It's All Fandom!
Conversations with fans, about fandom!
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26: Our Flag Means Death (with Cecelia Gray)
07/04/2022
26: Our Flag Means Death (with Cecelia Gray)
This episode is for anyone who fancies a fine fabric. Cecelia Grey aka Ceceliaisgray joins me in trying to be normal about Our Flag Means Death. We discuss the explosion of its fandom (which she has been tracking through the Archive of Our Own), incredible fanfiction tags, the season 2 renewal, and the Snapeification of Israel Hands, among other things. In her own words: “I’ve just never seen a fandom like this before.” Cecelia's TikTok: Allison's twitter: The show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/23621978
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25: Black Sails (with Daphne Olive)
05/23/2022
25: Black Sails (with Daphne Olive)
Without romanticizing the crime and violence inherent to a life of piracy, the liberation from societal expectations is not unique to pirate narratives. At its core, Black Sails is a show about myth and story. Television writer Daphne Olive joins me to discuss the way different ways people perceive art, and how such things are expressed in online communities. We also discuss the benefits of taking media at face value, the value of ambiguity in storytelling, and what it's like to engage with an online fandom for the first time. (featuring audio from Black Sails and music by Bear McCreary) Daphne's Twitter: Fathoms Deep: Allison's twitter: The show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/23193200
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24: Pacific Rim (with Ladyknightthebrave)
01/17/2022
24: Pacific Rim (with Ladyknightthebrave)
After Ladyknightthebrave released a wonderful video essay all about Pacific Rim (that movie where they fight monsters with the power of friendship), I wanted nothing more than to talk with her about it here, too. I also wanted to excavate some shared memories and spill some tea about a strange fandom situation we both experienced in different ways. We discuss queer coding, science boyfriends, trigger warnings, the dangerous cult of personality inherent to the BNF archetype, and of course a bit of Star Trek. (featuring music by the superconducting supercolliders) LK's youtube channel: LK's twitter: Allison's twitter: The show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/21794945
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23: The Matrix (with Tilly Bridges)
12/20/2021
23: The Matrix (with Tilly Bridges)
With The Matrix Resurrections' release date fast approaching, I spoke with writer Tilly Bridges about lipstick, the spinny dress phenomenon, and about the inherent transness of these very trans films. We barely scratch the surface of it all, so check out her #TransTuesday threads on twitter for a lot more nuance! Tilly's twitter: Allison's twitter: The show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/21537515
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22: Ashita no Joe (with Shaybs aka Caribou-Kun)
06/21/2021
22: Ashita no Joe (with Shaybs aka Caribou-Kun)
From the president of his high school anime club to working for Discotek, Shaybs knows a thing or two about anime. I spoke with him about his all time favorite series, Ashita no Joe, an underdog story that revolutionized the anime industry and is still being referenced in modern anime to this day, 52 years after it started airing. We talk about boxing, the anime industry, burning out until all that's left is pure white ash, and a Chorus Line! Shaybs on youtube: Shaybs on twitter: Allison's twitter: The show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/19507541
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21: RPF (with I Met You On LJ)
04/05/2021
21: RPF (with I Met You On LJ)
As you might have guessed from the title of their podcast, Maggie and V met on Livejournal, but after their first initial fandom brought them together, they haven't shared a fandom since. Their first fandom, and some of their subsequent fandoms as well, have fallen under the category of RPF (Real Person Fiction). While writing RPF is a fairly common practice, it is also rather controversial. The three of us discuss bandom, performative fan service, the downsides of a universal internet, the pitfalls of breaking the fourth wall, and ask if it's even possible to write RPF in an ethical way. I Met You On LJ: IMYOLJ twitter: allison's twitter: the show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/18546716
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20: Lupin III (Shannon Strucci returns!)
03/15/2021
20: Lupin III (Shannon Strucci returns!)
Anyone who follows Shannon Strucci on twitter might have noticed how deep she's gotten into Lupin III, the anime series about a womanizing gentleman thief and his gang of pals! I know I just spoke with her in my last episode, but I couldn't resist bringing Shannon back. Lupin III is goofy like a kid’s show, but its deep and complicated themes have it primed for a more mature audience. It is also rife with sexism, racism, and other dated tropes. But at the end of the day, this weird horny gremlin with silly little noodle legs has become an icon of the anime genre. Shannon and I discuss what makes Lupin great, why people keep watching, and how has the show adapted to the modern day? We also chat about competency porn, misogyny, character archetypes and of course, the fanfiction. shannon's channel: shannon's twitter: allison's twitter: the show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/18223985
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ONLINE ROLEPLAY! A Bonus Episode
03/01/2021
ONLINE ROLEPLAY! A Bonus Episode
After recording my previous episode with Shannon Strucci (talking about Neopets) I found myself feeling nostalgic for the Y2K-era online roleplaying of my childhood. I asked you for your own stories, and here they are! 9 unique perspectives on the highs and lows of online roleplay, featuring cliques, wrestling, revolution, and more! This episode features submissions from: , , Ange de Sang, User Cannot Be Found, , Teo, , , and .
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/18098570
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19: Neopets (with Shannon Strucci)
02/22/2021
19: Neopets (with Shannon Strucci)
Back when the only form of security the internet had against predators was to tell you to just assume that everyone you talk to is a 40 year old man, Neopets capitalized on the concept of a click-through adventure site and became a worldwide phenomenon. It was a fun website slash ad-revenue trap that taught children about luck, inflation, gambling, and the stock market. Shannon Strucci joins me to explore the underlying darkness of the site, contemplate the exhausting nature of social media, and try to answer the question: has the internet gotten weirder, or has it just gotten worse? [content warning: this episode includes discussions on grooming and inappropriate parasocial behaviors.] shannon's channel: shannon's twitter: allison's twitter: the show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/18043997
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18: Lurking (with Elizabeth Minkel)
02/01/2021
18: Lurking (with Elizabeth Minkel)
As fandom shifted from analog to digital, we have seen a seemingly endless stream of platforms through which to engage. But even now, there is no one way to engage that is more worthy than any other. In a break with tradition of this podcast, Elizabeth Minkel, "the world's loudest lurker," inspires a new topic: instead of discussing a specific fandom, we challenge a statement made in a previous episode. In order to define lurking, we must first define engagement. But what is the difference between tweeting about shipping and chatting about it with a friend over drinks. We’ve come a long way from cutting out pictures of our fandoms and glueing it into binders and notebooks, but fandom is still as difficult to pin down as it's ever been. But the real question is: will Elizabeth still need to wear a facemask and stay 6 feet away when she comes to fight me in person? Music featured in this episode is by Caveboy, Deb Talan, and R.E.M. elizabeth's twitter: allison's twitter: the show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/17492180
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17: Voltron (with The Sin Squad)
01/11/2021
17: Voltron (with The Sin Squad)
What do you lose when you stop being able to engage in the fandom of a show you used to love? Artist and Youtuber Natalie has some answers, sharing her experiences of being in the Voltron fandom as well as what it's like to come out the other side. The show rose to intense popularity, but shot itself in the foot when it decided to forgo its entire premise in order to deliver a failed attempt at fan service. Natalie and I discuss queer representation in media, the rising trend of antishippers, and how to take responsibility for curating your own space online. music featured in this episode is by Allison Weiss, Sufjan Stevens, and from Voltron: Legendary Defender, with additional vocals from Marissa Gonazlez natalie's channel: natalie's twitter: allison's twitter: the show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/17117837
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FESTIVUS! An Airing of the Fandom Grievances
12/23/2020
FESTIVUS! An Airing of the Fandom Grievances
Happy Festivus everyone! Aside from the miracles and feats of strength, another way to celebrate this nondenominational winter holiday is with an airing of the grievances. This is a fandom podcast, so I've decided to host an airing of the fandom grievances. Please join me and my many guests as we rant, vent and complain about the things in fandom that aggrieve us. This episode features fandom grievances from: Charlotte Raines, , , Jessica, , , , , , , , .
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/17283791
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16: Tom Hardy (with Emma Logsdon)
12/21/2020
16: Tom Hardy (with Emma Logsdon)
After a chance encounter on twitter, I was so happy to talk to Emma Logsdon (the internet's #2 premier Locke scholar) about her favorite celebrity, Tom Hardy. As a native New Yorker who has never driven a car, she shares why she felt so connected to a movie about a man who does nothing but drive. We discuss the way Tom Hardy challenges stereotypical masculinity, how to maintain healthy boundaries with revered actors, and how to handle strange dudes on the internet trying to simp on your lesbian day of visibility selfies. We also spit some very edgy opinions about fandom discourse, explore the marginalized nature of fandom itself, and finally set the record straight that Eames never actually wore paisley. emma's twitter: emma's tom hardy art: ally's twitter: show twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/17036774
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15: Balvaan/Final Fantasy XII (with Riley)
11/30/2020
15: Balvaan/Final Fantasy XII (with Riley)
Photographer Riley is a talented artist with an incredible eye and a passion for creativity. She's also quite passionate about a certain sky pirate and his scrappy orphan boyfriend. This is Balvaan, the ship name for rarepair Balthier and Vaan, two characters from Final Fantasy XII. Riley has a rich history with the Final Fantasy franchise, but was drawn specifically to Final Fantasy XII. This game was a notable departure from other Final Fantasy games, with a unique new battle system and the complex and intriguing world of weapon licensing. We talk about the perks of a small fandom, the unique magic of getting to talk about fandom out loud with your actual voice, and the difference between being IN fandom and being a fan. Also, I finally learn the true meaning of hole. This episode goes out to all the scrappy underdogs who need to put their money where their mouths are, but don't have any money. riley's twitter: riley's tumblr: riley's ao3: allison's twitter: the show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/16979330
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14: Remus/Sirius (with Gen aka @fluorescentgrey)
11/09/2020
14: Remus/Sirius (with Gen aka @fluorescentgrey)
Some people play fantasy football. Some people cash in their savings to see Dave Matthews Band in concert 200 times. And some people write fanfiction. Gen is a prolific writer with a passion for music and a talent for incorporating it into her work. In this conversation, she explains her fascination with the American West, shares why writing is such a personal experience for her, and talks about the appeal of Remus Lupin and Sirius Black both as characters and as a ship. We discuss the art of writing easily defined archetypes without succumbing to the predictability of them, and the impossibility of removing your political consciousness from your creative life. Within this episode, we do discuss JK Rowling and Harry Potter, but do not condone transphobia. The nature of transformative works related to a canon created by a recently outed hateful, bigoted transphobe can be a fraught topic, but it is also important to acknowledge fandom’s role in reclaiming content that you no longer feel comfortable engaging with otherwise. gen's ao3: allison's twitter: the show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/16736960
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13: Ewan McGregor (with Angelina Meehan)
10/19/2020
13: Ewan McGregor (with Angelina Meehan)
Noted fanfiction scribe and Delaware teen Angelina Meehan and I had a very similar middle school existence. As latchkey kids with access to the internet, we both filmed our own movie reenactments, we both covered our bodies in Bath & Body Works roll on glitter, and we were both very much in love with Ewan McGregor. Cinemablend praises him as "our nakedest actor," but Angelina was charmed by his boyish, puppydog cuteness. She also attributes many foundational aspects of her personality to things she learned from watching movies that Ewan starred in. In this conversation, we examine the "very horny id of a [teenage] girl," how to make peace with watching inappropriate movies, and the benefits of early internet access. angelina's twitter: allison's twitter: the show's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/16351721
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12: Star Wars (with Jessica Bone)
09/28/2020
12: Star Wars (with Jessica Bone)
Jessica Bone is what I like to call a gateway nerd: someone with their finger on the pulse of the nerd world, who is always happy to share her knowledge adn excitement. Friends from the once robust Sweeney Todd Broadway revival livejournal fandom, Jessica and I reunite over our love of Stormpilot and come to terms with enjoying the prequels. She also discusses what it's like to be a woman in nerd spaces, her struggle to destigmatize fanfiction, and explores the internalized misogyny that made her dislike Padme. The Star Wars fandom is in a bit of a state these days, and Jessica brings up excellent points on how to enjoy a fandom when the fandom is no longer enjoyable. Aso... our mutual love of Alan Tudyk burns eternal! Audio featured in this episode is from Weir Al Yancovic, Bad Lip Readings, and the Star Wars Cantina Band. jessica's twitter: allison's twitter: the show twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/16101350
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11: The Matrix (with Brittany Alsot, feat. Ellie)
09/07/2020
11: The Matrix (with Brittany Alsot, feat. Ellie)
Meeting your significant other online is pretty commonplace these days, but was a much more radical concept back when filmmaker Brittany Alsot met her wife Ellie. Like many, Brittany recognized something of herself in The Matrix, a trans allegory disguised as a mainstream 1999 sci-fi/action film. Back in the early oughts, I knew her by her handle on The Hardline, a Matrix fanfiction archive and message board run by 3 college-aged women who called themselves The Goddesses. Her wife Ellie joins us as well for our discussion on queer media, multigenerational fandom, and our undying crushes on Carrie-Anne Moss. Brittany and Ellie also share what it’s like falling in love through AOL Instant Messenger and snail mail, and talk about the importance of self actualization in affirming your queer identity, as well as affirming your own experiences through those that came before. Audio featured in this episode is from The Matrix, Massive Attack and Indigo Girls. Brittany's website: allison's twitter: the show twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/15900560
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10: Fortnite (with Lucy Wheeler)
08/07/2020
10: Fortnite (with Lucy Wheeler)
This trans bar is full of trans women! I am joined by my friend and former fellow steampunk crewmember Lucy Wheeler to talk about Fortnite, a very popular video game whose reputation precedes it. Lucy is a self proclaimed "dumb girl with bad taste who will never change", but more importantly, she moderates a subreddit and discord server for queer and trans women in gaming. Together, we discuss the artform of making fun of yourself, the inherent discomfort of the steampunk genre, and why life's too short to worry about being cringe. Audio featured in this episode is from Fortnite and NSYNC. lucy's twitter: lucy's subreddit: lucy's discord: allison's twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/15510395
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09: Nirvana in Fire (with @tchancua)
07/14/2020
09: Nirvana in Fire (with @tchancua)
If you could watch only one Chinese drama, polyglot language nerd and writer Tchan says it should be Nirvana in Fire. It is a powerful show about one very smart man's mission to dismantle the systemic corruption that did him wrong, and it probably will make you cry. We talk about language nuance, viewing Chinese culture through the lens of Chinese media fandom, spending one's entire family vacation in a hong kong bootleg mall, and just... a lot of danmei. On a more personal note, I have always struggled to pronounce Hu Ge’s name properly. Will Tchan be able to teach me, or will Mandarin tones be my downfall? Audio featured in this episode is from Nirvana in Fire, Star Wars, Franchie Hen, and behind the scenes footage from The Untamed. tchan's twitter: my twitter: show twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/15197705
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08: Homestuck (with Charlotte Raines)
06/29/2020
08: Homestuck (with Charlotte Raines)
As an unabashed lover of nerdy things (and one of my best friends), Charlotte Raines has been an active participant in fandom since she was 9 years old. But the one fandom that will haunt her until the end of her days, one of the most infamous and chaotic fandoms to ever burst forth from the cursed loins of the internet, was a seemingly unassuming webcomic about four kids trying to save the world. Homestuck gave Charlotte the freedom to explore her identity and redefine her sense of self as she transitioned from college to “the real world”. Together, we reminisce on our college weeb years, bask in the glow of late-aughts anime convention nostalgia, and discuss the importance of setting boundaries between fandom and life. We also express relief at how narrowly we both avoided becoming furries. The music featured in this episode is from the Homestuck webcomic. my twitter: show twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/15011519
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07: The One Shot Network (with James D'Amato)
06/10/2020
07: The One Shot Network (with James D'Amato)
James D’Amato () runs the One Shot Network, comprised of tabletop role playing game play throughs. The One Shot Network fandom is small but mighty, and as a fan turned creator himself, James talks about how to encourage and help facilitate a fandom’s growth while avoiding the pitfalls of other, more negative/toxic fandoms. Things turn complicated when the concept of death of the author splits host and guest with two different opinions, and we explore how to cope when the creator of the thing you like is revealed to be problematic. We also affirm the perks of having your own fandom, which is memes and shitposts. The music featured in this episode is Otto Van Von Veen, by Arne Parrott. my twitter: show twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/14759408
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06: Yuri on Ice (with Marissa/glamatcha)
05/13/2020
06: Yuri on Ice (with Marissa/glamatcha)
Self-proclaimed “giant weeb” and talented cosplayer Marissa (@) joins me as we mutually wonder when Yuri on Ice will return from the war. From scouring Chinatown for “dirty” VHS tapes to teaching herself hiragana so she could read manga, Marissa tells tales of the days back when the only formative anime source a lot of us had was Toonami. The world cried out for a realistic portrayal of mental health, and Mitsurou Kubo said… here you go. Yuri on Ice tells the story of a high functioning depressive figure skater who falls in love with an anxiety-riddled self saboteur, who is also a figure skater. It ran for only 12 episodes, and is widely considered to be the dark horse of the season, surprising everyone with its explosive success. Marissa and I discuss the rare concept of an original anime (not based on a manga/light novel/etc), what actually happened at the Cup of China (and why it matters), and the shared trauma of surviving the Yuri on Ice Kinokuniya pop-up event. marissa's twitter: my twitter: show twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/14393930
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Early Days 05: The Untamed, part 2 (with Aja Romano)
04/25/2020
Early Days 05: The Untamed, part 2 (with Aja Romano)
[this episode pre-dates the established format and title of It's All Fandom. please listen with a grain of salt.] SPOILERS!! This is an uncensored and non-linear discussion. If you haven't watched The Untamed yet, please save this episode for when you do. Fan culture reporter Aja Romano only meant to sample a few episodes of The Untamed for a work assignment, but they fell down the rabbit hole like the rest of us. Their subsequent twitter thread became the stuff of legends, and it seemed only fitting that we reunite to talk about our one true love: Wangxian. In part two of this double-feature, Aja makes me tear up over the depths of Lan Wangji's love for Wei Wuxian, and we fixate on the magical, butt-healing properties of the Gusu cold spring. show twitter: my twitter:
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/14143910
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Early Days 04: The Untamed, part 1 (Aja Romano returns!)
03/20/2020
Early Days 04: The Untamed, part 1 (Aja Romano returns!)
[this episode pre-dates the established format and title of It's All Fandom. please listen with a grain of salt.] SPOILERS!! This is an uncensored and non-linear discussion. If you haven't watched The Untamed yet, please save this episode for when you do. Fan culture reporter Aja Romano only meant to sample a few episodes of The Untamed for a work assignment, but they fell down the rabbit hole like the rest of us. Their subsequent twitter thread became the stuff of legends, and it seemed only fitting that we reunite to talk about our one true love: Wangxian. Together, Aja and I navigate the murky and confusing waters of mainland Chinese media restrictions, talk about our own journeys into The Untamed, and scream about Wang Yibo. show twitter: @itsallfinepod my twitter: @allystawk
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/13635827
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Early Days 03: Inception with Aja Romano
02/11/2020
Early Days 03: Inception with Aja Romano
[this episode pre-dates the established format and title of It's All Fandom. please listen with a grain of salt.] Please forgive this humble podcaster for making you wait over two years for this episode. Aja Romano () joins me to talk about Inception! It's a dream heist movie about style, men's fashion, and Edith Piaf, and is considered by many to be last great fandom of Livejournal. The conversation covers fandom at large, imagination as an outlet for isolation, and yes, don't worry, Arthur/Eames. Listeners, welcome back!
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/13099430
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Early Days 02: Hackers with Lucas Brown
03/01/2018
Early Days 02: Hackers with Lucas Brown
[this episode pre-dates the established format and title of It's All Fandom. please listen with a grain of salt.] I've met my match in remembering insignificant minutiae with Lucas Brown (), a fellow Canadian expat who hosts his own lovely podcast (). He also knows a lot about computers, which comes in handy, as we are talking about Hackers! It's a mid-90s movie about computer hackers and their l33t floppy discs, and if you haven't seen it, you're missing out! Lucas also talks about the time he schooled his own teacher on Macbeth. Anyway, type "cookie" you idiots! [Intro music is by Allison Stock, cover artwork is by Nathan Stockman.]
/episode/index/show/itsallfandom/id/6314976
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Early Days 01: The Lymond Chronicles with Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
01/14/2018
Early Days 01: The Lymond Chronicles with Gavia Baker-Whitelaw
[this episode pre-dates the established format and title of It's All Fandom. please listen with a grain of salt.] Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (), who writes for the Daily Dot, is a self proclaimed fan of “gothic, operatic sumptuousness.” She is also entirely responsible for my Lymond problem. The Lymond Chronicles is six novels worth of emotionally satisfying fanfic tropes that have been elevated to masterful historical fiction. You've probably seen me screaming about it on twitter, but Gavia and I actually break down what these books are about. Spoilers have been bleeped out or removed entirely, so this should be safe for everyone to listen to! [Intro music is by Allison Stock, musical interlude is 'Glass Jar' by Tristen, cover artwork is by Nathan Stockman.]
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