luzzytheray · 1 year ago
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I fuckin did it!
testing out setting up a site for merch, gonna be updating it with a bunch of stuff I made this year and last year sense I've actually got the downtime to properly make shit (finally thank god)
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http://luzzycomms-closed-shop.fourthwall.com/
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gabessquishytum · 8 months ago
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Dream's a software developer (I could see either as an architect for that large-scale view mentality or as the Senior level dev that keeps getting asked to move into management type positions and just straight up refuses because he's been doing code happily for the past fifteen years and doesn't plan on changing that now).
He enjoys his job enough. He likes computers and code. It functions exactly as told (for better or worse) and appreciates the straightforwardness of it all. He's a bit insufferable to work with, but if you have an issue, he'll readily help (just be prepares for critiques on your code in the process).
Hob works at the same company as Dream, but as a front-end dev. The work he does for his day job is kinda boring. All standard corporate style web design. No fancy scripts or fun colors. But in his spare time, he weaves Javascript and CSS like a wizard and creates magical, animated scenes across the page. Would it be easier to just make a video and play it on the page instead? Sure, but where's the fun in that?
Dream and Hob get paired together on a small side project for work. Hob does the front-end work, Dream does the back-end. They get on each other's nerves at first, until Dream spots Hob tinkering with his personal code on their lunch break and is honestly a bit in awe. He's found code beautiful in its own right (the way one appreciates a well-oiled machine) but he's never seen it wielded in such a fashion before. This is the moment he falls just a little bit (read: a lotta bit) in love with Hob. He was already starting to fall for that endless charm and wit of his anyways.
The company hits the first quarter of the New Year and with it come layoffs. Hob gets fired along with some other devs from Dream's same team (a younger pair of devs: Matthew and Jessamy). A fellow named Will comes along to help Dream finish the project in Hob's stead and Dream hates every moment of it. He misses Hob, more than he ever thought he would.
So, in an impulsive rush of anger and longing, he quits the company because how dare it toss someone as good as Hob Gadling out the door without a thought? He's halfway to the café he and Hob had started frequenting together when he realizes that he's just thrown away a career fifteen years in the making. But when he finally gets to the café and sees Hob tapping away on his laptop, he knows he's made the right choice.
Dream slides into the seat across from him and proposes that they build something wonderful together. So they create a small business of their own. They become a freelance web dev team (and steal Jessamy and Matthew as well) and with their skills combined, they take off. It's not huge, but for their size, they're incredibly popular. And Dream's certain he's never enjoyed his work more than when he's working beside Hob.
Later on, Hob proposes to Dream via a custom website with the most beautiful web animations he's ever seen before. And of course, he says yes.
(If you're curious about what inspired this, here's the website: http://www.species-in-pieces.com)
This is such a good concept for a story!!! I really really love aus where Dream and Hob are coworkers. Dream being the grumpy, awkward guy who hides behind his coffee mug while Hob is the popular, chatty one who tries to get Dream involved in fun office activities or socialising after work - it makes so much sense to me.
And Dream quitting his long-term dream job because he's mad that genuinely talented people have been laid off? I love it. Dream just has this inate appreciation for hard work and good art, and that's exactly what Hob (and Jessamy and Matthew) do. How dare the stupid company not understand that they're firing people who deserve to thrive and grow in an environment which actually appreciates them? Everyone is shocked that Dream has quit (not only that, he sends around an email to everyone in the company from the ceo all the way down to the work experience guy, outlining exactly why he quit) because he seemed to be the type to play by the rules and never leave his comfort zone. Apparently, Hob has really helped him bloom into a much more confident person, able to express his principles and strive for better.
And Hob isn't surprised, because he always knew that Dream had the courage, talent and ambition to strike out on his own. Maybe he just needed a bit of love and understanding. Which Hob is only too happy to provide.
Their work together sometimes involves long hours and stress, but Dream wouldn't ever want to go back to the slightly soulless corporation where he used to be. Even if he's tired and a little frustrated by Hob’s disorganised workspace, Dream is perfectly content. There's nothing better than curling up in Hob’s lap while he taps away on a line of code. Plus, he has a great time building their wedding website. Hob got to propose, so Dream gets to celebrate their upcoming marriage with his own expression of love through code. The theme colours are, of course, black and red <3
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auspicioustidings · 2 months ago
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Having a notification from ao3 and being delighted to see a long comment on an old longform fic only to find out its a fucking critique? I WRITE FOR FUN AND FOR FREE THANKS FOR RUINING MY MORNING :)
As a general rule you can always tell me if something in my writing is offensive or if wording could be changed to make it more inclusive, but I am so wildly uninterested in being critiqued. You can for sure bounce ideas around with me, give me what ifs or the like. But I'm not a professional author, I'm never going to be a professional author and as such do not need or want criticism constructive or otherwise unless it is directly tied to intersectionality/inclusively.
Example: anon in my inbox the other day highlighting I had used "flushed for Gaz" I appreciated and I changed the wording. Totally acceptable comment to make and welcomed. Ao3 commenter telling me the characterization is all over the place and they thought two thirds of the story was bad? Not acceptable, I never asked for critique and you are not feeding, fucking or financing me so do not get any say. Stop cosplaying as a literary critic, you're on a fanfiction website.
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pikahlua · 4 months ago
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Hi Pika! Hope you are doing well. Thank you so much for all the work you do. I truly appreciate it! I was wondering if you had the full address to send messages of support to Horikoshi-sensei that was listed in the recent chapter?
Before anyone does this, I want to make one thing perfectly clear to everyone who may read this. This information is to be used ONLY for supportive messages from fans.
DO NOT SEND HORIKOSHI CRITICISM VIA THIS METHOD. The proper avenue for criticism is a public venue. Professional critics don't directly mail copies of their scathing criticisms to those they critique. They publish. If you wanna criticize MHA or Horikoshi or whatever, do that on social media, or on your blog, or in a comment on a public website somewhere. DO NOT MAIL CRITICISM TO HORIKOSHI'S FAN MAILBOX THAT EXPLICITLY ENCOURAGES SUPPORTIVE MESSAGES. Thank you.
Okay here's the answer to your question.
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max1461 · 1 year ago
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Go on reddit see the posts on r/lgbt OP is vulnerable and confused and I want to help them scroll down to the comment instantly feel bad. People's worldview is harsh and unforgiving, dressed up in supportive language. See post from r/arethestraightsok, screenshot is of someone describing treating their partner like shit I feel bad. Scroll down to comments but instead of anything thoughtful it's more thoughtless nonsense dressed up in supportive language I feel bad. See post from r/4chan or r/greentext it's harsh and unforgiving with no pretense. Scroll down to comments it's even worse I feel bad. Or maybe the post is harsh and unforgiving but also evinces great suffering. Comments are unable to engage with this or express any genuine empathy, while still endorsing the worst elements of the post. Actually go on 4chan and conversation is just impossible because of the structure of the website. 90% of all posts are meaningless dunk fests that are so empty of meaning they can't even be critiqued. Go to tumblr. People are kind, at least where I am, but everybody is anxious. Anxious about doing the right thing, the most right thing, the ideal thing. Whether it's social justice or ratsphere or whatever. Worldview is not harsh and it's not unforgiving per se but it's unrelenting. There is no room to stop and take a breath no room to appreciate a nice flower because the flower has bugs on it and the bugs are suffering. I actually like bugs and I care about their suffering. But I can't live in a dead empty mechanical world of maximum good, I just cannot do it. You know I wondered this back in the day about the really intense social justice people, where it felt like social justice was their whole hobby. I wondered "what would you do in a world where justice had been achieved? You don't seem to like anything but fighting for justice." I don't quite wonder this about the people that I see today, but I also am not sure how I could see myself living in the world they want to create. Of course I do care about the bugs. I was gingerly saving bugs from drowning in puddles since before I joined this website. So it's hard to know what to do.
Go on YouTube it's all marketing meaningless O-face thumbnail crap. Like literal schlock, hype and oooh oh I made a giant lava thingy in Minecraft what will it do???? with five minutes of buildup and no payoff. Dude I know what it will do, I've played Minecraft I know how lava works. Why did I watch this video anyway? All #content and no content.
"Go outside and touch grass then, if the web is full of shit!"
Well I'm trying. There's a lot going on so I'm spending a lot of time online to distract myself. But moreover, the web is full of people, and it's like that because of the people who are on it, who are also the people that make up the real world. It's the same people.
"Well they act different on the web!"
Yeah, a little bit. But in a lot of the ways that matter they don't.
Well anyway. Look this is just a rant I'm sorry. My general state is bad so I am perceiving the bad things there's lots of good things.
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drill-teeth-art · 11 months ago
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Hi! Not really an ask! I just wanted to express how much I adore how you actually give accurate representations and descriptions of disabilities/conditions that your characters have. I've found that a lot of people will not put in research or have no experience with those sorts of things and will use stereotypes. So finding someone who makes it accurate and can relate to these sorts of issues is really refreshing. Also I utterly adore your art, I often find myself checking Tumblr just to see if you've posted anything. I love you so much and you're an amazing person. Have a good morning/afternoon/evening/night!
Quite honestly the bare minimum disability research is very simple and I highly encourage people interested in writing disability to do it!
Here are the steps I recommend for anyone interested in writing disability:
-look up the disability you wish to portray
-read a description of the causes, symptoms, and treatments from a credible medical website (read more detailed description of terms you don’t understand as well if needed)
-highly encourage artists and writers to look at reference images and videos for visible disabilities, mobility aids, sign language, disabilities that impact how people move and sit and stand and talk, and etc.
And there! That’s what I’d classify as the barest minimum for disability research. A basic understanding of the condition. What I’d call good disability research involves much more. Reading writings by disabled folks about being disabled, having your work critiqued by disabled folks and compensating them for their time, researching harmful media tropes to avoid, understanding that disabled people aren’t a monolith and will have different relationships with and feelings about their disabilities, etc.
Bit of advice for people interested in depicting disabilities aside, thank you so much. It’s really not too hard to fact check at least the facts of a disability and a lot of people still won’t do it. I’ve seen it. And it frustrates me too. I really appreciate you reaching out! I work hard on my art and this means a lot. I hope you have a good day/night too!
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sims4clutterchaos · 6 months ago
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Happy Sunday Darlins!!
I've put together this video to use in the header of my website I'm currently building- it's a quick look at some of my builds. It's just 3 minutes, and I'd appreciate any critical advise you may have- is it too "spinney"? It it too long? Are any of the sections too slow/or boring? Advice and critiques requested!!!!
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sincerely-sofie · 9 months ago
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One thing I will say is that saying you "disagree with the term queer" Is Not A Great Look, but that could easily be a me not getting the wording as intended thing - The above assumes you mean just, queer in general though it feels more like you might've meant in reference to yourself? (Which is entirely fine - I'm of the opinion that any given label should be opt-in to anyone who's genuine about it rather than mandatory.)
Really, the main important thing I appreciate is being able to accept others where they're at. Being able to just say "Yeah, sure, ok" and go along even if I don't personally understand is honestly one of my core beliefs* too, and with minimal disrespect it's nice seeing this from a Christian. The little I actually know suggests something worth looking into, and the notion of an eternal soul is something I find fairly agreeable (if not strictly the outcomes of that.) Then again, I'm someone whose personal experience with religion can be described as a tangled web of jokes that ran too long and accidentally became character traits, so, maybe not the best judge of anything here. Also, wow, this post got away from me quickly. Originally meant to just put in the first paragraph and call it good.
*I draw a hard line the second that personal belief starts meaning harm to others. Believe what you want about yourself, but anyone saying someone else needs to change their ways (bar the very beliefs this targets, primarily meaning bigotry/racists) because of a thing YOU feel a certain way about simply can't be tolerated.
Thanks for the critique! Looking back, I definitely should have written “disagree with the term queer FOR myself” (which was actually the original wording I drafted) rather than “disagree with the term queer myself”. I was trying to cut down on my wordiness as I edited my response, but I ended up just making it a confusing sentence to read. Curse my proofreading anxiety. 
I'll try not to get into it too much here because it'd probably derail this entire response to your ask, but I've got a lot of mixed feelings with most labels, especially ones that were formerly derogatory terms. My church has worked hard to pivot from being called “Mormons” because among other (honestly more important) reasons, the term was basically used as a snide and condescending way to refer to my church, and it quickly became the default phrase for addressing us. The fact that members of my faith were basically referring to themselves with an insult as I grew up in the church never really sat well with me, even if we took pride in it. I'm super impressed by those who can take once-painful words and make them into badges of honor, but for me personally, it's a real emotional minefield. Hence, in part, why I don't agree with using the term queer for myself. It's a matter of preference and personal implications.
Agh, I really rambled on for a while there. I hope that made sense.  
For your second paragraph— it's sad to me that so many people have had such disheartening experiences with Christians. I swear, most of us are loving people. There's just an unfortunate amount of very vocal bible-bashers who forget that God's greatest instructions to us were to love Him and love others. 
If you're interested, there's a lot of resources on my church’s website if you'd like to learn more about what we believe (though there's no pressure from me to read up on it!) I just felt like I should share because we don't believe in a Hell where people burn for all eternity. 
We believe in three different “kingdoms” that everyone will be sorted into, with interaction between them being possible so families and friends can visit each other if they end up divided. The least glorious kingdom (for lack of a better term) is still an absolutely amazing place, full of light and happiness. There is a sort of Hell called Outer Darkness that I guess anyone reading about could see it as a form of eternal punishment, but people choose to go there themselves— it's a form of willing separation from God that happens when people who have an absolutely perfect knowledge of the gospel still choose to go the opposite direction. It's not somewhere you go because you drank coffee or swore in life. That'd be ridiculous.
… I opened my mouth and a missionary came out. Oops. 
Anyhoo, that last paragraph is a big deal, Anon! People need to be able to choose for themselves what they'll do in their lives— any forced change is not change at all, and the second you do harm to another person that isn't in the defense of yourself or others, you're in the wrong. As you can probably tell from my tangent above, I'm an advocate for missionary work, which could be seen as telling people they need to change their ways, but the type of missionary work I stand behind is the kind that invites people to learn more— never forces— and respects when they say no. Always honor agency is my motto. Invite, don't incite. That sort of thing. 
Thanks again for the critique! I appreciate your willingness to send it in and share your thoughts. I'll add a link to this ask in my original post so that if anyone else is confused by my wording, they'll be able to see this and get some better information. 
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maelstrom-of-emotions · 1 year ago
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Make sure to read Part One before this, or it won't make sense. Huey took a solid thirty minutes to concoct a meticulously crafted, step-by-step plan. Meanwhile, in Dewey's world, he'd already played bodyguard for Louie against the likes of wrecking balls, piranhas, booby traps, a sneezing house, a cursed medallion—you name it. Had adventuring always been this dangerous? He's sure his past self would probably through a fit at the mere thought of it, but, frankly this was just ridiculous. 
The thrill of adventure used to be about adrenaline and excitement, but now, with every close call Louie had, Dewey felt like wrapping him in bubble wrap and calling it a day. Seriously, had Louie always danced on the brink of death like this? Dewey made a mental note to have a few words with Uncle Scrooge about it later—once he confirmed with Huey that, yes, this had always been the case, that they had been in this level of danger all the time. 
Dewey used to love adventure for the sheer rush, but watching his younger brother take hit after hit made him contemplate putting a permanent pause on the whole adventuring gig. Oh, if Uncle Donald could see them now. His uncle would probably keel over from a heart attack.
He found himself deep in the throes of a debate, caught between the options of buying bubble wrap or investing in a full-fledged plastic bubble, scrolling the website and contemplating which one would offer greater protection for Louie when Huey strolled up, a weary grin on his beak, and declared, “I have a plan.” 
"Your plan better include enough bubble wrap to fill a swimming pool,"  Dewey grumbled, shoving his phone back into his pocket. "This is getting ridiculous."
Huey's gaze shifted to where Louie was hunched over, cradling his wrist. Dewey hadn't noticed when he'd managed to sprain it, missing the moment it had happened. "Tell me about it," his older brother mumbled, scrutinizing the bandages around Louie's wrist, undoubtedly analyzing and critiquing the way they were tied. "Has he always gotten hurt this much?"
"You tell me," Dewey said, frowning at Louie, who was hunched over. He fought the urge to go and wrap his younger brother in a blanket, knowing that it would spook Louie and draw attention, something Louie probably wouldn't appreciate. "You're the one who keeps a tally on these mishaps. Though, if the answer is yes we're having a serious talk with Scrooge."
"Agreed," Huey said, finally tearing his eyes away from scrutinizing the bandages. Dewey was willing to bet that the second they touched down—or well, crashed would be the more appropriate term, Launchpad was the one flying the plane, after all—and reached home, Huey would be on a mission to rewrap that bandage.
"Anyhow," Dewey chimed in, a tad bit impatient. He'd been clocking Louie's weird vibes for days now, only finally concluding that whatever Louie was feeling way beyond ‘just a bad day.’ He couldn't stand another moment not actively fixing the glitch. 
"Right," Huey straightened up, whipping out his notepad like they were gearing up for battle. Granted, their luck often dipped into the wild side, but Dewey was really hoping it wouldn't come to that. "Post-bedtime's the prime time to make moves. Fewest interruptions, and any potential disruptions can be dodged. Plus, Louie's been pulling an all-nighter marathon for what seems like eons, so let's kick off with tackling that snooze situation."
Dewey shot a quick glance at his younger brother, but there wasn't a hint of panda resemblance. He looked up with a questioning expression. "Concealer?" he asked, well aware that Louie could be meticulous about his appearance.
"Yep," Huey confirmed, offering a sad smile. "Only found out last night. Got up to use the bathroom, and there he was, just lying on the floor, staring blankly at the wall. His eye bags could rival moon craters, Dewey."
Dewey cursed internally. Man, he hated how deep he slept sometimes. They were all light sleepers, but lately, after exhausting adventures, they practically collapsed into their beds.
Louie struggled with sleep, often settling for short naps during the day. That's probably why he seemed so lethargic on certain days. Usually, he'd sneak into one of their beds, snuggle up, and maybe manage a short doze.
"I reckon the best approach is to ease into it," Huey suggested, snapping Dewey back to the here and now. "Stick with those little gestures; they seem to be comforting him. We'll start with a light topic and then gently steer the conversation—no bombardment. He's, well, he's fragile right now, Dewey."
Dewey glanced at their brother once more, small and hunched, almost fragile. He resembled how they'd all looked when Uncle Donald lost his job during a bad time, and they struggled to make ends meet. Dewey could vividly recall that period—the stormy weather, turbulent waters, and the days when cereal was the only meal on the menu. Fear had gripped them all, but Louie had borne the brunt of it. If Dewey closed his eyes, he could see Young Louie in his mind's eye, small and clutching his stuffed rabbit. Those same hands had scoured the house for spare change hoping to help the bills, the very hands Dewey had held.
"Yeah," he mumbled, hating the way his voice cracked. Huey reached up to give his shoulder a comforting pat. "I know. God, do I know."
At that moment, Louie looked up, and Dewey met his brother's tired, scared eyes. It felt like encountering a stray cat in an alley, trying to coax it gently while it watched you warily, aware that you were a stranger.
And that's what stung, didn't it? They were the Duck Boys, brothers with inside jokes and embarrassing memories no one else knew. They were the ones who'd drawn a mustache on Uncle Donald and stitched his new uniform. They had history, and yet, it felt like they didn't know each other anymore.
He mustered a hopeful smile, small and gentle, and felt something in his heart mend as he received one in return. Fragile, like the delicate strands of a spider's web, but it was a start, and it was better than nothing.
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artemis-pendragon · 2 years ago
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One of my absolute favorite things about Tumblr is how we have an appreciation for older media. Like this website is not entirely run by ad-spewing corporations trying to get everyone to watch their stupid new show only available on a single streaming service, so we have a lot more space to organically and collectively revive stories that otherwise might be lost to an era before the internet, where the only people with real access to critiquing and discussing them were filmbros in expensive academic settings and "intellectual" circles. Basically what I'm trying to say is that I'm so glad I live in a world where an entire website woke up one day and decided to rewatch Goncharov together, directly leading to me getting to see Blazed art of Katya and Sofia making out after the infamous Boat Chase/Boat Launch wound-tending scene. So happy y'all share my love for h/c scenes turning into sexy make-out seshes and the fact that it's a wlw couple is extra *chef's kiss*
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siderealdei · 6 months ago
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Ok I know I say all comments are good comments and normally, that is true.
However.
If you comment on a person's story/art/fanvid just to tell them all the things you don't like about it. All the things you would change. All the things that don't work *for you* or break *your* immersion.
Those sorts of comments are the opposite of helpful. They are actively harmful. They tell a creator - a *person* - that their *FREE WORK* isn't appreciated.
And maybe you didn't appreciate it. But that's what the back button is for. That's what blocking and muting and filters are for. Every website has, at the very least, the back button. Most sites with fanvids, fanart, and fanfiction have multiple tools to curate your experience. Because what doesn't work for you will for someone else. And regardless of that, it's not your job to police what other people create.
Unless someone is actively seeking critique - and they will say if they are because the default is no critique, no matter how 'constructive' you think it is - offering it doesn't add to the conversation.
If all you can say is how you would have done a person's work differently - maybe keep your fingers off your keyboard.
(and no, prefacing it with how you actually like the work in question DOESN'T help your case)
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96percentdone · 1 year ago
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I've been ruminating on fandom lately. Criticizing fandom at all will get you barraged by very defensive fans who will accuse you of hating fun, not understanding creative expression, and being an art snob, and I am about to go a LOT harder than most of the posts I've been exposed to, so in an attempt to preemptively curb that indignance: I like fandom. I have written fanfics, and theory posts, and meta, and I've reblogged countless fanart. A lot of what I engage with or have made meets the standards I'm about to critique, and I understand completely that for many, fandom is a hobby. People would like to escape from the struggles in their lives. They find comfort in the media they love, so they immerse themselves it. It can be hard to make anything in this capitalist hellscape, so if you've achieved something at all, it's a miracle. I get it. I really do. I'm not an art snob; I think it's fine if things aren't that deep, and they're primarily wish-fulfillment. I have some grievances with the critics too, and they'll come up. This post isn't about you specifically; it's bigger. Fandom content suffers a lack of substance because of superficial engagement with the source material.
Many fandom critical posts on this website bring up shipping culture as the reason everything is samey and uninteresting, often referencing ao3 in specific. I sympathize with these posts, I also find shipping prominence can be fairly tedious when you want to read ANYTHING else, but why is it when complain about fandom, we point the finger at fic? Why do we use shorthands like "he would not fucking say that," and drop ao3 tagging conventions, and mention fanfic websites? Have y'all LOOKED at the fan art you reblog? A lot of it is just posing and kissing. If you wanted to analyze it for any further meaning, I don't think you'd get very far. I am not positioning fanfiction as superior; as everyone points out, a lot of it is repetitive and derivative, but let's not pretend that this is a fanfic exclusive issue. We can take it further out! Look at the absolute state of meta. Most analysis is done in service of promoting a headcanon or a ship if it isn't just a theory wildly speculating an explanation for an unresolved or ambiguous plot point. We're gonna include those guys who make power scaling rankings, filling out the wiki, etc too. They're fans! Everyone agrees those people aren't engaging with the text in a deeper way, but that doesn't make them NOT fans. It is the way their appreciation manifests the clearest! We're all fans; we are doing the same thing in just a different form.
Most of what gets popularized I all these spaces is based on a strictly literal understanding of the work; it's about plot events and how characters relate to it and one another, and the meaning people get out of it—from shipping to theorizing to memes to tierlists—never goes beyond that level. If people don't know how to look for themes, to interpret symbolism and examine the construction of a work to see how it contributes to how the whole is operating to affect them, because their education on how to do it sucked shit, then obviously they won't. But I don't think that's enough to explain the heart of the problem.
Critics will bring up the fandom wash cycle, an analogy for how way fandom will spend more time engaged with itself than the source material, and perpetuate its own tropes and fixations ad nauseum. This is true in any fanspace you can spend your time in, including those "who would win" bros. I hear this, and I think of social media, the place most of fandom lives now. People making original work often talk about how their stuff never gets any attention compared to fandom stuff; the biggest fandoms are sprawling franchises with corporate entities behind them. Social media algorithms promote what is already popular, what will generate the most clicks, so you stay online and make their corporate overlords more money. It is the depth of human experience streamlined into easily digestible chunks.
You're spent because life is hard and the world sucks and the only relief you can find is in the media you love. You don't want to expend a lot of energy today, so you'll consume or create ship centered content, or fan theories, or memes and gifs. You'll wonder who would win in a fight. Even without social media, people feed their own algorithms, because the system is designed to encourage it. Fandom is part of a larger whole.
If fandom will ever be more than what it is, you have to be willing to put in the work to fix it. Criticism won't cut it. As the saying goes, be the change you want to see in the world. Create what you want to see, use what you make to teach what might be lacking, seek out more of the things that look like what you want fandom to be (I assure you it exists), not just what you already know. Fandom is perpetuated by fans. Being a fan doesn't make you predisposed to creating cyclical, watered-down content. Every fan has a rich internal life with a whole host of experiences that should inform both how they make their works and how they read it to begin with, because they're people.
People are far too diverse to be defined by an algorithm; maybe with enough effort, we can write a new one.
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omamervt · 6 months ago
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I didn't have Nickelodeon or any of the kids' channels, really, when I was growing up, but as an adult and... ugh. occasional content creator, I've grown to appreciate iCarly in recent years. I never saw any episodes of the web show, but the first episode of the sitcom drew me in to the idea of creating a show made to celebrate the talents and honed skills of children which would have gone unappreciated by adults or society as a whole. It made sense that Carly, Freddy, and Sam's show became such a big deal in fiction, because it was a thing kids craved in real life.
Most of the episodes I've seen that stuck with me were ones where the main plot challenged the core values of the iCarly web series in some way, and always ended on the conclusion that it was better for the cast to remain true to those values and make what they wanted to make, even if compromising and becoming cynical came with some perk or another.
Tonight I uhh, acquired some episodes of the new iCarly sitcom, and none of that is there. There are barely any episodes that focus on the iCarly show, and among the few there are, they almost never actually SHOW it.
But really, it's no surprise that they give no attention to the iCarly show after the first episode, because then they'd have to actually answer the question of WHAT the show is about now that it's for a more "mature" audience. In the first episode it was implied that it'd be about Carly putting a new twist on revisiting the things that gave her joy as a teenager, but with Spencer volunteering his time for that re-debut, they never had to grapple with how she'd fill air time when she had to do the show alone - something she never had to worry about when she was younger.
In the few episodes that remember the web series exists, and that that's why we care, it's almost always about chasing trends or clicks, and the idea that maybe that's not a good thing is never the conclusion. There was an episode where Spencer quite literally built a museum exhibit critiquing the behavior, and the moral of the story was to be considerate of how your actions affect others. Because yeah, they cuss now, but the format has otherwise not updated from lessons for middle schoolers. The later seasons of the original series aged with their audience better.
also side note, I tried using a relative's Paramount+ account first. That website is so godawful, I had a better user experience downloading the episodes I watched elsewhere. You're not missing out on shit by not using that service lmao. Don't give them your money.
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artistryads · 6 months ago
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FIVE EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO BOOST YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT
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Boosting Social Media engagement is crucial for business to connect their audience and drive meaningful interactions. Whether you’re a content creator, a brand looking to expand its online presence, or a marketer aiming to drive conversions, understanding how effectively engage with your audience on social platform is essential for success. If you’re looking to increase likes, shares, comments, or conversions the insights shared in this will empower you to navigate the ever- evolving landscape of social media with Artistry Ads.
Now let’s go ahead and find out how we can do this step-by-step
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
Understanding your audience is the foundation of successful social media engagement. Take the time to research and analyze your follower’s demographics, interests, and behaviour. By creating content that speaks directly to your followers, you will increase the likes, shares and comments.
Research Demographics: Identify your followers age, gender, location, and language preference.
Analyze Interests: Determine what topics, or trends your audience is interested.
Study Behaviour: Observe when your audience is most active in social media, which platform they prefer and how they engage with content.
Tailor Content: Create posts that resonate with your audience by addressing their interests, preferences and pain points.
Increase Engagement: By understanding your audience, you can create content that encourages like, comments and shares and make a strong connection with your followers.
CREATE COMPELLING CONTENT
Compelling content is the key to capture and hold your audience’s attention on social media. Experiment with different types of content, such as images, videos, infographics to keep your feed diverse and engaging. Remember to stay authentic and true to your voice while creating content that adds that value your follower’s lives. Here are some key points
Captivating Visuals: Use high quality images, videos, or graphics to grab attention and convey your message effectively to your audience.
Clear Messaging: Craft concise and engaging captions or headlines that clearly communicate the purpose behind the content.
Tell Stories: Share relatable anecdotes, experiences and narratives that resonates with your audience on a personal level.
Provide Value: Offer useful information, insights or entertainments that adds value to your audience’s lives or to solve their problems.
Call To Action: Prompt your audience to take a specific action such as liking, commenting, sharing or visiting your website to drive engagement and interaction.
Consistency:  Maintain a consistent posting schedule and style to establish brand identity and keep your audience engaged.
ENGAGE WITH YOUR AUDIENCE
Social media is a two-way street, so don’t forget to get engage with your audience regularly. You should respond to comments, answer questions and acknowledge feedback to show your followers that you value their input. You can also initiate conversations by asking questions, hosting polls or by soliciting opinions on relevant topics. Here are some steps that helps to make engage with your audience.
Respond Promptly: Reply to comments, messages, and mentions in a timely manner to show your audience that you value their interaction and feedback.
Ask Questions: Encourage participation by posing though provoking questions, conducting polls or seeking opinions on relevant topics to spark conversations and foster engagement.
Acknowledge Feedback: Show appreciation for comments, suggestions and critiques from your audience by acknowledging their input.
Initiate Input: Take the initiate to engage with your audience proactively by sharing user generated content, hosting live Q & A sessions or by organising contests and giveaways.
USE HASHTAGS WISELY
For increasing the discoverability of your content on social media platforms Hashtags are powerful tool. You need you have wide research on relevant hashtags that are popular within your niche and incorporate them into your posts strategically. Experiment with different hashtags and monitor their performance to identify which ones resonate best with your audience. Here are some key steps:
Be Relevant: Always choose the hashtags that are relevant to your content and also align with the interests and preferences of your targeted audience.
Research Popular Hashtags: Always look for popular or trending hashtags with in your niche or industry that are frequently used by the targeted audience.
Mix It Up: Use a combination of broad hashtags to reach a wider audience while targeting users who are most likely to be interested in your content.
Keep It Concise: Limit the number of hashtags you use in a single post to avoid overwhelming your audience or appearing spammy. Keep your captions clean and easy to read.  
CONCLUSION
Social media is not just about broadcasting your message, it's about building relationships and fostering connections with your audience. By consistently delivering value, being authentic, and actively engaging with your followers, you can create a loyal fan base that supports and advocates for your brand. By implementing effective strategies such as understanding your audience, creating compelling content, engaging with your audience, and using hashtags wisely, with a clear understanding of your audience's demographics, interests, and behaviours, combined with engaging content and strategic use of hashtags, you can build a strong and loyal following on social media platforms.
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bugeyedfreaks · 1 year ago
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Hey there!! I've lurked on your PPG blog for so long and always loved everything about it: the fantastic art you make and reblog, your jokes and observations, your critiques of the awful reboot, and especially the way you truly "get" the og show and just love its weird quirkiness that most people overlook! I was too shy to like your posts or send any asks for a long time, but I'm a long time fan of your blog and I'm so glad you're still around :)
Anyway all my rambling aside, I wanted to share some rare, possibly unofficial PPG merch I found a while ago!
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They're actually charms/pins you put through the holes of Crocs shoes to display them as you walk around, if you can believe it haha! I don't own Crocs nor plan on getting them, but I was so surprised and delighted when I saw these at a random little stall in the middle of a walkway at a mall near me that I couldn't help buying them. :) They're about an inch tall and really high quality too. I'm not sure what they're made out of but it's rather rubber-like and pretty thick! I have no clue if these or any of the other, more-modern-pop-culture charms they were selling were actually official, but if so it's interesting (and a pleasant surprise!) they used the og art style for them when so much merch uses the reboot art style (or a mix of both, which is even worse somehow).
I quite like the poses they picked for these too! I definitely recognize Bubbles' and Buttercup's being movie-era/post-season-4-era promo art, but Blossom's is a mystery to me! The style looks more like season-1-to-4 I think (just look how different her head:body ratio is compared to her sisters' lol), and I don't recognize the pose at all (but I *love* it, so much action/movement in it!) both of which surprised me! If you happen to know where it's from I'd love to know!
!!!!! Awwwwwwww, you're way too sweet! 💖 I am so glad that you decided to unlurk and send me a message. I appreciate you and your many kind words!
And ooooooooh, the famous Crocs Jibbitz. It’s entirely possible that they could be official since, as you know from reading my rants about this sort of thing, whoever’s running the brand does allow manufacturers to go hog wild with using different eras of OG art. Buuuut if you bought them from one of the kinds of mall kiosks I'm imagining, and because Bubbles' one arm is miscolored, I would assume they're probably not legit... which is okay, I am 100% all for good quality bootlegs here. 😂 I swore that I had a better version, but this is the best I could find in my files:
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...so it IS official art from somewhere, at least, and I swear I've seen it used on merch and stuff before. I reversed image searched for it and all I got was a link to this wiki page. There are pics with Bubbles and Buttercup that also have that shadow behind them, and yeah, they're definitely the S1-S4 designs (Bubbles is just ripped straight from that iconic pic of the three of them). Maybe these particular ones were images used on one of the CN websites at some point? No idea. It's definitely gotta be stock art from that era though.
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fenmere · 10 months ago
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Now Hiring a Sensitivity Reader
So.
We would like to hire a sensitivity reader for the Black characters in our stories.
Since our latest books take place at least part of the time on Earth, our cast for these novels has some diversity that we want to represent well. The ethnicities of background characters are left up to interpretation, but the leads and supporting cast are at least partially described.
We intend to compensate whoever volunteers to work as a sensitivity reader with at least $100 up front per manuscript. We're very limited in income, receiving it as gifts monthly from family and friends, but if you need more than that for the potentially painful but much appreciated effort, we can probably do some kind of payment plan for a while. Do not hesitate to name your price.
If you are qualified and even just want to know more about the characters in question and their roles in the story before offering to do this work, please send us a DM if you don't want to comment here.
At the very least:
The stories are written in first and third person perspective of the headmates of a system whose body/vessel is white, like us. They have a best friend, who is also a system, named Erik, and his boyfriend named Beau, and both are Black. Whether Erik considers the narrator and their system to be one of his best friends is up for discussion. Our goal over the whole series is for Erik and Beau to be an example of a kind of success and to be people the readers can at least root for and feel good for on their own merit, but they also do alternately serve as either a (not "the", "a") driving and critiquing perspective to what the narrators are thinking and doing (switching depending on individual character's moods, and what the scene calls for).
There is one scene where Erik vents about code switching for his various identities and affinities in his support network and family.
Beau mostly shows up later in the first book, and then is there for most of books two and three. He shows some demonstrative passion and frustration in book two.
Other than these two scenes, we do go pretty light on their ethnic backgrounds so far and focus more on what they share in common with the narrators.
Erik and Beau might not get enough page time as it is. It might be too stereotyped. We don't know, and we are eager to shape their stories to be better.
We haven't started writing the third book yet, and are still deciding on just how its plot will evolve, but we are planning on a full half of the pages dedicated to following them as they sail around the world on their own separate story arc. A parallel plot to what the narrator is dealing with at home. If you'd like to give us direct suggestions for that before we start writing it, we can also negotiate rates for that, too.
We are planning on submitting these books to a small traditional publisher, so we might make a little bit of money back on them, but if the publisher turns them down we will self-publish and offer the books for free on our website. We want them to be the best we can craft either way, so our offer for paying you is NOT contingent on that.
The books are first and foremost about being plural, from small to enormously large systems. They are also science fiction mixed with a bit of modern fantasy.
Other subject matter includes: possession, psychosis, fictives, skepticism, disabilities, chronic illness, unexpected violence (including abduction), PTSD, worrying about bigotry, encountering bigotry, found family, questioning reality, telekinesis, astral projection, fear of homelessness, and a short, harsh critique of Terry Gilliam.
Second and third books need a bit more content warning than that.
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