Janet Gershen-Siegel
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
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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
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I find it interesting that some people also criticized pre-Disney EU for making Luke too powerful (so much that Timothy had him tone it down in The Hand of Thrawn trilogy), but for completely different reasons than TLJ. I think people who viewed astral projection as beyond him are new to Star Wars. Even before the prequels established him as the son of the Chosen One, was ALWAYS exceptionally strong in the Force. Which also is why I don’t believe there’s any contradiction between Leia’s Mary Poppins trick and assuming she got the same level of Jedi training as she did in the EU.
Janet, it’s inaccurate to say the critics of Judge Aquilina have never set foot in a criminal trial when the Time author (an example of internalized misogyny?) is a defense lawyer whose clients did worse things than Nassar. The Cosmo article however, did make some good points that even people who thought Aqulina went too far can get behind. By making the case for judges to be human, it might get us to stop pretending that they are not “activists” (particularly if they agree with our politics).
Shanna being criticized for liking Spuffy brings me to another question. Have either of you been called bad feminists for liking a TV show, song or any other piece of art?