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The original definition for Bad Faith is the intent to deceive. A french philosophical term (coined by Simone de Beauvoir & Jean-Paul Sartre) to "describe the phenomenon in which human beings, under pressure from social forces, adopt false values and disown their innate freedom, hence acting inauthentically.” (Wikipedia definition)

 

However, Plasma’s version of Bad Faith will, as we always do, give a new meaning to this term. We want to look at the way we alter our linear, expected lives/selves in a way that deviates from “normal” (or our social selves), in a way that could be interpreted as “deceiving” but is more like challenging ourselves and existing outside of narratives of normalcy. Experiences with breaking norms and also being “bad” - not morally bad, but “bad” as in being selfish when necessary, being devious, breaking out of your comfortable mold. Who gets called selfish for paying attention to themselves, who is let off the hook?

 

We are currently accepting submissions for our second print issue, BAD FAITH. Read ahead for more details on the theme and you'll find all the technical details about submitting here.

REFERENCES, QUOTES, THOUGHTS FOR BAD FAITH

• Pushing up against the “right” narrative, therefore being “bad”
• falling out of narrative
• Experiences as a marginalized person - aspects of identity not aligning with how our society is set up to privilege certain groups
• Rascals, punks, tricksters, mischief
• SECRETS
• Feeling guilty
• departing from your course of action
• Acting inauthentically ~ but in the sense of deviating from what is “deemed” authentic
• “What if I pursue being a bad woman and don’t breed - pursue failing biologically? Where is the realm of privacy? Only in failure. Only in our failure our we absolutely alone. Only in the pursuit of failure can a person really be free. Losers may be the avant-garde of the modern age.” Sheila Heti from her book Motherhood
• Self-presentation, costumes, drag
• exploring relationships in nontraditional ways and what that means (polyamory, open relationships etc.)
• Personas, alter egos (Ziggy Stardust, etc)
• Fernando Pessoa and his 75 heteronyms
• Dionysian rituals, cults, why people are drawn to extreme practices
• Indulgence, what it means to indulge, indulgence vs. self care
• Hedonism
• Bacchanal, letting go completely
• Pulling pranks, acting mischievously
• The Secret History, a novel by Donna Tartt
• Campus novels, boarding school, going against the rules of school
• “Courting couples and smokers, released from the day’s lessons, wandered into, and then disappeared beneath, the thigh deep grass and wildflowers. From a distance their position could be spotted by the plumes of forbidden smoke that spiralled up into the air.” - Jenny Diski short story, Strictempo
• partial knowledge - leaning into not having answers, having answers that partially explain something

 

VISUALS, SYMBOLS, FEELINGS FOR BAD FAITH

• fortune cookies, small notes, tucking things in pockets
• wearing your underwear inside out
• mood rings
• Hermes
• Snakes
• Foxes
• Rebel, Rebel - David Bowie
• Moulin Rouge
• Inherent Vice
• Only Lovers Left Alive
• Glam rock
• Black velvet
• Dark and velvety with spurts of colour
• Rosy cheeks
• Over the top makeup!!! False eyelashes!!!!
• Pastry colours, smoky colours - decadence
• Leather
• Martinis, champagne
• Vices/guilty pleasures
• Neon lights
• Jewel-tones
• Artificial tones

PITCH US!

Are you interested in having your work featured in Plasma Dolphin? Please keep in mind this issue is in print! This means we don't accept multimedia contributions like videos, music, gifs, etc. at this time! (This does not include playlists).

 

Send us an email at plasmadolphin@gmail.com and include the following:

 

• your name

• your location

• a short bio (1-3 sentences) about yourself (see the about us page for examples)

• a photo of yourself that you’d like to be on the contributors page (optional)
• website/social media linking to your work
• a pitch for a piece for the issue we are currently accepting submissions for

 

Pitch to us ASAP. Final pitch due date for writing and visual work is June 30th. For visual work, process work/sketches are due July 7th so we have an idea of where the piece is heading. Writing will be edited once we’ve accepted your pitch. Written pieces go through an editing process so pieces of writing (unless they are exceptionally perfect) will not be accepted if sent on the due date with no pitch or progress work beforehand.

 

As you can read about in our About Us section, Plasma seeks to create a cohesive publication that has a consistent curated tone to it, while at the same time preserving and showcasing each contributors voice. Due to this, our process involves working closely with the editors on your piece. Please first send pitches before drafts! If your current pitch doesn't match with the current theme, you can re-pitch it for a later issue or talk to us about how you could re-work it to fit with the issue better. We're working towards making the best publication we possibly can and are excited to see what you come up with!

 

We get a lot of emails! Please be patient with us as we answer you all - it does not help to crowd our mailbox with messages asking if we've received your email, so please refrain unless it is urgent. <3