Post B3ym1Vtq3YZbyUIk76 by futurebird@sauropods.win
(DIR) More posts by futurebird@sauropods.win
(DIR) Post #B3yil0GjaiKfNURjai by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T10:53:28Z
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If you start thinking about the ways Candice Owens and Oprah are similar you will at first be mad at me for bringing this up (how dare) however there is more there than I think we might like. Specifically their audience. Oprah has aged with her greatest fans, and become a lot more tame. Candice Owens fans of today would have been watching Oprah, Dr. Phil and others way back when.
(DIR) Post #B3yirFB74UmhM7nD3g by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T10:54:36Z
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And for some reason everyone forgets all of the more exploitative episodes Oprah had. Always with that "understanding psychology" and compassion angle. "How to identify a Psychopath" and other unscientific BS. It's the same genre of media. One that will never die.
(DIR) Post #B3yizUCB7cGQFPDmAC by burnitdown@beige.party
2026-03-06T10:56:02Z
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@futurebird i hope it does die. Oprah is pretty terrible. remember how she supported Tipper Gore's music censorship campaign.
(DIR) Post #B3yj5ODaG4rJRkh4AS by mensrea@freeradical.zone
2026-03-06T10:57:07Z
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@futurebird behind the bastards podcast did a 6 parter on oprah. josef mengele only got a 4 parter
(DIR) Post #B3yjd6FdZ6LJZLjDX6 by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:03:14Z
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To be clear Oprah's audience was always white women in the stage of their life from post teen-aged years but before their kids grew up. She talk about marriages and relationships in a serious way and centered their concerns. She talked about famous people through this lens and dished gossip.Owens is doing something similar. Her fans think she's "so loving and compassionate" wild, right?
(DIR) Post #B3ykGW1zeLbwom8pZw by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:10:22Z
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There is a kind of division in "news" where stories about relationships, engagements, infidelity etc. are classed as "not real news" -- but, people care immensely about this information. If you are a woman who has allowed your position in society to be defined by your relationship to men the norms and morality implied by such stories have material consequences. But, it's sidelined by "serious news" as "news for women" gossip.And because of this it becomes like the description.
(DIR) Post #B3ykZmJfKJCWpLantQ by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:13:51Z
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I've always personally found all of that kind of information tiresome. But, this is due to my own socialization."Will this man who has been unfaithful be held accountable?" becomes a very important question if you are serious about living a "trad wife" lifestyle. It's not just titillating information, it's a critical systems update to the rules that can govern your life. What would sober, serious, verified "relationship news" look like? Can such a thing exist? IDK.
(DIR) Post #B3ykmu25wooKWZdGW8 by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:16:14Z
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Does "relationship news" have to be a gossip filled rumor infested trash heap?Maybe?
(DIR) Post #B3ylB3SmXMeIiqdDRw by lienrag@mastodon.tedomum.net
2026-03-06T11:14:32Z
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@futurebird Interesting perspective, thanks.Not sure how it could be done rightly, though - as you point, the garbage women are currently fed isn't it.
(DIR) Post #B3ylB4gI0d32V1xW8u by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:20:33Z
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@lienrag We've been living through a deeply reactionary moment. But a reaction to what? The first Black president? Maybe. But I don't think we can discount the momentum of "me too" -- This idea that every man, even the powerful, might be held accountable for their treatment of women and girls (even 'unimportant' women) made some people very very angry. (and also scared they could be next)
(DIR) Post #B3ylC89ca88HYpBMO0 by alda@topspicy.social
2026-03-06T11:20:44Z
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@futurebird it's one way to make it interesting.
(DIR) Post #B3ylV5oLW9sBnOGyUi by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:24:12Z
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@lienrag I keep thinking about how one of the reasons Epstein was not prosecuted in FL more seriously was due to the opposition research on his victims done by Alan Dershowitz . And Dershowitz was able to point to FL law that said that a teen, a 14 year old, could be charged with prostitution. That is the conflict in our laws and values. A rich powerful man who gives a child pocket change to exploit her is a criminal. But we also regard the child as a criminal. It's monstrous.
(DIR) Post #B3ylZfyR0Wgt6vB2eG by burnitdown@beige.party
2026-03-06T11:25:01Z
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@futurebird wasn't it the whole point of Entertainment Tonight? news about famous people getting divorced?
(DIR) Post #B3yloVWa8j3j2xDmxk by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:27:43Z
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@lienrag I was walking in the rain through the south Bronx a few days ago. I ducked into Burger King just to get out of the weather and many of the teens from the local schools had the same idea. The place was packed with teens. One girl stood out to me. She was smoking a blunt. (!) and holding court for a group of boys, young men and teens. She had an adorable outfit, but not one that I'd let any teen walk around in if I had any say in it.
(DIR) Post #B3ym1Vtq3YZbyUIk76 by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:30:02Z
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@lienrag I was deeply disgusted with her. Scared for her as well. Almost to the point that I wanted to say something "do you really want to be visible in this way?" She seemed very happy in her moment. Thrilled with the attention, with breaking the rules by smoking, I'm certain she felt in control of her life and bright and powerful.I also think she was very clearly on a very fast track to a very bad place. But, why am I so judgemental of her? She's an obnoxious teen, this is not a crime.
(DIR) Post #B3ymLax4yvvHR4OPVw by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:33:42Z
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@lienrag I can only hope there is someone in her life that will help to keep her safe.But, that doesn't change the fact that children can become disposable once labeled "fast" or "trouble makers" Why should that be the case? Shouldn't the bad choices they make be opportunities to learn and grow?Instead we teach our daughters "never be like that, because then no one will believe or protect you"This is practical advice. Pragmatic. Depressing.
(DIR) Post #B3ymgIvjBJlvchdSfg by davep@infosec.exchange
2026-03-06T11:37:25Z
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@futurebird In my experience, yes.
(DIR) Post #B3ymhfljkjHmkKcBOq by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:37:41Z
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@lienrag As I left the Burger King I passed two men in their 40s near the door who were watching the teens like a pair of sharks. Chuckling to each other. Just like in that famous video of the president and Jeffery. The same body posture, knowing looks and pointing. I looked one in the eye. "There are a lot of kids here. Do you work at the school?"They sobered up quickly to this. To the fact that I'd noticed them. "No no, these kids are crazy.""Do you know them?""No no no."
(DIR) Post #B3ymowEKwrXrpLSNSC by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:38:59Z
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@lienrag The two men left, but I still felt disgusted and annoyed. But I don't teach around here. Were it my own neighborhood I'd have known some of the teens parents and talked to them about it. I memorized the faces of those two men. I always do this. Call me paranoid.
(DIR) Post #B3ymxphoZlWGCKUCOm by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:40:37Z
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@lienrag I think the men thought I was with the school. Maybe that's good. And maybe I'm just not reading what I'm seeing correctly. I'm not an expert on social cues.
(DIR) Post #B3ynK6kNtf8nQDJFdQ by lienrag@mastodon.tedomum.net
2026-03-06T11:44:31Z
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@futurebirdIn Alex Haley's autobiography of Malcolm X, I was quite touched by the story he tells of his (girl) friend he had in his delinquent youth, who lived with her devout grandmother who forbade her to go dancing.Then she went to dance, was thrown off the house by her grandma, and a friend of Malcolm tricked her into prostitution.So in a way the grandma was right to distrust her friends ?But also if she hadn't thrown the girl out, she would not be that vulnerable to that pimp ?Tragic.
(DIR) Post #B3ynWj0jSWrtZMyLgW by GinevraCat@toot.community
2026-03-06T11:46:53Z
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@futurebird @lienrag Because we are all so indoctrinated by patriarchy that we respond automatically to condemn a 'bad' girl.In reality, how else can girls get power? It's the same as young children being manipulative - that's literally the *only* tool they have to have any control over their external world. Maybe she only feels safe when she has power over others.It takes a lot of love and empathic attention to feel safe enough to not feel the need to be manipulative.
(DIR) Post #B3yneIKoWYbT9SyVbE by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:48:17Z
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@lienrag This is exactly why I'm critical of my own reaction of disgust to that kid. So many of the ways we have been taught to respond to these things might keep some people safe. But at the expense of writing of others as beyond help. Unredeemable. Not worth saving or listening to. Just leaving them to those predators who are always stalking, looking for a victim no one will listen to. I would like to put the spotlight on those predators. Let's talk about them more.
(DIR) Post #B3ynxVquUQwsZu9STo by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:51:45Z
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@lienrag There were no white people, or wealthy people in this whole story I've told. The stories in the news occur all though society at different scales. I do think it matters what happen when those stories are talked about in mass media. These are examples. Affirmations of values. Will anyone stand up for that girl, who looked 15 at most? Will she even have the ability to recognize abuse as abuse. Some people would be happier if she had no such ideas.
(DIR) Post #B3yo23YD8rYCFZZVU8 by GinevraCat@toot.community
2026-03-06T11:52:33Z
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@futurebird @lienrag Very few people will believe women over men anyway. We just desperately want to believe that being 'good' will magically protect us from the bad things that happen to other women. It's such a toxic situation.It sucks to realise this.And it's why I value my group of women friends so deeply. Because we know each other well enough that we believe each other first.
(DIR) Post #B3yoTcytWLLvxECRqS by lienrag@mastodon.tedomum.net
2026-03-06T11:57:28Z
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@futurebird By the way, have you watched "Little Senegal" ?It's not a masterpiece, but it's quite good...(I have a vague memory of already having recommended it a few years ago, not sure whether it was to you)
(DIR) Post #B3yoVCoJnF7fMo0Nxw by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T11:57:52Z
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@lienrag I listen to what teens talk about. They see the wars we have started, they see the scandals and how they end. They are paying more attention than you might think. Teen boy on the train two years ago talking about something that happened at a party. "Like a real G, like Donald m-f-in Trump."Teens talking about the war on Iran in the lunch room "The US bombs whoever they want. No one can do anything about it."(I hope the boy doesn't remember saying that it's so embaressing)
(DIR) Post #B3yrPcwa18FyXhtvqi by petealexharris@mastodon.scot
2026-03-06T12:27:19Z
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@catch56 @futurebird @lienrag Yeah, it's not about ethics or safety, it's about power; who gets punished and who gets protected.
(DIR) Post #B3yrPefzZmAzuq9iGu by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T12:30:26Z
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@petealexharris @catch56 @lienrag Can we please agree that it is not possible for a teen to be a "prostitute" with an adult customer. Can we all just agree on that?I don't care if she is 18 and 11 months of age, and looks like she's 28. I don't care if "she initiated everything" Adult men need to be adults.
(DIR) Post #B3ysHtEHgTFSgm3ZU8 by epicdemiologist@wandering.shop
2026-03-06T12:40:12Z
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@futurebird Not just their position in society, but their entire livelihood, including and especially the impact on their retirement income from doing full-time unpaid work, sometimes for decades.
(DIR) Post #B3ystlsXSiaYtYwsDI by count_01@mastodon.social
2026-03-06T12:47:03Z
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@futurebird It's basically a sexist divide: stories for men (business,sports scores political events) are news; stories for women (relationships, human triumph and tragedy, who's playing well on Broadway and who's playing behind the curtains) are features. Both sell ad inches, therefore you want them, but more men stop at the news stand on the way to the office job.
(DIR) Post #B3z0XFywAkWpEPiUoy by patxi@mastodon.world
2026-03-06T14:12:37Z
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@futurebird Oprah's daytime game changed when Ricki Lake came on the scene with risqué topics and younger audience, talk shows wanted Ricki's viewer numbers so they gave chase to the trashy television programming we now know as 90s Daytime Talk shows. Oprah did have her fair share of TV carnage around those day, but she quickly realized that if she ran the other way and focus on better "quality" content, her show would be the stand out choice for majority audience. Non-color women, really.
(DIR) Post #B3z2eqlvz93vGnNoo4 by trainguyrom@techhub.social
2026-03-06T14:36:26Z
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@futurebird I think part of the value of "relationship news" is that relationships are inherently private, and people generally don't openly share their struggles if they can avoid it. If you're experiencing some difficulty in your relationship, "relationship news" might be the only way that certain relationship problems get discussed and therefore provides important insight into how to handle whatever difficulties you're experiencing
(DIR) Post #B3z88MxRtjoZGEfFE8 by futurebird@sauropods.win
2026-03-06T15:37:47Z
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@giltay Well we ought to try to build systems that do not depend on “who you know” and worse who gave birth to you more, right?“ought”That’s a dangerous word I sometimes feel like many people wish would stop being uttered. Which means it’s time to say it more. IMHO.
(DIR) Post #B3z8XoF1aztp7Q1344 by Asbestos@pnw.zone
2026-03-06T15:42:22Z
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@futurebird@lienragthe Republicans have long sought to have laws that only bind the young, but not protect them. marriage at 14, charging 13 year old as adults. but you need to be 18to vote and 21 to drink or get weed. These are the same 14 year old that are responsible enough to charge for being turned out. But are years away from being able to decide if they want to have agency over their bodies.It's disgusting
(DIR) Post #B3zBS5xp5fuaD1w99E by MennoWolff@ohai.social
2026-03-06T16:14:58Z
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@futurebird @lienrag Don't criminalize people who -usually out of necessity- sell their bodies. Criminalize those who abuse their power by making use of their "services"The Netherlands is doing this in cases where women who were trafficked to NL for prostitution. If the client could have known these women weren't free, the authorities can go after the client.
(DIR) Post #B412bCZdNFam2noHhI by femme_mal@mstdn.social
2026-03-07T13:45:12Z
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@futurebird "Gossip" columns and programming are a pink ghetto, treated with disdain like romance novels in comparison to literature. But just as romance lit is subversive — it dares to imagine mostly women and LGBTQ+ persons having happily ever afters — gossip is subversive because it acknowledges humans aren't flat paper dolls but hormonal beings with emotional wants and needs.Rejecting gossip reporting as legitimate has hurts us, ex. we don't know what Liz Smith knew about Donald Trump.
(DIR) Post #B43uQz5iQlDvAqJRtQ by lufthans@mastodon.social
2026-03-08T22:57:50Z
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@futurebird @lienrag and Dershowitz having goons menace Epstein's vicitimsIt's also rich men having a ready supply of henchmen available for hire
(DIR) Post #B43uj8E7ChOiiftXfs by lufthans@mastodon.social
2026-03-08T23:01:07Z
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@futurebird @lienrag teacher voice is not limited by school district boundariesThanks for helping the kids ( that day and on the regular in your classroom(s) )