Let's write a 'Cracked' article!

[Mycroft is Yourcroft]

All right people, here's something that I've wanted to do for a while now: write an article for Cracked, combined with an idea I had 10 minutes ago, which was write an article on asexuality!

I believe it should be called something along the lines of '5 things most people get wrong about asexuality' or '4 myths you probably believe about asexual people'. Cracked is a comedy website, but they've mentioned asexuality briefly in a couple of their videos before, and not all their articles (especially recently) are purely comedic.

It's a website with high traffic that usually deals with sensitive topics well and with tact. I also feel that this is something that lots of us can contribute ideas or definitions to, instead of just one person sharing their experiences.

So what do you say, who's interested? :D

[eched]

I would love for that to happen! To be honest we should try to make it movie related or pop culture related since that's what they often comment on. Like maybe top 10 fiction characters asexuals wish were asexual(since obviously Dr. Who and the like can't be proven to be ace.) Something like that would be pretty funny while at the same time showing off how we have very little representation.

[Guest]

I tried writing one about 5 "sexual orientations that are probably slightly different than you think" and I only got to three (I guess I could add in people who are sexually attracted to robots but that could fall under objectumsexuals). I ended up giving up

Anyway I like this idea a lot

[wyrdwyrm]

I thought about doing this myself, but could never figure out what facts would surprise people about asexuality. Also, it's not something we could cite sources very easily on, since I'm not sure how okay they'd be with us referencing our own opinions/experiences. (It's been a few months since I read the rules on writing articles...)

Does anyone have suggestions? All I can think of is how no one seems to understand what asexualism is, instead of specific facts that people get wrong.

[Guest]

For wyrdwyrm about the rules:

If you want to write the list-style feature articles that Cracked.com is famous for (like 26 Sexy Halloween Costumes That Shouldn't Exist or 6 Books Everyone (Including Your English Teacher) Got Wrong) you simply need to sign up for our writer's forum. The only thing we require is that you're passionate, creative, and respectful of the other writers. It takes zero effort to join.

[Mycroft is Yourcroft]

I had this idea that the number 1 thing (always the most surprising) could be entitled 'Yes, lots of asexuals masturbate (and sometimes to porn content!)' because that'd sure surprise a few people.

I really like eched's idea of characters in pop culture we wish were asexual or something similar, it'd get views, promote visibility in a way that isn't too hard-and-fast...

[eched]

Wow, anyone can just write to them? I didn't know it was going to be THAT easy! Ya, we want to come up with something a bit funny. The random facts would be interesting, but might not be to silly.

[DerkhanBlue]

I love the idea, but have always been too chicken to try it myself.

In fact, I think we could use points that may seem rather obvious to us (like the one about masturbation), since quite a few of those Cracked articles live by being simply very funny to read, but which many people STILL manage to get wrong. Like, starting with 'asexuals don't reproduce by budding!', go to 'asexuals are not cyborgs!' (playing to the 'aces don't feel emotions misconception'). And so on.

Eh, I'm afraid I'm not very creative an hour before it's going-home-from-work time..

[deltaX]

I am terribly uncreative so I don't have much input to offer regarding the actual contents of the article, but I do think it's a good idea! Cracked is pretty popular, so if we managed to get an article there, it would certainly introduce asexuality to a large amount of people, promote visibility, and possibly clear up some misconceptions. :D

[argar]

I was kicking around this idea in my head for a while, but I think I'm finally going to submit something and see what happens.

[Amatista]

Sounds like a great idea! You could say like "asexuals are not part plant" and "aromantics aren't robots."

[Mycroft is Yourcroft]

Right!

Personally I like both ideas; we could have a silly 'myths debunked about asexuality' article and a '6 characters we wish were asexual' one too, without too much trouble. Not everyone has to focus on both.

As a starting point, what say you all to these titles?

"5 Things You Probably Got Wrong About Asexuality"

1. Asexuals don't reproduce by budding
2. No, they're not robots either
3. There's more than just one type of asexual
4. Yes, it's a thing (and likely won't change!)
5. And yes, some asexuals masturbate (sometimes with porn content!)

"6 Characters We Wish Were Asexual'

1. Dexter EDIT: Elsa
2. Sheldon
3. Bilbo Baggins
4. Lord Varys
5. Sherlock Holmes
6. The Doctor

How should we build upon my groggy, half-awake-conceived ideas? This is only a starting point remember, we'll work out more on the content later. ^_^

[eched]

I would put Elsa from Frozen in the Characters We Wish Were Ace instead of Dexter. Like, Dexter is a serial killer and let's be honest, he was only ace in one episode of the TV show, where after it was completely forgotten about and he was then often sexually into women.

Plus Elsa, ice powers!=cool ^_^

[Mycroft is Yourcroft]

I can't believe myself! I totally forgot about Elsa! :O good call :)

[Scottthespy]

2 things about asexuals you probably don't know(and will be horrofied to learn)

1. Asexuals are not covered by antidiscrimination laws in most places. (The sexual orientation law lists heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual.)

2. Asexuals are sometimes the victems of 'correctional rape', just like Homosexuals are.

Any one have at least two more we could throw at this? If we can reach four and back it with citations, we could have a whole 'serious' article. If not, we could just use the 'not covered by antiddiscrimination laws' thing in a lighter list.

[DerkhanBlue]

"5 Things You Probably Got Wrong About Asexuality"

1. Asexuals don't reproduce by budding
2. No, they're not robots either
3. There's more than just one type of asexual
4. Yes, it's a thing
5. And yes, some asexuals masturbate (sometimes with porn content!)

I like the list, and I am especially fond of point 3 and getting this out there, since there's even been some discussion lately about how only/mostly certain parts of the community get media representation and, say, sex-repulsed aces or aromantics get swept under the rug. So making a point of the diversity of aces should most definitely be part of the thing.

For point 4 we can cite just how many members AVEN alone has, and there are many ace communities out there (see tumblr).

I'm no good with popular media characters and stuff, so no idea about the second article, but I'd offer any help I can give with this one, if I can :D

[Red Sun Rises]

"5 Things You Probably Got Wrong About Asexuality"

1. Asexuals don't reproduce by budding
3. No, they're not robots either
5. There's more than just one type of asexual
7. Yes, it's a thing
9. And yes, some asexuals masturbate (sometimes with porn content!)

I like the list, and I am especially fond of point 3 and getting this out there, since there's even been some discussion lately about how only/mostly certain parts of the community get media representation and, say, sex-repulsed aces or aromantics get swept under the rug. So making a point of the diversity of aces should most definitely be part of the thing.

For point 4 we can cite just how many members AVEN alone has, and there are many ace communities out there (see tumblr).

I'm no good with popular media characters and stuff, so no idea about the second article, but I'd offer any help I can give with this one, if I can :D

I think the article should also mention - maybe under the robot section? - about the term Frigid and how it's kinda offensive.

[Hikuroi]

I love Cracked I go on almost everyday haha. I think it's a great idea and there's a girl who has multiple(can't remember her name) and they aren't all comedy but each one has a couple of jokes or she just puts a joke under the pictures, so you could do that.

[wyrdwyrm]

I'm seeing the "frigid" term and Elsa from Frozen turning into a joke somewhere... ;)

Anyway, I've always seen Alice (in Wonderland) to be pretty asexual - yes, she's basically a child in the books, but I've noticed that every "adult Alice" retelling tries to shoehorn in a romantic relationship, and it always, always, seems forced and out of place.

Structurally, it would be interesting to start light and end with solid data, like the points Scottthespy brought up.

I guess where I find the most confusion is what asexuality means - it seems to take a lot of explaining for people to understand what "no sexual attraction [to a specific gender]" means. It would be good to emphasize the variety of asexuals, too.

The next thing I usually run into is libido vs. attraction. Yes, asexuals can get aroused, masturbate, even have sex (again, there's the variety of asexualism, have to make sure those aren't seen as a universal constant).

Yes, asexuals can and may want relationships - just not the kind the average person imagines.

The most annoying thing I run into, though, is that no, it's not a thing you can fix.

[henshin]

2 things about asexuals you probably don't know(and will be horrofied to learn)

1. Asexuals are not covered by antidiscrimination laws in most places. (The sexual orientation law lists heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual.)

2. Asexuals are sometimes the victems of 'correctional rape', just like Homosexuals are.

Any one have at least two more we could throw at this? If we can reach four and back it with citations, we could have a whole 'serious' article. If not, we could just use the 'not covered by antiddiscrimination laws' thing in a lighter list.

Er whut? Where is there documented evidence of asexuals being victims of correctional rape? Have you got a link? I would be most interested to read about this.

"6 Characters We Wish Were Asexual'

1. Dexter EDIT: Elsa
2. Sheldon
3. Bilbo Baggins
4. Lord Varys
5. Sherlock Holmes
6. The Doctor

How should we build upon my groggy, half-awake-conceived ideas? This is only a starting point remember, we'll work out more on the content later. ^_^

Maybe phrase it like "we wish would come out as asexual"

Also I would be wary of that specific list because:

1) (never seen frozen...)

2. The guy obviously has other social problems going on and do we really want to create a public image of aces as like Sheldon?

3. Is Bilbo a popular choice? Why him and not Frodo or Gandalf or Tom Bombadil?

4. Varys is a eunuch...again wary of conflating asexuality with another disorder

5. No problem with :D

6. Probably ok, but people will likely bring up River Song and stuff as counter 'evidence'

[wyrdwyrm]

#3: Bilbo is a popular choice for me, because years later (in LOTR) outside the stress and excitement of adventuring, he's still alone and shows he has every intent to remain that way. The closest the movies came to giving him a romantic subplot is by skipping him entirely and giving it to Kili. ;) Meanwhile, the movies have altered the impressions of Gandalf and Frodo by giving them, respectively, Galadriel and Samwise (hee hee) as their love stories. Tom Bombadil is not a main character, so it seems less important to have him on the list over Bilbo.

[Exanimis]

Okey, this thread is dead but I'll play the necromancer here.

I visit Cracked everyday and I had not seen this article.

So what happened? Did it get written or something? I really would love to know that AND I'd love to read that.

I was wanting to post but AVEN was downed and I had no chance.

[kiaroskuro]

I think the article should also mention - maybe under the robot section? - about the term Frigid and how it's kinda offensive.

Not forgetting that asexuality doesn't call for psychological or medical treatment ...

[Mycroft is Yourcroft]

I'll do a full update as soon as I get to as proper computer tonight :)

Hang tight!

[Mycroft is Yourcroft]

Right everyone, I'm back on a computer.

The article hasn't appeared yet simply because I haven't finished writing it :P I've been busy preparing to move to London and working on my campaign, though I've got time now to sit down and get into it.

I've written the introduction and first two points of the '5 Myths You Probably Believe About Asexuality', and I'll post the draft up here when I'm done. Hopefully that'll be done in a few days or less :)

As for 'Characters We Wish Were Asexual' we're all going to have to coordinate a bit more on that, since some of us haven't seen 'Frozen', haven't read 'The Hobbit' in a few years etc...

I think these articles should appear on 'Cracked' (if they're accepted) within the month of October, whaddaya all say? :D

[eched]

Sounds good to me! You might have to take down the draft when you are done cause I know some places wont publish stuff if it's already on the net. I just saw Frozen again, but no, I haven't read The Hobbit.

[Mycroft is Yourcroft]

Asexual awareness week this year is from the 26th of October til the 1st of November, I think that would be a good time to have them published.

[Zerο]

Sounds like a cool idea, I love the Cracked interview/point of view stories (nuclear submarine, white supremacist, IRA terrorist, etc). Asexuality's a bit more tame compared to their recent articles but I think people will find it interesting.

Be sure to throw in a dick joke though, they might riot otherwise.

[LillyCAfshar]

2 things about asexuals you probably don't know(and will be horrofied to learn)

1. Asexuals are not covered by antidiscrimination laws in most places. (The sexual orientation law lists heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual.)

2. Asexuals are sometimes the victems of 'correctional rape', just like Homosexuals are.

Any one have at least two more we could throw at this? If we can reach four and back it with citations, we could have a whole 'serious' article. If not, we could just use the 'not covered by antiddiscrimination laws' thing in a lighter list.

I think these points are also important, It's absolutely true that cracked is a comedy website, but I think the darker more harmful aspects of asexuality should also be mentioned - including the discrimination within the LBGTQIA+ community itself....I can't tell you how many times I've been told that the "A" stands for "Ally", or that a lack of sexuality doesn't belong on the sexuality spectrum....hell...there are people in the queer community that fully believed asexuality as a mental impairment.

3. No, not even the queer community wants us

[Mycroft is Yourcroft]

Okay, I've finished my first draft, I'll pop it up here now.