hellotailor:

Firefly: How much is the Geisha in the Window? by lierdumoa.

In the decade since its cancellation, Firefly has gained a massive cult following and become a staple of sci-fi conventions everywhere. It’s universally beloved by its fans. However, some viewers such as Racebending’s Mike Le have pointed out that for a show that supposedly embraces Chinese culture and features white characters speaking Mandarin on a regular basis, there is a mysterious lack of Asian characters on screen.

“How much is the Geisha in the Window?” takes this idea and runs with it, highlighting the way Firefly exoticises Chinese culture while simultaneously omitting Asian people. Providing an emotionally charged music video style summary of the issue in question, the vid explains the racist undertones of Firefly more succinctly than most writers could. By 2009, “How much is the Geisha…” was iconic enough that it was cited by Georgetown professor Rebecca Tushnet during the US Copyright Office’s DMCA hearings.

Star Trek: … on the dancefloor by sloanesomething.

Arguably the most famous fandom in the world, Star Trek is now the subject of countless academic theses as well as a groundswell of fan commentary. The original 1960s television series was unusually forward thinking for its time, but J.J. Abrams faced some problems when it came to the 2009 reboot movie, Star Trek XI. How to update such a dated concept for modern audiences? As it turned out, Star Trek XI was a huge excess for old and new fans alike, but one can’t help that notice that the original series crew looks considerably less progressive in the 21st century than it did in 1966… [READ MORE]

Also featuring a couple of super-awesome Sherlock and Avengers vids. Guys, I rec these vids so hard!!! I must have watched “…on the dancefloor” at least a billion times before writing this, and it still never gets old. WHO CAN SAY NO TO A FANVID THAT CRITICISES THE SEXISM OF STAR TREK WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY HIGH-FIVING THE ENTIRE CAST TO A SOUNDTRACK OF “TOO MANY DICKS/EASY TO FIX”???

i want to be bitter and point out that when i do what i do, people revile it, and when gav does what i do, people love it, but i mostly just really love this article, and that it exists, and that we’re able to bring it to you, because i think it’s all awesome.