Re: 2019 Resolution #5

> I am going to start and finish reading House of Leaves.

I finished House of Leaves more than a month ago, and I still can't figure out anything nice to say about it. I read every single word, including every single word in every single "citation," and not one of these words was any good.

Honestly, I think I'm kind of done with books written by straight men.

There are a few exceptions, but I'm starting to feel like male authors I haven't whitelisted need to be vetted by an expert panel of at least three people who aren't straight men themselves.

A Hellscape of Unsavory Experiences

The bogus “Momo challenge” internet hoax, explained
https://www.vox.com/2019/3/3/18248783/momo-challenge-hoax-explained

A flurry of TV reports, along with both local and national news, began breathlessly advising parents on ways to "protect kids from a disturbing internet game." Lost in any coverage, however, were any examples of the authenticated versions of the Momo challenge, including screenshots of "threatening messages" or confirmed videos promoting violence.

It shouldn't be too surprising that a viral urban legend (and likely hoax) targeting kids would be able to sweep the globe. The internet can be a hellscape of unsavory experiences for anyone; parents face the added challenge of wrestling with how to adequately protect their kids without being overbearing. Indeed, inappropriate content often does make it past automated platform security and monitors — just look at YouTube's persistent struggle with combating child exploitation, online bullying, or extremist conspiracies.

I'm teaching a class about demonic women in contemporary Gothic fiction this semester, and some of my students are obsessed with the Momo Challenge. I have vague memories of the Blue Whale Challenge from an old group conversation on WhatsApp, but I didn't pay any attention to it then, so it's been interesting to watch this urban legend spread and develop in real time.

By the way, maybe this is just me being weird, but I think Momo is actually kind of cute.