Saw it in IMAX, felt worth it. Loved the book, loved the movie, super disappointed in the author. Might not of done either of the first two things if I knew he was going on "anti-woke" podcasts bragging how he doesn't write politics.

Ya know, the one about averting catastrophic climate change.

[+] recentSlinky@lemmy.ca 12 points 2 days ago (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

One of the things I do worry about sometimes among progressives in the United States…is a certain kind of rigidity where we say, “I’m sorry, this is how it’s going to be,” and then we start sometimes creating what’s called a circular firing squad, where you start shooting at your allies because one of them is straying from purity on the issues, and when that happens, typically the overall effort and movement weakens.

-- Barack Obama, 2019

So. An examination of Andy Weir's works indicate he's got a head full of progressive ideas. His two biggest works have major themes of setting aside differences to cooperate to solve massive problems using evidence-based science. He writes female characters in positions of authority, in the case of Eva Stratt, he wrote the most powerful person on Earth as a woman. When writing Artemis, he gave drafts to women in his life to read for input on his portrayal of Jazz.

"I never put any politics or messaging in my stories; there's no deeper meaning, there isn't even any symbolism."

Make ready. Take aim. Open fire.

[–] MountingSuspicion@reddthat.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I understand where you're coming from, and I watched the Jessie Gender video posted lower in this thread when it came out initially, but I think the issue is that it's hard to know if he's actually an ally. I really don't love the firing squad analogy, but even so, it takes for granted that he's an ally. A bunch of people on the right have progressive ideas, they just either don't care about them as much as they care about their regressive ones, or they don't see them as "progressive". They see corruption and they think less regulation will solve that. They see dwindling middle class and they think lower taxes will fix that. He seemed a bit chummy with critical drinker and doesn't like the politics in Star Trek. He doesn't seem to understand the underlying politics in his own works. It makes it seem like despite his underlying beliefs, he's not an actual political ally. I didn't do any further looking, but from the interview he comes off as a republican despite his works seeming progressive. At the end of the day I don't think he's as harmful as JK Rowling, but I don't see this as a purity test. I see this as a "it's unclear where you stand" and I think that's valid because to exist in modern America and not think your art is political makes you stupid or republican and I don't think he's stupid. I understand not wanting to support a republican artist and if that's the assumption people are left with and he doesn't want to correct it then I think that's an understandable outcome. I don't care how well he writes women if he's not interested in rights being stripped from real women.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

See?

A bunch of people on the right have progressive ideas, they just either don’t care about them as much as they care about their regressive ones, or they don’t see them as “progressive”.

And these people, are they "on The Right" because they've already been othered by The Left? See, I myself have been accused of being a "right wing nazi chud" only a day or two ago in another thread on this same topic. To the nut case accusing me, it didn't matter that I consistently vote Democrat and consistently vote against right-wing ballot measures, for instance I voted against NC HB2 "The Bathroom Bill" in 2016. Didn't matter. Nut case accused the entire Democratic party of right wingedness along with me. Which means in this person's eyes there's no ACTUAL political action I can take that will put me on their side, I'm discarded as an enemy for the crime of being okay with Andy Weir. My irredeemable sin? Labeling terminally online gender obsessed leftists "bluehairs" to contrast them with far right "skinheads." As thought crimes go, that one's a capital offense.

I see this as a “it’s unclear where you stand” and I think that’s valid because to exist in modern America and not think your art is political makes you stupid or republican and I don’t think he’s stupid.

Grammatically speaking, I think this sentence has rabies. I think what you mean is, all art is political, and if you don't think so you're Republican or stupid. Okay, if all art is political, what statement is being made by the creator of this:

I've seen that assertion made a lot in the backlash to Weir appearing on Critical Drinker's show. "Everything's political, especially Sci-Fi." Bullshit. Sci-fi is a useful venue for exploring ethical dilemmas, granted, but what law says that's what it must be used for? Who the fuck are you to tell me what I can and can't mean while writing fiction? Andy Weir uses accurate science for world and story building. By his own admission, he's not a good enough writer to come up with the climactic "Do I continue to Earth and survive, or do I sacrifice myself to save Rocky?" dilemma; that was derived from the astrophage lifecycle. Sometimes the curtains are fucking blue.

I'm more willing to buy the premise...have you ever heard it said that all works of art are unintentional period pieces? Like, Amadeus is set in 1830, but it's a very 1980's movie? Part of that is reflecting the political character of its creators. So what of Andy Weir's character do you see reflected in his works?

At the end of the day I don’t think he’s as harmful as JK Rowling,

JK Rowling significantly funds anti-trans organizations and causes. Andy Weir's charitable contributions include The Planetary Society, the National Air and Space Museum and Space Center Houston, all to promote space exploration and STEM education. He's done fundraisers for Marie Curie, a cause in the UK supporting people living with terminal illnesses. Based on what he actually does, I'm pretty okay with the man.

[–] lime@feddit.nu 9 points 2 days ago (2 children)

wait really? i hadn't heard heard about this

[–] inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world 9 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (3 children)

Jesse Gender has the best take on it, because there is a bit of nuance since Weir did apologize for some of it, but only for the parts that might affect his ability to write TV or movies. Not for apparently being friends with Critical Drinker, inviting him to premiere, talking up his book and going through anti-woke talking points with him.

[–] DisgruntledGorillaGang@reddthat.com 2 points 1 day ago

Yikes. There's only a handful of channels I block on YouTube and Critical Drinker is one of them. I'm good not paying money for this movie. Yo ho, yo ho.

[–] Tempus_Fugit@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago

Oof, that's not great. The critical drinker is such a loser shit-heel.

[–] lime@feddit.nu 3 points 2 days ago

yeah the only thing i've found is soundbites and others adding "woke" to what he said, and him apologising for those things. i don't know what the podcast is but if that's the only thing people seem to be talking about it doesn't seem like the other stuff can be worse, right?

i'll watch jessie's video, i usually like her stuff even if we disagree on a lot of things.

[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Seriously. Can’t have any heroes these days.