oohhhh interesting! would you be open to rambles about representation too? Because I have a LOT of thoughts about it

huh that's a cool project idea!

First of all, do you prefer stories centering around representation ("rep") or having rep woven into the story? I think I prefer when the rep is woven in, it feels more natural and interesting. I do think centering around the rep has it's place though, if it's accurate.

1. What do you think is an appropriate amount of diversity for any given story/media, and are there any reasons it should vary? I like natural stories (with rep woven in) and sometimes it feels a little artificial if everyone is completely diverse and that's emphasized. I guess it depends on the point of the story (if the plot is revolving around rep or not) and the mood; like does it feel like different rep is just a checklist or if it's actually interesting. I don't have specific examples though.

1. Should writers/people creating/producing media go into the project thinking about plot or rep first? Plot! Just focusing on rep feels artifical to me, although I'm sure it could be done well.

2. How do you think rep should be subtly woven in? What do you want to see? (eg: scars, symptoms, etc) Some mention of how it affects daily life/character development without making whatever the rep is solely a reason for differences and trauma. I don't like it when a specific issue becomes the only personality trait for a character.

3.  

   1. Do you think there is accurate representation in media today? Yes and no. I think there are definitely places with great accurate representation and also some without. To a certain extent, I think sometimes diversity goes to far: if your entire set of characters is a certain identity, it feels manufactured to me. I think I see this most often with queerness: while I understand maybe people gravitate towards others sharing identity aspects, often all the characters are some flavor of queer. And maybe that's the point of the story, but it can frustrate me.

1. What are some of your pet peeves when it comes to portraying diversity/rep in media (being as specific as possible is greatly appreciated)? Ugh I just really hate it when a specific identity trait is all I ever see of a character. If someone's entire personality is that they're [x identity], or if their personality/actions is entirely trauma-focused and that is a result of [x identity] it's very annoying. One-dimensional characters are the worst.

1. What groups do you think media has enough rep of? I don't know if there is a sense of enough. I read/listen to/watch things that are skewed to identities I'm part of, so even if it feels like there's enough of some of that it's not representative of everyone.

1. In your opinion, which has more rep (disability version) I think invisible/neuro? But mostly inaccurate representation, so idk?

2. Thinking about a minority group as a whole, there are typically subsets of that group (eg: LGBTQIAP2-S+ has many identities, neurodiversity has a wide variety, etc). What specific subset(s) do you think needs more recognition in media? I'd say not specifically any group, but an intersectionality of various identities. That's harder to find well-developed imo.

1. What types of stories/plots do you want to see more of (Could be for stories that have good rep, but not necessarily)? Ones without miracle endings. Like I don't think [oh i struggle with this random thing] -> [wow i fixed my life with the power of friendship turns out its not a real issue i am happy now] is realistic or helpful. I'd rather have [oh i struggle with this random thing] -> [hm maybe i still struggle but [xxx plot thing]].

Examples of books/movies/TV/podcasts/other media with not-so-great rep and why? (You can spoil the story, I don't mind) um a lot of kids shows/movies/things? Like this is a random example because I saw someone's (Rainbow's maybe?) post on Random Thoughts/Things but Phineas and Ferb has a TON of clichés (like Baljeet). In the same vein, a lot of Disney stuff. A lot of kids stuff sugarcoats everything in my opinion; like even if it's not misrepresentation, even just lack of representation/diversity is also bad.

1. 21. Examples of books/movies/TV/podcasts/other media with good rep and why? (You can spoil the story, I don't mind) I like Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive a lot; it's primarily plot-focused, but the characters have actual depth. And while they definitely have trauma stemming from various mental illnesses/whatever, it feels more realistic than manufactured. I think it has a pretty good depiction of depression, for example. I also like Alice Oseman for queer representation: it might be a little overdone but still mostly accurate. I also have a very foggy memory of reading these for school like five years ago but The Pants Project and Watch Us Rise were both books where the plot was basically representation of some identity which I thought were good.

2. idk I kind of rambled and said the same things over and over again but maybe this was helpful :)

This is such a cool survey!!! :DD I have to get to school soon but I will fill it out sometime later hopefully!

1. I am back! :)

    

   First of all, do you prefer stories centering around representation ("rep") or having rep woven into the story?

   1. I honestly love stories centering around rep. I mean, if you're going to include it, you might as well go all the way! Ofc, it's really good to have books that just have rep woven in too, and, hey, if it's a good book, no complaints here!

2. What do you think media is doing now rep-wise, and do you think it's good/working? Why?

   Well, I think media is trying to diversify more, which is great :D I do think it's working, because... well, there is more representation out there, and it's accurate representation! I will say that some animated Asian characters in recent movies and tv shows could definitely look more Asian... as mentioned above, if you're going to do it, go all the way!

1. What do you think is an appropriate amount of diversity for any given story/media, and are there any reasons it should vary?

   Huh. I guess just whatever fits for the story. If you can put diversity in, put diversity in!!!! But if not, then that's fine, but don't be hateful, and if you need to be, then somehow acknowledge/make clear that that's wrong. Sidenote: I love how Hamilton has such a diverse cast even though in reality, they definitely weren't as diverse :D

1. Should writers/people creating/producing media go into the project thinking about plot or rep first?

2. How do you think rep should be subtly woven in? What do you want to see? (eg: scars, symptoms, etc)

   For like ethnic representation, definitely culture!!! :D food is amazing :)

1. Is the current representation in media playing too much into stereotypes?

2. Adding onto the previous question, explain your answer.

1. Do you think there is accurate representation in media today?

2. About the previous question: Why?

What are some of your pet peeves when it comes to portraying diversity/rep in media (being as specific as possible is greatly appreciated)?

as I said, Asian people can definitely look more Asian... :/ 

1. How far should people go in regards to representation?

Specific groups

1. What groups do you think have the best/most rep?

   Black communities and Asian communities. And lgbtq+, actually. Besides those... eh, I'm probably not the best person to ask for this :)

1. What groups do you think media has enough rep of?

I don't think you can have enough rep of something, in the sense that if there's a story waiting to be told, then tell it! But it can definitely have more rep of other groups.

1. What groups do you think media lacks in rep of? (Doesn't mean what you want to see, but in general)

   I think people with different body types, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent people

   What groups do you want to see more of in media?

Asian and lgbtq+, always :P

1. In your opinion, which has more rep (disability version)

   1. I think that there's so much diversity in invisible/neuro and physical disabilities, so you can't really have enough rep. The media tends to just focus on like one tiny part of all of that, I think, soo... I have to go do homework ahhhh

2. Thinking about a minority group as a whole, there are typically subsets of that group (eg: LGBTQIAP2-S+ has many identities, neurodiversity has a wide variety, etc). What specific subset(s) do you think needs more recognition in media?

Stories

1. What types of stories/plots do you see a lot of (Could be in stories that have representation like this, but not necessarily)?

Hardships related to rep, dealing with hate/injustice, lots of numbers (for OCD, and maybe others)

1. What types of stories/plots do you want to see more of (Could be for stories that have good rep, but not necessarily)?

Examples

1. Examples of books/movies/TV/podcasts/other media with not-so-great rep and why? (You can spoil the story, I don't mind)

Ooh might answer this one later... for now though, Eleanor and Park! Never read it, so I can't exactly judge, but from what I've heard... o_O no thank you.

1. 21. Examples of books/movies/TV/podcasts/other media with good rep and why? (You can spoil the story, I don't mind)