it sure is a throwaway friend

judging by reblogs and tags i'm apparently super yogscast defend blog 1000 or as I like to call it that blog people half like but don't hate enough to send anonymous hate to.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

You’re entitled to feel annoyed about the time split but take a second to remember that the content you’re watching was edited by someone who was likely proud of their work before it was torn to shreds by hundreds of people. 

Surely a fandom this heavily invested in creativity can appreciate that you’re insulting the work of multiple people because you didn’t agree with the editing. The content creators themselves, those playing Derpulies and Skobbels and the editor who put the series together (and anyone else involved in production.)

The Trials Of Derpulies and Yogscast tags are a wreck. It’s actually fascinating to see the sheer amount of anger brought on by how a video was edited instead of what it was actually about. The fact the winning rap is another cause of grief is actually quite amusing but I’m going to put that down as an extension on why the editing is being criticised. If Hat Films/Flux Buddies had won the rap and were getting the screen time instead of Sjipos I’m assuming the anger would be the same.

Your anger isn’t going unheard but don’t expect any changes in the coming episodes due to the likelihood the complete series has been edited. The most important thing to take from this post is that this is someone’s creativity and by directing your frustration and anger and general shit attitude towards the video you’re pointing it towards them and they don’t deserve it.

The 4 angry anons you received about your art in 3 years doesn’t equal this.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

Do you really expect people to show you that? I actually considered it but figured that you were going to be one of the people who wouldn't listen to anything we had to say. And I predicted that you were going to make this exact post when you didn't get a response. I knew that after you said that the Yogs being quiet about this issue didn't prove their guilt, you'd say that the victims being quiet means that they're lying. Because this whole fanbase is ridiculously hypocritical with this issue.

I was hopeful that people would prove me wrong as it’s the reason I’m questioning it in the first place. 

As I’ve mentioned before I’m neutral on the matter. This doesn’t stop me taking the opportunity to question what’s been brought forward as I notice crucial information missing from the screenshots. The questions I’m raising shouldn’t be of concern to people as long as they’re confident in the evidence they possess. I’m not forming an opinion on the alleged victims but scrutinising the evidence that they expect to convict a man with. It’s one thing to deny all allegations and label proof as fake and another to question certain aspects of the proof for a clearer picture.

The Yogscast remaining quiet on the matter is a smart business move. It doesn’t matter which way you frame it the simple fact of silence isn’t a definite sign of guilt. If members in the community continue to play that card it makes them look weak as putting the business interests over rumours and allegations in the fandom of one content creator is the logical way forward for The Yogscast.

I don’t recall saying the alleged victims remaining quiet is reason to believe they’re lying. If you have a post of mine that mentions this I’ve clearly forgotten.

The point I made is a clear one that needs to be addressed. The simple fact that after that post I received multiple anonymous messages telling me how wrong I am is an indication I’m asking questions people aren’t comfortable with. People have taken the ages of the alleged victims on the word of other community members and the fact there’s no solid public evidence is worrying.

Whether or not you decide to share the information you’re withholding is entirely your decision. It remains that while you do so it makes my point that there’s currently no proof that Sjin was aware the people he was speaking with were minors. People need to consider if this ever goes to court that the questions I’m raising are absolutely nothing to the hell that will be brought down by lawyers. People seem to be forgetting that convicting a person for crimes isn’t as simple as putting words on the internet with screenshots.

I’m listening. I raised the question hoping that someone had information that could answer my concerns. I’m not attempting to defeat the evidence or rally against those potentially affected. The only reasons for my posts is to satisfy my concerns.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

noone answered your question because it was a stupid question. we know who the victims are, and we know how old they are, they put their ages on their blogs. what were you expecting, a conversation that goes, "hi sjin who i've talked to forever this is how old i am"

You say the question is stupid but can you prove that Sjin knew how old they were? Do you have proof that he visited their blogs and saw their ages or even if their ages were on their blogs at the time this happened?

What I’m expecting is that people actually think about this before blindly believing screenshots that don’t show crucial information. Am I doubting this ever happened? No. I’m just questioning pieces of information that are missing and that no one seems interested in finding because it’s been ~proven~ that he’s guilty. If anything comes from this it would only strengthen the case by filling in the holes.

What I expected in a screenshot was the beginning of the conversation. People typically greet someone and then share a few details about themselves. Their age, sex and location if you will. It’s pretty standard and so far it’s missing from any of the screenshots.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

I’ve lost two followers since that post so I’m going to assume that in none of the screenshots currently available ages were shown. I’m not using this as a campaign for Sjin and I continue my neutral stance on the matter although I’m going to criticise the current case against him.

I’m concerned that because no ages were shown in the screenshots that it was potentially never discussed. If that conversation didn’t happen it could be said that “Sjin” wasn’t aware he was speaking with minors. This is a reason of concern when you’re trying to have someone charged for crimes involving minors.

The other thing that’s worrying is how quickly everyone was to believe the alleged victims’ word over clear proof. If there were screenshots showing them stating their ages earlier in the conversation it would rule any miscommunication or obvious disregard out of the mix. Based on my empty inbox I’m going to assume that this never happened.

Let me be clear. If there wasn’t a discussion disclosing their ages the entire Sjin drama is based on “He knew they were under age. Sjin is a paedophile and should be fired and charged.” I’m not attempting to sway opinions here but pointing out a large flaw in the evidence against Sjin. If you’re accusing someone of a crime it must be proven with evidence the same way the accused would defend themselves. It’s not a matter of “He knew this. He did this. He’s guilty.” You need proof that backs up your claims that he did know their ages and that he did it regardless of their ages. The current screenshots don’t prove this and that’s a flaw.

The recent screenshot from /r/YogMods is another cause of concern where a direct attack on the /r/Yogscast moderation and Hannah was made and submitted to YogPetShame. A screenshot of a thread inside /r/YogMods was edited to include apparent instructions given by Hannah to remove anything regarding the Sjin accusations. /r/Yogscast moderator Fonjask has since proven that his thread wasn’t edited and the screenshot was forged in means of video.

When edited screenshots are submitted and being taken seriously until otherwise proven it has to say something about the issue as a whole. 

It begs the question “If now, why not then?” 

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

Question regarding Sjin

In screenshots provided was there a moment captured where ages were discussed meaning Sjin was aware he was speaking with minors? 

Having had a scroll through the caps I’ve been unable to locate a moment and this is a pretty important factor. If you have one let me know.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

File under: Thing I’ve never considered until someone pointed it out

If you’re going to create a secondary blog to point out issues in a community don’t hide behind false principles by claiming you’re doing it for anyone but yourself. Creating hostility in the name of strengthening or advancing a community is the only way the guilty can justify their actions.

Instead understand and accept that you’re speaking your mind in hopes it will be taken on board by those who believe in your message. It’s cowardly to hide your actions behind a message of peace inside the community when all you’re effectively accomplishing is pulling it apart.

You know, like how all this blog is used for is my opinion.

Not to educate or better the Yogscast.

[yogpetshame]

You can tag me in it. You didn’t say anything in this post so why would I be upset?

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

It’s nice that you see yourself in this but the user I’m speaking about isn’t you.

[yogpetshame]

Ooh that’s exciting. Then who?

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

I mentioned I’m not sure if they’d appreciate being tagged, right? They were the one who made clear that people who use these blogs under the guise of anything but expressing their opinion are fooling themselves.

So take some comfort in knowing that part of my post was about you among others. The user who made that point was not.

Are we really going to do some kind of back-and-forth reblog dance?

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

File under: Thing I’ve never considered until someone pointed it out

If you’re going to create a secondary blog to point out issues in a community don’t hide behind false principles by claiming you’re doing it for anyone but yourself. Creating hostility in the name of strengthening or advancing a community is the only way the guilty can justify their actions.

Instead understand and accept that you’re speaking your mind in hopes it will be taken on board by those who believe in your message. It’s cowardly to hide your actions behind a message of peace inside the community when all you’re effectively accomplishing is pulling it apart.

You know, like how all this blog is used for is my opinion.

Not to educate or better the Yogscast.

[yogpetshame]

You can tag me in it. You didn’t say anything in this post so why would I be upset?

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

It’s nice that you see yourself in this but the user I’m speaking about isn’t you.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

File under: Thing I’ve never considered until someone pointed it out

If you’re going to create a secondary blog to point out issues in a community don’t hide behind false principles by claiming you’re doing it for anyone but yourself. Creating hostility in the name of strengthening or advancing a community is the only way the guilty can justify their actions.

Instead understand and accept that you’re speaking your mind in hopes it will be taken on board by those who believe in your message. It’s cowardly to hide your actions behind a message of peace inside the community when all you're effectively accomplishing is pulling it apart.

You know, like how all this blog is used for is my opinion.

Not to educate or better the Yogscast.

[lomadia]

Hi Hannah! I hope you're well. I was hoping you could clear some confusion up for me as to whether content creators are considered Yogscast employees and whether they're entitled to any sort of paid time off (yes/no is fine no details req.) I've always assumed each channel was owned independently yet housed under the Yog network meaning you still work for yourself & time off is at your own loss. If this is private information I apologise and please ignore this. Thank you for everything. :-)

I’ve been noticing a lot of people on Tumblr over the last few months demand certain things for content creators, assuming they’re employees - so this is probably a good time to clarify this and stop these assumptions.

We are all independent and run our channels ourselves. We decide our video schedules, collaborations, work times, sick leave, time off and brand deals.

Yogs are not our employers and we are not employees. They are there in case we have issues, or want help in trying to set things up - whether it’s a group collaboration session, editing, copyright claims or whatever. What you see on our channels is down to our individual choices and decisions.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

I'm sorry. Is it selfish for Zoey to have to care for herself before her channel? She was stuck at home for like two months straight because of her mental health state. If they had more incentive to start their channels up again, maybe they would? You can't exactly do what a fan requests when there's no one there to request it. God forbid they swim against the tide because it isn't getting them views.

There’s a difference between criticising Zoey for disappearing from Youtube and criticising claims that her channel deserves support and attention from the larger Yogscast channel subscribers. I have no problems with Zoey stepping back and taking a break before returning and picking up where she left off. This isn’t the issue at hand nor does it have any relevance to my post about supporting smaller channels.

I have an issue with people making disappointed or annoyed posts criticising how the Yogscast treat their smaller channels and claim they’re not given adequate attention. There’s clearly an issue with viewership on their channels and the content creators don’t seem dedicated enough to their work that additional coverage is deserved. People are suggesting flashy advertisement videos pointing you to their channels and upon arrival you’d be greeted with a channel pulling small time views due to stale content or one that was deserted months ago.

Simply put to call for guest appearances (let’s call them promotional videos) for channels that have been inactive for months or making subpar content is a waste of time.

I’m all for Zoey making a return when she’s ready but it’s getting to the point she needs to decide whether she’s returning at all. She hasn’t disappeared for a few weeks due to poor health she has effectively closed her channel for half a year. She may take her time but an update video posted to her channel could clear up any confusion to its current state.

In terms of incentive the incentive to return to your employment is that you’ll receive an income and that’s the only incentive which makes people get up in the morning. She has a dedicated fan base waiting with bated breath for her return and I believe were she to return today there would be requests piling in to fill her open schedule.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

Underyogs. Why they don’t deserve any large channel support.

Did it ever occur to those in the community demanding more focus on these members because they’re not receiving enough views on their content that it might not be an audience problem but what they’re making content on?

The main channel and other so called “popular channels” create content which they know their audience is interested in and that’s currently popular among the gaming community. While years old Minecraft is still a main feature on their channels and it still brings in a large amount of views. When they stray from what their audience has made clear they’re interested in the views will begin to decline.

When “underyogs” decide to make content on games they’re personally interested in is why they could be running into issues. Sure, there could be people in their community enjoying the videos or have requested the game but there’s a large number who wont be interested if it’s not what they’re used to or expecting as they’re a part of the Yogscast. Everyone automatically associates the Yogscast with Minecraft and when a new channel appears they’re expecting that member to have a series. It’s an unfair expectation but when you join a network this heavily invested in a game and you’re interested in poaching subscribers you’re going to have to expect it and perhaps conform.

Take Panda and Will Strife for example.

Panda has been playing Dying Light for 4 months with views declining after the beginning. The latest videos haven’t cracked 10,000 views but the videos on the recently released ARK Survival have been his most viewed in a month (due to one video but excluding that it’s 2 months.) Could this be that people are interested in coverage on new games instead of continuing a dead series?

Will’s in the same boat with Fallout: New Vegas. It’s content he’s familiar with and has an audience built upon but it’s a dated game that isn’t attracting the core subscribers from his association with the Yogscast. With views on Fallout not cracking 25,000 views in 4 months it’s a wonder why this series hasn’t been scrapped. Will had until recently a Minecraft series but it was a hardcore series which have been done to death and would have been popular years ago. Had it been another modded version it could have drawn Yogscast viewers in as it’s something they’re still interested in. It last reached 15,000 excluding the final episode 3 months ago.

Toby hasn’t cracked 10,000 views since the Christmas Adventure. The content on his channel has been rarely over 5 minutes in length with minimal effort involved. At this point Toby’s channel resembles someone making as little effort as possible to make his channel look like it’s actually operational.

Zoey, Zylus and Parv aren’t even worth mentioning with no videos in 6 months, 5 months and 4 months respectively. Yet the community still calls that they receive more attention and features on the main channel. To draw people to their channel to find it dead? What exactly is the purpose of attracting a large number of people to something that’s abandoned except for a reason to be negative towards the “popular channels” and the Yogscast as a whole.

You’re expecting larger channels to take time away from their successful channel (because they’re giving what their community asks for and scrap what doesn’t do well) to help advertise a smaller channel with little interest in changing their content to better their viewership or even give their channel the dedication it requires? At this point most “underyogs” are spitting in the face of their subscribers with their blatant lack of care for their own channel yet people still expect them to be advertised on the largest Yogscast channel?

I think you need to consider exactly why the channels aren’t promoting the “underyogs” because I think it’s pretty clear it extends beyond “they don’t care.”

The only people who don’t seem to care are the ones you’re fighting for.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

giving possible reasons as to why something happened

is not

defending the action

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

In regards to this Sips/Zoey Twitter babble

I think people need to remember that not everyone grew up in a time where Tumblr was around and people are drilling social justice into you. The younger fandom members (say from 18 down because they would have been about 10 when it was around for me) probably wouldn’t remember a time where saying ‘gay’ instead of other more appropriate words was all the craze.

“I have algebra after lunch. It’s gay.” “Man, I hate Nick he’s gay.” “You’re gay as! No one likes cucumbers in their salad!”

None of these were ever to indicate that the thing or person was actually *voice booms from the heavens* HOMOSEXUAL but just a descriptive word that caught on and became used in sentences often without even realising. Similar to saying “LOL” in conversation. Was the meaning behind this negative and not necessarily a happy loving one? Absolutely. It was used as a negative descriptive word but that wasn’t even considered when being used by many people. It was something everyone else was doing so you did it somewhat automatically. You hear someone say something enough and before you know it you’re saying it too. 

Just like Tumblr.

What I’m trying to say is that a lot of people wouldn’t have been around when this was happening so they’re not aware this was a “thing” and could be a reason why Sips said what he said. It could still be happening and you’re aware of it I don’t know your situation or whether it’s still used. Fact remains when I was growing up this was something that happened without intending to cause harm to gay people.

Times have changed and people are sensitive when a word is used out of place. Instead of thinking about this for more than 3 seconds they decide to go on a rant on their super cool blog and demonise someone for doing something that was acceptable a few years ago. Mind you this was before people decided to grow up on Tumblr and have someone else’s sense of what is right and wrong drilled into them.

Does it excuse what happened? Not entirely. It does give what happened context though. Things like this are hard to let go even years after it was decided it wasn't acceptable any more.

You know, like racism.

If you consider what was said does it fit what I’m saying? Could the word “gay” be exchanged for “lame” or “uncool” in the tweet Sips made? “Is it gay to think Lego Worlds looks pretty fun?” because from where I’m sitting I’m seeing Sips still using a descriptive word that’s going out of fashion and not a homophobic asshole who’s sole purpose of tweeting about Lego Worlds is to upset and insult the community.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

You know what’s a terrible idea? Asking people to confront the Yogscast during an event they’re putting on for the community using their time to ask about issues that don’t concern us. You can adore Yogscast members all you want but sticking your nose into business that doesn’t concern you isn’t something you should be doing or encouraging. 

If an “underyog” (you’re practically shoving them into the “ignored” corner with that term let’s be real) wants to be on the main channel for advertisement reasons they should open a channel with the party concerned and have a discussion. What the channels shouldn’t be doing is using the community to force hands and allow them access to main channel videos or servers.

The calls for these “underyogs” to be featured seems to come primarily from the Tumblr community who aren’t satisfied with the support these channels are given. (Need I remind people again how channels are independent? No, let’s not go down that road again.) These calls barely extend beyond Tumblr so it makes you wonder just how many people are actually concerned by this? Do people like Strife and Zoey actually want a main channel video or is this simply Tumblr believing they’re entitled to one? “Give them support” and all that.

The community asking demanding that these channels be advertised is the same as your mother barging into your workplace and demanding something from your boss. It’s embarrassing because you should have the guts to do this yourself and it puts you in a bad light for allowing this to happen. If you’re the employee you take your concerns to your boss expecting a reasonable answer instead of crying to your mother (or online community of dedicated fans) and rolling over and allowing her to demand it for you. It’s shameful. If the channel owners want something and they’re refused they should accept it or continue to discuss things privately without involving the community. We’re not here to fight your battles so you get advertisement to keep your channel afloat. You want to succeed in the Youtube game and continue to make a living off it? Your responsibility. Not ours.

At the end of the day these events aren’t there for you to take your soapbox and scream about something you have no business in. If an “underyog” decided to attend and ask these questions well, it would be unprofessional and should never happen. If the person it directly affects shouldn’t do it then you shouldn’t. The community really needs to have some boundaries set so they know when they’re being ridiculous and shoving their noses in.

If you decide to listen to this call out post and actually ask the question not only are you going to put the members on stage in an awkward position but you’re going to embarrass yourself. Do you actually believe that asking what their future plans for supporting independent channels is going to make a difference or are you simply doing it to make a point? If you really want to be “that person” then you’re free to do so but please remember it’s none of our business and you’ll earn a groan of second hand embarrassment along side that kid who asks about the return of SOI.

If they want the exposure for their channel they need to go through official channels instead of screaming Tumblr posts. We’re not their army and they shouldn’t be treating us like one. If their requests are refused they’ll have to deal with it. Attempting to force hands by Tumblr community outrage isn’t going to cut it.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

There’s a bit of discussion surrounding Will Strife at the moment and the lack of support he’s receiving from various members of the Yogscast. While the majority of this falls directly under my previous post about new channels not being entitled to main channel coverage there’s something left to discuss.

In particular the fact Will was apparently refused access to the Resonate Rise server that’s currently hosting Cat Island, Flux Buddies, Druidz and Rule The World. Will has this unpleasant habit of posting passive aggressive responses and hiding behind them when the community becomes disgruntled. The issue is that while posting a response to a question there was quite a lot left to the imagination and Reddit took this and ran with it.

There are unknown factors in all aspects of the Yogscast. This starts with their business model and ends with personal relationships. People assume they’re informed and spread misinformation and guesses which are distributed as fact. This results in arguments beginning and blame being placed on the wrong people. While Will Strife says he was refused access it doesn't point to who he was refused by, for what reason and if there’s any possibility of access in the future.

People seem to forget The Yogscast are a business and are susceptible to workplace conflict the same way any of your local businesses are.  If two members dislike each other it’s quite easy to avoid them by refusing to record together and keep it from the public eye. These conflicts can shift into distribution of power and hypothetically if there were conflict between Duncan (who I believe controls the server) and Will Strife then access could have been rejected out of dislike. Is this the reason? Unlikely but who’s to know?

Shifting the entirety of blame onto the main channel and other members of The Yogscast for not supporting Will Strife and giving him exposure is unfair when you’re ignorant to the reasons surrounding the decision. If there are people at fault for cutting off potential exposure then you’re entirely free to blame them when you’re in a position of knowledge. Until then you should assume nothing because that’s the perfect breeding ground of wrongly placed blame and pointless arguments.

Be frustrated and angry but make sure you’re well informed and know who to direct your emotions to. Throwing them at a broad target such as “the main channel” or “the office channels” isn’t an effective use. Direct hits are better than killing bystanders.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

the mysterious benevolent anon says: why are some words swears and others are not who decided them we can say sex but not the f why so people swearing should be okay yes but if people use language that others find offensive i.e. hannah and the ableist slur problem then that is bad because the word is designed to make fun of people :( but swears, maybe not bad.

I think it comes down to personal choice. There are people who swear, those who don’t, those who don’t mind other people swearing and those who are outraged when a swear word is used. The same applies with the use of slurs. 

You’ll find a large audience of people are okay with slurs being used in videos and every day life because they haven’t been told that these words affect the group they target. There are also people who understand these words hurt people yet continue to use them to offend. People also use slurs without meaning harm because their definition of the word is different to what they’re being accused of using it for.

At the end of the day people are going to continue to use swear and slurs in their life. It doesn’t matter how hard people push for these words to be taken out of rotation there will simply be another word to replace it. As far as who decides what’s acceptable and what isn’t it really comes down to the person saying them. They pick and choose which words they’re comfortable saying based on what’s deemed acceptable by society. You wouldn’t thank the cashier with “have a good day, c**t” unless you truly believe this is acceptable.

I’m not really sure what your question is beyond why different swears/slurs are bad. I hope this answered your question in a roundabout way.

[someonehelptheyogfandom]

if the yogscast want to make more profit (which lbr they DO going by the unholy amount of merch they're selling lately) then they will want to drive views to as many channels under the network as possible. it makes sense to promote channels within the network because then the yogscast on a whole is earning more.

Please tell me how increasing views on any channel except the main channel directly helps the Yogscast’s earnings? Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m led to believe revenue generated is solely that of the channel’s operator while the higher viewed (and higher earner) main channel provides most of the funds. It would be ridiculous to believe that the revenue earned by the Yogscast in a month is divided between Simon and Lewis.

If there’s a percentage of profits taken from each channel inside the network to assist in growth then I’m yet to see it disclosed from an official source. I highly doubt this would be the case considering smaller channels would require every penny to keep their channel a viable employment option.

The only way I could see a percentage being taken from channels towards the company is if they charge those using Yogscast office space to record their content. This could be a form of renting the space and the revenue could be put towards paying the staff or keeping the power on. I believe none of this has been stated anywhere so a lot of guessing is involved in just how they operate as a business. This is deliberate and I applaud them for keeping their operations a private matter.

Merch sales are as profitable for the company as they are for those purchasing them. Providing merch options are highly requested and for the Yogscast to miss out on a potential revenue stream would be a disastrous business call. While I agree that the selling of merch is an excellent way to meet profit targets you can’t dispute the fact people simply love a branded t-shirt and a mug.