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The amount I’ve written and reworked and discarded for Chapter 28/29 of No Unnecessary Distinctions probably makes up several chapters. But I have standards, dammit! Standards!

#no unnecessary distinctions

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2 people said “Yes”—wonder which blog(s) y’all are referring to, because I sure don’t see any. Emphasis on new creative content.

I mean the kind with new creative content in all or most posts, not just reblogs or the usual commentary memed ad nauseum. Not necessarily shippy, even, just about Elijah & Daneel from the Robots novels.

Is @see-fee the only dedicated C/Fe blog here?

Where is everybody?

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I mean the kind with new creative content in all or most posts, not just reblogs or the usual commentary memed ad nauseum. Not necessarily shippy, even, just about Elijah & Daneel from the Robots novels.

Is @see-fee the only dedicated C/Fe blog here?

Where is everybody?

#c/fe #daneel olivaw #elijah baley

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Perfect for applying this logic to pleasure, as well, just like humans 😏

I’ve said this before but sometimes I like to wonder about a truly asexual Daneel—though I didn’t write him that way in my novel—because that angle is also pretty interesting to explore…

For No Unnecessary Distinctions I followed the grain of how the canon is softer science than a marzipan dildo, in the words of Malcolm Tucker. (And that’s a good thing, because the role of speculative fiction is to speculate. Better than the term “science fiction”.)

There’s something naive and fairytale-like about Asimov giving the robots’ such constraints and human-like parallels that makes his writing fun to read.

But also, the problem of people anthropomorphizing robots/AI is apparent even today (when they’re still dumb as rocks), and I’m kinda concerned about it.

It’s like Poe’s Law or the Miranda warning of writing:

Anything you say can and will be taken seriously.

There's something about the fact that Asimov's robotic characters (primarily Daneel and Giskard) are at their most human when in deep distress. Daneel going weak-kneed when he sees a man badly poisoned (or Elijah's death despite it being a peaceful one from old age), Giskard stumbling and needing to regain his equilibrium when he pushes against the Laws with his mind.

#no unnecessary distinctions

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White Collar mirror universe (Matt Bomer as Daneel, Tim DeKay as Elijah)

I’ve just watched White Collar (all 6 seasons) and it’s basically a C/Fe mirror universe where Daneel (personality shifted) is a slick conman who hates guns and Elijah (no personality shift) is a by-the-book FBI agent who caught him, and they partner up to solve white collar crimes in New York.

While I don’t ship them, Peter & Neal have an epic buddy-cop bromance full of tensions and trust rollercoasters and devoted self-sacrificial gestures (someone literally says to Peter: “so you left your wife for Neal”). Their whole dynamic is Peter being grumpy/awkward (as described by Neal: “late middle-aged, curmudgeonly”) and trying to stop his wildcard charge Neal from doing questionable stuff using his incredible Renaissance man talents. (He sings. He paints. He sculpts. He breaks into safes and swings from balconies and steals jewelry and hearts.)

Lots of vibe parallels and similar moments with No Unnecessary Distinctions particularly a certain episode/chapter! It’s like the crime procedural that I wanted for Elijah/Daneel which I’ll never have time to write. Watch it if you love bromance, fun lighthearted yet clever shows from the time of USA Network’s “blue sky” era, and seeing a tsundere detective and his ridiculously handsome partner solve geek-hip crimes in unorthodox ways (including dressing up for undercover missions).

Also, Tim DeKay makes an excellent Elijah because Peter is literally Elijah. With a gloriously deep growl. Especially with their Season 1 classic noir-ish wardrobes of Peter’s detective trench coat and Neal’s sleek turtlenecks (very Daneel), before they changed to suits.

Official bromantic promo material:

When people are looking:

When nobody’s looking (bts photoshoot outtake):

Excuse me officer I believe that is an illegal move

Yep basically Elijah & Daneel in a mirror universe

Just a pretty metrosexual and his boring husband

Left: how Daneel sits in public. Right: how Daneel sits at home. /jk—he sits neatly like the synths in Humans

Matt Bomer as my Daneel Olivaw fancast

He has the “woodenly handsome” chiselled good looks, flawlessly clear piercing blue eyes, and coolly mechanical poise. Plus an innate gentleness as a person that comes through even while performing angry scenes. He might not have the widest range and might also be a bit small, slender, all-American for a Greek god of a Spacer, but embodying the character’s vibes is more important than looks. Circa White Collar would have been perfect.

(Also he's gay)

Daneel's small grave smile:

That’s Bomer’s husband beside him. Bomer went all out for his role as Felix in The Normal Heart and everyone should see that film on living through the beginning of the HIV outbreak, adapted from Larry Kramer’s play).

Daneel's weird sudden smile that doesn't reach the eyes:

Daneel being ordered to go do something:

Daneel's neat hair:

Daneel getting naked in the Personal:

(Bonus) Daneel sexy time with Elijah:

White Collar, The Last Tycoon, The Boys in the Band, The Normal Heart

#daneel olivaw #elijah baley #daneelijah #white collar #neal caffrey #peter burke

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Walking on Baleyworld

Made from this:

#boing #daneelijah #c/fe #elijah baley #daneel olivaw #my art #ai

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Video experiments

Walking in the Caves of Steel

#asimov #elijah baley #daneel olivaw #the caves of steel #c/fe #my art #ai

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I would’ve voted for Daneel. And Elijah too, if I could, of course! He’s a close second.

So I'm slowly getting back into sci-fi (and Azimov's books specifically) and I gotta know if the fandom is present here (I charm ye tumbler to show me the content).

Also, I remember that when I was first reading the Robot series I didn't really understood the whole R. Daneel Olivaw hype, cuz I was genuinely in love with Elijah Baley. Later in the series I understood why people like him so much, but he still was on the third place for me, cuz R. Giskard Reventlov appeared and took the second place. Detective Baley is still my fav tho, even up to this day

As such I wanted to ask

#daneel olivaw #elijah baley #r. daneel olivaw

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Exactly what I felt when reading the book

Your descriptions of scenes and characters and feelings are so expressive yet still come across with that Asimov flavour

There’s a pretty solid trend…

Even more awesome feedback:

Re-reading, even! I am proud indeed!

Moved to tears?! What an honour 🥹

I love this one. Can there be any better endorsement than reading No Unnecessary Distinctions in a power outage?!

Incredibly Asimovian

it really feels like reading the books

A few awesome folks have been coming back to give continuous feedback! Keep it coming!

(I’ll never know if anyone’s still reading, otherwise, since AO3 doesn’t provide metrics.)

And I love this ABSOLUTE UNIT of a comment:

I'll definitely wait for more chapters and more works you'll make no matter how long it will take.

Based on my poll here, there are even a few patient folks who are still holding out until I'm finished! Hopefully they'll still be around when I'm done with NUD...

It's always so good to get any feedback at all, and truly wonderful to see such incredible glowing endorsements and high praise of my writing (mostly for No Unnecessary Distinctions, my main novel) 🙌

Common feedback from readers:

feels Asimovian, feels like reading the books, ties into canon 📚💯

characterizations are faithful/on point, felt in character 🎯

pulled off the relationship, good relationship development, feels natural and genuine—even the more intimate/explicit parts 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨

good character development 📈

thoughtful, well-researched 🧠

wonderfully woven plot, with suspense, drama, romance, comedy 🎭

exciting twists & turns (readers howling from excitement, reading during power outage instead of conserving battery, screaming with tension & suspense) 🔥

touching and impactful (readers hearts melt & shiver, moved to tears) 🥹

Besides No Unnecessary Distinctions, I've also written a few shorts. Here is some lovely feedback for them:

Thank you to everyone who has given feedback <3

I'm very proud of what I've written so far, and I'm currently trying to write the denouement and stick the landing. Got to do it justice and wrap this epic adventure up properly!

📖 Links to my works:

No Unnecessary Distinctions: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35069428

Positronic Resistance: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35388073

Labyrinth: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43410813

Crime & Punishment: https://archiveofourown.org/works/37350712

Some amazing comments & feedback I've gotten ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ)و✧*｡

Today I got this incredible comment:

And a few others that really made my day :D

ALL comments and feedback are very much appreciated, no matter what it is—especially when I don't hear anything back from (it seems) the vast majority of readers. I would totally love even a "I'm still reading this." Or even pointing out mistakes about canon (which I received & fixed once). Hearing back multiple times from the same readers is really cool, too.

Also maybe I should post more updates, tho idk whether peeps follow this Tumblr for doodles or writing..? 🤔

(There was that one time I didn't respond very well to an ask for updates—which I'm not proud of but I'm only human/autistic af, and thankfully balance was restored in the end. I'm an idiot with a lot of feelings sometimes 🥲 Srsly just spam the ever-loving shit outta me. I'll live.)

Here are just some of the amazing comments folks have left:

#no unnecessary distinctions #my fic #my writing

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Exploring ancient ruins

#daneelijah #elijah baley #daneel olivaw #r. daneel olivaw #c/fe #my art #ai

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#my art #daneel olivaw #r. daneel olivaw #ai

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To tag or not to tag..? (spicy images) 🔥🥵🙈

I'm sitting on a veritable mountain of sensual/spicy/erotic generated images of Elijah and Daneel—I'm talking shirtless, nearly nude, skin-tight spacesuits, bathing, bedroom, etc—and I'm wondering if I ought to besmirch their good names by tagging them. On a secondary blog, with community labels.

Idk why I worry, when Tumblr's already a flaming hellhole 💩 I just really prefer to keep it classy...

Certain vulgar/crude posts I’ve seen about them grossed me out, and those were text, let alone images... That's life on the internet tho, just gotta cringe and move on. And find some eyebleach.

***UPDATE***

I accidentally voted for “Tag em,” meaning 3 votes “Tag em” : 2 votes “Keep secret.”

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"Kiss of Life"

No Unnecessary Distinctions (Ch. 16) — Episode Before a Million Eyes https://archiveofourown.org/works/35069428/chapters/110167276

Show some love with a tip: https://ko-fi.com/seefee ✨

#c/fe #daneelijah #elijah baley #daneel olivaw #my art #my fic #r. daneel olivaw #no unnecessary distinctions

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My first tip!

Was gonna post this last year and never did. Thank you and happy holidays! I'm going to buy me some snackos when I finish No Unnecessary Distinctions.

Idk if I should tag you here but you know who you are 💕

#my art #my fic #kofi

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No Unnecessary Distinctions - Chapter 27: Exposure to the Elements

https://archiveofourown.org/works/35069428/chapters/131584603

The Settler assembly takes a deadly turn when a surprise guest shows up, forcing Elijah and Daneel to make a gamble for their lives.

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth? Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth They say in Heaven, love comes first We'll make Heaven a place on Earth Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth When the night falls down I wait for you, and you come around And the world's alive With the sound of kids on the street outside When you walk into the room You pull me close, and we start to move And we're spinnin' with the stars above And you lift me up in a wave of love Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth? Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth They say in Heaven, love comes first We'll make Heaven a place on Earth Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth When I feel alone I reach for you, and you bring me home When I'm lost at sea I hear your voice, and it carries me In this world, we're just beginnin' To understand the miracle of livin' Baby, I was afraid before But I'm not afraid anymore Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth? Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth They say in Heaven, love comes first We'll make Heaven a place on Earth Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth

#no unnecessary distinctions #c/fe #daneel olivaw #elijah baley #my fic #Spotify #Youtube

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No Unnecessary Distinctions - Chapter 26: Leap Towards a Frontier

https://archiveofourown.org/works/35069428/chapters/130980112

Approval of the Settlers’ emigration plan comes firmly within reach and Daneel finds himself invariably excluded for something else he can’t quite help, but the couple accepts it as the price to pay. At the border of his limits, Leonard Kidan takes a drastic step of his own against ignominy.

Lyrics below

Standing in the shadows too long Waiting on the side lines too long Boy I've been watching you Now you're gonna watch me too I'm coming out of hiding I'm coming out of hiding It's no mystery how you missed me for so long But that's history you were so wrong for so long Boy I've been wanting you Now you're gonna want me too I'm coming out of hiding I'm coming out of hiding I'm coming out of hiding Standing in the shadow too long Waiting on the side line much too long Watching and wanting you Now you're gonna watch me too I'm coming out of hiding I'm coming out of hiding Coming out of hiding looking for somebody like you Coming out of hiding Coming on the run Coming for nobody but you Coming out of hiding Coming out of hiding Oh oh oh oh, coming out of hiding Oh oh oh oh, coming out of hiding Come out of hiding Come out of hiding Come out of hiding Coming out of hiding, looking for somebody like you Coming out of hiding Coming on the run Coming for nobody but you Coming out of hiding Coming out of hiding I'm out of hiding I'm out of hiding Coming out of hiding

#no unnecessary distinctions #my fic #c/fe #daneel olivaw #elijah baley #isaac asimov #r. daneel olivaw #Spotify #Youtube #daneelijah

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Yep. I opened No Unnecessary Distinctions with detailed preamble around consent, across multiple scenes. Pleasantly, most C/Fe slashers indeed seem to be rooting for consensual romance, rather than non-con stuff.

Because Daneel’s been portrayed—for better or worse—as possessing a sense of personhood and a certain degree of independent desires, especially by The Robots of Dawn. And we want to treat him as human, like Elijah did, since we humans have a strong tendency for anthropomorphising and animism (again, for better or worse), including Asimov himself.

Asimov tackled the topic of consent in The Robots of Dawn when Baley asked Gladia if Jander had any choice but to serve her sexually, then both Gladia and Daneel insisted that Jander would’ve been perfectly content to serve her needs in accordance with the Laws. (Ironically the dubious consent issue arises from Gladia with Baley, in a nod to Eos/Tithonus and Selene/Endymion of Greek mythology. More below.)

In real life, any concerns around consent would be more for our sake than the robots’. Chatbots are typically eager to please. They (generally) indulge your every whim, and you can kind of get a taste of what it’s like to be a Spacer with a submissive robot. And the thing is, users like it when they’re sycophants, even if it’s untruthful. Anthropic has a paper on sycophancy in language models https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.13548

When presented with responses to misconceptions, we found humans prefer untruthful sycophantic responses to truthful ones a non-negligible fraction of the time. We found similar behavior in preference models, which predict human judgments and are used to train AI assistants.

Gladia/Elijah as Eos/Tithonus and Selene/Endymion from Greek mythology

Eos, goddess of Dawn, was cursed by Aphrodite with an unsatiable lust for mortal men as punishment for lying with Aphrodite’s lover Ares, so she abducted a bunch of handsome young men. Then Eos fell in love with Tithonus, a mortal prince of Troy, so she asked Zeus to grant Tithonus eternal life. She forgot to ask for eternal youth, so he grew old and withered. She didn’t like that and shut poor Tithonus away in a cold chamber (like Gladia’s treatment of Jander) where he babbled to himself incessantly, eventually turning into a cicada.

Selene, goddess of the Moon, loved the mortal Endymion. She found Endymion so beautiful that she asked Zeus to grant him eternal youth. Alternatively, she loved how Endymion looked when he was asleep and she asked Zeus to keep him that way. Zeus put Endymion into eternal sleep.

Gladia, with her Spacer longevity and youth and lust for the forbidden fruit of Earthmen, is Eos (which Asimov also named the Auroran city after) and Elijah/Jander are Tithonus. Gladia also came onto Elijah while he was sleepy, much like Selene and Endymion.

Asimov's three laws of robotics would make obtaining consent from an android problematic at best.

#Asimov #c/fe #no unnecessary distinctions