It's difficult to define 'normal' when it comes to human physical attributes, however, despite this, a very prevalent perceived norm exists. Propped up by advertising and media, it creeps into our entertainment. On the other side of the fence, is a movement that promotes a positive attitude towards different body types. There are definitely good, bad and indifferent aspects to both sides. This week, Jules and Madeleine look at perceived beauty 'norms' and how they influence us through fiction as well as more mainstream media. Where does positive body representation get it right? Where does the body positivity movement fall a little short? And what does it have to do with speculative fiction? Join the dragons to find out.
Part 1 of a 2-part episode.
CW: the dragons do briefly mention EDs. While Jules and Madeleine do not go into detail, they realise that it's a subject that can be triggering for some people. Please approach the episode with care or check out their back catalogue instead, if the subject is likely to cause you distress.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Episode 257: Peacekeepers to Punishers - The Police Force in Speculative Fiction
Episode 256: Assembling the Skeleton - Showing, Telling and Cutting Out Scenes in Speculative Fiction
Episode 255: The Trials and Triumphs of 2020
Episode 254: Blood on the Snow - The Darker Christmas Stories
Episode 253: The Good Neighbours - Festive Faeries and Winter Elves
Episode 252: Why is There Never a Happy Ending? - and Other Questions Writers Get Asked
Episode 251 To Queer or not to Queer - Including LGBTQ+ Characters in Speculative Fiction
Episode 250: The Usual Suspects - Cast Calling for your Novel
Episode 249 - The Goddess' Chariot - Myths and Folktales of the Moon
Episode 248: All the Feels - Emotion and Characterisation in Speculative Fiction
Episode 247: Sweet, Awkward and Tongue-tied - The Unromantic Hero in Speculative Fiction
Episode 246 - Casting Long Shadows - How Horror Influences Other Genres
Episode 245: Old Gods & Ancient Stones - What Folk Horror has to say to a Modern Audience
Ep 244 - Of Fates and Phantoms - The Anatomy of the Ghost Story
Episode 243: The Mother of Science Fiction - The Life of Mary Shelley
Episode 242 - Chairs, Dolls & Diamonds - Cursed Objects in Fact and Fiction
Episode 241 - Vampires, Incubae and Goblin Kings - The Daemon Lover in Myth and Speculative Fiction
Episode 240: Paging Dr Love - What the Romance Genre can Teach Us about Writing
Episode 239: Unpopular Opinion Time (part 2) - The Dragon's Hot Takes on Speculative Issues
Episode 238: Unpopular Opinion Time (part 1) - The Dragons' Hot Takes on Speculative Issues
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