Comments on: Asgarda http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604418 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604418 I wonder how many people understand the extent of the sexism in the comment thread. Most probably don't even see it. What a let down. I wonder how many people understand the extent of the sexism in the comment thread.

Most probably don’t even see it. What a let down.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603651 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603651 I doubt this is real, and it's awfully exploity, anyway. No photos on Guillaume Herbaut's site, though there are other references from earlier this year about the photos being on his site. This is still presenting these Ukrainian women as fantasy sex objects; note above poster commenting on how it's a little sexy. I know, I know that you really do like strong women, but there's an inherent note of objectification in what you're saying. This isn't sexy. If this were real, it would be an additional heart-breaking bit of evidence about how downtrodden Ukrainian women are. Women's separatism does happen in places like that, e.g. Rwanda and Kenya, but it's generally not accompanied by the use of medieval weaponry and high fashion photos. (I mean come on, there's even a head-shaving scene to show you how hyper-masculine they are.) I doubt this is real, and it’s awfully exploity, anyway. No photos on Guillaume Herbaut’s site, though there are other references from earlier this year about the photos being on his site. This is still presenting these Ukrainian women as fantasy sex objects; note above poster commenting on how it’s a little sexy. I know, I know that you really do like strong women, but there’s an inherent note of objectification in what you’re saying. This isn’t sexy. If this were real, it would be an additional heart-breaking bit of evidence about how downtrodden Ukrainian women are. Women’s separatism does happen in places like that, e.g. Rwanda and Kenya, but it’s generally not accompanied by the use of medieval weaponry and high fashion photos. (I mean come on, there’s even a head-shaving scene to show you how hyper-masculine they are.)

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603662 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603662 my sexy girlfriend collects weapons and has never LARPed once! (though her forays into Buffy fan-fic worries me sometimes) ;) my sexy girlfriend collects weapons and has never LARPed once! (though her forays into Buffy fan-fic worries me sometimes) ;)

]]> By: Santa's Knee http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603664 Santa's Knee Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603664 "Krippendorfskaya" “Krippendorfskaya”

]]> By: Ian70 http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603920 Ian70 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603920 Sexism is ugly. Sexism is ugly.

]]> By: jfrancis http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603669 jfrancis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603669 She needs a hammer to go with that sickle! :D She needs a hammer to go with that sickle!

:D

]]> By: ill lich http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604439 ill lich Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604439 Lemko Lesbos? Well, the website does have a Ukrainian address, and uses the Ukrainian version of the cyrillic alphabet. However the one video posted there is ridiculous, like some crappy riverdance thing featuring awkward martial arts and dancing set to Orff-inspired zeuhl-metal with English lyrics. I think this is real although corny and half-assed; it fits in perfectly with current Slavic pride memes -- claiming some kind of connection to the ancient Scythians (who DID exist, though perhaps not as the Greeks described them) is like African Americans trying to trace their history back to ancient Egypt in a bid to boost their egos. Lemko Lesbos?

Well, the website does have a Ukrainian address, and uses the Ukrainian version of the cyrillic alphabet. However the one video posted there is ridiculous, like some crappy riverdance thing featuring awkward martial arts and dancing set to Orff-inspired zeuhl-metal with English lyrics.

I think this is real although corny and half-assed; it fits in perfectly with current Slavic pride memes — claiming some kind of connection to the ancient Scythians (who DID exist, though perhaps not as the Greeks described them) is like African Americans trying to trace their history back to ancient Egypt in a bid to boost their egos.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604451 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604451 Surprised no-one has noticed the awesome video on their website: http://www.asgarda.org.ua/video/clip1.mpg Real or not, they're pretty damn good fighters! Surprised no-one has noticed the awesome video on their website: http://www.asgarda.org.ua/video/clip1.mpg
Real or not, they’re pretty damn good fighters!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604453 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604453 @Ill Lich. So you've never much been into goth-metal then... @Ill Lich. So you’ve never much been into goth-metal then…

]]> By: sally599 http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603686 sally599 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603686 There was an article on them in Marie Claire also but I can't find it in their on-line database. This was maybe 6 months to a year ago. There was an article on them in Marie Claire also but I can’t find it in their on-line database. This was maybe 6 months to a year ago.

]]> By: arkizzle / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-607270 arkizzle / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607270 "<i>the comments from men are overwhelmingly sexist..</i>" Hey now, Anonymous! <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603645">Xeni made an effort too</a>! I also think you are being unfair to the other women of the thread, who may not have gender-specific names, that also made some witty sexist jokes. Equality starts right here. Let's take them <i>all</i> seriously, huh? “the comments from men are overwhelmingly sexist..”

Hey now, Anonymous!

Xeni made an effort too! I also think you are being unfair to the other women of the thread, who may not have gender-specific names, that also made some witty sexist jokes.

Equality starts right here. Let’s take them all seriously, huh?

]]> By: Toast http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604461 Toast Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604461 This is so perfectly tuned for BoingBoing you have to assume someone wanted to time how long it would take from the publication of the story to its appearance on here. This is so perfectly tuned for BoingBoing you have to assume someone wanted to time how long it would take from the publication of the story to its appearance on here.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603696 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603696 oh, darn it... i was all set to run off and join them, until i read this part on their (official?) website: "In parallel with the development of physical skills it is necessary to develop the skills of public speaking, playing the musical instruments, dance, study household, embroidery, knitting and other skills necessary for women." knitting?? i don't recall amazon warriors being known for their knitting... oh, darn it… i was all set to run off and join them, until i read this part on their (official?) website:

“In parallel with the development of physical skills it is necessary to develop the skills of public speaking, playing the musical instruments, dance, study household, embroidery, knitting and other skills necessary for women.”

knitting?? i don’t recall amazon warriors being known for their knitting…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603703 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603703 if they live in the woods... why are so many of the photos in seemingly urban areas? if they live in the woods… why are so many of the photos in seemingly urban areas?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603960 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603960 Oh man, this is all hilarious. Let me tell you what it is all about. Asgarda was (I am not sure if it still is functioning) just a martial arts school based on the Ukrainian own style, Hopak. Only adapted for girls. These pictures were taken by some French photographer, who was traveling around Ukraine and are just for photo session sake. I happen to know few girls, who were studying in that martial arts school, including the one on photo here. When I told them about all that hype around Asgarda, they laughed so hard, that I thought, that I will lose them :) The bottom line is do not believe everything you read. You'll be surprised how many foolish things they try to put into your head/ Oh man, this is all hilarious.

Let me tell you what it is all about. Asgarda was (I am not sure if it still is functioning) just a martial arts school based on the Ukrainian own style, Hopak. Only adapted for girls. These pictures were taken by some French photographer, who was traveling around Ukraine and are just for photo session sake.

I happen to know few girls, who were studying in that martial arts school, including the one on photo here. When I told them about all that hype around Asgarda, they laughed so hard, that I thought, that I will lose them :)

The bottom line is do not believe everything you read. You’ll be surprised how many foolish things they try to put into your head/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603714 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603714 Really? The Chernobyl thing was a hoax? Dammit! Really? The Chernobyl thing was a hoax? Dammit!

]]> By: dagfooyo http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603716 dagfooyo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603716 No, no, no. This is what that pose is supposed to look like: http://tinyurl.com/y8es5go No, no, no. This is what that pose is supposed to look like:

http://tinyurl.com/y8es5go

]]> By: mermaid http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603980 mermaid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603980 Ukranian Van Dykes! Ukranian Van Dykes!

]]> By: Halloween Jack http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604499 Halloween Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604499 Hopefully, if they are thinking about forming a separatist community, they'll read <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/fashion/01womyn.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1">this article about lesbian separatists in the U.S.</a> and how well that worked out for them. Hopefully, if they are thinking about forming a separatist community, they’ll read this article about lesbian separatists in the U.S. and how well that worked out for them.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-606814 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-606814 the comments from men are overwhelmingly sexist and frequently racist. the comments from men are overwhelmingly sexist and frequently racist.

]]> By: mizkitty64 http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604768 mizkitty64 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604768 Saw these on the website EnglishRussia.com about 10 months ago...don't know if it's a hoax but very cool pix. Disappointing about the Chernobyl motorcycle story being a hoax though. Saw these on the website EnglishRussia.com about 10 months ago…don’t know if it’s a hoax but very cool pix.

Disappointing about the Chernobyl motorcycle story being a hoax though.

]]> By: GauchoAmigo http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603747 GauchoAmigo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603747 I would volunteer to be their man-servant. I would volunteer to be their man-servant.

]]> By: Daedalus http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603749 Daedalus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603749 Moriarty: <i>"You half expect James Bond to show up, be taken prisoner by them, then escape by seducing one."</i> Dude, that is the opposite of sexy strong. ;) They look plenty buff to me, but it's very likely that they just "work out" more than they get in actual fights. And the only pictures of them holding any weapons are obviously not exactly fighting-stance stuff, but poses for the camera (in which they specifically wanted to appear badass, according to the article). The website Xeni linked to kind of makes them sound more like a sort of ninja Ukranian girl scouts than a civilization, but I'd imagine it's hardly a hard-and-fast distinction. And Planet is more of an arty design magazine than a social science magazine, so the reason they were published was undoubtedly for the crazy awesome photography on display. Still, it is very exciting to think that somewhere in the Ukraine, badass ninja grown-up girl scouts are finding a strength inside of them and kicking some ass. If there's that much truth to this, it'll make the world more awesome. If this turns out to be a total hoax, I'm going with the ol' Adam Savage mantra: "I reject your reality, and substitute my own." Moriarty: “You half expect James Bond to show up, be taken prisoner by them, then escape by seducing one.”

Dude, that is the opposite of sexy strong. ;)

They look plenty buff to me, but it’s very likely that they just “work out” more than they get in actual fights. And the only pictures of them holding any weapons are obviously not exactly fighting-stance stuff, but poses for the camera (in which they specifically wanted to appear badass, according to the article). The website Xeni linked to kind of makes them sound more like a sort of ninja Ukranian girl scouts than a civilization, but I’d imagine it’s hardly a hard-and-fast distinction. And Planet is more of an arty design magazine than a social science magazine, so the reason they were published was undoubtedly for the crazy awesome photography on display.

Still, it is very exciting to think that somewhere in the Ukraine, badass ninja grown-up girl scouts are finding a strength inside of them and kicking some ass. If there’s that much truth to this, it’ll make the world more awesome. If this turns out to be a total hoax, I’m going with the ol’ Adam Savage mantra: “I reject your reality, and substitute my own.”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603757 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603757 According to someone I know in the magazine racket, who remembers a story about it in Marie Claire recently: It's basically a martial-arts camp for girls. According to someone I know in the magazine racket, who remembers a story about it in Marie Claire recently: It’s basically a martial-arts camp for girls.

]]> By: Mike http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604275 Mike Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604275 "a warrior-women cult (with a male karate trainer, incidentally)" Boy does this sound like the plot from one of the novels in John Ringo's Paladin of Shadows series. Is this someone's idea of John Ringo cosplay? Oh, John Ringo NO! “a warrior-women cult (with a male karate trainer, incidentally)”

Boy does this sound like the plot from one of the novels in John Ringo’s Paladin of Shadows series.

Is this someone’s idea of John Ringo cosplay? Oh, John Ringo NO!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603764 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603764 I guess they've finally discovered Paradise Island. I guess they’ve finally discovered Paradise Island.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603767 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603767 Santa's Knee, Finally remembered your password? Santa’s Knee,

Finally remembered your password?

]]> By: Moriarty http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-603771 Moriarty Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-603771 <i>Dude, that is the opposite of sexy strong.</i> No, it's sexy strong for people who find it threatening as well as sexy. Can be enjoyed safely, because you can call them freaks and reassert status quo soon enough. Dude, that is the opposite of sexy strong.

No, it’s sexy strong for people who find it threatening as well as sexy. Can be enjoyed safely, because you can call them freaks and reassert status quo soon enough.

]]> By: raw bacon http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604286 raw bacon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604286 Just finished reading Misha Glenny's excellent "McMafia", a comprehensive rundown of the worlds criminal networks. Reading about the human trafficking, it seems to me, that even though this Asgarda warrior cult might be a hoax, we need something like it. Wouldn't it be nice if the a-holes, who lure women with good jobs, only to stick them in prison-bordellos, would get an ass-kicking? http://www.amazon.com/McMafia-Journey-Through-Criminal-Underworld/dp/1400044111 Just finished reading Misha Glenny’s excellent “McMafia”, a comprehensive rundown of the worlds criminal networks.
Reading about the human trafficking, it seems to me, that even though this Asgarda warrior cult might be a hoax, we need something like it. Wouldn’t it be nice if the a-holes, who lure women with good jobs, only to stick them in prison-bordellos, would get an ass-kicking?

http://www.amazon.com/McMafia-Journey-Through-Criminal-Underworld/dp/1400044111

]]> By: ackpht http://boingboing.net/2009/10/02/asgarda.html#comment-604291 ackpht Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-604291 Clearly there is pent-up desire for Amazons to exist. Clearly there is pent-up desire for Amazons to exist.

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