For all we know this kid was writing about how much Tonasse quotes’ book meant to him on a deep and personal level. I’ve worked with kids who a lot of people would call idiots because they didn’t have the best grammar and they misspelled words—but spend a few minutes listening to what they think or what they’re into…

Teenagers were born to drive us crazy! It’s what they do, they can’t even help it! Those of us who work with them and give a shit know the difference between blowing off steam and being burned out to the point it’s time to stop working with children.

I’ve seen students write some absurdly spelled shit that I know they’ve seen in print because I’ve sat with them while they read. You don’t know Hudson’s life. All the teacher had to do was gently give the kid a little shit and tell them to look the name up.

To teach teenagers it’s crucial to be aware of just their basic brain development, on top of everything else they have to deal with. It takes a lot of patience to care and sympathize with students who are telling you to fuck off, but in my experience I ended up being closer with the kids who were the most challenging…

“And these were Teach for America teachers”

People spell shit wrong all the time without bothering to look it up. Not knowing the circumstances of the mispelling we don’t know what tools Hudson had at her disposal. It still doesn’t make it ok to call Hudson an idiot behind her back because she attempted to spell a name with an unfamiliar spelling. All the…

I can’t even understand talking about kids like this. I have had to blow off steam with my coworkers and it was usually just: “I wish their life was easier. I wish I could help them. I wish they believed they could do this. I wish they didn’t live in total poverty. I wish our government gave a shit about them.”

Seriously. All teenagers are idiots, that’s why they need teachers who care.

I have noticed the same! I have no citation for this, but I read something that as TV channels have become more and more monopolized by a few corporations, it is harder to get new viewpoints on air. TV back in the 80's/90's also seemed a little more experimental and willing to take risks. Remember Roundhouse? I…

Ugh, it’s just so hard squeezing womens into these fictional stories we invent.

Hero reincarnated for thousands of years? Totally believable.

And honestly, these stories have become increasingly complex and can move beyond hero rescues princess. I wish they would see how playing with gender could create more possibilities for storytelling within the mythical framework they’ve set for themselves.

Really? You don’t think people reading and relating to the experiences of people who aren’t like them might make them more empathetic to what people of other genders/backgrounds/ethnicities/ etc.. experience?

I know! A Zelda game doesn’t quite feel like a Zelda game until I see Link pull his dick out. I really need the genders of fictional characters to be within a clear binary, otherwise I get confused.

Sounds fine to me.

Skyward Sword turned Zelda into a way more interesting character with a more compelling backstory, most of which happened off screen. They could do so much more with her.

So then why aren’t there more games featuring women? Why is it such a big deal to play with gender in Zelda, which already features a pretty androgynous looking main character.

Give it time.

It is maybe geographical. Where I’m from “no swimming” means “no swimming”. I’ve seen signs like that at lakes where you can wade, float, and be in the water as long as you aren’t swimming. “Stay out of (or away from) the water” means don’t get in the water.

But not people who have never been to Florida. You can tell me there are alligators in the water, but when I heard this story I was absolutely shocked. My brain would not have conceived of the danger because it is completely beyond my experience. Where I’m from, “no swimming” means “no swimming.” You can still be in…