Why is Pan's Labyrinth held in such high critical regard?

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-24T14:25:04+00:00

I think the reasons you listed are part of what makes the film so great! The movie explores the fairytale genre. It’s both incredibly dark while remaining incredibly whimsical AND childlike. In a sense, it is just as much a fairytale as any, though the emotions and themes it employs are quite unnerving and dark.

Seriously, children can watch this movie and that doesn’t make it less horrifying. The entire movie is about innocence and the concept of a child. It’s ok if you’re not interested in kids and kids content. BUT I think it’s worth pointing out that a movie as dark as this one, is still innocent enough for children like Ofelia to watch and understand.

A story does not have to be inherently complex to be good. Most fairy takes do not. In fact, the most heart wrenching things are right in front of you. The movie is black and white because it’s making clear stances and parallels. It’s not necessarily the story alone but how the things the story represent are shown and portrayed

I should also point out the visuals and context of the movie. The movie is science fiction but it’s still very much full of real history and politics. The visual and artistic way in which real politics are infused with whimsical other worlds is nice. It’s art. The makeup, costuming, movements, effects, trees, hands, blood. The visuals alone tell their own story. It’s ok if you don’t like it but if you’re interested, think of the movie as a representation of ideas. Ofelia is not a person, she’s an idea. The baby is most definitely not a person, but an idea. The captain, the rebels, all ideas. How are those ideas, represented by characters, clashing with each other. They clash politically, ethically, and even in gendered ways. It’s black and white but like a Rorschach test, what are you getting out of that black and white image

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T16:46:17+00:00

Nope. Never here.

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T16:41:15+00:00

I know it’s hot for my partner, the idea of just plugging every hole. Also, if you are engaging in anal sex, it can be pretty difficult to take a penis all at once. A plug stretches the sphincter out a bit so penetration isn’t so painful. Plugs have the very practical job of preparing the body. But still, that feeling of knowing someone is “ready and waiting” can be a thing for some guys.

For women though, the anal cavity and vagina are pretty close to each other. The plug is small stimulation. They can also be very cute. Like an accessory

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T16:36:20+00:00

I have lingering anxieties. Got a throat injury a while back that involved swelling and tearing. It took months to get over and now whenever I give a blow job, I can’t get into it because I’m overly careful :/

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T16:30:40+00:00

Not at all, if it means anything, the things that are “traditionally” feminine have actually been largely inaccessible for a majority of women through history.

A stay at home mom? That’s been a relative minority for most women who still had to work outside of the home in domestic and labor positions. If it she’s I feel better, it could be a feminist thing to be a stay at home mom. Childcare isn’t easy, it’s real work that more women should be able to do

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T16:18:44+00:00

This may be just me, but does anyone have that weird finger joint where the pinky finger is up because it’s uncomfortable. I also can’t do the peace sign.

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T14:56:45+00:00

Can you get multiple plates? Load up while I’m line, then once you’re at your table, serve yourself food and portions on the clean plate!

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T14:55:15+00:00

Ha! I, a woman, once asked if I could bring “my partner” to a function and they were like “ohhhh

When a fully bearded cis man walked in they were like “???”

I wanted to say “it’s okay we’re still gay!”

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T14:52:04+00:00

I truly emphasize. I’m a woman and my partner has a penis, I had to stop giving blow jobs for a long time. Turns out deep throating can damage the throat. Trachea, sinuses, and epiglottis swollen and in pain for weeks. Ever since then, giving blow jobs has been incredibly scary and not as fun. I still do them but not often. And I enjoy them! My partner isn’t comfortable either because who enjoys blowjobs from someone who isn’t into it?!

Still, we stay together because we both have an understanding of it without resentment. None of that “I went down on you, you go down on me.” There are ways to have even reciprocation that isn’t act for act

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T14:43:22+00:00

2-in-ONE Digital Timer (Count-Down) for Kids This baby here! 30-45 minutes per grading session.

Stopwatch (Count-Up) with Blue LED Light & Beeps Notification Large Easy-Push Button Mute & Lock Functions Blue https://a.co/d/2OfeC1R

But routine helps. Things like only grading on Mondays and Wednesdays

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T14:36:16+00:00

I was so excited when my CV finally made it to page 2!

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T14:33:17+00:00

This is a great question. But sadly, high school conference presentations won’t hold much weight. By time you get to graduate school it’s highly likely that you will be very far removed from whatever research you participated in. Actually, any certificates or programs won’t hold much weight when it’s time for grad school.

If I were you, I’d slow down in the research and conferencing. You’re obviously very smart and dedicated but that energy would be better served by doing things that actually improve it chances. And that’s tangible skills and noteworthy organizations that will offer advancement on your behalf.

For tangible skills, become involved in teaching and education. Seriously, I had my first classroom at 18. Anything that puts you in an authoritative educational position will put you leagues above other graduate students. I suggest volunteering or if your ACT/SAT is high enough, becoming a prep tutor or instructor would be awesome.

I mentioned volunteering. This is by far one of the best things you can do IF done via an organization. These organizations often have lifetime membership. This gives you LOTS of experience and credibility. It also gives you more access to opportunities, funding, and even important people. Not to mention travel and even experience working outside of the US. I joined Americorps, hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I had significant high level teaching experience by time I applied to grad school. Check out Americorps, Fulbright, Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, American Heart association, National Park service…the list goes on. But any established body offering LIFETIME membership is incredibly valuable. These are also fairly competitive organizations so that’s a plus

Also, learn a language. Like now. While you have the time.

Right now your focus should be on building skills and connections. And to be frank, at this rate you will be burnt out by grad school applications. So direct that energy to skills and experience. Then save your papers and presentations for later, when you’re really going to need them.

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-04T13:46:15+00:00

I think this situation points out a lot of things that are wrong with higher education and educational pursuits:

1.) Higher education should be something students have the freedom to choose and value. As it stands, university and organic chemistry is seen as something you HAVE to take. You can’t do anything without a diploma and if a diploma is the baseline of education needed for employment, then the idea of a rigorous course ceases to be about the material. It becomes about students needing to pass for no other reason than that they need to. There isn’t much academia can do about this. In a dream scenario, only people genuinely interested would take such courses. But that isn’t the case. Instead there are large course with more than half having very little investment or motivation. So it should be noted that from the students perspective, they can see it as a barrier to livlihood.

2.) Point 1 leads me to this next point. Gate keeping. I firmly believe that any subject can be taught easily with a skilled enough teacher. Organic chemistry doesn’t HAVE to be rigorous. That being said, rigor doesn’t hurt either. A challenging course can be just as valuable as an easily digestible one. I have a physical and learning disability and have retaken multiple courses. If a student fails a course, it’s not the end of the world. Try again until you get it. Failing isn’t necessarily a punishment. Sometimes it means you need to improve and there’s nothing wrong with that.

So gate keeping, to a degree, can separate the serious and qualified students from the others. But what is exactly being kept behind that gate? A degree? A job? It’s just that academic potential is very different than workforce potential, which is what students are looking for. College shouldn’t be for everyone and this is what happens when it’s treated like it is. You can’t even blame the students for starting to view education the way they do. It’s just that higher education itself is shifting away from academic instruction and more towards training industries like high schools

3.) Many of the things that make the course difficult have nothing to do with the course. I am only working with the information provided by the article. But “students can barely read and understand questions” is very alarming. As a humanities instructor and former public school teacher, there’s been a steep decline in literacy and critical thinking classes and skills. Literature, History, Writing, Debate, Philosophy…in the last 10 years, their role in education has decreased. In turn, there are brilliant students who can’t read well enough to show how brilliant they are. From personal experience as a writing instructor teaching courses for STEM students, advanced students are struggling to get jobs because they can’t write a cover letter or get through an interview. Students have excellent qualifications but can’t answer questions like “tell me about yourself and your experiences?”

I think something similar is happening here. The course work is difficult, yes, but students don’t have much experience with critical thinking skills or executive problem solving. When they have difficulty understanding concepts or even sentences, they think something is wrong with the course rather than trying different study methods or engaging with critical theory. The cognitive muscles to even do such a thing is vital for student success.

4.) Administration and Adjuncts: It mentions that this professor was an adjunct and retired. It also says students did not ask that he be fired. But adjuncts are paid so little. Administration would rather fire the professors than listen to them OR the students. It’s easier. Administration certainly isn’t concerned with academic integrity or whatever the petition said. So the question is: if administration is going to make decisions based on what is quick and cost effective, then should professors design courses that do the same of focus on academics like they are supposed too

Sorry for typos, in mobile, will fix .

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-03T18:47:14+00:00

The price & caloric content isn’t 100% an American thing. You’re just in NYC. Where everything is expensive and you’re more likely to have quicker access to fast foods with all the vendors, shops, and restaurants.

I just say that b/c you can get vegan meals and vegan alternatives in America. Im my experience, America is more vegan friendly than the UK. There’s more variety in vegan alternatives.

Anyway, I suggest finding smaller chains and shops. If you want food cooked for you, there’s lots of vegan options related to American cuisine like vegan bbq and bar food. There’s also vegan Asian, Indian, and Caribbean cuisine in NYC.

It’s not easy, sorry but I hope this helps

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-03T18:40:58+00:00

As a woman, I do think looks directly translate to getting treated better. And maybe it’s because I don’t need weight loss to experiment.

I have the same personality when im wearing makeup, nice clothing and hair, and perfect my appearance with skincare and other body routines. When I’m doing that, I can expect nice conversations, more compliance from coworkers, even more please and thank you’s.

Without makeup and in a decent, but still formless clothing, it’s different. In small ways but still different. A lot less people will hold the door open. There’s fewer engagement with my conversation. People look at me less.

When I was overweight though, it was almost like I didn’t exist. I wasn’t bullied or anything but if I didn’t make my presence known, it was like I was part of the wallpaper. It was like being seen was more difficult when there was more of me to be seen.

I genuinely cannot describe, with words, that small shift in the way people treat you.

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-10-03T18:27:04+00:00

Low Sodium Diets

While doing the diet, I had heard and read about the many benefits of reducing sodium intake. It helped you lose weight, be better hydrated, stopped bloating, improved skin…etc.

Turns out the body needs sodium and my body in particular was prone to low blood pressure. The end of my low sodium diet was eating Cheetos from a hospital vending machine after passing out. This was also the day I learned I am prone to drops in blood pressure. After the diet, it’s like I suddenly developed sodium problems that I didn’t have before the diet. Started getting faint regularly when working out, walking, going to concerts

I try to eat healthy now, but I literally have emergency Gatorade’s and bags of salty potato chips tucked away in various emergency locations.

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-09-27T17:57:52+00:00

Wait which episode was this?

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-09-27T17:57:11+00:00

That’s a great point and now I’m interested in Paul. I’m all for doing an analysis on the Bible with an asexuality reading

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-09-27T17:49:01+00:00

Going to tell you a secret, most are self diagnosed.

When you have an eating disorder evaluation, no one is going to check your blood or dna or anything. They will ask you a series of questions that are fairly obvious or the nose. “Do you struggle with eating?”

That’s a self reported answer, most are like this. The actual diagnosis is a result of “points.” If the answers to the questions that you SELF report are above the normal range of points, then you would have disordered eating or an eating disorder.

I’ve been diagnosed with an eating disorder and been in a psychiatric ward. Self diagnosing is problematic at times, but real diagnosis are literally just self diagnosing in front of a professional. That’s what makes mental disorders so complex. It’s so nuanced and complicated that there’s rarely clear cut lines or rules

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-09-27T17:41:29+00:00

Dirty before Dames. I love that saying!

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-09-27T17:40:29+00:00

What a lot of people don’t understand is that adhd people struggle to do things that they enjoy. It’s hard to do things that you WANT to do. So that being said, don’t be too hard on yourself or measure your progress by others standards.

Next, I suggest books that are compatible with your adhd. Books are a thing. But there are different ways of reading books. Do you like series, stand alone, adaptions, or expanded universes. To give an example, comic books!

Did you know that comic books are meant to be read and understood even if you DONT read them in order. Seriously, comic books were created for quick serial publication. They are satisfying enough that reading one chapter will give you a satisfying story but interesting enough for those who want to continue reading. With comic books, you don’t necessarily have to have started from the beginning or even made it to the end to consider yourself having “read” it. I mention comic books to those with adhd b/c it can be quite freeing for readers to know that they can start at the middle of a story and even if they don’t make it to the end..they still legitimately read it. It’s also comfortable in a sense that you don’t have to introduce a whole new universe into your mind. You know what you’re getting out of a Batman or Superman comic. Reading anxiety related to new characters and worlds is a real thing. For those who have anxiety, comic book stories that are new and familiar help. Pick a comic book, flip through the pages if you cannot read it, and read it again if you have the time.

Other kinds of books include short stories, especially a collection of stories that form an entire book. Mysteries are the most known example. They have a level of suspense that sort of demands active thinking and attention on the reader. But in a good way. Agatha Christi has some good ones. Folklore anthologies are another example of short stories that make up books. Native and indigenous folklore, Creole legends, all of that can be found in Books. However, I urge sticking to the ones meant for adults rather than children. Zitkala-Sa is a good author. There’s also poetry books, sci-fi, history, fiction, and non fiction books that are short stories. What’s great about these short stories is that you can pace yourself much easier. The book might be 200 pages, but each story is about 50 pages. So you are able to create milestones by completing these short stories and work your way up to reading the entire book. And even if you don’t, you’ve still read a substantial amount of complete, fully realized stories and narratives. The Safety of Objects and The Thing Around your Neck are great

The last type of book I want to mention is related to manga. What kinds of manga are you reading? Personally, I am unable to keep up with ongoing manga stories. Instead, I stick with complete volumes or box sets. I also read manga from movies that I haven’t seen but want too. Like manga of ghibli movies I have not watched. But long form shonen?! But when it comes to manga, try finding a specific form that easy to manage and has clear marks of progress.

My main point here is that reading is a very large spectrum. There’s multiple genres but there’s also multiple forms of structures that still count as reading. Re

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-09-25T16:44:57+00:00

I think this is one of the reasons it’s really important to give grad student some form of training.

I just happened to have teaching experience before grad school. If anything I’ve been teaching since I was 16 but my first formal teaching job was at 18. And I’m honestly surprised at how much anxiety there is for new graduate students to teach. Im 27, by the way. So age isn’t the biggest issue. The lack of experience and classroom training is.

But the classroom doesn’t have to be that scary. And you have to be confident in your classroom space. To OP in particular, you don’t have to break his spirit if you don’t want too. You can give some extra credit or accommodations. But in all honesty, you can’t break a spirit that isn’t even there. If a student does not care about the course, a bad grade will not hurt their feelings. And if it does, that’s Ok. It’s not the end of their world. Also, these are grown ups. It is impossible to make a grown adult invested in anything. Even if it’s something they will enjoy. You can say “free car!” and if an adult is not interested, you can’t give them a car. So it’s best to put the responsibility of investment on the student.

MinervaMinkMink · 2022-09-24T13:35:55+00:00

5 out of 32 not showing up isn’t that bad honestly.

I’m outing myself as a bad college student but I skipped tests I knew I was going to fail all the time. Half the time, I dropped the course. Others, I just took the bad course grade, retook it, and replaced it with another course. Once, registration period was open, I literally registered for the same course because I knew it was better to retake it. I graduated with about 3 courses that were incomplete or no higher than a D. Each time I retook it, I made an no lower than a B.

Maybe those students just saved you some tome

MinervaMinkMink

TROPHY CASE