just thinking about nothing

she/her i yap and reblog about whatever minors will be blocked

[like-this-n-like-that]

Wow S2 of Miami Vice really said outloud that the United States government loaned Latin countries a fuck ton of money and these countries are paying their loans back to the US with hard drugs, and that if that pipeline is dismantled, the US will fall.

Also that vice squads are a part of the game and these departments need to play their small role and not get too big for their britches otherwise they'll be murdered or aid in the fall of the US

[olderthannetfic]

Curious on the front porch's take on this post https://www.tumblr.com/swamp-spirit/822217683834683392/theres-also-a-tendency-to-conflate-anyone-who

I'm split, partially because I don't think the racism argument applies to the transmasc characters the way the person is trying to.

--

It's a "if you would just consider" argument.

The problem with all such arguments, even the ones I emotionally agree with, is that there is no way to effectively signal that one has already considered.

To me, insulating fanworks creators from unasked for critique is not about preventing them from ever feeling bad. It's about preventing people from wasting those creators' time.

Plenty of fanworks are gross, but even more "critique" is tedious shipwars dressed up as social justice. Plenty of trends stem from problems in society, but many posts about trends just add up to the panopticon and the double standard that recent post mentioned. One has every right to make a post in one's own space critiquing fandom culture, but a critical mass of such posts tends to just make fanworks creators run away. It doesn't lead to any of the apparently desired outcomes like more numerous high-quality works about character X.

We all know that the vast majority of critique is incompetent, just like the vast majority of fic is not especially well written. An AO3 user is perfectly entitled to make a bookmark saying "I found this fic racist. Reader beware!" They are not entitled to that author's attention or response.

I do agree with them that the kneejerk response to judgy "have you considered" posts is people falling all over themselves with excuses, and the excuses do often stray into "black people just aren't interesting" unintentionally. Ditto the gender version of this. Flailing excuses frequently come out having Unfortunate Implications™ since they're written in the middle of an anxiety spiral.

I think it's important for us to own our taste and start showing some backbone when asked to Just Consider. This won't lead to different fanworks being produced, but it will cut down on flailing justification posts, which create their own hostile environment.

That's something I severely overlooked in the past and it's worth emphasizing: seeing gobs and gobs of "This is why I never like femslash wharrrgarbl!" has a similar negative effect to masses of "STOP AND CONSIDER, YOU MONSTER." We don't need to see nearly so much of either, especially in their most guilt- or rage-laden and unnuanced forms.

"I've thought about the topic before, but I don't want to have this conversation with you" is much healthier for people to see on their dash than "It's not my fault: Female characters are more boring across the board!" and its many unfortunate cousins.

--

I do see a big double standard in fandom, which is that hostility in a space with diverse characters chases everyone away, but the most toxic-ass fandom for majority characters often won't.

Sherlock fandom had that dumbass top/bottom war about how it was pedo to have the wrong same age white guy top. The fandom kept chugging along because it was already huge and because most people just weren't that nervous about the grand political importance of their horny johnlock fic.

There's no particular cure for this double standard other than blocking liberally so you don't see wank that will sour a fandom for you—or toughening up, I guess, but that's easier said than done.

--

I wish we could collectively let go of the idea that fandom routinely fleshes out galaga guy as anything other than a one-week joke in 2012.

Black characters who don't get shafted by canon's writing and don't get shafted by canon's filmmaking choices (for live action) and are in a canon that is fun genre fiction but just a little crap or open-ended do tend to elicit a good fannish response. We need more of those canons.

Waiting for black Arthur/Eames is foolish. That kind of thing barely exists for majority characters.

Pushing for that but a different demographic will be far less successful than admitting that fandom mostly likes characters with meaty roles and seeking out media that didn't hamstring fandom from the beginning. I'm in a Chinese media phase, but if I swing back to Western cop shows at some point, you'll hear me routinely singing the praises of one Ricardo Tubbs.

Is Miami Vice problematic? OH BOY, is it ever. But it's also a seminal work of cinematography, brilliant neo noir, and the source of an oft-whumped black woobie who cries single perfect tears. I have made many cheesy, over-the-top vids of my fave.

And while, yes, the old slash zine fandom was ruled with an iron fist by two specific people who hated him for Die For Our Ship reasons, the majority of fans who've gotten into MV later are like "Ooh, buddy cop hoyay!" about Crockett and Tubbs.

If you would like spoilers for the most epic and ridiculous of Miami Vice plotlines, please enjoy:

LOOK! THEY'RE BOTH WOOBIES AND THEY BOTH GET FAKE DEAD!

(Why was no one into this fandom in 2010 when I really cared? I should go check out the MV discord and see if people are still posting.)

--

Anyway, I think the anger around this kind of topic makes sense. The feelings of alienation are understandable.

But I do feel like there's often an undercurrent that the thing that would make people feel welcome is fandom focusing on their fave. As a small fandoms person... no, I'm sorry, that's just not on the table most of the time. You either follow the boring herd to the thing with the most fic or you settle.

The ways in which it is possible and practical to "fix" fandom all involve access: making it easier for people to post their own fanworks about their faves, even their unpopular faves. Miami Vice in the zine days had one publisher of slash zines, and they hated the black lead. It did not matter how much consciousness was raised elsewhere: this one gatekeeper stood in the way. (Hilariously and tragically, the single best and most prolific writer actually loved my fave but was not in the habit of writing drawer fic.)

Making it easy to get an AO3 account matters. Making it easy to block people who harass you in the comments section matters. Access matters. Demanding labor from other people isn't going to solve anything. I know this type of post doesn't see that as the message, but it often is in there implicitly.

I often feel alone when my faves are not popular, but because of different demographics, I know it's just that I'm a small fandom person, and being alone is the default in fandom. Make the party happen if you want a party. Yes, it's not fair. It will always be unfair. That goes for a demographic of character being unpopular. That goes for a specific character being unpopular. That goes for a segment of fic being unpopular on AO3 though wildly popular elsewhere. That goes for building a fanworks archive. And for everything else. People are doing something wrong if they stop you from making things. They are not doing anything wrong if they are making their own things that aren't the ones you would enjoy most. Block/mute them if their work is offensive and get back to making your own stuff.

[mxcatmoon]

Miami Vice mention, peeps! From @olderthannetfic. In case you haven't seen it (in the middle, 4 paragraphs above the MV fanvid).

So now I have to go rewatch that sad vid, of course. 😭😭

[jambananacalm]

Fuzzy Thoughts ~ Miami Vice ~ Bushido

Bushido (or Marty's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days) is often the turning point for fence sitters. If you're wrestling with your oversized fandom feels about Martin Castillo, this is the episode that will tip you over the edge. (One way or the other.)

One of the few episodes where Crockett Angst™ is put on the back burner to bubble & smolder - while shit happens around him. Which works out fine because he does get to seethe, brood, & save the day.

Never and always touching and touched... oh... wrong fandom that. But seriously... the bro-glaring! If this had thought balloons the frame would say "I fucking hate those guys." & "I fucking hate them more." (Poor Rico in back there: "They gonna fight? Kiss? Or jus' Broglare?") But we digress... because well... Crockett. There. I said what I said.

There are better reviews of this iconic episode by much more articulate writers (MV FanWiki and Preppies of the Apocalypse) so i'll leave them to it & do what I do best... ask a few nagging questions.

What the actual fuck, Jack !?!?!?

Obviously Marty has means & is loyalty bound to your skinny ass. Seriously. You gonna make him kill you too? "You the man I use to know, Marty?" You fucking know he is or else you wouldn't be here.

And then... that plan. Did you NOT share it with your wife? The Plan?

After all, ↑ she ↑ certainly knows what you made ↓ him ↓ do to you.

(Side note: One of my favorite angles of EJO as MC- great eye shot.)

Why is ↓ she ↓ shocked (SHOCKED! SHOCKED! I SAY.) to realize that ↑ he ↑ was forced to kill you through a Samurai Bromance story hour?

"Did you hold him?" What the everloving fuck kind of question is that? Doesn't she know? Didn't you tell her, Jack? Didn't you say - "Going out and I won't be back. This is the best way to assure you & Marty's future. I love you to the moon and back but this is how it has to be."

Because Eren 'I'm-glad-it-was-you' dira knew the score so.... ... ...?

"I mean," a confused Martin thinks, "I have. I used to hold him a lot before all you and Thailand happened. And I hugged him before all that shit went down in the temple. But, like, he's married to you and has a kid. It's a little late for the thruple kinda thing and Jack didn't say anything before he SHOT AT ME IN FRONT OF THE BUDDHA."

Remember - Martin does not know that Jack is dying of cancer. That call came in after Castillo left the building. Martin goes through this entire episode not knowing. His apparently healthy friend forced him into a high-noon after Marty promises to take care of Jack's family.

Confusing much? "Too bad he won't live. But then again, who does?"

Arrive our boys to quip & kill. Alas, a no happy ending happy ending.

[wellsbering]

imagine your ex who you haven't seen in a decade (since he stole your car) shows up at your house. in the car. the one he stole from you. it looks like shit. your ex asks you to fix the broken car. then he tells you that the hot girl with him and his buddy (the one that helped him steal the car) is his new girlfriend. she is a member of the royal family and she looks capable of murdering you AND your ex with rage alone. you try to say hi. she does not say hi. no one admits it out loud, but you get the feeling that they're all running from the cops and they all want to hide out in YOUR house.

this is what happened to lando calrissian in the empire strikes back

[gecko-with-a-greatsword]

*guy who doesn't know anything about sports and has never cared about sports in his life* hey did you know womens professional baseball is returning after 70 years and the games are going to be streamed for free on youtube and the season starts august 1st

[gecko-with-a-greatsword]

youtube link

Women's Pro Baseball League

Our time is now. The inaugural season of the WPBL begins August 1st, 2026.

website

[butch-ragh-barkrock]

I think this is so cool and it's awesome they're streaming games for free! I also think it's incredible that this picture is the one they used to advertise the opening day. It's like those videos where someone threatens the camera while their partner shows off their collection of rocks they found.

[naufragio-lunar]

If the MV squad had social media:

Sonny: [blurry photo of sunset] Beautiful Views God Bless 🙏👍

Rico: [comment on photo of some ex he has on Instagram] 🔥🔥🔥 hey girl looking gorgeous. dm me?

Gina: [cute selfie of her reading a book at the beach or at an art museum, probably wearing sunglasses]

Trudy: RUTHLESS pinterest user, but also consider [comment on Gina's photo] hot 🔥

Gina: thx girl xx

Switek: [video of bad driving he got off a facebook group] be careful! shared in miami x

Zito: [reposts Switek's video]

Castillo: [photo of small bird] [photo of some nice food] [photo of particularly well-shaped egg] [photo of lizard] Sent from my iPhone

[penworthy]

[just-thinking-about-nothing]

When Irish Eyes Are Crying does much to characterize Gina.

We learn she became a cop because she wanted to help people; this shows she wants to do good in the world. She says she wanted to become a cop to help people to Sean, the Irish terrorist in this episode.

Gina believes Sean is no longer a terrorist despite the words of Rico, Sonny, and the visiting English cop. This shows she gives people the benefit of the doubt. (Her being in a relationship with Sean combined with her past relationship with Sonny shows she is especially likely to give people the benefit of the doubt if they are handsome skeevy men.) Her being willing to be in a relationship with Sean until midway through the episode shows she sometimes takes this willingness to give the benefit of the doubt too far.

At the midway point of the episode, the visiting cop proves Sean definitely is a terrorist. The cop says Sean and another terrorist will have a meeting tomorrow morning. Gina’s response is to visit Sean and ask him to hang out tomorrow morning. From the naked hope on her face, it is clear she wants the answer to be no because then it means Sean isn’t a terrorist. Sean responds he has plans tomorrow. Her face falls, and she makes an excuse to leave. This encounter establishes Gina as able to think ahead. She did not accuse Sean of being a terrorist, which would have put her in danger. Instead, she used what knowledge she already had to figure him out. Her problem solving skills are on display. Additionally, in previous episodes Gina is shown to be a capable cop.

Castillo takes Gina off the case because he believes she is too emotionally involved. Given that Sonny, Stan, and Rico—all men—were not taken off cases they were emotionally involved in, Castillo’s actions here suggest a sexist double standard. Gina keeps trying to get put back on the case. This shows she is confident and determined even in the face of adversity.

Gina’s actions at the end of the episode suggest she is able to separate her emotions from her cases in a way that allows her to be competent.

[naufragio-lunar]

The spinoff they tried to sell us: Miami Vice but they're all college kids

The spinoff we would have watched: the Extended Adventures of Izzy

[2well2water]

i am so sickkkkkkkk of people seeing misogyny perpetuated by a man and automatically going "well SOMEONE'S closeted" omfg you know that men hate women even when theyre attracted to them right??? why are you more interested in making fun of gay people than hating misogynists. you fucking freak

[just-thinking-about-nothing]

I’m watching When Irish Eyes Are Crying. Gina, no. This is gonna end badly 😭😭😭

[notasolidone]

Miami Vice 🌴 ⛱️

This is prolly the only flashy post that I will ever make LOL. One of my favorite shows, I finished this drawing last month but wasn't sure of posting it.

[naufragio-lunar]

Out of interest – MV fandom anonymous demographic poll:

How old are you?

50 or above

Under 50, over 30

Under 30 (adult)

Not an adult

Remaining time: 4 days 4 hours

[pangur-and-grim]

I won't publish the ask (they asked me not to), but I thought I'd still answer it publicly!

no, royalties are not a significant source of income for most authors. if you wrote something like Project Hail Mary, then absolutely, the royalties would be substantial! but that's like winning the lottery. Ryan Gosling is not starring in the movie adaption of most books.

when you sell a book to a publisher, you get what's called 'an advance against royalties'. it's usually split into multiple parts, so you might get one third for the initial sale, one third for the final revised manuscript, and one third on the publishing date.

an advance against royalties is the publisher saying "we believe you will eventually make X amount in royalties, so here it is ahead of time." and then you don't actually see any money from royalties until the advance is paid off. most books do not make enough in royalties to pay off the advance (I have two children's books and one fiction book, and have yet to see royalties for any of them).

advances are still great, but you need to make them stretch! for instance, last year my net income was about 30k Canadian (21k USD), which is fantastic when you consider that I mostly made it through writing. but I'm definitely not a millionaire. I can live off my writing (not trying to undersell that!) but I'll probably remain in a low income bracket for the foreseeable future.

this isn't meant to discourage anyone from seeking out writing as a career! however, there is a reason that many authors have alternate jobs with writing on the side. or, you know, rich spouses.

[pangur-and-grim]

this isn't me making a fuss about pirating (I've pirated way too many shows to run my mouth on that lmao), but there IS actually a financial incentive to having people buy your books!

buying books shows the publisher that they can make money off you, which means they're more likely to give you advances for future books. and advances are what authors live off (if they don't have a side job). that's why I always push pre-orders so hard! you have to be a racehorse worth betting on, or else they send you to the glue factory....

if I can offer one alternative to pirating: asking your library to stock the book also helps authors, and doesn't cost anything. the only downside is the patience required.

[pangur-and-grim]

OOPS yes, @stjohnstarling makes a good point! everything I'm saying is from the perspective of traditional publishing, but it's a very different game if you're a self-published author

[gollancz]

I will also add that this is why pre-orders can make a HUGE difference to authors - because if there's enough hype, publishers can pull more levers to build that momentum and reach more readers to help authors earn out their advance faster.

[gudgercollege]

Trad publishing contracts person here to co-sign everything in this post. If you want to support an author you really like but are broke as hell, then you can buy their book when it's discounted, buy it used, borrow it from a friend, or use the library. The first step as an author is to get your book read, not to get it bought. The important thing for you as a reader is to spread the word about how good the book is so the publisher knows the audience is there even if sales aren't spectacular. Piracy of books, especially books from small/indie publishers, means the publisher will print fewer copies of their next book, and sometimes if it's an ongoing series the next books in the series will be canceled, either to be replaced by a book with a different premise or they'll cancel the contract for the next books entirely. The "hack" where you buy the ebook or audiobook and then return it for a credit also takes money directly out of the author's pocket since those payment/royalty systems are set up differently than if you were to buy a book from a bookstore and return it. In that situation the bookstore absorbs that loss, but returning the ebook means the money gets clawed back from the author's advance or royalties and they'll have to earn that back.

Pre-orders and Amazon/Goodreads reviews are used as a gauge by publishers to predict how many copies they are likely to sell and therefore how many copies they want to print. They want to sell most of what they print rather than print too many and end up with a bunch of copies no one wants that they'll have to pay to store or sell at a huge discount or recycle, which is what happens to unsold books. Most publishers have a limited amount of money and manpower to dedicate to any particular book, so if there's a book building up a lot of buzz, that'll give them reason to put their resources towards promoting that book to get a better return on their investment. If the publisher can't make money off a book or author they'll dump them.

Generally, every aspect of the publishing and book industries, including writers, agents, publishing employees, librarians, and booksellers are overworked and underpaid. Unless you're Stephen King or already famous, you don't make money off of books. We do it for sheer love of the game.

Use your library! Publishers have a whole department dedicated to selling their books to libraries and the author gets part of those sales. Increasing circulation of library resources means the libraries can make a better case to get more money from the government to buy more books that you want to read and they're a place to hang out for free. Libraries are the best gift humanity gave itself, use yours as often as possible.

[captcutshaw]

they were always doing things to him

[mxcatmoon]

@meme-streets I love your tags, I want to marry them!

I give up. Tumblr will NOT let me post any videos, GIFs, either from my own computer OR a hosting site. The only way I can get them to post is if I post them to TikTok first, and then save them to my own damn computer, and then post them. WFT? Anyway, if I ever get them to post, I'll add them.

[just-thinking-about-nothing]

An episode of friends where Phoebe’s weird friend from her mugging days is Al Nerti.

“the one with the Olive Oil Importer” Al Nerti was charmed by Phoebe, the strange kid mugger on Corleone territory. Years later, Al Nerti runs into Phoebe when the friends go to Las Vegas on vacation. He offers to give them a day “on the family” and takes them to the Corleone family compound. Phoebe & Al Nerti spend time reminiscing on low level criminals they both knew, Phoebe from her mugging days, Al Nerti from being in the mob.

Rachel & Connie bond over fashion. Connie gives Rachel some very expensive, definitely stolen jewelry. Connie says importing olive oil is a lucrative business.

Monica spends her time trying to get the cannoli recipe from Connie. Monica loves how orderly the house runs “like it’s on a chain of command!”

Tom is so used to Micheal’s brand of stoicism he is perplexed by Chandler.

Micheal, thinking about his abandoned dream, wants to hear all about academia from Ross. It’s one of the best days of Ross’s life.

Joey figures out the Corleone family are mafia because he suddenly remembers a story his nonna told him about Vito Corleone. He and Phoebe are the only friends to realize. Joey spends the episode terrified and trying to convince the others to leave, but the other friends think he’s just practicing for a role.

Eventually, the friends leave because Tom has tired of Chandler, is elderly now, and politely tells the friends the Corleone family goes to sleep at 9:30. Five happy friends and one rattled Joey drive the rental car off into the sunset.

[just-thinking-about-nothing]

The face Joey makes when he realizes:

[just-thinking-about-nothing]