Blogger Widgets Ender-Chan's Thoughts: August 2016

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Really? (A Rant)

The "Are you kidding me?" rage face with a caption that says "Are you kidding me?"

I saw this post on The Mighty* on Urban Decay's Razor Sharp eyeliners. The eyeshadows are bold metallics and come in a container that resembles a liquid lipstick tube. Urban Decay was accused of glamorizing self-injury by advertising them via swatches. I do not think this is the case. Horizontal swatches on the inner arm are very common among makeup lovers to preview a product before wearing. Across the board, they (including myself) have varying degrees of familiarity with self-injury.

While I did take some issues with the lipstick shades Manic (neutral-ish dark red) and Psycho (bright red), I take no issue with these because of the ubiquity of horizontal swatches on the arm to test makeup. I cannot believe that someone had the nerve to look for a nonexistent issue with this method of advertising. None of the shades resemble iron-based blood except for maybe Fireball. It bothers me when people make loose associations like these because:
  • Not all self-harm is indicated by horizontal slashes across the inner arm.
  • Swatching this way is convenient and it's pretty much universal among makeup lovers to do so.
  • Urban Decay is known for having makeup with edgy names. It is one of their trademarks.  
  • "Razor sharp" means a myriad of things from literally sharp (especially of an edge) to things like "precise" and"clever". Misconstruing the name of a largely positive idiom in order to point out nonexistent issues just wastes peoples' time.
  • Makeup swatches are not intended to imitate self-injury. Creating self-injury effects with makeup is stage/costume makeup and not swatching.
  • These are eyeliners. Of course they will make stark lines when swatched. That is what they are supposed to do.
  • The whole "issue" with Urban Decay's Razor Sharp eyeliners is based off of misconstruation in general.
Tubes of Urban Decay Razor Sharp eyeliner and swatches. Urban Decay Tweeted "Ready for some Razor Sharp Swatches, UDers? #UDAllNighter".
I read the post out of curiosity and found it to be a complete waste of my time and energy and an overreaction based on a few spurious connections. The thing that bothers me about the advertising the most is that the tube order is inconsistent with the swatch order, but the fact that someone had the nerve to make a fuss based on some very loose associations makes me question this person's intentions. Did they actually care about the effect makeup swatches of his nature have on people who self-injure or did they just want to raise a fuss over a few spurious connections?

*Linked with a rel=nofollow attribute
 

Ableism and the Enneagram

Image Description: An accessibility symbol (the new one) with
DiSC on the wheel in red, yellow, blue, and green.
The enneagram is a nine type system that deals with identifying primary motivations. Unlike other systems, enneagram measures instinct and needs apart from temperament or cognitive process. Enneagram is about basic needs and desires that, as with the other systems, translate into actions. Ableism likely stems from a subconscious need of sorts that gets thwarted when presented with disability in one or more of its many forms.

Type 1 is about upholding an internalized sense of "rightness" whether it was brought on internally or externally. People of this type often hold themselves and others to high standards, expecting others to comply with their moral principles. Ableism arises when another person crosses their "moral line" with regards to what is correct conduct. This can manifest as accusing others of malingering or denying necessary accommodations for one's self or others. A One may deny the existence of their disability or try to hide it by "passing" in the hopes of meeting their lofty, often quixotic, standards. When dealing with an ableist One, remember that they are as critical of themselves as they are of you, if not more. Work with their framework in order to gently shift their view; sudden moves will cause this type to be more stubbornly set in their ways.

Type 2 comes close to being truly altruistic, but their true basic need is to be needed. People of this type are generally regarded as kind, but this kindness can quickly turn intrusive if extended without consent. Ableist Twos are likely to be patronizing and help without asking; they are likely to view disabled people as a charity project rather than people. Twos have the tendency of running themselves ragged caring for others and forgetting their own needs in the process. It is common for disabled Twos to feel useless if they find themselves unable to provide for others in the way that they desire. Finding an alternate outlet for altruistic inclinations is the most effective way in dealing with ableism in Twos whether it is internalized or externalized. When dealing with an ableist Two, remember that Twos rarely try to offend anyone with their assistance. They want--no, need--to help in some way.

Type 3 is an image-oriented type dedicated to projecting success according to personal definition. An ableist Three is apt to use disabled people for improving their image while disregarding their humanity altogether. It is likely for an ableist Three to vacillate between ethics ideals to maintain their chosen image. Passing behavior is common in Threes, but it is more so to maintain a desired persona rather than to uphold a moral standard. Threes are likely to share "inspiration porn" to better their image. Their value of external achievement can make a lack thereof almost unbearable, causing a Three to spiral into depression or a depression-like state if they are not careful with what they choose to achieve. When dealing with an ableist Three, remember that Threes are image people. Dismissing them as "fake" is not going to help because Threes are made to succeed and show off.

Type 4 values self-awareness and individuality. It is important to the Four to be unique and authentic. Fours often feel like something is "missing" and that their life purpose is to find it; often, this "missing piece" is unattainable with regards to its nature. An ableist Four may find themselves oversharing information about others in order to be "real" about their struggles. Fours tend to feel conflicted about whether to identify with their disability or not due to the identity-seeking nature of this type. Fours need to be unique and are usually bothered by conventionality, seeing it as conformist and oppressive. When dealing with the ableist Four, remember that Fours take a sort of pride in their struggles. Personal experiences shape much of a Four's identity, more so than in the other enneatypes. Individuality is instrumental to the Four's basic comfort. As such, it is a core need.

Type 5 learns through detached observation and values knowledge formed through facts and patterns of occurrences. Because Fives prize intelligence or at least intelligent appearance, it is easy for the ableist Five to overlook the abilities of someone who does not look so. Fives tend to be so wrapped up in thoughts that they forget that they are organic beings and tend to rely on facts and figures too much. Fives are not personal people. A personal experience is likely to cause a Five to comment on philosophy and what could be rather than the reality of what is. Fives learn purely for its sake, not for merit or attaining something "higher". Privacy is a great need for this type; violation will not be taken well by the Five. When dealing with the ableist Five, remember that Fives desire to learn and observe rather than being hands on. Fives open themselves up slowly and gradually rather than being demonstrative; they prefer the shelter over their mind over the chaos of the world.

Type 6 is known as the "loyal skeptic" due to the Six's nature to mistrust nearly everything that comes their way. Sixes vacillate between trust and suspicion frequently due to their driving need: security. They have two basic types of fear responses: phobic and counterphobic. A phobic Six is likely to hide from conflict and avoid it at all costs while a counterphobic Six will charge headfirst into conflict with audacity. When disability takes away from the Six's sense of security, ableism can result. An ableist Six builds negative associations with disability and, as a result, adds it to their long list of fears. A counterphobic Six may act on this fear through violence; a phobic Six will avoid contact with disabled people. However, with positive associations, the Six is the most loyal friend and caregiver one can ask for. When dealing with the ableist Six, remember that they build opinions on deep-rooted associations and have difficulty changing them.

Type 7 is the epicure, sensation seeker, and the enthusiast. Sevens are made to enjoy all that the world has to offer. They do not like to be stifled or inhibited through any means because stimulation is a need. Because of this, Sevens tend to leave people who cannot keep up with them with regards to intelligence and sensory stimuli in the dust. They resent deprivation of any kind. An ableist Seven is likely to think of disabled people as boring or "missing out" on the sensations and experiences they cherish. Sevens tend to disregard sensations they do not experience themselves and are likely to brush sensory issues off as "nothing". When dealing with the ableist Seven, remember that Sevens need experiences and sensations like water. Without them, the Seven will stagnate and become bored, which is anathema to this type.

Type 8 is a controlling type, though not always in the negative sense. Eights are built to take charge in all situations. They meet every situation with aggression and grounded energy and fight against being controlled. Eights who feel that disability, be it someone else's or their own, has robbed them of control, adopt ableist ideologies. They tend to view receiving assistance as a sign of weakness or inadequacy because independence is a core value. Self-sufficiency enables the Eight to better control their situation; an Eight has lofty ideals about what should be done by one's self in order to maintain the greatest amount of autonomy. When dealing with the ableist Eight, remember that Eights need control and that an Eight will not apologize for such a need. Trying to control an Eight will not end well for either party.

Type 9 can assimilate with anyone for the sake of peace. Nines want peace first and foremost and will sacrifice most things to attain it. It is often that Nines sacrifice following their personal values in the name of preventing conflict. Ableist Nines are likely to have an apathetic, negative view of disability, thinking "I/they can't do that because I/they have this impairment." Nines may not think enough of certain issues or say that others are making too much of a fuss over certain things. This is not that Nines choose to ignore issues for the sake of hurting others, but that their calm disposition makes it hard for them to get worked up about a myriad of things, even things they should get worked up about. When dealing with the ableist Nine, remember that Nines cannot be forced to care or think about grand-scale possibilities. Let a Nine care to the extent they choose to and direct them to reputable sources and groups.




Sunday, August 14, 2016

I'm Changing My URL

To keep everything consistent, I am changing my Blogger and Tumblr URL to Ender-Chan. I feel like this name will better-serve me. My E-mail address is the same, but it will show up as being sent from Ender-Chan.

Change your links to me to say "ender-chan.blogspot.com"

My Tumblr URL will be "ender-kun". (I use the masculine honorific because the neutral/feminine one was taken.)

Sunday, August 7, 2016

I Hope I Get It (School Edition)

[ZACH]
...Again!
A A B C D C...Again!
A A B C D C...Again!
A A B C D C...Right!
That connects with...
B B C D A E 
A A B C D C
Got it?... Going on.
True true false true false false either false false false 
Right! AND that's the whole combination,
Are you ready for the written portion?
From the top. Get your pencils out!
[ALL]
God, I hope I get it.
I hope I get it.
How many answers do I need?
[BOYS]
How many answers do I need?
[GIRLS]
God, I hope I get it.
[ALL]
I hope I get it.
How many As, how many Bs?
[GIRLS]
How many Cs, how many...?
[ALL]
Look at all the questions!
At all the questions.
How many answers do I need?
How many As, how many Bs?
How many answers do I..?
[TRICIA]
I really need the grade.
Please God, I need the grade.
I've got to get the grade.
[ALL]
God, I really blew it!
I really blew it!
How could I write a thing like that?
[BOYS]
How could I write a thing like...
[ALL]
Now I'll never make it!
I'll never make it!
He doesn't like the way I write.
He doesn't like how I explain .
He doesn't like the way I...
[ALL]
GOD, I think I've got it.
I think I've got it.
I knew he liked mine all the time.
Still it isn't over.
[MAGGIE]
What's coming next?
[ALL]
It isn't over.
[MIKE]
What happens now?
[ALL]
I can't imagine what he wants.
[GIRLS]
I can't imagine what he...
[ALL]
God, I hope I get it!
I hope I get it.
But even studying so long,
I could be right, I could be wrong.
How many answers do I...?
I really need the grade.
[A FEW VOICES]
My hope for college is gone.
[ALL]
Please, God, I need the grade.
[A FEW VOICES]
I knew I had it from the start.
[ALL]
I've got to ace this test.
[PAUL]
Who am I anyway?
Am I my GPA?
That is a number, not a person that I know.
What does he want from me?
What should I try to be?
So many faces all around, and here we go.
I need the grade, oh God, I need this test.




Disability and Cognitive Functions: Inferior Functions and Grips

The inferior function is the function that is weakest in the primary functional stack. It is how we project negativities and suffer stress. Moreover, using the inferior function in a healthy way can lead to significant development. The inferior function is a master of sabotage as it causes us to question our deepest beliefs and abandon what we thought really matters. However, its very nature is key to mastery of self-understanding.

Grief is a common example of the inferior function's manifestation. For example, an INFJ in an inferior Se grip will resort to hedonism in order to fill an inner void and abandon their visions. This, known as a "grip", can manifest in an ENTP as hypochondria. Grips feel crushing, hence the name. The inferior function most often presents an irritated version of itself, which leads most people to despise it. 

Appearing to have been built on feeling functions, the disability community shuns thinking functions, especially Te. The kind of ableist Te that deems disabled people "inefficient" and, thus, a waste is the same Te that ferrets out efficient methods of distributing much-needed resources in sufficient quantities. In a community with more thinkers, feeling functions would be seen as useless and impractical. The functions are not alignments and cannot be connected to such.

Grips are a result of exhausting the dominant and auxiliary functions, forcing the inferior function to take over. For example, an ENFJ in a Ti grip will resort to over-analysis to sort through problems and neglect their and others' emotional states. Analysis of any bad day blog post will give you a clear example of how their grips manifest.

Neurological and medicsl factors can contribute to grips and vice versa. Mental illness can manifest as a grip as can the buildup to a sensory or emotional meltdown. The latter seems to be correlated with inferior sensing functions, especially Se, but such a connection is spurious at best.

When well-developed, the inferior function serves as a basis for insight. Inferior Ni can serve as the basis for seeing a bigger picture, whatever it may be. Activism and advocacy using the inferior function positively is possible. It can creep up as a surprise at times, but whether you want to receive it as a positive or negative surprise is entirely up to you.