5 Interesting Links for 09-16-2016

Note: Videos may auto start with sound so be prepared.

Pain (Cats)

A list of 10 conditions that could be overlooked because many cats do not respond to pain with screaming. (Via Facebook)
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/10-most-overlooked-aches-and-pains-in-cats

Art (Environment)

Sculptor Jason diCaires Taylor is using specially designed sculptures to encourage coral reef construction in the ocean. (video) (Via Facebook)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoDyeRChEyw

Donation (Life)

A look at the effectiveness of disaster donations and the costs associated with some approaches. (Via Facebook)
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/when-disaster-relief-brings-anything-but-relief/

Seti (Science)

A reasonable presentation of just what this signal from 95 light years away might be and what we know of its origin solar system. The signal has since been determined to be from Earth, but the analysis remains interesting.
http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=36248

Stereotypes (Writing)

A strong analysis of four female stereotypes. As usual, I agree with about 90% and yet the author agrees that any of these could be done well…just most of the time they aren’t.
https://ryanlanz.com/2015/09/02/the-four-women-in-fantasy-tropes-im-bored-with/

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4 Responses to 5 Interesting Links for 09-16-2016

  1. Linda says:

    My least favorite stereotypes have to do with motivation. I’m getting tired of every decision being about one of two things-revenge, usually because a loved one was taken from them by the person they’re seeking vengeance from. “My name is Inago Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” It was great in The Princess Bride. But it usually doesn’t work so well when YA authors use it in their dystopian novels.

    Or guilt-everything that goes wrong is their fault, whether they did anything to make it happen or not. Even if an objective friend points out how it’s not their fault. They rationalize some way to make it their fault. It seems like the author can’t think of any other way to get the character to do what the plot requires because every time they need to do something, they have an “it’s all my fault” conversation with themselves or the other characters, especially if the something is something that’s stupidly risky.

    I’d like to see some more thoughtful attempts to broaden character motivation, particularly in YA novels. 🙂

    • Margaret McGaffey Fisk says:

      Hmm, interesting points, Linda. I’ll admit guilt motivates Sam in The Steamship Chronicles, but I guess ambition motivates Trina.

      Part of the reason for those two (revenge and guilt) might be their universality. Not saying it’s a good thing, but just thinking through the reasoning. Especially with teens, they rarely have to look far for something to provoke either emotion.

      • Linda says:

        Yeah, I get the universality of those emotions with teens, but they’re not the only emotions that motivate teens. Teens are walking emotions-all of them. I think it’s just a kind of authorial laziness-stopping at the first thing that comes to mind, rather than pushing through to more creative, but also universal, ways to tell the story.

        • Margaret McGaffey Fisk says:

          True, and I’m with you in hoping to see a broader range of emotions. There are stories out there that do…and I should say guilt is one of Sam’s motivations, so even in mine my characters have multiples. I think that’s a good way to approach it because it retains the universality but makes it one among many rather than the whole.

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