20 people I admire (XVI): Molly Crabapple

Who? Molly Crabapple travels around the world, with a penchant for the Middle-East, making illustrations and graphic art that manage to capture the Zeitgeist of the moment.

Why? I have a huge amount of respect for Crabapple and how she inserts herself into the reality ‘on the ground’, even in difficult societies like Turkey or Lebanon, where both being an artist and a woman is a statement in and of itself. 

What resonates with me? Crabapple’s humanity and humanism always shine through. She is unafraid to speak up for the most downtrodden and oppressed, and does so with a graphical eloquence that I could only hope to match with my own weapons (words).

Best bit? There is so much to choose from, but honestly, if you like supporting an artist with a big heart and a huge amount of talent, buy her book. 

Next up: Jan Decleir, Belgian actor

20 people I admire (XV): Mike Dierickx

Who? Mike Dierickx, also known as Mike Push or M.I.K.E. or a myriad of other pseudonyms, is a supremely talented electronic music producer from Belgium who has finally been getting his due in national media.

Why? Even during the period when lazy anthemic trance was big, Mike kept pushing the envelope and released track after track that demonstrated both his technical craftsmanship as well as his fine-tuned ear for what might work on a dance floor. 

What resonates with me? Even though Dierickx claims his initial influences mostly came from new wave music, there’s little of that bleakness in his productions. Even middling efforts from him always sound full and sumptuous, with a full understanding of what makes people want to dance in a club.

Best bit? Obviously his only chart hit ‘Universal Nation’ has become embraced by a generation by now, but I would personally choose his club mix of ‘Tranzy State of Mind’. TSoM is beautiful to listen to, filled with so many delicate touches and samples, building up so exquisitely and so hypnotizing in the total bliss it gives its listeners.

Next up: Molly Crabapple, an American illustrator

20 people I admire (XIV): The Onion

Who? An American news satire site.

Why? The Onion manages to nail so many issues with such a fine feeling for tragedy, cynicism and ultimately, the heart in the right place.

What resonates with me? Well, it was probably the Onion that inspired me to take up writing news satire for some time as well (go look here), but like how comedy in this bleak age of rising fascism, Trump, growing inequality and environmental disasters has become a more reliable source of information than the regular media and its blowhard pundits, the Onion still manages to rise to the challenge and be both funny and incisive.

Best bit? After Obama got elected in 2008, the Onion headlined ‘Black Man Gets Worst Job in the World’. Another very good one, often reposted after a shooting in America, was ‘There Is No Way to Prevent This, Says Only Nation Where This Happens.’

Next up: Mike Dierickx, Belgian trance producer.

The siren call of patriarchy

Almost 20 years into the 21st century, we have an utterly mad century behind us. Workers’ rights were vastly expanded and then contracted, women’s rights improved and were then embattled, gay people became seen as people, religion faded but then wouldn’t stay dead, and technology evolutions got faster and faster and more expansive with every step. You can bet that this confused, alienated and rattled a lot of people. And I’m only talking about the West here. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to be an up-and-coming, smart Indian who is technology-savvy but sees people dying in the street every day.

Shilling for patriarchy - why?

When we narrow down our focus to the topic of gender equality, a lot remains to be desired. In most Western nations, women’s right to vote or own property isn’t questioned. Even conservative parties pay lip service to the idea that women can be leaders or intellectuals. But problems remain – the reactionary push against sexual freedom, the persistent idea that women are responsible for being harassed or raped, or the media’s lurid focus on female leaders’ style while they never call into question, say, a male politician’s penchant to wear the same suit every time. That, too, is patriarchy.

Some men – too many men – have taken up patriarchy's battle cry because they feel lost, alienated and relegated to the sideways. They feel confused and wronged by the rise of women. “Why am I not being empowered? What about the idea that men are still expected to make the first move?” Well, first off, many women are just as confused. They are human beings, after all, and human beings tend to hold contradictory notions. Second, it betrays a longing back to full instead of light patriarchy.

What empowers you is your downfall

Many (heterosexual) men might deny it. The idea of a woman as secondary, as a being who just exist to please you and make your life easier, isn’t that grand? The idea that women are available, not for anyone but for you in particular, isn’t that comforting? That despite whatever failures you stack up in life, your masculinity still offers you the respect to claim a woman as your own (or, preferably, multiple women)? Of course that’s an alluring idea. Having power just for being ‘the One’, as so frequently put forth in popular culture.

Thinking of women as second-class people or underlings eases the mind of some heterosexual men. “At least I’m not some weak woman. At least I’m not gay. At least I’m not some transgender freak.” But it’s also their downfall. The West’s current reality is that most heterosexual women know well enough that they get swamped with dumb messages on dating apps, that they know street harassment is depressingly common and not a compliment, and that, simply put, the cat’s out of the bag.

The poison sits deep

Of course, there are many women who are still mired in patriarchal notions themselves. The proverbial women who “want it all”: some athletic mute who fulfills a reverse-Stepford Wives fantasy and enjoys being dominated while doing all the most difficult chores and providing an income. But that’s just an ugly mirror of patriarchy.

And it is patriarchy – a social order created by empowered men thousands of years ago – that has truly poisoned your soul. It is patriarchy that had informed you to be jealous when other men have more sex partners than you do. It is patriarchy that tells you you are weak if you can’t lift a 150kg. It is patriarchy that smirks when you can’t afford to pay a woman a drink. It is patriarchy that says you are a sissy if you cry. Some women are part of this patriarchy. It is them, not feminists you need to avoid. It is patriarchy that will make you smash your ship onto the cliffs.

Misdirected anger

Feminists believe that gender equality can be achieved. Of course they are flawed individuals, just like you. Some wear its cloak while drowning in privilege of money or beauty. Just like some have been hardened by a lifetime of harassment and unsolicited dick pics to be skeptical of men. But that doesn’t excuse clinging to notions of female servility. You, as a man duped by patriarchy, are essentially fighting the same battle to be free. You’ve only been told to direct your anger at the wrong people.

I wasn’t born a feminist and to this day I have trouble calling myself one. Not because I don’t believe in equality, but because I think it’s weird. Like, would it be acceptable if a white person were to spearhead an initiative against racism on black people? I try to be an ally, with ups and downs. But I try to listen. And I realise patriarchy has also poisoned me in a lot of ways. Its Utopia, where men own women and can get all the lovely, nasty sex they want with complete disregard for anyone else, is enticing, but it is not something that can ever be reality. It was thought up by empowered men with lots of money to keep other men from thinking critically.

Letting go

So, let go. Let go of this impossible idea. Avoid pissing contests with guys who are so insecure they need to practically tattoo their sexual conquests on their chests. Avoid women that want a breadwinner but want you to pay for their dinner. Avoid friends who never want to discuss feelings. You don’t want those people in your life. And you are not owed anything by any woman. Patriarchy is your enemy, too. And your help in destroying it is vital. It will not make you a “sissy”. You can still enjoy sports and drinking beer. You can still be dominant in the bedroom. But it will require you to see women as people, as individuals, just like you see yourself. Is that so much to ask?

20 people I admire (XIII): Max Richter

Who? British composer who was born in Germany.

Why? Richter is a ‘modern classical’ composer, which sort of sounds like an oxymoron. He combines very traditional Renaissance and early 20th century musical motifs with subtle electronic components. He remixed Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ to great acclaim and also staked out a place for himself in the film music landscape. I got to know him through his collaboration with pioneering electronic music duo Future Sound of London.

What resonates with me? Even the shortest of Richter’s compositions are full of emotion, like some fan that opens and reveals its brilliant drawings, or primeval visions like sunrises, rainfall or the simple melancholy of contemplating that everything is transient – what Japanese calls ‘mono no aware’. Richter’s brilliance never turns to bombast, however, and his penchant for minimalism never becomes cold or calculating. He is a master at balancing emotion and technology and uniting the cutting edge of music technology with a deep reverence for tradition.

Best bit? ‘Shadow Journal’ sounds like a big piece of pretentiousness on paper: lonely strings and a subdued, throbbing base, introduced by actress Tilda Swinton reciting Kafka. Yet, it works. This track manages to pull strings of pure emotion by its high-pitched, ambiguous strings and still gives a feeling of depth by its warm bassline. If anything was ever a pure love letter to art, this is it.

Next up: The Onion, an American satire medium

20 people I admire (XII): Naomi Watts

Who? Australian actress.

Why? Watts improves every movie she’s in. She has a range that is quietly underestimated, from playing fierce and brave (‘Eastern Promises’) to diva-like (‘King Kong’) to emotionally troubled and out of her depth (‘Mulholland Dr’).

What resonates with me? Watts has a way of adding humanity to her characters in ways that make them, if not sympathetic, at least plausible. Many terrific actors unfortunately have a quality that always makes you aware they are actors, even if they’re very good at what they do (e.g. Tom Cruise or Kevin Spacey), but Watts can disappear into a role and carry an entire character. A class act that many people respect, but not enough, I think.

Best bit? So many to choose from, but if I had to choose, it would be her audition scene in ‘Mulholland Dr’ where she completely turns a scene on its head by playing into the slightly creepy vibe the older actor gives off, and transforms from an easily impressed, somewhat dull debutante into an actress with screen presence and prowess that blows everyone else away. The meta aspect of this performance beggars belief.

Next up: Max Richter, German-born, British composer

'Game of Thrones': the killer hit list (III)

#10. House Frey (as House Paramount of the Riverlands)

Kills? 2200
Who? The short-lived Great House that usurped control over the Riverlands after they participated in the Red Wedding to unseat House Tully
Do they still matter? No, everyone who mattered in this House is dead

While no great soldiers themselves, the cowardly slaughter that was the Red Wedding did help the Freys break into the top 10. Possibly one of the most hated and despised Houses in Westeros, their time as House Paramount of the Riverlands was short-lived. Without the support of the Lannisters and the Boltons, they were a bunch of cloying amateurs who managed to get themselves killed by one person.

#09. House Arryn

Kills? 4203
Who? The House Paramount of the Vale in Westeros, one of the Seven Kingdoms
Do they still matter? Maybe, even though Robert Arryn is likely a little psycho in the making

These falcons earned their wings in a large part thanks to their timely intervention at the Battle of the Bastards, mowing down the exhausted ranks of the Bolton armies, which looked like they were going to win against a severely outnumbered rag-tag coalition of Northmen and Wildlings. With Littlefinger dead, it remains to be seen how Yohn Royce will try to control the mentally unstable and unhealthy little Robert.

#08. House Bolton (as House Paramount of the North)

Kills? 4549
Who? The short-lived Great House that usurped control over the North after they participated in the Red Wedding to unseat House Stark.
Do they still matter? No

The Boltons got in their share of kills for the Starks in the early phases of the War of the Five Kings, and then turned on their Great House at the Red Wedding. The Boltons further drove out the ironborn from the North in cruelest ways imaginable, and then delivered Stannis’ final defeat at Winterfell. Their fortunes turned after Sansa escaped and Ramsay thought his gleeful sadism was going to let him keep the North forever.

#07. House Stark

Kills? 4719
Who? The House Paramount of the North in Westeros, one of the Seven Kingdoms, later independent during the War of the Five Kings, despite a brief interval of House Bolton taking its place
Do they still matter? More than ever

House Stark once again defeats the Boltons, though not by much (oh, poetic justice). The Stark’s kills are attributed to a great number of loyal Houses connected to them as well as individual battles (under the command of Robb or Jon) or fights they got embroiled into (Arya, Ned). The Starks are not the biggest killing machines in Westeros, but they are by far the most consistent, getting in a few kills almost every episode.

#06. House Greyjoy

Kills? 5272
Who? The House Paramount of the Iron Islands, declared independent during the War of the Five Kings by Balon Fuckface Greyjoy
Do they still matter? Yup, Euron is even worse than Balon

Most of the ironborn’s battles are fought off-screen or only seen in fragments, but they seem mostly adept at killing their own, with Euron’s ‘Red’ Greyjoys delivering a crushing defeat to the ‘Black’ Greyjoys Theon and Yara in the early stages of the War of the Two Queens. Both factions remain, though Euron’s in a much better shape. Will they keep killing each other or will they turn to some non-salted meat once more?

#05. House Tully

Kills? 12020
Who? The House Paramount of the Riverlands, one of the Seven Kingdoms, before House Frey usurped its place
Do they still matter? Not sure, the Freys are all dead and Edmure is alive, but is he ruling the Riverlands? Are the Lannisters responding to this fact at all?

Likely the biggest surprise on the list, and largely due to Edmure – yes, Edmure – who took a chance at personal glory in the off-screen Battle of the Stone Mill, where he defeated a huge Lannister host but took so many casualties that it was, in fact, a Pyrrhic victory. What role will House Tully play now that the Freys are gone? Edmure is still alive and in Riverrun.

#04. House Baratheon
Kills? 13009
Who? The House Paramount of the Stormlands, one of the Seven Kingdoms and Westeros' royal house since Robert's rebellion, then fractured into several factions after Robert died
Do they still matter? Hard to say, but with Robert's bastard Gendry taking on more and more characteristics of the Baratheons, I'm tempted to say yes

Most of House Baratheon’s kills come from the branch of Stannis, whose troops killed their fair share of men in three major battles – the Blackwater, the Siege of Castle Black and the First Battle of Winterfell. Robert and Renly are no match for Stannis’ bloody deeds. There’s a sliver of a chance House Baratheon might be reinstated now that Gendry is back and wields a huge warhammer, just like his father once did.

#03. House Targaryen

Kills? 13172
Who? The ousted royal house of Westeros
Do they still matter? Fuck yes

You all knew they were going to end up in the top 3, didn’t you? While Dany wants to break the wheel, along the way she breaks a great many other things, including bones, carts, skulls and traditions. And if it isn’t her legions and loyal warriors doing the killing, she has dragons to make real the Targaryens’ old House words, ‘Fire and Blood’.

#02. House Lannister

Kills? 15570
Who? The House Paramount of the Westerlands, one of the Seven Kingdoms, then the royal house after the Sept of Baelor exploded
Do they still matter? Oh yes

Embroiled in the War of the Five Kings from the very beginning and one of the few Great Houses left standing in its aftermath, the Lannisters have proven to be a resilient and cunning force more than adept at bloodshed. Though now that even Jaime has deserted his queen, lover and sister, things look dire for Westeros’ latest royal house.

#01. The White Walkers and the Wights
Kills? 70428
Who? An army of ice zombies commanded by supernatural frost-like humanoids
Do they still matter? They are the biggest enemy of every living person

Proving themselves to be the real enemy indeed, the forces of the Night King boast a kill count higher than the next five factions combined. Whether dispatching men of the Night’s Watch, destroying the Wall or overrunning the Free Folk settlement of Hardhome, the Night King is a ruthless and silent maniac bent on advancing into Westeros one cold footstep after the other. Oh, and he’s the only one in the show who’s managed to kill a dragon and then raise it as his mount.