[Insert Personality Here]

Cyberpunk is at its core a scifi philosophy class with noir elements. Scifi has and never will be about predicting the future. Scifi has always been a lense to see the modern day issues, marvels and struggles. Cyberpunk does the same as a scifi subgenre.

Through the cynical lense of living through 70s and 80s, cyberpunk asks you questions that still matter even when all the odds are against you. These questions mattered back then and matter now.

Cyberpunk tears down capitalism, calls out individualism and reminds people you need community. It doesn't just reject or support science or the world, but rather asks you moral questions about where you stand in it.

Who are you when everything is against you?

Who are you when no one is looking?

What is for sell and what is sacred to you?

How much of your self will you sell to just survive?

How do you rebel?

Cyberpunk is about rebelling in ways you can. Even if the needle doesn't appear to move you still gotta rebel. You have to remain free. Somehow some way. Its not anout going out in a blaze of glory. Its about feeding that stray cat. Defending that stranger. Logging out of the empathy machine and catering to someone irl. Doing the right thing even if it may cost you. It about being free but also not being for sell.

Whenever I read a sincerely made cyberpunk novel the question it ask always brings me back to this quote from the Boondocks.

It isn't when the Gaang accept him as Aang's firebending teacher, or when he makes these promises and commitments to the cause. It isn't the "Hello, Zuko here" moment - corny as it is. It isn't when he and Sokka are shooting the shit in a hot air balloon and we get the iconic "That's rough buddy."

It is when Katara comes to him, and he sees her, and for a moment he is happy. He is remembering Iroh's words, and then he sees Katara, and it is like these two pillars aligning for a moment, and he is just happy in a way we haven't seen him.

Grace: No, but the people on the project are my nuclear family.

Stratt: …what?

Grace: Get it….because we nuked Antarctica??? Do you get it? Do you get the joke?

Chapters: 1/7 Fandom: The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Harry Dresden, Carlos Ramirez (Dresden Files - Butcher), Mab (Dresden Files - Butcher) Additional Tags: Winter Knight Harry Dresden, POV Outsider, Complicated Relationships, Post-Book 17: Battle Ground Summary:

Sometimes Carlos thinks Harry has forgotten the danger of the company he keeps.

You do realise I wasn't criticising you yesterday? You compared me to a baboon with inflated genitals and then called me a terrorist.

I think we moved on too quickly from Joan's stepdad shipping her and Sherlock and writing a book about it 🤣

I also find the meta in it funny, making reference to other media based on Sherlock Holmes, when it is actually very true.

SHERLOCK: May I assume your visit had something to do with his book?

JOAN: You know about the book?

SHERLOCK: An hour ago, I signed for a box which contained nearly 200 copies. But I've been aware of it for months. An associate brought it to my attention.

JOAN: You read it?

SHERLOCK: I did.

JOAN: You're not mad?

SHERLOCK: Should I be?

JOAN: Of course you should, you're you.

SHERLOCK: It's hardly the first time I've inspired a writer, Watson. I am actually the basis for several fictional characters across various media. It's one of the by-products of my success as a detective. I fascinate, this cannot be helped. You yourself once wrote about me. The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes.

JOAN: When did you...?

SHERLOCK: I was displeased because you used my real name and you shared my real history. Your father's magnum opus, on the other hand, is the very opposite of real. Look no further than chapter 32, where we make love beneath a footbridge in Central Park.

JOAN: Why didn't you tell me about it? The book, not chapter 32.

Like, She is attracted to him sexually - and I think her dalliance with Mycroft attests to that - but not attracted to his lack of emotionality in that space. For her, engaging with him in that way would hurt and potentially be addictive. By all accounts, Sherlock is a sublime lover. But he would not love her in the way she wanted to be loved - both physically and emotionally - because he does not express love in sex. And so, she can't have that and does not wish it.

And then you have her genuine romantic/platonic (because it is both) attraction to him. And while she can indulge the platonic, she can't indulge the romantic directly because, again, he cannot express love in the way she needs.

That is my read at least. I believe that Sherlock fully romantically loves her, but will not seek that out in her because he does not believe she reciprocates. But I believe she does.

And it's fascinating because I think that Joan is kind of the same in a different way - for her, romantic and sexual attraction as separate. She needs her sex to be romantic. And she needs her romance to have that sexual spark. But I think she struggles with partners because, while the sex is romantic, the romance fall short. Because she has this very specific need. And it is better aligned with society, but it still - much like Sherlock - isn't the same as the norm.