#probs an overly complicated answer. but also felt weird and anxious leaving this ask in the inbox

[wetcatspellcaster]

One of my fics got scraped on AO3 (keeping this anon bc I’m not gonna plug myself) to feed AI but I wanted to check and see how you’re doing because I’m fucking livid

hey anon. I'd like to start by stating that I am very staunchly anti-AI: it's the epitome of lazy entitlement, and a growing symptom of the way people have begun to approach all writing or entertainment as 'content' that we all seem to want in our lives, yet some people don't want to pay for (or work at or even just wait for, in the case of fic). it's also proof that some people have become so jaded, defeated, or selfish that they don't want to have to think, which is mighty convenient, in a conservative political landscape.

I'm really sorry that your work got scraped - plaigiarism is such a horrible feeling when it happens.

that all being said, i don't really feel any kind of way about this particular incident, though I appreciate you for reaching out. it might be the depression. it might also be the fact that it's not my first rodeo, and that I've been plagiarised in the past and worked through my feelings and emotions extensively then. I didn't choose lock my fics (and still haven't), as I didn't want to stop sharing my writing on my own terms bc of other bad actors. which is something I still stand by for my own personal reasons, but I guess it means I'm inviting the scraping of my work to happen, in this new shitty reality :')

Not that any of that really matters: it's not as if they AI scrapers care about consent, and I don't want this to look like I excuse their latest round of stealing. I'm very angry for you, anon, on behalf of you and your work. I hate AI-generated content, I hate it and all it stands for. but I guess I find a tech bro scraping my fic - when they are never, ever going to care about me or my work and just view it as data they can profit from, probably bc they've probably never been able to adequately engage with any art in their miserable lives - somehow personally easier to swallow than someone who reads my stuff, knows the 'works inspired' link exists, and yet chooses not to use it. idk why, especially given that the former is actively trying to make money off me. but I guess it's because I've had to process my way through these emotions a few times already, and so they're nowhere near as fresh or painful anymore.

I guess what I'm saying is I've made my own peace with the ways my work is used that lie beyond my control. but I still get angry and hurt on other people's behalf. I definitely don't ask people to relate to my stance re:locking/not locking their fics, please just do whatever you're most comfortable with.

i also remember the first time i was plagiarised being a unpleasant, horrible violation. so I hope you're doing ok, anon x