In today's Columbus Dispatch:
Well, first of all, I had to look up the definition of semiotics:
1. the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behavior; the analysis of systems of communication, as language, gestures, or clothing. 2. a general theory of signs and symbolism, usually divided into the branches of pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics.
I'm of the mind that it's the parents' responsibility to teach their children about love and tolerance generally and gender issues a topic to be approached as the parent sees fit according to their child's maturity and life circumstances. I'm inclined to think the "love and tolerance message" is just the usual cover tactic to advance the presumed NWO agenda of dissolving individuality and blending all into one with transhumanism the next step. That the idea of crystal aliens are portrayed as physical manifestations of magical genderless beings that can fuse with one another and that one giant crystal alien gave up her 'physical form' for Steven to be born - is this really appropriate for impressionable children? And then there's the shocking revelation that a physically manifested crystal alien/human hybrid - Steven - can fuse with a human resulting in a human/alien/human hybrid - encompassing both genders - all on the Cartoon Network for mass consumption by children. How's that for indoctrination! But, hey, it's just an innocuous message of love and tolerance! Plus, how bizarre is it that the aliens are depicted as crystals/gems?! What's up with that?
And about mass consumption - or rather just consumption:
Definition. The process in which the substance of a thing is completely destroyed, used up, or incorporated or transformed into something else. Consumption of goods and services is the amount of them used in a particular time period.
Humanity IS being consumed - tastes like chicken!
Gender fluidity part of Cartoon Network series 'Steven Universe'
The snub-nosed, round face of the animated hero Steven Universe was framed on a monitor at the Cartoon Network’s recording studio in the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank.
His signature curls and T-shirt were present, but instead of his usual starry-eyed grin, the cartoony mug of Steven was pensive. Beneath the screen, 18-year-old actor Zach Callison, voice of the titular character, started to sing.
Behind the glass of the sound booth, series creator Rebecca Sugar watched as the third season of her show came together. It was a fleeting behind-the-scenes glimpse at the creative forces behind “Steven Universe,” and the series was about to go deep.
Callison’s voice was wistful; the song was sad — one about Steven’s mother, Rose Quartz, the beautiful and kind giant alien who gave up her physical form in order for Steven to be born.
The storyline might seem odd, but when “Steven Universe” gets serious, the audience listens.
Behind the colorful gemstone superhero crew is something more — something real.
A magical coming-of-age story, “Steven Universe” is known for tackling larger issues through its playful medium of animation. Episodes have addressed gender fluidity, unconventional families and now a boy learning more about the mother who sacrificed her life for his.
But it manages to deliver each message in a fun and creative way. As Steven’s theme song for the series says: “We’ll win the fight and then go out for pizzas.”
The groundbreaking animated series, in its third season, finds Steven and the Crystal Gems facing a familiar foe and stopping a long-dormant apocalyptic threat.
“Steven Universe” began in 2013, centered on Steven Quartz Universe, who is part human and part magical alien known as a Gem. As the show progressed, Steven discovered more about himself, his loved ones and why they protect the world.
The Cartoon Network series is the first created by a woman, and it's based on Sugar’s relationship with her brother, Steven. The personal connection might be what helps the fantasy series resonate with much of its audience.
Helping guide Steven through his journey in his mother’s absence are Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl, alien Gems and Steven’s surrogate parents who protect the planet while mentoring Steven as he learns to navigate his emerging powers. Like any parents, the Crystal Gems often have attempted to shield Steven from the complete truth about the past, revealing aspects of their story only as they thought it appropriate (although they have not always been successful).
“We had always planned on having the world kind of open up in front of (Steven) because the entire show was supposed to be metaphorical to moving from childhood into adulthood and suddenly understanding what’s going on around you,” Sugar said.
Steven’s understanding of this universe parallels that of the audience — a deliberate correlation.
“Just how much do you say to a child?" Sugar said. "It was interesting to write it and make that part of the show but also be how we felt about our audience. Because we were talking to kids who were growing up as we were writing the show and, I think, also guiding people through sort of what it takes to go deeper and understand someone.”
The slow reveal allows for the audience to develop their own connections with the characters as Steven’s relationship with them also strengthens.
“We think of them as people,” Sugar said. “And we find it very easy to follow these stories through by thinking about people instead of thinking about cartoon characters. And a lot of that sort of obvious cartoon language about what someone should or shouldn’t do, or what a character is supposed to be, really falls away when you start thinking about the actual people you know, the actual people you are.”
And that’s how “Steven Universe” has successfully continued to push boundaries in its depictions and understanding of gender. The Gems, although they are presented as female, are in fact biologically genderless because their bodies are physical manifestations of magical space Gems. This setup alone allows for the show to directly confront and reject established gender norms.
“Gender is such a huge component in so many cartoons,” Sugar said. “I mean, cartoons are made with that in mind. It’s just built into the DNA of cartoons: Who is it for? Right from the start, I wanted to address that by turning a lot of those ideas not just on their head but just into the soup that they should be, because that’s just more realistic. And I really wanted to do it through cartoons because the semiotics of gender in cartoons have been so powerful of a force.”
In addition to defying categorizations about being a “boys show” or a “girls show,” “Steven Universe” uses its platform as a cartoon to convey expressly feminist messages regarding gender fluidity and same-sex relationships.
One of the primary examples of “Steven Universe” breaking down expected gender norms is by a concept in the show called fusion. Fusion is the process in which two or more Gems combine to become a new entity, someone who is more than just a sum of their parts.
When Steven (accidentally) fuses with his human friend Connie and becomes Stevonnie for the first time, the other Gems are amazed only because fusing with a human should be impossible. Although Stevonnie seems to intrigue male and female human teenagers, Stevonnie’s gender is never questioned or discussed.
Similarly, when it is revealed that the character Garnet is a fusion between Ruby and Sapphire, Steven’s reaction is starry-eyed excitement. That Garnet is the physical embodiment of Ruby and Sapphire’s love has been explicitly stated on the show — making their relationship one of the few same-sex relationships depicted in an all-ages cartoon.
And if there’s ever resistance to some of these elements of the show, Sugar remains committed to the messages the show propels.
“When you have a message of love and tolerance, it’s very hard for someone to say no, because it’s love and tolerance,” said Sugar. “Where I’ve stood throughout — when it comes to what I want to say and standing my ground — is that it will always be better to send this message of love and tolerance. It will always make sense.
“I think there are a lot of things that you’re just accustomed to never seeing, and if you just saw it more often, you realize how natural it is,” Sugar said.
Beyond the colorful fantasy and space magic elements, “Steven Universe” is about relationships and understanding. And about forging connections — between the characters on the show and among the audience.
“To me, making a piece of art is a relationship you have with the person that’s receiving that art,” explained Sugar.
“It means a lot to me that I get to communicate with so many people through the show and every other thing we get to make that’s a part of it,” said Sugar.
Well, first of all, I had to look up the definition of semiotics:
1. the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behavior; the analysis of systems of communication, as language, gestures, or clothing. 2. a general theory of signs and symbolism, usually divided into the branches of pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics.
I'm of the mind that it's the parents' responsibility to teach their children about love and tolerance generally and gender issues a topic to be approached as the parent sees fit according to their child's maturity and life circumstances. I'm inclined to think the "love and tolerance message" is just the usual cover tactic to advance the presumed NWO agenda of dissolving individuality and blending all into one with transhumanism the next step. That the idea of crystal aliens are portrayed as physical manifestations of magical genderless beings that can fuse with one another and that one giant crystal alien gave up her 'physical form' for Steven to be born - is this really appropriate for impressionable children? And then there's the shocking revelation that a physically manifested crystal alien/human hybrid - Steven - can fuse with a human resulting in a human/alien/human hybrid - encompassing both genders - all on the Cartoon Network for mass consumption by children. How's that for indoctrination! But, hey, it's just an innocuous message of love and tolerance! Plus, how bizarre is it that the aliens are depicted as crystals/gems?! What's up with that?
And about mass consumption - or rather just consumption:
Definition. The process in which the substance of a thing is completely destroyed, used up, or incorporated or transformed into something else. Consumption of goods and services is the amount of them used in a particular time period.
Humanity IS being consumed - tastes like chicken!