ModernWizard = dude

[modernwizard]

Way back in the early days of the millennium, I chose ModernWizard as a screen name, a practice that I have continued over the past 10+ years to create a coherent online identity.  I specifically chose it because it combines connotations of magic and fantasy with a more up-to-date sensibility. I also specifically chose it because it's not gender-marked, although, now that I think about it, most people think "wizard" to be a gender-marked word, the male equivalent to "witch." Also informing my choice was a T-shirt I had at that time with glow-in-the-dark constellations, which, I decided, would be appropriate for a modern wizard's garb, as opposed to the stylized astronomical symbols of yore. ^_^

Anyway, people who don't know me continually assume that I'm a guy. Well, let me rephrase that -- straight cis white dudes continually assume I'm one of them by using masculine pronouns on trade references or calling me sir. It is interesting that women do not do this.

I could go off onto a whole tangent about the gendered ways in which people write only and how people interpret other people's gender from what they write [For example, I very rarely see masculine-identified people use ^_^. :), :( and :p, yes, but ^_^, no. :p ] and what happens when one reads "conflicting" cues. I don't wanna, though. The end.

Comments

[sailorzeo.livejournal.com]

I remember MWD all assuming you were male for the first year. Since I use "Sailor Zeo," I was assumed male and Navy. Then again, given the forum was MEN with Dolls, everyone was presumed male unless/until otherwise stated. Strangely, though, I do think it was one of the most gender-friendly forums I've been to. At least there was no overt sexism that I remember. Then again, it has been...crap, ten years? Over ten years? A long time, anyhow, since I was last there, so I may be misremembering.

I first saw the ^_^ style emoticons on an anime Usenet group--both males and females used them there.

[plaidedbra.livejournal.com]

1) As a white cis female, I thought that name was a male's at first, until I connected "modernwizard" with "blogofstench". I think I pegged you as female when I first saw "blogofstench", before we started talking, because most Labyrinth fans that I've seen online are ladies. When we did start to talk, and I read through your archive, I didn't remember my earlier thoughts and realized I shouldn't assume, regardless if I remembered that or not. I think it was Andrea who told me your first name.

2) I also associate "wizard" with males due to an ex-boyfriend who had the online name of "wizardboy13" for awhile. That was high school, back when we were both on Neopets, so... that was 10 years ago.

3) I have chatted with at least one cis, straight, white male who used ^_^ and similar emoticons that I usually associate with ladies. You are right, though, that it is pretty rare.

4) Of the people I've talked to about dolls and action figures, I see many gay males with Barbies and Fashion Royalty. For women who have multiple (or only) Fashion Royalty (and other high-end fashion) dolls, they tend to be in their 30s and older, usually married, if they've indicated. There are Barbie/FR fans who have male action figures, but those collectors do not often have female action figures. Those with both male and female action figures tend to be split between the binary/automatically-assumed genders.

Those who are older and/or have more disposable income tend to have the more expensive dolls, be less likely to customize and franken-doll their own figures, and be more likely to hire another artist to customize their figures. Blythe, Fashion Royalty (and other associated lines), Tonner, and Momoko are among their collections - most about $100 for a basic or dressed doll (not second-hand). I get the impression their dolls are to dress up and look pretty for pictures and display - less hands-on than the younger/thrifty collectors.

The younger and/or more thrifty collectors are more likely to customize their figures (sometimes repeatedly) and seek parts from many sources. Barbie, Monster High, Bratz, and various action figures are among their collections, often with hybrids and other customizations. They seem to be hands-on, looking for and offering tips and tricks with other collectors, and prefer more articulation in a figure.

BJD collectors are kind of different, and you are different from most bjd collectors. As a 1:6 vinyl collector, I see your bjds as expensive. It could be your background with diy-ing your action figures that has you approaching bjds this way.