I think that’s generally where I come down too. Denying Allegory that validly exists especially when based on the word of the creator is sticking your head in the sand, but that doesn’t mean that you must be immersed in the reality that’s being Allegorized to enjoy it. There are absolutely valid times and spaces for and avoiding that aspect. And both should exist, and let people choose where to be.

Speculative Fiction has a long history of examining societies through different lenses, and overall I think that can help people develop new insights, but there’s nothing saying they can’t be a distraction as well.

We have enough political turmoil IRL and on so many other spaces of social media. Although I left Reddit a few years ago and haven't gone back, I support keeping real life political discussion out of a series I enjoy greatly that is a distraction from everything occurring in today's world. I can associate the political nature within the series, but I think it would greatly derail the entertainment factor I get when using books to escape reality. It is a form of relief from everyday stressors that I prefer to keep separate. I guess if someone really wants to compare society and politics in the DCC realm to real life, they can feel free to start another subreddit/community/forum for that specific nature of discussion.

I’m torn. For a media property, I’m ok with an “official” account that is pretty highly controlled. It’s basically a sanctioned press release and partnership venue (or bug report and release venue for software). If they say no other groups, that’s where I have a problem.

I think there’s room for both to exist separately.

I thought this was interesting because I’ve seen a big increase across various social media platforms in the last month or so of people mocking others who are trying to point out the symbolism in the books and straight-up denial that there are parallels.

It always strikes me as problematic when a creator has control over a subreddit dedicated to their work. Even if it starts out innocent

Suck it piglets

Glurp Glurp.

Wait is this a DCC book? It is it a standalone? I love all of his stuff but DCC is like crack.

Edit - nevermind I googled it. Fuck yeah

I said mongo

OMG finally a DCC instance! Fuck yeah. Goddammit donut

It’s a reference to an unhinged character introduced in book 4 (the possessed head of a sex doll, it’s possessed by a minor deity). It’s sort of a catch phrase they throw out often.

Can you explain to me what IWKYM stands for?

I know that I-K-W-Y-M means "I know what you mean", but I can't decipher I-W-K-Y-M.

The dragon: "so maybe, you will be the one to (s)lay me, but after all, here is a fireball"

A lot of stuff this year I’m excited for, new Dresden Files, new Murderbot, and new DCC. Good year for reading.

I'm very excited!

If it used to be okay, but it’s not okay anymore, then maybe you should do something about it. Don’t compare your circumstances with how they were yesterday. Look at how they were years ago. We’re supposed to be making the world… the universe… a better place for our children. If it’s not better, if you’re dealing with cruelty, with neglect, then you should do something about it. So, yeah. Fuck ‘em. Fuck King Rust and his asshole child. If you’re unhappy with your government, then kick them out and set up your own, one that represents the people’s best interests. You shouldn’t have to put up with some loser who’s going to take the people’s money and waste it on games, especially when those games entail killing people weaker than him with little or no real danger to himself. What a pussy. That’s my opinion.

— Carl's Doomsday Scenario