Dolls, Desire, and the Perception of Reality

heck, when it boils down to it, is 'to each our own' we can't change out ways of thinking, and sure as heck can't change other to think our ways, so, for me, my dolls are stress reliever, but also a part of myself, They are the dark side of me that i don't open the door to, so in these dolls, mostly my personality shine through clearly. Of course that saying, I'm gathering my 'family' speaking really, it just i story I been working and reworking for ages, and i stumbles upon these lovelt BJD that some have the perfect look for what i need for my drawing. Of course,since i learn i can't draw a female for the life of me, my family is a all male cast. The main character was female to begin with, so i keep the feminie looks and just change gender, they excuse? he take after his mother....>.> i feel like i got off topic of oh well

 

I would like to ask what you would have us do? This is not an attack, because I do appreciate your posts and the abundance of work you are doing in them, but rather an honest question. How do we avoid cultural appropriation in this hobby?
All too often we are told what we are doing wrong, but never what should be specifically done to correct ourselves. Not to say people will agree with the solutions.
I am a lover of Japanese culture, and I actually came to be so thanks to anime. I understand anime is not meant to be a depiction of Japanese culture, although one may find many facts about the culture within anime.
Even as a Westerner I am unhappy when people believe a twenty dollar piece of junk sword is anywhere near the reality and signifigance of an actual katana.
Until this topic, I never realized there might be some uproar within the homosexual community about yaoi. Perhaps the heterosexual community should be offended by the wild misinformation about male-female couples and relationships which manga and anime present.
Problem is I really would prefer to see beautiful boys in love or falling in love even if I am not a yaoi fan. Think of the series Brideshead Revisited. Think of the results if Penn and Teller had played the leads.
Are you arguing against a fanciful, romantic interpretaion of boy/boy or arguing against any yaoi which is not true to modern or maybe even ancient culture? The thing is reality is often more offensive and more hurtful than fantasy and illusion.
Of course everything provokes a reaction. Sometimes artists, whether in it for the money, or for the sake of passion, deliberately set out to provoke and offend.
On another forum I read a query by a Western girl who wanted to know how she might become an actual shine maiden. Someone pointed out they were not sure if this would be allowed, not to mention the work does require an absolute immersion in Japanese culture which would not normally be found in a non-native.
Never mind that one would need a native's level of proficiency with the language.
Another Western girl joined this discussion to ask How dare the Japanese think of forbidding a non native to become a shrine worker, because it was wrong and people can do whatever they like. That is America for you. We can be arrogant beyond belief.
My doll is from Korea and she is what some Korean artist decided an elf would be in appearance. I am not sure what culture gave birth to the idea of elves, nor who decided they would nearly always have pointed ears. She does not lend herself to Japanese attire really, unless I were to decide she is a shinma. And I am probbly demonstrating some ignorance in thinking that a Japanese spirit would have pointed ears right?
Just my opinion, since I cannot know your mind, I do not think you are looking at things black and white, but rather seeing many shades.
A while back I remarked to my sister that America had no soul, in the sense of not having a deep-rooted cultural identity. The Edo period of Japan alone lasted from about 1603 to 1868. Perhaps this is why we borrow and appropriate and pervert, and sometimes we even preserve and appreciate what no one else does. I'll be honest and admit I am sometimes envious of countries with a long cultural tradition. Yes, I know it is an odd idea.
Not long ago, teaching patriotism in Japanese schools went from a suggestion to the schools into becoming a law. I am very much in agreement with this because I believe cultures should be treasured. I don't want Japan to be Westernized-I do not want whole peoples and languages to disappear into some sort of dull goo of like-minded people.
Oh yes, on the idea of preserving cultures, who is to say what will be preserved? Should we preserve the rich tradition of slavery in Sudan along with their national dress? There's an idea for a doll couple-a Sudanese and his slave in authentic attire. I daresay coarse woven rags will do for the slave.
I think this sort of debate is good for people here, and may well make people think. about what they are doing. Sorry for the rambling nature of my posts-I know I tend to be unorganized in responses.

 

The United States of America has no soul? Really? I'm hoping this is simply because you never had American History class in school.

We borrow and appropriate because we are a nation of immigrants. Our various heritages are important. So important, in fact, that we have no official language on the books. Purity? You're not in the homeland anymore, whatever homeland that is. Welcome to America. You can surely celebrate your heritage and share it with others, but if you do, some "perversion" will happen. It is known as cultural evolution.

Japan IS Westernized. Most of the world officially is now. Europe, Canada, and America have created the lifestyles that everyone wants to live. This has been true for about the last hundred years for all three, and about three hundred years for Europe. Again, really and totally basic history. Anime was created on the backs of the old cartoon characters like Betty Boop, from...where? Yeah. Isn't that "perversion" of someone else's culture?

Slavery in Sudan also does not work the way you think it does. If you read some books or magazine articles, you'll find a picture slightly different than the one you've shared with us.

Yeah. Debate should make you think, I agree. Hopefully I've made you think a little, too.

 

What this thread has proven to me is that certain members of the doll community, while well-meaning, obviously have no background in historical ethnology and not one iota of understanding about how cultural diffusion works or how long the process has been going on. (Let me give you a hint, it's a lot older than Japan, China, India, the United States or the Roman Empire... and in spite of your willingness to be offended by "cultural appropriation" on principle, it's not necessarily a Bad Thing.)

ETA, before anyone gets too up in arms... that "you" is general, not specific. It applies to anyone who feels like a Western fashion designer is somehow "robbing Japan of its cultural heritage" by having a kimono-inspired jacket in his show, or anyone willing to get bent out of shape over IKEA, for instance, selling African-inspired throw-rugs... or pitching fits because they see a male doll wearing butterfly sleeves. o_O

 

I have a feeling we are getting way off topic but...
Thanks for challenging me and making me think. I shall now defend my indefensible position
My remark was no soul in the sense of a relatively single cultural heritage. Americans are everything. We are a fairly new thing in a sense also. I also do tend to think that we are still defining ourselves.
I should also explain that my discussion with my sister had to do with the idea of America trying to be all things to everyone, trying not to offend anyone to the point of harming itself at times, trying to please every last person who has a complaint about something.
For example my impression, which may be false, is that China is not going to brook radical Islam simply because they feel the urge to not offend. Iran is not going to willingly allow Christians to gain a foothold there in the name of tolerance and civility.
Just now I thought this: immigrants and their sons and daughters do not borrow and appropriate from their own culture. I wonder at what generation one is considered too American to be participating in their forefather's culture without violating it somehow.
What would you say America's soul is? How would you define it?
I was being a tad facetitious in my use of the word pervert. I believe some (not necessarily me) would see cultural evolution as cultural distruction. Of course, whatever one calls it, the process is ongoing.
Interesting fact: Akira Kurosawa, director of Seven Samurai was said to be influenced by our own westerns. In turn American directors were influenced by his work.
I will do some reading on the slavery in Sudan. If I gave the impression that I thought it was much like American slavery I am sorry. Of course it would not be Uncle Tom's Cabin, I suppose, which may not have been accurate for our country either.
Do you really think most of the world is westernized? That is a sad thing if it is true.
It's late-I'll post this and tomorrow recoil in horror from what I put out there.
Oh one last thing: I don't agree that everyone wants to live European, Canadian, and American lifestyles. That is just too sweeping for me.
(where is Bunnydots with her Sword of Acid and Clarity + 1?)

 

About yaoi and related depictions of male dolls: it's not romance or attractive men I have a problem with. It's how rape/abuse or stereotypical traits are used to further a plotline so much that the lines between glorification and moral messages become blurred. This is notorious in HP or GW fandom. If mere words on a screen can trigger outraged responses, then photographed doll violence can be just as triggering (if not more). Another reiterated point is how we take pro-homosexual activism for granted without considering how other places are not as receptive to social change. Negative portrayals can skew opinions against those who aren't considered a social majority.

On the other hand, poorly made heterosexual stories attract criticism towards unfair gender portrayal rather than of sexual orientation (see my previous posts about anti-porn or feminist porn movements) because as an obvious majority, straight people don't have to worry about discrimination, civil rights, or how they're underrepresented or misrepresented in entertainment. Who's going to see a TV show or movie and go "did you see how the straight people were oppressed?!"

I've already stated that research and education are the key to avoiding cultural appropriation. My friend is a talented seamstress who has made many cultural pieces as well as accurately made dresses according to significant American time periods (she has a few AG historicals). These are her journal entries of her doll's fancy civil war era dress + lengha choli, a salwaar kameez, as well as all the doll kimono she's made. None of them are made flippantly for the sake of meaningless aesthetic appeal. Even when she made the tasteful wrap-shirt and bow as an inspiration (doing nothing like the hanbok horror story I've provided below), she noted that she'd never do the same with an actual kimono. And when someone explained the Muslim and Hindu variations behind the salwaar kameez, she stood corrected without getting defensive.

Going further with modern twists on national dress; they depend on how they're perpetuated. Take for example, the Korean hanbok. When a Korean fashion designer understands its social importance (ie. knowing that they're only used for special occasions), experiments with different fabrics or cuts without taking away from its overall structure, and isn't "selling out" to foreign audiences, it generates mostly positive responses (though some still won't like "twists"). Now when the designer in question makes something that completely undermines the point of a modest female hanbok by taking away the chima (skirt), adding skintight sweatpants, baring the model's entire torso, leaving the undersides of her breasts exposed, or having nothing but her bra under the jeogori (jacket), it generates mostly negative responses. In fact, people in this camp likely resent the fact that Western fashion influences were the cause of these highly sexualized versions of national dress. That's what "looking good" without historical meaning can come down to.

So is that Ikea rug design making use of the typical "Africa is one exotic culture so let's market it" drivel, or are they paying homage to a specific tribe or nationality in Africa? Is the Western kimono-jacket designer trying to be edgy with some random omg!Asian factor and using it as a gimmick, or are they mindful of actual Japanese culture and dressing etiquette? Or is it like the example of the clueless kid who gets a random Chinese tattoo for show without knowing it actually means "dog hat" or "chaste rock?"

This may be an English-speaking forum, but there are going to be international BJD collectors who don't appreciate being told that they're being hypersensitive about their own culture and societal norms. I remember reading an old thread about the possibility of Asian BJDs being manufactured in sweatshops, and one Korean member in particular was clearly offended by the baseless speculation.

Cultural appropriation is considered a bad thing, otherwise it wouldn't carry a negative connotation according to most definitions. Cultural diffusion itself is separated into categories of voluntary vs. involuntary. You wouldn't say a history of intermarriage and exchange of ideas between Mongols and Koreans have the same implication as forced religious conversions under the threat of death, would you? It's basically a clash between the culture who wants to take vs. the culture who does not want to give. Reactions to Americanization is a can of OT worms on its own; there's a reason why travel guides warn of encountering organized protests when you travel abroad.

 

This may be off topic..not sure..personally..all of my boy dolls are gay..only because.. 1) I can't see myself owning a girl doll (even when I was little I played with Ken not Barbie) and 2) I'm just not a fan of girl dolls. I find them pretty but I wouldn't want to own one. As for the skintone..if I had the money to get a tanned doll I would definitely get a tanned doll just because some of them are GORGEOUS. I don't think me having tons of NS dolls means I'm racist. Oh..yeah..as for the perception of reality/obsessed thing..I don't think I'm obsessed with my dolls..I mean..they're my hobby..so they're definitely a big part of my life. However, I do have emotional connections with most of them. But I think that comes with the "bonding" part. If I didn't "bond" with them I probably wouldn't keep them. And similar to what Mephistol said.my dolls are a stress releaver..they also brighten my mood. However, I joke around and willl say "Oh..I hear Zander mumbling." But do I actually hear them talking? No..I don't..and eventhough I kinda wish some of 'em were real, just 'cuz that'd be funny..and VERY interesting..I understand and realize that they will never be real, will never walk on their own..at least until someone comes up with one that does that.. Okay..so this post had nothing to do with culture norms or anything like the previous two users above..but I just wanted to add my two cents in. ^_^ Thanks

 

I have to say that while I don't want to step on anyone's sensitivities, I think discussions like this take the fun out of the hobby by basically overthinking a person's play time with their dolls. If people are going to be offended every time they see something that disagrees with their own school of thought, then perhaps they should just keep to a smaller group of friends.

I could get uptight about many depictions of things I see in doll forums on a daily basis, but I respect the right of others to have fun with their dolls. This debate seems to put doll play on some kind of level of art + diplomacy; it's not Ok to just experiment or have fun or adapt elements for your own creativity. When it's an individual doll owner just doing what they want, and not a company selling 5,000 of a doll, I don't see it as such a big harm in the vast majority of cases. If that makes me insensitive, I'd rather see people expressing themselves and having fun with their dolls than feeling constrained to follow some sort of rigid code or, as someone else said, learn the entire history of the kimono before they could put one on their doll.

This is a creative hobby, not a cultural ambassadorship.

 

As long as people are aware that what they're doing with their dolls is not actually accurate, then I think it's alright. It's when I see the multitudes of yaoi fangirls that think heterosexual sex is disgusting (despite being straight) and who assume all gay men must work like yaoi stereotypes that I start to get angry.

And getting all pretentious and uppity about how cultures are being butchered! And destroyed! And devalued! by the USA an other western countries is kin of silly. Y'all need to step back and take a deep breath and realize that that's how things have worked since the dawn of forever. Asking people not from your culture to be 100% accurate about everything they borrow from you is insane, and pretty unlikely to happen. And unnecessary. Cultural borrowing isn't a big deal unless someone's perpetuating damaging stereotypes. In that case, yeah, that sucks - which is why I'm fully against the yaoi stereotype that gay men get together through rape and noncon.

And to reiterate - yes, America is borrowing a lot from Japan lately, but they've borrowed a lot from us as well. What do you think J-Rock is, anyway? It likely rose out of the glam rock tradition of Western countries.

 

I find it funny that appeals to tradition fallacies (and veiled ad homs at that) are being used when it comes to culture, but it's an entirely different standard when it comes to yaoi stereotypes. There has been a longstanding tradition of discriminating, insitutionalizing, and spreading propaganda against homosexuals. Might as well call considerations for homosexual misrepresentation in the BJD world as "uppity and pretentious" while we're at it, or any DoA rule/subject that calls for tasteful photostories, labeling, and diplomacy.

What you do on your own time is obviously your prerogative, but a publicly viewable venue is no longer about you. If you perpetuate the idea that a kimono with breasts and leg peeking through is acceptable or that a kimono has nothing to do with Japan, then it could make an impression on those who don't know anything about Japanese culture. If you perpetuate the idea that gay couples have a tendency to participate in violent and abusive relationships, then it could have the same effect on someone who's been brought up to know nothing but heterosexuality as the norm. That's how cultural appropriation, homosexual stereotypes, and ignorance take a damaging root; the lines are blurred for those who have a first or limited glimpse into the matter. Do you really think LGBT activism and cultural awareness is a given in every place in the world?

Just as unlabeled 45/60 poses a major problem to victims of child abuse or professionals who can get fired for having the slightest bit of seemingly adult/child content even on their home computer; just as speculations of Asian BJD sweatshops can damage company reputations and offend Asian DoA members (some of whom are company reps), and just as over-the-top BJD portrayals of LGBT issues can provoke negative responses from those who already struggle with orientation or gender identity issues; cultural appropriation is a problem for those who want to preserve the important pieces of their ethnic tradition. These are all parallels you see in the debate subforum, so I don't understand this continuing trend of "x and y are bad, but cultural appropriation is okay because it's inevitable."

Again, not just about you if your BJD visualization has consequences that carry over to real life for other people. If you are offending a large group of people minding their own business in a publicly viewable venue, the problem is not their reactions, but the fact that you created the disruption in the first place. Expression is not just your personal one-way street without responsibility. To think that your lone "creativity" should be enough to demand that people should leave their careers, trauma, heritage, religion, sexuality, etc. at the fandom door just so you can hawk your own idealized version of someone's problems is nothing short of throwing privilege around. Exactly what is the point of being on DoA if you have a problem with a sizeable international fanbase or rules that restrict questionable content no matter how much you appeal to "artistic freedom?" There's a time and place for everything. I don't walk into ConDoll and go "omg stop the buttsex," and people shouldn't have to walk into DoA and be told that they can't have valid sociocultural opinions unless they're of the Western heterosexual variety (ironically in a place about distinct Asian aesthetics).

At this point, I'm going to spoonfeed discussion suggestions because some people are just picking and choosing what to respond to without addressing the entire argument and missing the purpose of a debate:

a) Read through the thread; it's five pages, not the Norton Anthology of Literature.

b) Draw parallels to other existing debates concerning BJD, visualization, and human reaction and stop pretending as if the "sensitivity" is only about cultural appropriation.

c) Learn the beauty of Google search: how much energy does it require to do a few clicks on national dress etiquette or accepted means of giving something a "twist?"

d) Distinguish between mutual diffusion/borrowing versus damaging appropriation and assimilation (reading material has already been linked), and realize that it can't quite be compared to frivolous pop culture examples that have nothing to do with compromising Western identity or national tradition.

e) Recognize the difference in ideals between immigrant societies who don't even have a unified sense of national dress, versus dominant 2,000+ year old ethnicities who don't like seeing sexualized or cheap imitations of their national dress.

f) Stop with rampant circular reasoning fallacies. "It happens a lot" is not a self-validating excuse for why it should be continued. Refer back to example about homosexual exploitation.

 

I'm not a fan of gratuitous rape or abuse, and even if it depicted to provide motivation for revenge or a character behaving in a certain way as a reaction to being abused, I still do not find find it appealing on any level. I certainly would find it less appealing if the abuse or rape was pretty much the point of a weak storyline. Personally, I would never buy or view yaoi stories portraying rape. I'm sure people can romanticize rape and such and leave out the reality of waking up in a hospital with broken bones and perhaps the loss of vision in one eye. If that is their thing ,well so be it. If depictions of rape and abuse in yaoi and yuri and even straight relationships were subject to laws such as are applied to images and relationships involving children however, the effect would be to drive in underground and perhaps even broaden its appeal a little. Humans are contrary and sometimes the big draw of some literature or images is that they are either downright illegal or far outside the mainstream.
One thing I find offensive is the hate and riducule directed toward Christians.I am an ex- Christian and I know the stereotypes are not true. But I live in America. I am very uncomfortble with the idea of hate crime legislation because it smacks of thought police to me. So people distort Christians, homosexuals, and people who are not white or are white. Their speech is protected and so is mine. Which is just my way of admitting I do not know what to do if people are offended by yaoi.
I don't care for photographs depicting doll violence,.rape, or Lolita type situations. I have to admit that i can't help but feel at times that such photographs, in some instances, are depicting a wish which might be fulfilled in real life if opportunity arises. However, that isn't for me to say since I have no clue to the inner thoughts of the photographer, and we all have fantasies which we absolutely would not act upon given chance, even if they are not illegal or taboo.
What I would ask is this: for the owner of the age of thirteen, twenty, or forty, who is merely enjoying making or dressing a doll in some incorrect version of some national costume because it is pretty, can you really believe they are destroying a culture?
Perhaps he matter of living designers who can actually have an impact on fashion is not relevant to doll dress unless you are including dolls with the entire spectrum cheapening and appropriation of culture?
I wonder if those Barbies which are clad in national costumes are correct. I forgot what they call those specifically.

 

I knew you would clear this mess up. I agree these sort of discussions are off-putting and even a little scary particularly to new people.
Maybe there should be a BS forum. Somebody, can't think who, said something to the effect that when all the big things are accounted for,people fight like the devil over the little things, However, even if there is a lot of over thinking going on here I sort of enjoy being given cause to think.
But in the end you are right-this sort of thing makes doll ownership less fun and play and more of a social burden. I would add to that if anyone takes this sort of stuff seriously.

 

Okay, I think I get what you're saying about turning national dress into something fetish and sexual... But here's the part I don't get. How is that the Western world's fault? Ireland has national dress. Ukraine has national dress. I think it's wrong of you to say that the fault lies entirely with those evil, evil foreigners and their rampant sluttiness. What you described is, in fact, offensive, but is a very extreme case and when you end it by blaming it on Westerners you kind of muddle your point.

I think what people are objecting to, more than your idea that cheapening a nation's cultural heritage is wrong (because I don't think anyone would disagree with that, right?), is that your words and phrasing seem to make it into a blanket statement about the entire western world. That they do it 100%, or at least 90%, of the time, with willful intent even. Instead of some or a majority of the people who do it being ignorant, you make it sound like you think they are all doing it for the wrong reasons. You used your example of your friend who was fine with being corrected, but it sounds like you find her to be an exception?

Your "spoonfed discussions" are also going to put people on the offensive and make them even less likely to try and understand what you're saying. I get what you're saying, and I think that you are to an extent right. It's that your wordings and general tone takes it to the extreme I described above to you.

 

Totally agreed!!

 

i've been refraining on posting further on this thread specifically because it's not really debate if one person can't hear the other opinions. But i'm going to quote this passage back to you, Nereina, and ask if you wouldn't find it somewhat patronizing and offensive? i mean, since you're so perceptive and able to anticipate offenses globally and across generations and their butterfly effects, how can you not see that calling people who challenge your opinion stupid or lazy doesn't contribute to understanding?

Amazingly enough, it is entirely possible to do all the things you implore (absent meaningful contexts for some of the loaded words, like "accepted", "frivolous", and "cheap"), and still disagree with you. Just as it is possible for you to think me an idiot for doing so. That's fine. But at least acknowledge that some of us have really read what you have written, and more, and thought about it, and still disagree or have questions. Because sometimes there are MORE than two sides to an argument. If you applied your "spoonfeedings" to an honest rereading of this thread and followed your own dictates, you might see a few of them.

 

agreed. and agreed this stuff makes the hobby more offputting. and nerenia, your little list is pretty down putting ^^; i DO understand what you mean about people not reading but listing your main points as commands is not going to change anything. whats with the mentality that we have to consider everything we do publicly because other people are seeing it...? that way, we'd just have no personality. i mean, i understand considering but completely changing what you do or not doing something is just plain strange. no matter WHAT you do, someone, somewhere, will not like it. youre saying we shouldnt make variations on cultural dress because it might offend people? i find it pretty saddneing to consider that people cant express themselves - so now those people who tell us not to do it are offending me? get what i mean? thats just picking and choosing what you believe and backing your point by saying it will offend people - ANYTHING can offend people

also, im not sure where all this talk of sexualised dress came from. because when i said variations, i just imagined, say, a kimono with lace or more of a 'cute' alternate style - i dont know what everyone else was thining of

 

I understand the point of this topic though I don't really know what to say about it than that this is (as said before) a creative hobby, shown off on the internet for everyone to see and we are all free to do as we please with our creative minds and tools (tools in this case meaning our dolls) as long as it follows the rules of the forum and ofcourse the laws of the "real world".

Freedom of speech goes above all else. In Sweden where I come from, this means that even nazis can go about stating their opinion without being imprisoned or attacked as long as they don't spread it around as fact. There is a quote wich my boyfriend always uses, I don't know who said it the first time nor have I ever read it in english but it goes something like this: "I hate your opinion but I could die for your right to state it."

This isn't a forum where we discuss politics alot and personally I think that is kind of nice, since this is after all a forum of dolls, our hobby, wich as nothing to do with politics really unless you really try hard to find that conncetion. The internet is an entire world of freedom and I think it is pretty scary to think that it should be controlled.
If people want to portray their dolls in a homosexual relatonship where violence occur, just think about how many heterosexual relationships there are over the entire world where violence is very common and in many cases, much worse than what is portrayed in a photostory with dolls made out of resin.
Also, if people are offended they are very free to leave and not look at the pictures or read the text. If a photostory or a doll wearing a certain kind of clothes, makes some person out there get the wrong idea of something I mean.. come on! What is the big deal?! If these people aren't smart enough themselves to check facts before they assume things than I don't really feel sorry for them. If they can't tell reality from fiction it is not my fault or anyone elses.
It's like saying violent videogames taking place in an asian enviorment makes people think that it's ok to act like that in asia. I find such arguments rather old and frankly, rude..

I should even be free to state that I find 'rape' a very interesting subject for photostorys and fiction in general, without the fear of being lynched.

Freedom of speech.

 

Nereina, it's possible to understand you and still not agree. Just as it's possible that the people putting up images you disagree with do think about it and come to a different conclusion than you would. I think the main reason for this is not lazyness, intentional rudeness, or arrogance, but rather that we see dolls differently.

To someone who's dolls are a form of adult play--a little escape from the real world, it may be very off putting to have someone get up in arms about their doll not being accurate. Accuracy? It wasn't meant to be accurate. This is also a hobby where creativity and orginality is prized, so people don't always stick to the tried and true and do push the envelope sometimes. But most of all, they don't see dolls on the same level as the real world. There isn't necessarily a direct coorellation.

You see dolls as an extension of the real world with all the inherent real world issues that you're so passionate about, which is entirely different. That's ok, but it's a very different approach and mindset. That also means no matter how well you try and argue or clear you try to write, people are not necessarily going to agree with you, because they see dolls and this hobby in general in a completely different light.

 

Dolls are viewed in each culture to mean different things. I will say that in more "western" places, dolls in more "controversial" situations draw up more tension between groups of people.(Just a personal observation) I mean I've seen bondage sets for dolls being sold in Asia and it's not really that big of a deal, or at least the perception of this being a "personal" preference isn't impeded on.
It is you personal piece of property, and what you want to do with it is none of my business, but please respect my right if I don't want to hear about your yaoi dolls lovefest. (C'mon it's only common coutesy)

Now with the cultural dress thing... I don't think it's just "Westerners" making things bad... Asians bastardize as much cultural things as everything else. Making lots of things into fads, that including cultural dresses. Where do I stand on this? I hope people will research before they make something that is cultural, they don't have to go deep into the cultural background but somethings like the Japanese Kimono have levels of complexity. That includes the size of the sleeves and the colour represent marital status. Having a young girl wearing a kimono of that of a person who is married sends very mixed signals. Keeping that in mind I don't mean that a person does millions of hours of research, but just enough to see how its worn properly, and if there are any constraints in colour and style.

That being said being inspired by something or like using the textiles of a traditional dress (chimeren, plaid, ect) and making something else out of it is just fine. Like how making tweaks on a cultural dress is fine. Just as long as it keeps its shape and tradition. You wouldn't call a pleated plaid skirt a kilt now would you?

These things are very touchy subjects (for some people) and the degree of it changes from person to person. A little more leeway in the doll world. As long as you don't make the person you are talking to (off line) uncomfortable talking about things like doll homosexuality and other stuff should be that much of a bother.

(Sorry for the long text)

 

It's Voltaire.
On the subject of tolerance for others' sins of creativity, here's another quote for your boyfriend's collection, this from Noam Chomsky: "If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all."

P.S. @Taco, I know I've asked you this before, but WHEN are you going to go apply for that job at the U.N.? Your debate posts always reach levels of diplomacy that would put the whole of Ambassadorhood to shame.