kits. Although I must say, I think my favorite is the his & hers back-to-school kits.

]]> By: Wren http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60754 Wren Tue, 22 Aug 2006 02:04:14 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/21/free-stuff/#comment-60754 Bwahaha! Brilliant! "Suggested donation," my ass. I feel like a terrible person. But then I have to remember - the purpose of this material is much, much worse. Bwahaha! Brilliant!

“Suggested donation,” my ass.

I feel like a terrible person. But then I have to remember – the purpose of this material is much, much worse.

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