Harry Potter and the imagination of JK Rowling.

[Moulin Yarns]

https://news.stv.tv/east-central/jk-rowling-denies-harry-potter-connection-to-edinburghs-victoria-street-and-greyfriars-kirkyard

Claims not to have seen Victoria Street or greyfriars before writing the books, even though she wrote in a cafe right beside them both?? 🤔

[Pretty Boy]

The early chapters of the 1st Potter book, including the first descriptions of Diagon Alley, were written before she relocated to Edinburgh.

The 'birthplace of Harry Potter' claims are good for a fair few businesses but somewhat economical with the truth. Having read the 1st book as a youngster and again recently to my own child I never really imagined the place in question as being Victoria Street. They both have cobbled roads and that's about it, the rest of the descriptors are quintessential Victorian London.

I suppose her detractors need something fresh to throw at her. She's a transhobe, fat shamer, class traitor, quisling and anti Semite so plagiarism and lying about her inspiration is realtively small fry.

[Ozyhibby]

The books are great fun for kids and I enjoyed watching all the movies with my kids. Where she took inspiration from, surely only she knows? And why would she lie?


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[JimBHibees]

The books are great fun for kids and I enjoyed watching all the movies with my kids. Where she took inspiration from, surely only she knows? And why would she lie?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Does it really matter? It could be any number of things which inspire stories totally different if she has plagiarised someone else's creative work.

[hibsbollah]

The early chapters of the 1st Potter book, including the first descriptions of Diagon Alley, were written before she relocated to Edinburgh.

The 'birthplace of Harry Potter' claims are good for a fair few businesses but somewhat economical with the truth. Having read the 1st book as a youngster and again recently to my own child I never really imagined the place in question as being Victoria Street. They both have cobbled roads and that's about it, the rest of the descriptors are quintessential Victorian London.

I suppose her detractors need something fresh to throw at her. She's a transhobe, fat shamer, class traitor, quisling and anti Semite so plagiarism and lying about her inspiration is realtively small fry.


I don't really feel strongly about her either way, but I'm not sure there's much evidence for some of the accusations thrown at her, particularly, the 'Transphobe' slur is something thrown at ANYONE these days online who tries to have a conversation about the gender vs sex dynamic, the whole debate is now impossible to have in a serious way. I've read her say that 'erasing the concept of sex' can be uncomfortable for some women wishing to identity as such. To label this kind of view as 'transphobic' is wrong in my view. If she's written anything more extreme than this id be interesting to see it. If 'anti-semitic' refers to her depiction of the goblins at Gringotts Bank, nothing to it, those characters probably contain some features and imagery common to anti semitic depictions but again, to accuse her of that on the basis of one group of characters?? Just a really odd thing to chuck at her.

Her problem (apart from her engaging through twitter in the first place), is shes writing in a genre that is full of imagery that is borrowed constantly from other writers and historic fantasy right back to old Norse sagas and Greek writings. Everything is plagiarised!! Tolkien painstakingly crafted a whole set of languages and cultures based on his academic knowledge as a Professor in Old German and Saxon history, and Harry Potter borrows from Tolkein all the time. Its unsurprising.

I get why places like The Elephant House want to create a visitor experience where they can pretend there is something meaningful about a stupid cafe that means foreign tourists sometimes queue into the main thoroughfare of George IV Bridge dodging traffic, to take a photo of the entrance FFS :faf: It makes money while being complete nonsense at the same time. So she scrawled some lines of a book, and probably used the toilet from time to time as well, in one particular establishment and that makes that establishment somehow interesting?? More evidence that the world is now ****ing bonkers.

[7 Up]

I suppose her detractors need something fresh to throw at her. She's a transhobe, fat shamer, class traitor, quisling and anti Semite so plagiarism and lying about her inspiration is realtively small fry.

She has recently tweeted praise for an anti-trans film made by a far-right bigot who describes himself as a 'theocratic fascist', so maybe some of her detractors are making some fair points?

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/11/jk-rowling-matt-walsh/

[hibsbollah]

She has recently tweeted praise for an anti-trans film made by a far-right bigot who describes himself as a 'theocratic fascist', so maybe some of her detractors are making some fair points?

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/11/jk-rowling-matt-walsh/

It’s a bit more nuanced than that; judging by the detail within the article she engaged in a discussion on Twitter with him , praising some bits, criticising others.

[LewysGot2]

She has recently tweeted praise for an anti-trans film made by a far-right bigot who describes himself as a 'theocratic fascist', so maybe some of her detractors are making some fair points?

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/11/jk-rowling-matt-walsh/


And has very clearly distanced herself from him over the weekend. Unless we align ourselves completely on every issue depending on our natural bed fellows on political issues then it’s perfectly reasonable to think she might agree with someone on one thing and not on a million other things. It’s how we used to do debate.

The homogeneous group think is never healthy but we find ourselves increasingly with people being boxed into polarised positions by those who might disagree with us - “look at your allies” is exactly such a strategy.

When did our politics become so lacking in nuance and defined by tribal lines?

In the UK - leavers and remainers. In Scotland Nats and Yoons. Folk deciding where they sit on issues because of single issues over-riding everything else. Holding your nose for Brexit/Indy etc

The debate on womens rights and any impact from gender identity is very different in the US where it does seem it’s more right wing v left wing. In the UK it’s definitely not. It’s a far wider political spectrum and there definitely is an attempt to frame it in US terms.

Whatever people think, JK Rowling is one of the true philanthropists of our generation. Went from being a billionaire to a millionaire by giving away so much money to health, charities and education programmes. We have a £20 million unit at the ERI that she paid for, numerous groups have benefited from her generosity. She’s upset folk on the Indy team because she was a remainer in 2014. Many see her through that lens. Others are upset she has a specific view on the current identity debates. Some folk just don’t like other folk having a different opinion to them. She’s too well set to be cancelled though.

I’m sure there’s things I agree with that Craig Levein agrees with too. Doesn’t make me a toilet residing last day of the season coward with maroon cardigans and a penchant for bus shelters :wink:

[Pretty Boy]

She has recently tweeted praise for an anti-trans film made by a far-right bigot who describes himself as a 'theocratic fascist', so maybe some of her detractors are making some fair points?

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/11/jk-rowling-matt-walsh/

I don't agree with her views on a lot of things but the constant need for people to absolutely trash everything about her and her work is tiresome.

It's a phenomenon amplified on social media. 'I disagree with your view on one thing so I'll make it my mission to find almost everything about you objectionable'.

[Hiber-nation]

I didn't get even the slightest flavour of Edinburgh in the books. As someone else said it was all Victorian London to me.

[Kato]

When did our politics become so lacking in nuance and defined by tribal lines?


Since the internet.


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[7 Up]

Regardless of her merits or otherwise as an author, it's perfectly legitimate to criticise Rowling for praising the work of someone as thoroughly unpleasant as Matt Walsh. Walsh isn't a naive artist who happens to hold some eccentric views, he's a propagandist for the far-right. Some people are determined to find nuance where none exists.

[LewysGot2]

Regardless of her merits or otherwise as an author, it's perfectly legitimate to criticise Rowling for praising the work of someone as thoroughly unpleasant as Matt Walsh. Walsh isn't a naive artist who happens to hold some eccentric views, he's a propagandist for the far-right. Some people are determined to find nuance where none exists.

His motives for his take on gender identity is very different from hers or Joanna Cherry or a range of people.

I'm certain they vehemently disagree on Roe v Wade and right to choose. He has tried to reach out to her, she very openly said he was no ally.

[7 Up]

His motives for his take on gender identity is very different from hers or Joanna Cherry or a range of people.

I'm certain they vehemently disagree on Roe v Wade and right to choose. He has tried to reach out to her, she very openly said he was no ally.

I'd question how you could know these people's motives? Even if they are different, Walsh and Rowling are articulating a similar view on trans rights and she chose to openly praise his film.

To return to the question of nuance, I think I'd rather be accused of being an unnuanced clod than of giving succour to the far-right. Perhaps others take the opposite view.

[LewysGot2]

I'd question how you could know these people's motives? Even if they are different, Walsh and Rowling are articulating a similar view on trans rights and she chose to openly praise his film.

To return to the question of nuance, I think I'd rather be accused of being an unnuanced clod than of giving succour to the far-right. Perhaps others take the opposite view.

Her motivations have been published by her on more than one occasion and discussed previously on the thread on that subject. She explains her position and its not his. Unless of course people think she's lying.

It's all out there.

[7 Up]

Her motivations have been published by her on more than one occasion and discussed previously on the thread on that subject. She explains her position and its not his. Unless of course people think she's lying.

It's all out there.

As you say, people can be insincere. All we know is that Walsh and Rowling articulate a similar view on trans rights and that she chose to openly praise his film. These actions must be open to legitimate criticism.

[LewysGot2]

As you say, people can be insincere. All we know is that Walsh and Rowling articulate a similar view on trans rights and that she chose to openly praise his film. These actions must be open to legitimate criticism.

It's womens' rights that the likes of Cherry, Rowling and Co frame their side of the debate. That's one of the contrasts.

[7 Up]

It's womens' rights that the likes of Cherry, Rowling and Co frame their side of the debate. That's one of the contrasts.

Walsh and Rowling may have different intentions but have ended up in similar places with regard to their stated views on trans rights. It's completely legitimate to criticise what they say and do, regardless of their intentions. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[hibsbollah]

Walsh and Rowling may have different intentions but have ended up in similar places with regard to their stated views on trans rights. It's completely legitimate to criticise what they say and do, regardless of their intentions. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Totally legitimate to criticise, it’s the language that’s used while doing so that can be problematic. Two very valid rights are in conflict, it’s going to need careful work to make sure the issue is negotiated properly. In the context of the alt right making it a woke culture war political issue and the state of the debate on Twitter I can’t see progress being made.

[Keith_M]

Walsh and Rowling may have different intentions but have ended up in similar places with regard to their stated views on trans rights. It's completely legitimate to criticise what they say and do, regardless of their intentions. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.


What was it specifically that she said that you object to?

[7 Up]

Totally legitimate to criticise, it’s the language that’s used while doing so that can be problematic. Two very valid rights are in conflict, it’s going to need careful work to make sure the issue is negotiated properly. In the context of the alt right making it a woke culture war political issue and the state of the debate on Twitter I can’t see progress being made.

Entirely agree.


What was it specifically that she said that you object to?

Praising an anti-trans film made by far-right propagandist Matt Walsh.

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/11/jk-rowling-matt-walsh/

[Keith_M]

Entirely agree.



Praising an anti-trans film made by far-right propagandist Matt Walsh.

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/11/jk-rowling-matt-walsh/


Does praising a specific work of a person mean, though, that you agree with everything they say or do?

:dunno:

[brianmc]

Does praising a specific work of a person mean, though, that you agree with everything they say or do?

:dunno:

No.

But amazingly some people find that hard to
understand.

It's almost like they have an agenda they're committed to regardless of the information in front of them 🤔

[Stairway 2 7]

Its ok to say Hitler was a great painter

https://youtu.be/D6llaZefJDc

[Keith_M]

Its ok to say Hitler was a great painter

https://youtu.be/D6llaZefJDc


:greengrin



Did you know Adolf was a Veggie?

TBF, I think I'd draw the line at giving him any praise for it.

[Kato]

:greengrin



Did you know Adolf was a Veggie?

TBF, I think I'd draw the line at giving him any praise for it.He was only veggie because Dr Morell said he should stop eating meat to cure his flatulence. Der Fuhrer was embarrassing himself too many times with bouts of farting at inappropriate moments.

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[Stairway 2 7]

He was only veggie because Dr Morell said he should stop eating meat to cure his flatulence. Der Fuhrer was embarrassing himself too many times with bouts of farting at inappropriate moments.

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So they changed him to chickpeas, beans and cabbage. No wonder they all topped themselves in the Bunker

[7 Up]

Does praising a specific work of a person mean, though, that you agree with everything they say or do?

:dunno:

All it means is that Rowling has chosen to publicly praise a film made by a far-right bigot. That in itself is enough to warrant legitimate criticism from people such as myself who disagree with that action.

[Stairway 2 7]

@jk_rowling
Respectfully, I've been facing down the Punch-and-Kill-TERFs brigade for a while now and not once have I thought, 'what I really want is to hand this over to a man who thinks feminism is one of the worst things to happen to western civilisation

Like many women on the left, I despair that so many self-proclaimed liberals turn a blind eye to the naked misogyny of the gender identity movement and the threat it poses to the rights of women and girls. Walsh's film undeniably exposed what many leftists are too scared to

but a shared belief that women exist as a biological class (and water's wet and the moon's not made of cheese) does not an ally make. I believe women are susceptible to certain harms and have specific needs and that feminism is necessary to secure and protect our rights

Walsh believes feminism is 'rotten' and his default appears to be denigrating women with whom he disagrees. He's no more on my side than the 'shut up or we'll bomb you' charmers who cloak their misogyny in a pretty pink and blue flag

[7 Up]

@jk_rowling
Respectfully, I've been facing down the Punch-and-Kill-TERFs brigade for a while now and not once have I thought, 'what I really want is to hand this over to a man who thinks feminism is one of the worst things to happen to western civilisation

Like many women on the left, I despair that so many self-proclaimed liberals turn a blind eye to the naked misogyny of the gender identity movement and the threat it poses to the rights of women and girls. Walsh's film undeniably exposed what many leftists are too scared to

but a shared belief that women exist as a biological class (and water's wet and the moon's not made of cheese) does not an ally make. I believe women are susceptible to certain harms and have specific needs and that feminism is necessary to secure and protect our rights

Walsh believes feminism is 'rotten' and his default appears to be denigrating women with whom he disagrees. He's no more on my side than the 'shut up or we'll bomb you' charmers who cloak their misogyny in a pretty pink and blue flag

If those are Rowling's words then it seems she understands how fraught it is to praise the work of someone as dangerous as Walsh. Nevertheless she chose to do so.

[Stairway 2 7]

If those are Rowling's words then it seems she understands how fraught it is to praise the work of someone as dangerous as Walsh. Nevertheless she chose to do so.

She liked his film said she liked his film, said she doesn't agree with what else she knows about him

Not really a big deal

[7 Up]

She liked his film said she liked his film, said she doesn't agree with what else she knows about him

Not really a big deal

It's interesting though isn't it, that otherwise decent people who become immersed in this anti-trans stuff seem to end up praising the work of very unsavoury people? It's something I've noticed happening repeatedly on social media.

[Stairway 2 7]

It's interesting though isn't it, that otherwise decent people who become immersed in this anti-trans stuff seem to end up praising the work of very unsavoury people? It's something I've noticed happening repeatedly on social media.

She's praised hundreds of people on twitter on the subject, as diverse as macy gray, joanna cherry, Sharon davis, dave chappelle and Ricky Gervais. They all have completely different views and opinions to each other.

She's not anti trans she just has the opinion that in some situations sex at birth should count. Its her opinion and the opinion of most women when asked, but she is vilified and threatened because of it

[7 Up]

She's praised hundreds of people on twitter on the subject, as diverse as macy gray, joanna cherry, Sharon davis, dave chappelle and Ricky Gervais. They all have completely different views and opinions to each other.

She's not anti trans she just has the opinion that in some situations sex at birth should count. Its her opinion and the opinion of most women when asked, but she is vilified and threatened because of it

People are entitled to disagree with Rowling's views and offer respectful criticism of her actions. Twitter and social media in general is a cesspit when it comes to this topic and both sides share some of the blame for that.

[overdrive]

Back on the original topic, or a close variation of it... she was a teacher at my school, though I was ever taught by her. I wasn't ever really into Harry Potter but my fiancée has introduced me to the films. I was interested to see if any of the characters were based on any of the teachers. I was disappointed to realise that I don't think any were.

[WeeRussell]

I don’t know much about JK and her inspiration but if she’s saying Greyfriar’s graveyard had nothing to do with the creation of any of her characters - someone might want to tell the tour guides there 😁

They look more like Harry Potter tours than Greyfriar’s these days.