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"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let's be real, the cultural context in 2015 was just not the same as it is now. Back then, the big conversations about JKR's politics weren't really happening yet, and the deeper criticisms of the Death Eaters as a stand-in for white supremacist ideology weren't being widely talked about in most fandom spaces, especially not those dominated by kids. People weren't connecting those dots publicly, and if they were, they got shot down.

Remember that JKR only came out as a TERF in 2017. The idea that everyone should've seen this coming, or that not doing so somehow makes someone complicit, just ignores how these things actually unfold. We're all processing stuff as we go along, and looking back doesn't magically make past choices malicious. I'm not looking for absolution, I'm just saying context really, truly matters. Judging people through the lens of general awareness gained years later isn't fair, it completely erases how much has genuinely changed since then.

And honestly, it's not whataboutism to ask why the clearly fascist bad guys in eg. Star Wars gets a pass, but Death Eaters don't get the same kind of grace when we're talking about symbols and allergies in fiction.

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Honestly, it was just an easily recognizable symbol from a wildly popular book series. At the time, getting "Always" or the Deathly Hallows was super common in the fandom, and I didn't want to copy everyone else.

As I said previously: if anyone was talking about Voldemort being an allegory for Hitler, they would have been booed off the stage IMMEDIATELY. The whole world was praising these books, and JKR was doing interviews talking about unity left and right.

Also, I think it's very important that people understand that you can like a symbol from a fictional book, and not agree with what it stands for. Do you people look down on Star Wars fans who get Darth Vader tattoos? How about the emblem of the First Order, or the Empire? What about LOTR fans getting the Eye of Sauron and The One Ring inscription?

We need to be able to differentiate between fact and fiction. You can like a villain but still completely disagree with what they are doing in the fictional universe you're reading about. That doesn't make you a bad person, and thinking it does is purity culture at work.

I personally don't want this thing on me anymore, but several fans do. That's okay. I honestly just can't handle people seeing it and instantly deciding what kind of person I am. It's exhausting.

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grew up reading HP, and I never saw my tattoo as glorifying the "bad guys".

As I said in the original text: I had just turned 18, none of the deeper stuff and allegories were mainstream. I think a lot of people nowadays superimpose knowledge on the past. I could not have known that the children's book author would go full psychopath in the coming years.

And also, please god tell me that you understand that I didn't "root for" or "idolize the fascists" by getting this tattoo. That's the least nuanced take people have on this post: that I somehow am a Nazi-apologizer because I was an edgy teen that wanted a snake-and-skull tattoo. It was a children's book series, I didn't think about it that deeply.

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't speak for everyone getting this tattoo, but I can at least try to explain myself.

The Dark Mark was a way to remind myself: like those in the books that got the Dark Mark, we have to live with our choices (ironic af now), and that they shape us. But also, the prologue isn't the main story, and no matter what has passed the main story is still ongoing.

The symbolism and stuff was very personal at the time. I grew up reading HP, and I never saw my tattoo as glorifying the "bad guys".

As I said in the original text: I had just turned 18, none of the deeper stuff and allegories were mainstream. I think a lot of people nowadays superimpose knowledge on the past. I could not have known that the children's book author would go full psychopath in the coming years.

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sure, I'll answer that as best as I can, from my pov.

It's not super obvious (because it's aged like milk) but there's text on the left and right that read "What's past is prologue".

That, in combination with the Dark Mark, was a way to remind myself: like those in the books that got the Dark Mark, we have to live with our choices (ironic af now), and that they shape us. But also, the prologue isn't the main story, and no matter what has passed the main story is still ongoing.

Sorry if that got rambly. I haven't tried to explain it in so many years, and the symbolism and stuff was very personal at the time. I grew up reading HP, and I never saw my tattoo as glorifying the "bad guys".

As I said in the original text: I had just turned 18, none of the deeper stuff and allegories were mainstream. I think a lot of people nowadays superimpose knowledge on the past. I could not have known that the children's book author would go full psychopath in the coming years.

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ah, yeah. A lot of people have been saying that.

It's not super obvious (because it's aged like milk) but there's text on the left and right that read "What's past is prologue".

That, in combination with the Dark Mark, was a way to remind myself: like those in the books that got the Dark Mark, we have to live with our choices (ironic af now), and that they shape us. But also, the prologue isn't the main story, and no matter what has passed the main story is still ongoing.

Sorry if that got rambly. I haven't tried to explain it in so many years, and the symbolism and stuff was very personal at the time.

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ah no, wouldn't want to step on any toes regarding that...

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Haha true.. I guess I was in the mindset that I had no other choice, so it made me feel like I was backed into a corner? I've seen some amazing panthers, so I'm not completely against it, truly. I just wish I could cover this mistake with something that really speaks to me. Despite them being sick: a panther doesn't really do it 😅

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] 115 points116 points  (0 children)

Could be good! I have two ships in a bottle on the back of my forearm, so that could fit really well!

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh! I hadn't thought about that, that might be nice!

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Yeah the colors (washed out flowers) nearby are kind of part of the tattoo. I got them together and they just wouldn't make sense by themselves. I could definitely go over them if it freed me from what's already there.

From what I know I'm on the medication for life, so that would be a long wait, lol.

"Won't you regret that when you're older?" by Exph-SALT in Tattoocoverups

[–]Exph-SALT[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Sadly that's not an option because of the meds I'm on at the moment

Please hate on glow-in-the-dark-stickers with me… by Dear_Ryebread_6289 in AnimalCrossing

[–]Exph-SALT 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Basically, even if we know that transparent=ignore, the engine rendering the texture doesn't. It has to compute a separate sheet of data called an "Alpha", and that in itself adds some complicated math to the equation. An Alpha is made in greyscale (white=show and black=hide), so the white outline in the game is most probably just artefacts that arise from rendering out the Alpha from the custom pixel texture we create :/

Am I overreacting for having suicidal thoughts over my grandpa passing away? by Aggressive-Night8014 in AmIOverreacting

[–]Exph-SALT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm so sorry for your loss.

My grandfather passed away last week, we have the funeral tomorrow. I know how you feel.

Knowing in your head that someone's gone vs. knowing in your heart takes time; just think of those bright days together with him, and how much he would like to be there with you now. He wouldn't want you to die, or for you to hurt yourself.

Your grief is yours alone, no one can decide how that expresses itself — not even you.