On the surface, it’s all about protecting Russian kids from internet pedophiles. In reality, the Kremlin’s new “Single Register” of banned websites, which goes into effect today, will wind up blocking all kinds of online political speech. And, thanks to the spread of new internet-monitoring technologies, the Register could well become a tool for spying on millions of Russians.

And while we’re on topic of what really pisses me off:

A guy took a very good replica of AK-74 (which can not be distinguished by sight or by weight from the actual gun; you’d have to look very closely to see it wasn’t made to shoot) and took a stroll through Moscow streets during the May 9th parade as a social experiment.

May 9th freaking parade. Streets closed for traffic and chock full of people. A policeman on every corner. A guy with what looks like a potential mass murder weapon unless you look down the barrel with a flashlight. (click on that link above, guys. I know you can’t read Russian; look at those photos. There’s more. I’ll wait.)

Nobody so much as glanced twice in his direction. Police was busy grabbing oppositioners left and right; some people were detained because they wore “signs of opposition” - white and red ribbons (also mentioned here). These, mind you, were the people who didn’t chant any slogans; who weren’t trying to antagonize police; who didn’t move in an organized file. They were just taking a stroll through the park. But they, of course, posed so much more threat than a guy with a firearm.

I never had a lot of faith in how my country is run, but this is something else.

Source: alex-celly.livejournal.com

Social Waste Product: Fan Art

alexds1:

swegener:

I spent the morning un-following a bunch of very talented people on Tumblr.

That feels like a really weird thing to say. And it is.

It was nearly a dozen different artists in all, and they were all extremely talented. Part of what moved me to Follow them in the first place was their skill. In…

I agree with this so much. I watch many different people of varying skill level and focus, but the defining thread is that they produce original work and have original stories in their heads. I like young artists a lot for this reason; sometimes the stories aren’t the best but the feeling and brain power behind them is there.

Fanartists can do incredible work too, but as a consumer of art it’s as significant as the difference between eating a meal and eating someone else’s vomit.

Apart from being a personal opinion (that I do not share), this is very problematic. Because, y’know, you do your original stuff - it’s not [insert your superpopular fandom of the day here]! You’re no good! And then you do some fanart and you’re still no good! There’s just no pleasing you, ladies and gentlemen.

Source: swegener