A horrible observation that is nonetheless true

[rynling]

I'm putting together a slideshow about the contemporary glorification of Japanese wartime imperialism in otaku media, and.

Like obviously I don't think it was in any way good for Japan to commit genocide on the Asian continent, or that it was fun times for Japan to force its own citizens into a military that was, by all accounts, nothing less than hell on earth. Obviously. But listen. The aesthetic of that era was sick.



I say with nothing but sincerity that I'm against authoritarianism in all forms, but also I'm starting to think that progressive movements need better propaganda.

Comments

[eff_ess_oe]

Oh yeah. Totes with you on that front.

Reminds me of how in my subcultural neck of the woods, the Iron Cross is thrown around a biiiiiiit too willy-nilly for my comfort. But unfortunately it is kind of a sick symbol.

[rynling]

This is absolutely true.

I feel like a lot of this imagery is so powerful and compelling that every once in a while an artist will accidentally recreate it, and then you have to culturally smack their hand and tell them to cut it out. Meanwhile, a lot of punk and metal bands capitalize on how sexy and subversive it is and embrace it with their tits fully out. That's not my scene, but I get it.

My own weakness is Soviet propaganda. Intellectually I understand the many evils and unfortunate consequences of that regime, but oh to have a strong body glowing with sun and glistening with sweat while I use space-age science to do agriculture. With my bulging mighty arms I will feed the people and destroy capitalism. Fuck yes.

Anyway I'm just saying. If progressive movements in the United States could use that sort of energy to convince people not to be so damn xenophobic, that would be nice.