on dragons, late stage capitalism, and thoroughly shocking our ancestors
*cue Game of Thrones theme song*
Hi lovelies,
I certainly can’t relate much to Matt Smith of HBO’s new Game of Thrones’ prequel, but on this we can agree: I, too, would ride home on a dragon if I could.
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and I, like so many millions of people, tuned in to watch the first episode of House of the Dragon last week—although I can’t say I’m one to thirst over the above-mentioned Smith, who plays Daemon Targaryen, one of our girl Daenerys’ ancestors, on the show. (I will hear and speak no Dany slander on this newsletter, Mad Queen or not. not that I’m still salty over how dirty they did her, or anything.)
so no, I am not thirsting over Matt Smith, but after watching that particular TikTok, I found myself thinking about how dragons might come into being in our current 3D reality (it certainly wouldn’t be the first time I’ve considered this). and it made me wonder, if dragons were to exist in the current hellscape that is late stage capitalism, as what iteration in which we’ve historically envisioned them would these fantastical creatures appear?
would they simply be enormous fire-breathing lizards wreaking havoc on a global scale, à la their cousins of the Jurassic Park variety? would they have billion dollar price tags, so that Elon Musk would joke about buying one every other day on Twitter, the way he did with literal Twitter—or, more recently, the Manchester United soccer team? (Bezos would probably already have one. ugh.)
or would they be treated in a similar somewhat brutish fashion as elephants in the zoo? in the wild, no doubt poachers would find some way to hunt them for sport, scales and talons and fiery breath notwithstanding; chances are they’d become an endangered species faster than you can say, the birds and the bees and the butterflies are still dying at alarming rates! is that what it would be like for human beings to coexist with dragons?
also, how am I only just noticing that the abbreviation for House of the Dragon is HOT D?
but House of the Dragon hasn’t only caused me to mull over my stance on the winged beasts, it’s brought to mind a reconsideration of ancestral and familial lines, a theme so integral to both this show and its predecessor. the power the Targaryen family has, after all! it’s one that is passed down from generation to generation.
and the power, the sway our own ancestors had and still have over us.
do you ever think about how your lifestyle would not only baffle, but thoroughly shock your ancestors?
because I do. every single day.
the immediate convenience of everything readily available at our fingertips: ordering food to arrive within less than an hour’s time at the press of a button. entire libraries available within the portals we hold in our hands. volume after volume on any topic we can think of. art, not to mention money, you cannot physically touch. NFTs, anyone?
and yes—gruesome and overtly sexual fantasy television shows that feature a combination of medieval court drama; flesh-eating undead creatures with piercing eyes and a penchant for wintry climes; and dragons.
I think about how my ancestors would be completely and totally stunned at the way in which I choose to lead my own life. at the way in which I even get to choose!
not only do I live alone as an unmarried, childless woman, at a ripe 31 years of age (don’t worry; I don’t actually think I’m old. seriously. age ain’t nothing but a number, babes). but guess what else? I make my presence known, and that’s something I’ve always loved about myself. even in the deepest spirals of despair I have not forgotten my Self. nor have I ever allowed someone to take her from me.
not that I think my (female) ancestors didn’t hold their own, because of course they fucking did. I come from a long line of outspoken and strong-willed Middle Eastern women. but they certainly didn’t have the options we have now, did they? and sadly, nor do many Iranian women still… but that’s a topic for another newsletter.
I wonder, what would my female ancestors think of the way I’ve claimed my “aloneness,” i.e. my single status? the way I’ve decided, more than once, that it is better to choose my Self, again and again, than to settle for a relationship that is subpar, or for a connection that is not truly what I want?
indeed, what do they think, watching from the higher realms we cannot see or physically touch—but that which exist, wavering and incandescent, just beyond the periphery of our vision.
and maybe there’s a little side-eyeing involved, like this:
and this:
although I’d prefer to think that they’re immensely proud of me for healing at least some of that generational trauma (and they did undoubtedly pass down a fuck ton, whether they want to admit it or not. said with love!). I do know without a single iota of a doubt that they’re protecting me every step of the way, while cheering me on from the other side.
…and also probably wondering why I’m sitting here writing my silly little missive about dragons when I could be marrying that “nice man” who responded “Goddess how can I serve you” to one of my profile prompts on Hinge.
I thought I’d try something new this week! so here’s a little rundown of my current obsessions.
what I’m watching: HOTD, obviously. I’ve also been doing this thing where I rewatch the original Game of Thrones, but only the episodes where Daenerys in all her regal AF, Mother of Dragons glory is running around doing badass Mother of Dragons things. that’s about it. if you ask me, the eighth season simply does not exist.
what I’m reading: We Run the Tides by Vendela Vida, which was one of those random and cute little bookstore finds, and which is proving to be a great read so far. set in 1980s San Francisco—specifically the Sea Cliff neighborhood, which if you know me, you know I’m obsessed with—it’s equal parts poignant, incisively funny, and gripping. “Hell is a teenage girl,” after all. and at the heart of this novel is the pivotal way in which formative female friendships simultaneously build us up and break us. I haven’t finished it, so I can’t yet speak to it in its entirety, but it’s been a little while since I haven’t been able to put a book down!
and what I’ve been listening to: Fred again..’s (and again and again and again) London Boiler Room set on YouTube. whew, this is a spicy one! and if I could listen to it over again for the first time, trust me, I would. I’d even go so far as to say it’s my all-time favorite Boiler Room set.
what are you currently obsessed with? (totally fair if your response is simply: dragons. what else?) feel free to respond directly to this email to let me know, or you can drop a comment under this post on my Substack! thanks for engaging with me to help this newsletter grow ❤️
xx
Kimia
We are living in amazing times, to be sure. I don't buy late-stage capitalism.