In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the cubs turn on the TV and get into a discussion about bears in the media today. The guys ponder the question about bear representation in films, TV and more and how it has changed over the years. Are there still stigmas about hirsute chubby men or have we become “mainstream”? Tune in as the cubs share their feelings on the subject while waxing nostalgia about bearish actors of yore.
Show Topic
Bears in Entertainment Media Today
Given the changes in the media landscape over the past decades, is there any bear representation today? Do we continue to see fatphobia in the entertainment media, especially when it comes to men regardless of their self-identified sexual orientation? Has the bear community peaked in the media as the broader LGBTQ+ family continues integrating into the broader world society?
In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s our What’s Going On for the month of January. As winter chills the air, the guys warm you up with their monthly shenanigans. From new podcasts to new jobs they didn’t want, slide along with the cubs through another month.
What’s Going On?
Jeff: Forced Focus
Damon: New Podcast / Home Repairs
Gary: Ok-yeah, coulda been bettah
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Email:
Submission from BuilTABear:
Hey Guys! I am listening to your podcast COL514: Trans Bear Listener.
First — GOOD JOB! Thank you for bringing up the topic of trans guys! Please note — not all trans guys are the same or have the same needs, critiques or sensitivities. MANY (not all) guys who are earlier in the process (first 5 years) can be SUPER SENSITIVE about just about everything and often have NO idea they are being that way. I know it’s not politically correct to say that – but it’s the painful truth. After a handful of years living life passing as a cis man we learn to understand the whole world is not out to make us all miserable or be disrespectful to us. ugh. Some guys can really be hard work. Just like any other community, there are some cool guys and some really ODD guys. Mileage may vary :-0
I thought I’d share some of my thoughts about what your email guest had to say:
FEMALE genitalia = In my general experience I agree, we usually prefer words like birth born parts, genetic bits, front business, ANYTHING but being reminded about the emotionally painful word “female” when you are talking about a trans guy. Testosterone makes some pretty significant changes to it and it’s not “standard issue female parts” after a short while anyhow.
JUNK = agree, just ask the guy what he wants his junk called (don’t offer options – just ask)
Bottom Surgery = not being attracted to someone who has had bottom surgery.
Again, those who HAVE HAD bottom surgery are often super sensitive about rejection (as might be expected!). There are some trans guys who have had bottom surgery realizing folks (including other trans guys) are NOT into them BECAUSE of the lower surgery choice. VERY ouchie. Very VERY ouchie (I’d imagine). That’s a lot of work mentally, surgery and money to go through to realize you just put yourself into a VERY narrow date scene. I know of two trans men who committed suicide because of this topic. Saying I’d never have sex with a trans guy who has had bottom surgery is simply unnecessary and rude. It’s like saying “i’d never have sex with a guy with a small penis” — you might think it in your mind and maybe have a general desire for guys 6” or more, but going around admitting you’re a size queen is not pretty. Hope this helps!
Kindly, BuilTABear
Patreon Updates
Happy One Year Anniversary to Uber patron Tim on 1/15
Happy Upcoming 4 Year Anniversary to Ubehr patron Li on 1/31
BIG BEAR CUB HUGS to our Patrons:
Cubsters: Charles W., Daniel C., and Michael K.
Ubehrs: Dave T., Li, Michael Q, and Tim S.
plus our Buddies: Lloyd G., Michael V., and Oan R.!
Recent Shows
COL677: WGO: December 2022
COL678: LTAF: New Year, New Dishes
COL679: 15 Years and Counting
COL680: LoR: Parasocial Interactions
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Each of us find and share something on Twitter that we link to.
In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s time for another Landscape of Relationships. The cubs are once again joined by Dr. Edward Angelini-Cooke for this insightful look into one-sided parasocial interactions. From celebrities to social media influencers, learn how these types of relationships are formed without the others’ knowledge and also the positive and negative impacts they can have on the person creating it. Please like, comment and subscribe to learn more.
Show Topic
Landscape of Relationships: Parasocial Interactions
Parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships where one person invests lots of time, energy, interest, and sometimes money where the other person is completely unaware of the other person’s existence. Parasocial relationships are most common with celebrities, organizations, television stars, and social media. These relationships are created through parasocial interactions (PSI) through mediated encounters with performers through mass media.
Social media offers an added layer of interaction for these relationships to intensify through likes, comments, and direct messaging.
Alief – def. knowing something isn’t real but feeling like it is
Positive Outcomes of Parasocial Relationships
*Identity Formation
performers can offer autonomy in relationships where they can receive total acceptance outside of parents/family.
provide a secure relationship without the fear of rejection.
feeling a part of a group
empathy
*Learning
Bandura’s Social Learning Theory says that social behavior is learning and imitating the behaviors of others.
Shows like Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, and more recently Bluey all offer kids opportunities to learn through identification with these characters.
Negative Outcomes of Parasocial Relationships
*Body Image
research has indicated a negative relationship between parasocial relationships and body image, as well as self-comparison, social comparison with characters increases negative body image
interestingly among men, having a PSR with a superhero is likely to protect body image, where not having a PSR with a superhero is likely to hurt body image
the usage of filters in social media (like airbrushing in print media) has greatly increased, giving a false reality of performers.
*Aggression
more aggressive viewers were more likely to identify with aggressive characters and create PSR with them.
*General
anxiety media views are more likely to be more invested in parasocial relationships
parasocial relationships are one-sided and different traditional friendships
the whole hegemonic masculinity thing
parasocial breakups and grief “what happens when they ‘betray’ you or they die?” Research indicated this follows the patterns of a relationship breakup
can create bias in reality
Topics of PSR
Taylor Swift “Swifties”, Lizzo “Lizzbeans”
Twitter/Only Fans
Reality TV Stars
Vloggers/Podcast hosts
Fictional Characters
Tiktok
Politicians
Be mindful of the media you are consuming and how that translates into your other relationships and the real world.
In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the cubs turn on the TV and get into a discussion about bears in the media today. The guys ponder the question about bear representation in films, TV and more and how it has changed over the years. Are there still stigmas about hirsute chubby men or have we become “mainstream”? Tune in as the cubs share their feelings on the subject while waxing nostalgia about bearish actors of yore.
