Turd In My Pocket

I suppose the correct thing to say would be that I am going to pursue other opportunities and interests at this time. Perhaps I have stayed to long here hoping for a good change to benefit the community to occur. That would be the politically correct thing to say…. however; this is not how I feel.

First off, let me say to all of my watchers and friends….I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your encouragement, support, and friendship. As many of you may have noticed, I have not uploaded anything recently, I have stopped commenting and faving your work. I leave you with over 70,000 deviations I have collected in the last 3 years, 100 news articles, and featured several thousand people. I have recommended many DD’s for friends and fellow artists, got our fine community to work together as a team which was virtually an impossible task,  contributed towards getting recognition for those who make resources…and most of all, I always put the community needs above my own. We together have laughed, cried, and triumphed together. We have celebrated our accomplishments as friends and fellow artists. Most of all, we have been a family.

Since I became a Senior member (which was an honor bestowed upon me, not something I asked for), I have discovered that when I publish to my journal “MY” opinion (same as everyone here), I find I am getting lectured by others…called on the carpet for my principles, values, morals, brow beaten and humiliated by some in the process.. I realize that DA has an overabundance of young zealous artists on the site, but come on, is it really necessary to be so disrespectful to others who are trying to help the community as a whole? Aside from that, I want to know exactly when I ceased being a person just like all of you.   When?  I know that being a Senior brings with it certain responsibilities and moral obligations…which continuously get pointed out to me, even though I did not need to be reminded. What you do not realize is what goes on behind the scenes….all the notes, accusations, innuendos, and pot shots towards me. Some of the notes I have received were just plain out hurtful and out of line.  I would never send someone a note such as the ones I have received this year.  Those notes in fact upset me to the point that I shared with a few  friends who convinced me to stick it out against my better judgment.  My apologies to the community as a whole.  This is an issue of principles for me, and I hope you can respect my decision to leave.

Now, let me address some of the current issues that have been responsible for my decision to leave: My grandfather taught me as a child to never be afraid to speak your mind even if your opinion is not the popular one. He also taught me to say what you mean and mean what you say. My grandpa was a very smart man. His lessons have taught me well. I have a lot to say, so please bare with me…(My apologies in advance for the length of this journal and for anyone who takes offense at it).

My time here has been very rewarding as evidenced in my growth as an artist and human being. There have been a few occasions however, which have left me very hurt and violated by certain members, and friends. I have been attacked personally and professionally. This most recent issue with the Shared Links has really brought it all to a head for me. I have been berated, belittled, insulted and my motives, Senior status, and membership have once again been judged incorrectly by a few. I took the pot shots though, and the snotty hateful notes behind the scenes because I have chosen to support “Choice.” Hell, without my knowledge,  my art was ripped just so a point could be proven….I GET IT! I GOT IT BEFORE! I GET IT NOW!

Let me state this as clearly as I can….I have always had this community’s best interest at heart and my love for this it has gone unsurpassed.  Behind the scenes is a whole different ballgame. I personally watched as one of my longest and dearest friends was treated so badly by DA staff. I read the note that was received, and I have to tell you, it made me sick to my stomach to think that I pay money to be on a site and know that I could be next in line to be treated so improperly. I was insulted as I read the note and it was not even about me.

Then, I see a journal posted by a former DA staff member that refers to its subscribers as “douche bags” and threatens to take a dump on us if we continue to speak out. Totally uncalled for and unprofessional for a site that derives its revenues from OUR subscriptions. I did not pay to be abused by DA staff…did you? In any case, in the midst of this latest barrage of bullshit, it occurred to me that perhaps, I need to leave. I am a person of high moral standards and integrity….so why am I here?

Let me tell you, this has certainly been anything but educational to say the least. In my life, I have managed multi-million dollar properties, managed and trained hundreds of people, certified hundreds of people, and helped thousands of people. Never once did I ever treat anyone with the disdain and disrespect as shown to me on this site over the past two weeks. (Keep in mind, notes privately I did not publish).

To clarify, not once did any one of us who disagreed with the “share feature” state that we did not understand how to post a link. Not once did we state we felt it would be in our best interest to allow this “New feature” , not once did we state we did not understand about these new “Social networking” sites and their purpose. Not once was it stated to you – by any of us who disagree – to leave DA. Not once was it stated you should put your gallery in storage. NOT ONCE! You read the facts. You made your own decisions. It was NEVER my decision to make for you, yet a few notes have reached me that state I am responsible for your decision. Those notes were spankings of sorts, or an attempt to admonish me for not setting a good example for the community. I take issue with that.   That was  a pretty darn hateful thing to say, wouldn’t you agree?  I do not deserve to be treated that way by ANY member of the community. I always do my utmost to lead by example, put my money where my mouth is so to speak. So, I really take offense at anyone who would tell me some bogus fabricated and insensitive bullshit such as that.

I am unhappy, and very disappointed in DA this is true, and I believe I have made that fact abundantly clear. To have someone you are supposed to respect make inflammatory, judgmental and rude statements about their members is unacceptable! Is this site run by adults, or, is it run by children who are in dire need of a TIME OUT!!!!  In addition, I have personally witnessed several artists verbally attacked by respected members of the community with their demeaning, offensive, uninformed speeches, insinuations, and brow-beating techniques, which in my opinion are exactly the same as the attitudes we have seen by recent DA staff.  These same individuals spammed a recent census poll that was published as a news article.  How childish and immature is that?  What were they afraid of?  Letting others state something that has some truth to it?  Interesting isn’t it?  Perhaps they just didn’t want others to be allowed to voice their opinions?  It seems to me, and correct me if I am wrong, but those hateful and demeaning comments just kept the issue ignited, not my journal with links to ALL the important articles from BOTH sides of the issue!!!  It is not my fault that other artists can assimilate the same information and draw the same conclusions….Hummmmmm…. One further note…I have a business degree and none of the classes I took taught me to treat people in this manner. If it were somewhere in the curriculum, I guess I was sick that day…NOT!  Not one single self-respecting business person would ever make this error in judgment, verbally or professionally.  Please believe me when I say that I am very well versed in the ways of business, and can tell you for fact that this is NOT an acceptable business practice by any definition.

Let me tell you what I think did happen…I believe that the decision to put the new share buttons was not very well thought out.  It is my opinion that there were issues to be considered that were not, or if they were swept under the carpet so to speak. I believe that DA thought it would be received very warmly, and when it wasn’t, well that just pissed everybody off! Now keep in mind that some of us have done a lot of footwork in the area of “Copyright Infringement” unlike some who are content pointing the fingers just to cloud the issue who have not, and I can tell you there is a skunk here. A BIG stinky reeking skunk. I am speaking from personal experience. In relation to my requesting assistance with my Copyright Infringement issue on DA, and an inquiry into putting a stop to the right click save as…..this is what I was told:

“We cannot legally represent you – this is a time consuming and expensive service requiring legal paperwork which we simply cannot provide to you.

There is no ‘magical’ script that will prevent the theft of anything placed on the Internet. The only guaranteed way to prevent the theft of your online work is to never place it online in the first place. If you decide to take the risks involved in placing your work online and at the mercy of millions of viewers then you need to take the proactive steps of clearly signing your own work, placing a statement of copyright directly onto it and watermarking it in a clear and visible fashion.

Copyright & Etiquette Administration Director,
Community Development Division,
deviantART Inc

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU TO WATERMARK YOUR WORK??????? HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I LINKED TO TUTORIALS TO ASSIST YOU????????  HOW MANY JOURNALS ON THEFT HAVE I POSTED???????

If you do not believe I know about Copyright Infringement, then I suggest that you visit the RATF External Page…I founded it, gathered information, and assisted many, many people to have their artwork removed from sites that had it without permission. So, Copyright is an issue I feel comfortable speaking about. So please do not continue to insult my intelligence.  Here is the link to the external page for those who would like to get more information to protect your artwork—> http://rippedarttaskforce.cmptrwhz.com/ I also have a Box on my front page with more information, but for those who have not read it, here it a small excerpt:

For all of you who think the share feature is a good thing here is an issue that HAS YET TO BE  ADDRESSED, read on………

Since this new feature is going to increase exposure which will also increase the probabilities that art theft (“Copyright Infringement”) will occur with more frequency  as a result of this massive exposure of our artwork, who is going to help us monitor where our images are posted and get them removed when there is a copyright infringement? Hummmm? Is DA going to help us resolve our off-site theft issues? Are you?

I have read several news articles in relation to DA and the acquisition of their new investor. I know what it said, and it is public knowledge. Now, when you apply that article to the current situation, it becomes abundantly clear what we all mean to this site. Before someone  quickly jumps down my throat…read the article for yourself and then tell me what you think.   It is crystal clear to me.  For those who have not seen it, here is the link—> http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2007-08/divx-goes-shopping-buys-fine-art-and-search-technology/

I have had a print account for over 3 years just like many many other artists and the most money I ever made was $20…so the impact of the Share feature as it relates to theft really stands out in my mind………so, why am I here? I realize that some of you will argue that “Theft” will not increase, and to you I say “WAKE UP, WAKE UP…STOP DELUDING THE COMMUNITY WITH YOUR IGNORANCE!  IF SOMEONE CAN CLICK A LINK AND STEAL OUR ART…WHAT MAKES YOU THINK WE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO SELL IT??????????” HELLO……Am I making any sense here????? I did not just fall off of the turnip truck.   The “Share” feature makes it even more possible by the very “Exposure” that is supposed to be so beneficial for our art to be likely seen by thieves and stolen……..If you really cannot see it, or it hasn’t happened to you, then I guess it doesn’t exist…right?  It increases the possibility of theft to occur dramatically, so do not let anyone tell you differently!  Judging from the number of recent uploads, I would venture to say that I am not the only person with reservations regarding this new feature.  How many of your friends have left DA already?  How many have their galleries in storage?  How many are not commenting, faving, or posting?

Now, to add further insult, I have been bullied  again. It is true I am a Senior (I never asked to be one, and yes, I am stating this one more time), but I have seen no rules stating what is expected of me. You receive Senior status for community works you do, and your peers are the ones who choose you, at least they did in my case.  Ask anyone who was in the chatroom during the last issue in the fractal community 2 years ago.   Because I am a Senior, it appears I am supposed to act a certain way and say certain things…BULLSHIT! I am a person. I have an opinion and I will state it clearly. JUST LIKE YOU! What makes me different from you…..NOTHING!

Yes, I have opened up an account at Redbubble, here is the link in case any of you missed it in TThealer’s journal the other day when he ripped my art just to prove a point which was HIS opinion—> http://plunder.redbubble.com/ Yes, I have a lot of work for sale over there. What I like about it is that over there, they have the technology that I was told did not exist. That’s right folks. The first time I got ripped, I was told that it was NOT possible to put a clear gif over the image so when people went to right click and save as….all they got was a clear gif in its place. I like RB because I am treated with respect….I like it because in 1 day I had an entire site up and operational. I like it because with the click of 1 button I can watermark every image I uploaded!!! Something that is NOT available here. I have updated my account at Renderosity also, and I have at least 2 other sites I actively upload my artwork to. SO WHAT! WHO GIVES A RATS ASS?   IT IS MY CHOICE!  IT IS NOT UP TO YOU TO MAKE MY CHOICES FOR ME!

I was told people are leaving DA because of me…BULLSHIT! Last time I checked people were allowed to make their own decisions! I was told that I “sway”  the community. People read what they want and base their own personal decisions from that, not from anything I have said. I have NEVER said to anyone that they should leave, or insisted they do. I have told where I was going and explained repeatedly why I was building another site, and the two ARE NOT THE SAME THING! Let me put it to you like this… I realize a lot of you will think this is stupid…but it is the analogy that I thought of first, so please do not be offended:

You and I are the best of friends….we are walking down the road, and suddenly I reach down to pick up a stinky turd and put it in my pocket. Are you going to reach down to pick up the stinky turd next to it and put it in your pocket because I did? OF COURSE NOT! Same difference applies here. So, I would appreciate it if some people would stop accusing me of something I have not done.  What it has done  is make my decision for me to leave because of the misguided, insulting accusations  to my person.  And yes, I am deeply offended!!!  (I am not referring to MOST of the artists in the community).

The final straw came when a journal published 2 days ago by Moonbeam13 left me a pack of “Tin Foil Hat Wearing Drama Llama’s” as a birthday gift, and referred to me as her “good friend.” I am aware of what that meant, and I know that I have not heard from my “good friend” since the last fiasco 2 years ago. When I went back to check her journal in the morning, it had been revised and a correction made putting someone else’s name in my place shrugging it off….but the damage was already done wasn’t it.  There is nothing I hate more than anything except FAKE people.  That was a slam to me personally, and make no mistake, I understand perfectly what insult was intended and have no doubt in my mind that it was intentional! So this my dear friends was the end for me. That last act brought me to tears. I showed it to a GD and another Senior….a few other friends saw it to and knew what it would mean because they know me that well.

Now, I am done with my rant for now. Sorry to offend anyone with MY opinions. It is not my intention to piss everyone off or make you leave DA….I’m just merely attempting to state MY OWN position with the facts as I know them.  It is with a very heavy heart that I have made my decision to leave all of you, my friends.  A few bad apples do spoil  the whole bunch.  I will no be abused by anyone! I never thought I would ever leave DA, but everything happening goes against the morals, principals and values.  Please understand.  I am going to miss each and every one of you. Everyone has  link to my page, and several of you have my email address, so please do keep in touch.  I will still continue to make resources because I feel they are so important, but will offer a direct download from Fractal-Resources or the Apophysis Groups.

Please do not send me hate mail….I will not respond to it…and please do not spam this blog post or my journal or I will put you on the blocked list. Last time I checked America was still a free county, and even I am entitled to speak my mind under my 1st Amendment Rights….just like all of you do!