Flying in San Fransokyo
51 posts
Lewion - Lewion - Tumblr Blog
Reblogging so that I can keep this post somewhere safe. I know it sounds dumb, but your response within means so much to me. It comes at a good time too. For now, I’m making a promise to keep going. Thanks Christopher for being so awesome! It feels like I’m also making a promise with Piers, which makes this all the more special to me.
Resident Evil 6 interview (“Ai Se Eu Te Pego” moment), now with Portuguese translation.
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Residente Evil 6 entrevista (“Ai Se Eu Te Pego” momento), agora com tradução Português.
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Singing “Ai Se Eu Te Pego” by Michel Teló in Interview for Resident Evil 6 - (Piers Nivans) (by Christopher Emerson)
sometimes you say or do bad things while you’re in an awful mental place. sometimes you say things that are rude or uncalled for or manipulative. and i’m not going to hold that against you. mental illness is hard, and no one is perfect. but once you’re through that episode, you need to take steps to make amends. you need to apologize.
“i couldn’t help it, i was having a bad episode” is a justification, not an apology.
“i’m so fucking sorry, i fucked up, i don’t deserve to live, i should stop talking to anyone ever, i should die” is a second breakdown and a guilt trip. it is not an apology.
when you apologize, the focus should be on the person you hurt. “i’m sorry. i did something that was hurtful to you. even if i was having a rough time, you didn’t deserve to hear that,” is a better apology. if it was a small thing, you can leave it at that.
if you caused significant distress to the other person, this is a good time to talk about how you can minimize damage in the future. and again, even if it is tempting to say you should self-isolate and/or die, that is not a helpful suggestion. it will result in the person you’re talking to trying to talk you out of doing that, which makes your guilt the focus of the conversation instead of their hurt.
you deserve friendship, and you deserve support. but a supportive friend is not an emotional punching bag, and mental illness does not absolve you of responsibility for your actions. what you say during a mental breakdown doesn’t define you. how you deal with the aftermath though, says a lot.
Transcript of Sandra Bland arrest video [8:40-15:25]
FULL VIDEO
Cop: Ok, Ma’am. You ok?
SB: I’m waitin’ on you. This is your job. I’m waitin’ on you…
Cop: You seem very irritated.
SB: I am. I really am because I feel like what I’m getting a ticket for, I was getting out of your way. You were speeding up, tailing me, so I move over, and you stop me. So, yeah, I am a little irritated, but that doesn’t stop you from giving me a ticket.
Cop: Are you done?
SB: You asked me what was wrong and I told you. So now I’m done, yeah.
Cop: Ok. You mind putting out your cigarette, please?
SB: I’m in my car. Why do I have to put out my cigarette?
Cop: Well you can step on out now.
SB: I don’t have to step out of my car.
Cop: Step out of the car. [Cop opens the car door] Step out.
SB: No, you don’t have the right-
Cop: Step out of the car!
SB: You do not have the right to do that.
Cop: I do have the right. Now, step out or I will remove you.
SB: I refuse to talk to you other than to identify myself-
Cop: Step out or I will remove you.
SB: I am getting removed for a failure to-
Cop: Step out or I will remove you. I’m giving you a lawful order. Get out of the car now or I’m gonna remove you.
SB: I’m calling my-
Cop:[Cop reaches into the car] I’m gonna yank you out of here.
SB: Okay, you gonna yank me out of my car?
Cop: Get out.
SB: Ok. Alright. Let’s do this. Don’t touch me.
Cop: Get out of the car!
SB: Don’t touch me! I’m not under arrest. You don’t have the right to-
Cop: You ARE under arrest.
SB: I’m under arrest for what? For what? For what?
Cop: Get out of the car. Get out of the car! Now!
SB: Why am I being apprehended? Because you’re trying to give me a ticket for a failure-
Cop: I said get out of the car.
SB: Why am I being apprehended? You opened my car door-
Cop: I am gonna drag you outta here.
SB: So you’re threatening to drag me out of my own car?
Cop: Get out of the car!!
SB: And then you-
Cop: [Cop points his taser at her.] I will light you up!!
SB: Wow.
Cop: NOW!!
SB: Wow. [Sandra steps out of the car.]
Cop: Get out of the car!
SB: For a failure to signal, you’re doing all this. You’re doing all this for a failure to signal.
Cop: Get over there. [Cop points her over to the sidewalk, while pointing his taser at her.]
SB: Right. Yeah. Let’s take this to court. [Sandra continues to walk toward the sidewalk.] Let’s do this for a failure to signal. Yep, for a failure to signal. [Sandra is led out of the view of the dashcam video.]
Cop: Get off the phone.
SB: I’m not on the phone. I have a right to record-
Cop: Put your phone down.
SB: This is my property.
Cop: Put your phone down.
SB: Sir?
Cop: Put your phone down. Right now! Put your phone down.
SB: [Sandra puts her phone down on the trunk of her car.] For a fucking failure to signal, my goodness.
Cop: Come over here!
SB: Y’all are interesting. You feelin’ good about this whole thing?
Cop: Stand right here.
SB: You feelin’ good about yourself? For my failure to signal, you feel real good about yourself, don’t you?
Cop: Turn around.
SB: You feel good about yourself, don’t you?
Cop: Turn around. Turn around now. Put your hands-
SB: Why am I being arrested?
Cop: I’m giving you a lawful order. I will tell you-
SB: Why am I being arrested? Why can’t you tell me that part?
Cop: I’m giving you a lawful order. Turn around.
SB: Why will you not tell me what’s going on?
Cop: You are not compliant.
SB: I’m not compliant ‘cause you just pulled me outta my car.
Cop: Turn around!!
SB: Are you fucking kidding me? This is some bullshit.
Cop: Put your hands behind your back.
SB: Cause you know this is straight bullshit, and you full a shit. Full a straight shit. That’s why y’all are some scary fucking cops. South Carolina got all y’all bitch asses scared. That’s all it is. Fucking scared of a female.
Cop: If you would have just listened-
SB: I was tryin’ sign the fucking ticket. Whatever.
Cop: Stop movin’!
SB: Are you fucking serious?
Cop: Stop movin’.
SB: Oh, I can’t wait till we go to court. OH, I can’t wait! I cannot WAIT ‘till we go to court! I can’t wait. OH, I can’t wait. You want me to sit down now?
Cop: No.
SB: Oh, you gonna throw me to the floor? That’ll make you feel better about yourself?
Cop: Knock it off.
SB: Ah, that’ll make you feel better about yourself? That make you feel real good, won’t it? Fucking ass. Fucking pussy. For a failure to signal, you doin’ all of this. In little ass Prairie View, Texas. My god. They must-
Cop: You were getting a warning, and now you’re going to jail.
SB: For what??
Cop: You can come read right- [Cop leads Sandra back over to the trunk of the car.]
SB: I’m getting a warning for what?
Cop: Stay right here.
SB: You just pointed me over there!
Cop: I said stay right here.
SB: Get your fucking mind right. OH, I swear on my life, y’all some pussies. A pussy ass cop pulls for a fucking signal, you’re takin’ me to jail. What a pussy. What a pussy. What a- you about to break my fucking wrist.
Cop: Stop movin’!
SB: I’m standin’ still! You keep movin’ me, goddamn it!
Cop: Stay right there.
SB: Don’t touch me. Fucking pussy, for a traffic ticket.
Cop: [Goes around the car and closes the front door. Walks back off screen to where Sandra is on the sidewalk.] Come read right over here. [He stands by the trunk of the car and shows her the written warning.] This right here says a warning. YOU started creating a problem. [Cop walks out of shot, toward Sandra.]
SB: You asked me what was wrong!
Cop: Do you have anything in your purse that’s illegal?
SB: Do I look like I have anything on me? This a fuckin’ maxi dress!
Cop: I’m removing your glasses.
SB: This a maxi dress.
Cop: Come on over here.
SB: Fucking assholes. For a- you about to break my wrist! Can you STOP!? You are mother fuckin’ about to break my wrist! [Sandra makes sounds of pain.] STOOOPP!
Cop: [Sounds of struggle.] Stop! Now! Stop it!
Cop 2: Stop resisting, ma’am.
Cop: If you would stop then I would tell you!
SB: [In pain.] For a fucking traffic ticket.
Cop: Now stop!
SB: [In pain.] You are such a pussy. You are such a pussy.
Cop 2: No, you are.
Cop: You were yankin’ around.
SB: [In pain.] For a traffic signal.
Cop: You were yankin’ around. When you pull away from me, you’re resisting arrest.
SB: This make you feel real good. This make you feel real good, don’t it? A female for a traffic signal. For a traffic signal. I know that makes you feel good, officer.
Cop 2: I got her. I got her.
SB: I know it make you feel real good. You a real man now. You slam me, knock my head into the ground, I got epilepsy, you mother fucker.
Cop: Good. Good.
SB: I hope I-
Cop 2: You should have thought of that before you start resisting!
SB: Yeah, this is real good. Real good for a female. Yeah. Y’all strong, ooh. Y’all real strong.
Cop: I want you to wait right here. Wait right here.
SB: I can’t go nowhere with your fucking knee on my back. Duh.
Cop: [To Cop 2] I’m gonna open your door. [To man recording the brutality.] You need to leave. You need to leave. You need to leave.
SB: [inaudible] For a fucking traffic ticket.
Cop: For a warning. For a warning. You’re going to jail for resisting arrest. Stand up.
SB: If I could!
Cop: Roll over.
SB: I can’t even fuckin’ feel my arm!
Cop: Tuck your knee in.
SB: I can’t-
Cop: Listen, listen, you’re gonna sit up on your butt.
SB: You just slammed my head into the ground. Do you not even care about that?
Cop 2: He’s telling you to getup.
SB: I can’t even hear!
Cop 2: Yes you can.
Cop: Sit on your butt.
SB: You slammed my head into the ground.
Cop: Sit up on your butt.
SB: He threw my fucking head to the ground. What the hell?
Cop: Now stand up.
SB: All this for a traffic signal. I swear to god. All of this for a traffic signal. [To witness.] Thank you for recording! Thank you! For a traffic signal. Slammed me into the ground and everything. Everything. I hope y’all feel good.
internalized racism can happen at any time, and un-noticeably so. it most often happens when a child is young. the child happens to admire or find the main character of a favorite show appealing. and the character is white. they start to develop desires like having blue eyes, straight pointy noses, corkscrew curly blonde hair, freckles, etc. when children are young, they’re usually not very conscious of racism nonetheless affiliate it with their favorite tv show. and this is why representation matters in every aspect of the world. you see posters of white models and white everything and you start wanting to change into something white– something that isn’t you. children start to realize that they can’t be models because they are not light skinned or have straight noses, because they can’t be the focus cause they’re not white and charming– that’s what they’ve learned. it’s what they’ve grown up with. internalized racism is scary because it happens without you knowing. it makes you insecure and that’s one of the main problems of PoC around the world. this is why we need PoC representation.
Reflecting on Netroots Network 2015
Black Lives Matter activists, I appreciate the work that you do. Although I come from a different community, as a person of color, I have witnessed and experienced the racism that runs rampant in our country.
However, I am concerned with your actions today. Today, hailing the anniversary of the Black Lives Matter movement, you took the opportunity to protest presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley at a conference dedicated to immigration reform. As people of color, you should understand that immigration is an issue that many undocumented immigrants, who also face great discrimination in society and so often are people of color, care deeply about.
Today, you used a forum dedicated to addressing these issues as a means to promote your own message. Today, you silenced the host and undocumented migrant Jose Antonio Vargas on his questions for presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley. Today, you silenced the voices of an entire community who are sensitive to your struggles.
Today, I sit in silence to reflect on the nature of activism.
Activism is understanding. It asks us to listen as much as it calls us to act and speak.
Activism is uplifting. It embraces diversity and seeks to connect our hearts into a greater whole.
Activism is not oppressive. It does not silence the voice of a community who is already unheard.
Never mind the fact that Bernie Sanders marched with Martin Luther King 50 years ago during the Civil Rights Movement. Never mind the fact that you heckled him even as he acknowledged the institutional problems that grapple at our society and our communities today.
Today, I did not see activism. Today, I saw oppression as you snatched the spotlight away from Jose Antonio Vargas as he tried to voice his community’s concerns.
Reflecting on the happenings at his event, this was his message:
“To folks who ask me why I didn't stop protestors: We cannot silence people of color and women of color #BlackLivesMatter. #nn15”
Please, for tomorrow, let it remain yours.
--http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/248430-black-lives-matter-protesters-halt-omalley-event
--http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/black-lives-matter-protesters-flummox-omalley-sanders-120319.html
--http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/18/martin-omalley-bernie-sanders-interrupted-hecklers-phoenix
‘MythBusters’ puts the classic insult ‘You throw like a girl!‘ to the test.
The hit show “MythBusters” wanted to see if there’s a distinct difference in the way a guy throws a ball versus the way a girl throws a ball.
They put eight people in four different age groups up against each other to analyze their throws. They had the subjects throw with their dominant arm first. Then they had them use their non-dominant arm because, without practice or training of any sort, it’s sort of like you’re throwing for the first time. This is when the real results showed.
When using their non-dominant arm with zero training, the guys were more accurate, but the girls threw faster.
Big Hero 6 and Whiteness - A Followup
This Monday, I had the great privilege of meeting Hank Driskill, the technical director of Big Hero 6. He was warm, funny, and compassionate, and I am not at all surprised that he took part in the movie's creative process. Despite his presentation at Berkeley being focused on the technical aspects of the movie, he was still well-versed in the story, being a major contributor to the world itself.
I felt unwell that day, and I originally planned to sleep in and sleep early. But knowing that a creative giant for my favorite Disney movie was here at my school did nothing to quell my nerves, so I asked for and followed my friend's advice: "Do what you love for your body will follow." My body followed.
I couldn't bring myself to miss the opportunity to ask questions about Big Hero 6. So many had been tugging at the back of my mind: Why was the wormhole flat? How do Wasabi's laser weapons work? How is Aunt Cass related to Hiro and Tadashi? Are the Hamadas really half white, and, if so, why?
I was scared of asking the last one the most. Not only would I risk looking like a radically extreme social justice worker in front of one of my heroes (excuse the pun), but the possibility of leaving a bad impression on the industry that I would like to work in felt very real. Big Hero 6 was the reason I changed from an astrophysics to a film major. How ironic would it be if it were also the reason I'd be barred from working at Disney someday?
Okay, so I was being a worrywart, but give me some credit that I raised my shaking hand anyway! It's not an easy question to ask! So despite how terribly inarticulate I was, I was surprised that he understood what I was saying, and, moreover, sympathized with me. Although his response verified what I had feared – that Hiro and Tadashi were half-white – he put them at ease as soon as he confirmed them.
There was nothing malicious about these changes, and they actually came quite late in the movie-making process. In fact, the Hamada brothers did start off as being full Asian, but they were only changed at Ryan Potter and Daniel Henney's request. When I cited the family photo behind Hiro in the "low battery" scene as evidence of the Hamada's full Asian heritage, he confirmed that the picture was a portrait of Tadashi and his parents, and that the reason they both appeared Asian had to do with how the scenes had already been rendered. He explained that Disney made a point not mention their ethnicities anywhere in the film because they were not significant in defining the characters with regards to the story. What defined the characters of Big Hero 6 was their love for science, technology, and, most importantly, each other – and these themes were at the core of what comprised the story's heart. Because of this, it didn't seem like a big deal to honor Ryan and Daniel's request. I can respect these sentiments – they are far more conciliatory than the idea that Disney purposefully white-washed Hiro and Tadashi to appeal to a wider demographic.
I have yet to see an American animated film to feature a fully Asian protagonist, so, naturally, I was disappointed with the answer. Although I have nothing against biracials, it would be nice to have a protagonist that didn't seem to use his white heritage to affirm his Americaness or the worth of his identity. Nonetheless, I was comforted by Hank's following explanation: the Hamada brothers can be fully Asian if I want them to be.
Because Aunt Cass' relation to the Hamadas are not explained, because their ethnicities are not mentioned in the film, and because Hiro and Tadashi were originally conceived as Asian American characters, Disney intentionally left it to us to fill in the holes. If somehow that allows me to feel more represented, then there is nothing wrong with me choosing how to see them. Just as Ryan Potter and Daniel Henney wish to see Hiro and Tadashi in their images, so can I. There is absolutely nothing that stops me from doing so, and there is nothing that stops you from doing so either. So if you felt upset that Hiro and Tadashi were "white-washed," you can rest at ease knowing that they weren't meant to be and that they don't have to be. It's up to you to decide what they are. If you're happier respecting Ryan and Daniel’s request, or if you’re happier following your own whims, it's a win-win for Asian American representation either way.
Finally got around to playing my Big Hero 6 DVD, and I'm 99.9% sure that that's baby Tadashi with Asian okaasan and Asian otosan behind Hiro.
Can we please say YES to no white washing? :D
On a side note, I understand that some of you think that they could be his grandparents, but please consider how that would change the impact of this scene. Would Hiro be reunited with his entire family anymore? Is this scene as poetic or meaningful if they are his grandparents? Does it make sense to portray Hiro's grandparents over his actual parents? Does a childhood picture of Hiro's dad/Cass's husband make sense in context of the rest of the photos on the wall? Wouldn't it make more sense if was a treasured childhood picture of Tadashi, given how Tadashi loved and thought of his parents often?
Yes, I completely agree that the people depicted could be his grandparents, but it's my honest opinion that that interpretation is not as profound and revolutionary as what it could be. In context of the movie, that scene becomes much more poignant and symbolic, and, in context of the real world, Hiro would become a much more relatable figure to all Asian American youth.
For many Asians, it would be comforting to know that we don't have to be white in order to be seen. It would be comforting to know that our identities have validity beyond being white. It would be comforting to know that whiteness needn't define our lives. This may be a small detail, but it is critical in so many regards
I have never been a fan of rejecting things that aim to further representation. Afterall, nothing is perfect, and it's not constructive to the conversation. If you find that something could be improved on, bring it to focus and provide an alternative. Wallowing in discontent without any action is just as bad as complacency. That being said, this post is simply my attempt at offering an alternative lens through which we can view a beloved movie. For all its flaws and weaknesses, I still love it for what it embodies. Big Hero 6 is a movie with a lot of heart, and beyond issues of representation, its story is universal: love transcends all obstacles, and what is lost need not be forgotten.
Read my thoughts on why this matters here:
http://lewion.tumblr.com/post/110247950255/big-hero-6-and-whiteness
My thoughts on why this is possible: http://lewion.tumblr.com/post/110248339070/no-i-dont-think-hiros-been-whitewashed-at
Why we should be critical: http://sunrisah.tumblr.com/post/101423965579/an-asian-american-i-used-to-be-excited-for-big
And the importance of remaining constructive: https://medium.com/thinking-and-rethinking-race/a-response-to-why-freshofftheboat-is-not-asian-america-s-saving-grace-9ff202edd54b
20 Followers
Ahh, I have 20 followers. It's nice because it's the first rounded number after 10 haha. Thanks y'all, I promise to upload more Fred's Files by Wednesday to make up for the lack of it.
Sorry, I just got discouraged for a bit, but then ten of you followed me in just a couple of days, so I feel like I have to post something new now xD
Yeah, it's pretty clear that the creators were all heavily involved in the science, Definitely one of my favorite things about the film.
The only things that I can think of that don't have much scientific credibility behind them are Wasabi's blades and the wormhole. For Wasabi's blades, I don't know how they would have contained a high energy laser within a limited space, and for the wormhole, it should have been a 3d sphere instead of a 2d hole.
Breakdown of Baymax’s neurological scan of Hiro in Big Hero Six
Getting the chance to see Big Hero Six for a second time, onmy computer, allowed me to pause the screen and check out all the cool detailsmore carefully. I was especially interested in the scene where Baymax is scanning Hiro’s neurological functioning. I wanted to see if the writers and animators just phoned this bit in with a bunch of made-up jargon and figures, or if they actually did their research to add an extra level of authenticity. I was happy to find that it was the later of these two options. Even more so than I had hoped for. They didn’t just do the research, they clearly got a real neurologist to consult on this… It’s a super impressive facsimile of what a real, super high-tech neuro-scan would look like, right down to being gender and age-specific.
Check it out:
On the viewer’s left side of the screen, just below ‘diagnosis’ there is a list of symptoms. After ‘no physical injury’ it reads ‘GPR54 detected.’ GPR54, also known as the ‘Kisspeptin receptor’ mitigates endocrine functioning during puberty. Its activation causes the release of gonadotropin hormones. In short, it is the mechanism that ‘turns on’ the gonads and basically readies the body for sexual procreation. All of the aches and pains and weird feelings that occur during puberty are a result of the body adjusting to changes in the gonadal system. The Kisspeptin receptor usually becomes active around age 11 in girls and 12 in boys. Hiro is 14, which suggests he’s a bit of a late-bloomer in regards to his physical development, but this is not especially uncommon among children who are intellectually precocious. No one really knows why this is; it’s just a common correlational finding.
Next it reads ‘High levels of GnRH.’ GnRH is short for gonadotropin-releasing hormone. This is a peptide hormone that regulates the release of additional hormones in the anterior pituitary gland within the hypothalamus. These hormones are released in pulses or waves and it’s often different between boys and girls. In girls, the pulses tend to occur at a varied rate throughout the menstrual cycle, with big surges occurring just prior to ovulation. In boys, meanwhile, GnRH is secreted in pulses at a more constant frequency. Detection of high levels of GnRH in Hiro indicates a pulse of the hormone is occurring and his gonads are in a state of spermatogenesis (i.e. his body is creating sperm… which is likely much more information than anyone needs regarding a cartoon character).
After that it reads ‘increased pituitary activity.’ Again, the pituitary gland is the main generator for these hormones. Electrical activity generating in the pituitary causes the release of various hormones. The pituitary is involved in all manner of state and trait-based functioning. In this case, the heightened activity is most likely connected to the pulse of GnRH.
Next it reads ‘High Testosterone.’ Testosterone is an androgen steroid hormone secreted in the testicles of males and the ovaries of females. Higher levels of testosterone during physical development aids in the tissue growth of secondary sexual characteristics, as well as augmenting muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair. Secretion of testosterone from the adrenal glands is also associated with stress, helping to ready muscles tension and blood flow in so-called ‘fight-or-flight’ situations. Heightened testosterone in Hiro just means that his body is going through the process of puberty; that his body is at an accelerated process of physical development (i.e. a ‘growth spurt’).
Next, it reads ‘vocal fluctuation,’ which is pretty straightforward. During puberty, the larynx grows and expands at a fast pace, altering the pitch and vibration of vocal folds. Similar to GnRH, the hormones that aid in the growth of the larynx also occur in surges or pulses and this is why adolescent voices sometimes seem to ‘crack’ or suddenly fluctuate.
Finally, it the readout reads ‘emotional instability.’ This is a complex one. Obviously, a significant portion of Hiro’s emotional issues is related to his morning over his brother’s death. Nevertheless, emotional instability is highly common during the process of puberty, a byproduct of hormonal fluctuations as well as differential activity in the brain. Up in the picture, on the viewer’s right side, there are two side-views of Hiro’s brain. The first is a baseline image, the picture Baymax took when he first met Hiro. The second is a current image. These are both imitations of what full side-view brain scans look like on a functional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
Hiro’s baseline shows relatively normative brain activity, with electrical activity occurring in a broad, spectral fashion. In the second image, however, the electrical activity is more focal, concentrating in the lower mid-brain region. This is where the hypothalamus is, and the concentrated activity indicates that the pituitary is in the process of triggering the release of all manner of hormones.
Structurally, the hypothalamus resides right next to the amygdala, part of the limbic system, and a primary component to emotion. The amygdala is believed to be the part of the brain that connects thoughts and memories to physical sensations. Put simply, it is what creates emotion. Being situated so closely to the hypothalamus, an increase in limbic system activity may be merely a byproduct of increases of growth-related hormones during adolescence. And this often contributes to greater emotional instability tied in with growth spurts.
Furthermore, the increased activity in the midbrain region often acts to reduce activity in other areas, especially the frontal lobes. The frontal lobes are the area of the brain most associated with decision-making, foresight, and judgment. Apparently, there is only so much electrical activity that can occur in the brain at any given moment. And a concentration of activity in the lower regions can actually reduce such activity in the upper regions. So, when an adolescent makes a rash decision, acts out, or shows poor judgment, it may often be a result of reduced activity in frontal lobes that occur as a result of heightened activity elsewhere. And we see this actually occur later on in the movie when Hiro makes a very rash decision and tries to get Baymax to kill Professor Callaghan. Not only is Hiro still morning Tadashi and feels extremely betrayed by Professor Callaghan, but he’s also at a stage of development where his frontal lobes are at a lower-than-average level of activity… which can lead to rash, impulsive decision-making. Fortunately, Gogo, Honey and the gang are there to stop Baymax and prevent Hiro from a decision he would ultimately regret.
Finally, the readout also shows Hiro’s heart rate and body temperature, both of which are in the normative range.
Below the brain scans on the right-hand side is a list of abbreviations of hormones and neurotransmitters. First is GnRH (or gonadotropin-releasing hormone) already covered above. Next is LH, which stands for luteinizing hormone. For girls, luteinizing hormones supports ovarian theca cells in later stages of the menstrual cycle. In boys, luteinizing hormones helps to activate leydig cells in the testis, assisting in the production of testosterone.
After that is a figure for FSH. FSH stands for follicle-stimulating hormone. FSH is a specific type of luteinizing hormone that activates pubertal maturation. In girls, FSH is crucial to determining which egg is selected in ovulation. FSH seems to be able to determine which egg follicle is the strongest and most ready for ovulation (i.e. which egg has the greatest chase of being fertilized and growing into a healthy baby). In boys, FSH induces sertoli cells to secrete androgen-binding proteins… it helps to activate cells associated with male sexual development.
Next is T, also known as T3 or Triiodothyronine. This is a thyroid hormone that plays a significant role in multiple areas of bodily functioning, including metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate. Elevated levels of T3 is a critical component to adolescent development. It helps navigate metabolism so to give growing regions the extra energy needed for cellular generation (tissue growth). For his size and weight, Hiro’s T3 level of 170 definitely suggests he is going through a growth spurt.
Next is E2, which stands for estradiol. Estradiol is both a steroid as well as a sex hormone. It is the primary sex hormone in girls, helping to activate genes whose expression allows further development of the vagina as well as breast growth. In boys, estradiol acts to help keep nascent sperm cells from dying off prematurely. Significant heightened E2 levels in boys is a primary indicator of the genetic condition known as Klinefelters syndrome (also known as intersex or XYY syndrome). At 22, Hiro’s E2 level is a touch high, but well within the normative range for a boy his age.
And finally, there’s F, which totally perplexes me. There’s no hormone I can think of that is abbreviated as F. So what’s Hormone F? I’m still not sure and my best guess is that it’s an in-joke for fans of the anime, Dragonball Z.
So all of this, this entire business that took me half an hour to write, is detailed in a single scene that lasts maybe ten seconds. It’s really impressive the amount of detail and research that went into this one scene.
Would have bought one in an instant.
We jumped out a windoooowwww… #starbucks
ME TRYING TO TALK TO NORMAL PEOPLE ABOUT THIS MOVIE ME ‘TRYING’ TO HIDE MY POWER LEVEL
why isn’t the internet on fire all over big hero 6, though? I mean
cool diversity in the main cast
equal male and female roles
at some cases the female saved the male’s asses
"woman up"
aunt cass is single and there was no indication or jokes about her looking for a man. she was also shown as a happy, competent business owner and caretaker
no race/gender-based jokes
brave and strong women in the science field
cool ass soundtrack
???? better than frozen that’s for sure
Big Hero 6 Wins Best Animated Film
So happy for them. Even though I didn't watch any of the other four contenders, it doesn't take much to see how this is a giant leap toward portraying diversity on the silver screen.
Congrats to the directors, animators, producers, and all of the cast. Big Hero 6 was one of the most meaningful films I've seen in a long, long time, and I am so glad that others feel the same.
Aww, Tadashi just cares for you Hiro :(
Baymax Blast, Chapter 3
Fred's Files (4 of 29): Hiro Hamada from the game Baymax Blast. These little buggers were annoying to get, because they required:
A. Getting lucky for finding Lucky Cat Care Packages in the game... or coughing up a lot of dough for them (there are 8 possible power ups total) B. Getting even more lucky with obtaining Fred's Files (there are 9 prizes, but they heavily favor the mundane).
You guys are lucky that I've collected them all by now... all 29 of them haha x_x
Anyway, here are four for four days wait (sorry!!). Please follow for more ^^
That darn knucklehead.
Baymax Blast, Chapter 2
Everyday, I'll upload something from Baymax Blast, a Big Hero 6 game for iOS devices. I finally collected everything, so now it's just a matter of time for me to compile the pictures. Here's the first one!
Baymax Blast, Chapter 1
No, I don't think Hiro's been whitewashed. At least that's what I hope.
But there's some evidence to back those hopes up. Here's what we know:
Aunt Cass likely married into the Hamada household, last names are traditionally passed from husband to wife. That means Hiro's dad must have had a brother, whom Aunt Cass married.
So this leaves the possibility that Hiro's mom is either white or Asian (or maybe mixed, we don't know).
We have no idea who exactly is in that picture behind Hiro. But it would be incredibly out of place for Aunt Cass to hang a picture of her husband as a child among the grown Hiro/Cass/Tadashi pictures. Of course it's a possibility, but that's just weird.
The kid even looks a lot like Tadashi. We also know that Tadashi is quite a few years older than Hiro, so it makes sense that Hiro isn't seen in it yet.
So I'm willing to bet that that's Tadashi and his parents right behind Hiro. Looking after him, even in death. Considering how the animators are the ones rendering and producing the film, if that's meant to be a symbolic scene, it's made much more poignant by making it colorless as opposed to all the other colored photos.
Big Hero 6 and Whiteness
I love Big Hero 6. Whenever I rave about it to my friends, one of the first things that I talk about is how incredibly empowering it was for Disney to finally feature an Asian American lead in a modern setting. You know, because very few stories actually feature characters of color, let alone Asian characters. (http://timemachineyeah.tumblr.com/post/58648290519/this-is-a-jar-full-of-major-characters)
So when I saw the characters and the cast, it was clear that Disney went the extra step to avoid whitewashing the voice actors, which made me feel all warm and tingly inside. You know, because it's clear that portraying diversity wasn't some haphazard afterthought. It was active and deliberate, which is just awesome.
But when I read reviews and articles, many claimed that Hiro and Tadashi were half Asian and half white.These statements annoyed me greatly. Why did they have to be half white? Who was actually making these claims? And where was the evidence for this? To me, there was no reason to make the Hamadas white. Aunt Cass may have been white, but she could have married the brother of their father for all we know, so the fact that the Hamadas were raised by someone white should not be the slightest proof of their race.
Most reviews and reports were unsurprisingly written by white bloggers or columnists, so it's not a surprisethat they would try to project whiteness onto Hiro or Tadashi. But in fact, there is not a single statement made by Disney that confirms whether Hiro and Tadashi are half-white. While I do believe that Hiro and Tadashi were originally conceived as biracial characters, keep in mind that many of Big Hero 6's characters were also conceived as being a different race as well.
From comic to drawing board, Asian characters were turned white, black, brown, and then Asian again. Aunt Cass was Asian turned white, GoGo was Asian turned white turned black turned Asian again, Honey Lemon was Asian turned white turned Latina, and I can only speculate what Wasabi's and Fred's various designs might have looked like during their early stages. Clearly, there was much race-bending, and indeed much of it was whitewashing, but considering the final project and Disney's efforts to find matching voice actors (more on this soon), I am compelled to believe that Disney is intentionally being ambiguous.
I am not trying to discredit the experiences of biracial people. They go through many of the same hardships that we go through, and it is only right to empathize with their struggles. But at the same time, it is important to acknowledge how it is problematic making the Hamadas half white:
"In many instances of yellowface, the character is in fact of mixed race, hence suggesting that mixed-race offspring have a whiteness within them which white actors and white audiences can empathize." - Asian Americans and the Media by Kent A. Ono and Vincent N. Pham
Considering how Disney cast Daniel Henney and Ryan Potter, it's entirely possible that the Hamadas were, indeed, intended to be biracial. But in the comics from which it is based, Hiro is full Asian, so it strikes me as odd and unnecessary for Disney to discredit their own efforts on diversity by whitewashing their protagonist. Also consider the ways that Aunt Cass' character was changed: first she was Asian, and then she was white; first she was their mother, and then she was their aunt – and all of these at different times. There is not a single bit of evidence that definitively establishes Hiro and Tadashi's race, and Disney has only remained silent on this issue.
While it is true that the voice actors and animators have stated that they drew on their experiences of being biracial, it is also part of the creative process and none of them actually go as far to claim that the Hamadas are a certain race. Deciding on the Hamadas' whiteness is left to us, and while it may be disappointing and problematic for many Asians, I still find it a fascinating step that Disney took in the right direction.
Disney wanted all people to relate to Hiro, and there is no doubt that Disney was especially concerned with their white audience's ability to relate to him. Although it is problematic, they are still Disney's main audience, and so Disney's ambiguity allows them to project a degree of whiteness onto him. Through this, biracials also can relate to Hiro, and I am very glad that they can. But for Asians like me, who are dying to see some representation in animated films – dying to see characters who are like me, and look like me – all it takes is a little trust that Disney did actually want to look after us.
And they don't make it so hard. Because look at what we have here:
Forget the significance of Hiro not realizing Tadashi is behind him, forget the significance of Tadashi being reunited with his mom and dad, and forget the significance that they are looking after him from behind – forget that these are all symbols that are far more relevant and important to the story.
It's Hiro and his entire family reunited in a single, fleeting scene, and, look, they're all Asian.
And, in the end, I'm not surprised, because Disney wanted all people, including us, to relate to Hiro.
(so go take out your wallets and start supporting this film like crazy because it's amazing)