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Janet Gershen-Siegel

Jespah (Janet Gershen-Siegel) has been a fan of Star Trek since probably the first set of reruns of The Original Series. She has an eclectic background, including an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, a JD (she practiced insurance defense law for a few years in New York and is a lot happier since she retired from that in 1990), and a MS in Interactive Media, which is a real-live social media degree.

Along the way, she has about a decade and a half of data analysis work under her belt and currently works as a blog coordinator for a high-end wedding blog and also as a blogger for hire (topics include diverse subjects like ad retargeting but also the nursing job market), and has a shingle out to work on social media presence, with a focus on independent authors as she is also a published science fiction author. Plus, she has been a community manager for a large Q & A website since 2002, which is before that existed as a job title.

She was raised on Long Island so, when she is riled up, the accent gallops back out and she can sound like Fran Drescher with a law degree. She lives in Boston with her husband of over 20 years and more computers than they need.

She can always be bribed with pie.

Latest posts by Janet Gershen-Siegel (see all)

• Semantic Shenanigans Episode 16 – Wakanda Driving Privileges - May 13, 2018
• Semantic Shenanigans Episode 15 – Coldplay Justice - January 27, 2018
• Indie Writer Woes – Protect Yourselves! - November 17, 2017

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:13:50 — 183.8MB)

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Semantic Shenanigans Episode 15 – Coldplay Justice

Coldplay Justice – seriously?

Our show is ready to download here.

Social Stuff

Shanna

Shanna passed her oral prelim defense earlier this month. Right now she’s working on her proposal and a paper on the X-Files in the post-truth age for presentation at the Popular Culture Association national conference.

Janet

Janet has written short story every day in January (so far). She will be looking to put together a beta reading team next month if you want to read short or long stuff. Yes, this is geared toward eventual publication. Want to beta read? Drop us a line!

The Last Jedi

We unpacked a lot more about the film, including Rian Johnson on Leia’s survival in a vacuum, and death of the author. While Johnson says it was survival instinct, death of the author could operate in favor of an interpretation that Leia did, in fact, receive some Jedi training – doesn’t it make sense that she’d have a target on her back and that Luke would share what he knows to make sure she’s protected?

Also, we discussed Luke Skywalker’s astral projection and death. And yes, those twin suns were Tattooine.

Then we analyzed the MRA cut of the Last Jedi and concluded there are some people with way too much time on their hands.

The Hon. Rosemarie Acquilina and the Larry Nassar case (US Olympic gymnastics sexual assault case)

Recently, a man on the Ultimate Sexual Harassment Allegations List, Dr. Larry Nassar, was sentenced in a state court (he was already convicted in federal court and will serve the federal sentence first, I believe). Some news outlets felt that Judge Acquilina was over the top and unprofessional, including the Washington Post and Fox News. Time also called out the judge. However, Cosmopolitan saw things differently, seeing the judge’s giving the incredible number of victims the time to speak was an empowering move for women who had been abused and not listened to – in some cases, for decades.

Also, the Washington Post reported that the president of Michigan State University (the site of many of the abuses) resigned in light of the scandal. If you would like to read more about Judge Aquilina, Wikipedia has a good amount of background information.

January fandom roundup

Riverdale

This week’s episode deals with issues of wrongs done to indigenous people and how that factors into systemic racism and poverty, and also interrogates what it means to be an ally.

Star Trek Discovery

So the ship is in the Mirror Universe – and it’s AWESOME! Except – there’s push-back on the death of a gay character who is a key part of the first gay relationship on Star Trek.  However, show runners explain that this is not what people think it is, and that we haven’t seen the last of Culber.

The X-Files season 11

The first episode raises issues about sexual violation and consent. But careful, though: Cancer Man has never been completely honest, and the show opener says “I Want to Lie”. However, Chris Carter defends the choice “he impregnated her with science, he didn’t rape her” in a tone deaf way.

And don’t forget the shippy MSR goodness in “This” and “Plus One”!

The Distaff News

Ursula K. LeGuin

Also, the legendary science fiction author is dead at age 88. The New Yorker looked at the subversive power of the imagination.  While Slate’s take included some interesting information on LeGuin making her mark as a woman in science fiction writing, a field dominated by men.

Dolores O’Riordan

The lead singer of the Cranberries died suddenly at age 46. We do not yet have information on the case of her death.

Catherine Deneuve

The legendary actress denounces the #MeToo Movement and conflates harassment with inept flirting. :

Reba McEntire

And finally, she is playing Colonel Sanders in commercials, starting the week of January 28. Yes, really!

How do you, as a fan, react to Coldplay Justice? Tell us in the comments, if you like. Or send us a note!

Thank you!

Thanks for listening! Our show would not be possible without the help, kindness, and generosity of some truly wonderful people. First of all, we would like to thank Busy Little Beaver Productions and more specifically the G & T Show for giving us this great opportunity. We would also like to thank our music providers, Cerys and Kailani of Invocation Array. Thank you, ladies!

So our biggest thanks go to sound engineer extraordinaire, Michael Medeiros, and his niece, Katie, our announcer girl. Yes, we have the only announcer who has to take a break and study fractions and the times tables.

Furthermore, we would also like to thank our families for instilling in us our curious and creative impulses, and for encouraging us in all we do.

Finally, thank you, our audience. Because you’re why we are here (well that, and Coldplay Justice). We do this for you.

Our Next Show

In February, we’ll look at the ends of the X-Files and Star Trek Discovery seasons, and take a gander at The Handmaid’s Tale.

As always, send us a note if you like! hosts@semanticshenanigans.com