Library
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Welcome to the library, a page of curated content I recommend on all kinds of topics.
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Library Sections by Topic
Specialized Library Pages
These are sections for more topic-specific stuff (analyses, lore, wikis, collection websites, archives, programs, etc.). Some items listed at these more specific pages may be duplicated from this main library page for completeness.
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Items in Selected Section |
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"A Brief History of Homestuck" (Sarah Z, 2021)
A history of the most impactful fandom of the 2010s.
"Fandom's Biggest Controversy: The Story of Proshippers vs Antis" (Sarah Z, 2021)
Breakdown of the contentious fandom topic and long-standing subject of academic debate of representations of "taboo" topics in fiction.
"FOLI (there is no movement without rhythm)" (Thomas Roebers and Floris Leeuwenberg, 2010)
Short film celebrating rhythm and its centrality to life, featuring the Malinke people in their Guinea, Africa village, Baro.
"For Amusement Only: The Life and Death of the American Arcade" (Laura Jane, 2013)
What it says on the tin: the development and decline of American arcades.
"Game Design as Narrative Architecture" (Henry Jenkins, 2003)
Video game-centered examination of spatial/environmental storytelling, enacted storytelling (gameplay), embedded narrative and emergent narrative (player-generated narrative).
"Golden Age Vocaloid Horror / Creepy / "Insane" Song Culture" (Jillian Caulfield, ongoing)
Note: This is my work.
An ongoing project to document the creepy song scene within the golden age of Vocaloid with a list of works and commentary from me and others from the vocalsynth community.
Ian's Nerdcore Encylopedia (Ian Willett-Jacob, 2018)
An incredible resource on the nerdcore techno scene with profiles, a huge list of releases, event flyers, history and more from someone who has worked closely within the scene.
Lolibrary
A searchable database of lolita items.
Otherkin Timeline: The Recent History of Elfin, Fae, and Animal People or its abridged version (Orion Scribner, 2012)
Comprehensive history of the concept of otherkin and therianthropes (most commonly referred to as "kin" and "therians" on the modern internet). This certainly isn't completely up to date, though -- I would argue that "kinnie" culture has changed rapidly in the near-decade since this project was last updated.
"The Phenomenon of Tumblr Sexymen" (Izzzyzzz, 2021)
Breakdown of a 2010s Tumblr phenomenon.
Raves and Riots (Vinca Peterson, 1990-2004, featured at Edel Assanti, 2021) and related coverage
Gallery exhibition of photos from the rarely-photographed free party movement. Includes a video interview with Peterson! Selected articles about this exhibit with further insight at DJ Mag, FAD Magazine and Huckmag.
"So You Think You're the Main Character" (Amy Zimmerman for Electric Literature, 2021)
On the fuzzy borders of autofiction in the information age.
"'This is Going to Change the World'" (Dan Kois for Slate, 2021)
About the attitudes around technology in the era of the old web and its shift into the "new" web, and how much the internet was already changing the world with its ability to spread informatin.
"A Timeline of the Fictionkin Community" (House of Chimeras, 2021)
Breakdown of the history of fictionkin, a subgroup or offshoot (depending who you ask) of the otherkin community that seems to be what comes to mind when the term "kin" is used outside of otherkin communities these days but has a shorter and less formally documented history than the broader community.
Tokyo Fashion
Excellent and frequent street fashion photography from all around Tokyo, as well as interviews and other articles related to j-fashion. This is a great resource if you're interested in current j-fashion.
Tony Davis Archive
Collection of Tony Davis's photos from the rave scene (though you'll unfortunately have to create an Instagram account to see everything). Some selected shots and commentary from the photographer here, here and here.
"Tumblr's $6000 Scam: The Story of All or Nothing" (Sarah Z, 2021)
Breakdown of an infamous Tumblr Kickstarter, illustrating a wider trend on the platform in the 2010s.
"Tumblr's Failed Convention: The Story of Dashcon" (Sarah Z, 2020)
Breakdown of Dashcon, an infamous Tumblr event in 2014 that marked the end of an era on the influential platform.
"Tumblr's Strangest Obsession: A History of the Onceler Fandom" (Sarah Z, 2020)
Breakdown of a massive and bizarre fandom that marked 2010s Tumblr culture.
"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" (Walter Benjamin, 1935)
Frankfurt School associate Benjamin's influential essay on the "aura" of art and the impact of the industrial revolution and mechanical reproduction on art. Read carefully; it's common to misread this essay as a criticism of mechanical reproduction and the destruction of "aura" on first read, but a closer read reveals that Benjamin is quite optimistic about what art can be used for when removed from its "aura" -- including revolution against industrial capitalism. However, it can also be used for fascist purposes.
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