I've seen the same post about sensory issues reblogged like eight times from you. Is everything okay? I'm a little worried. It seems... stressed? Frustrated? I hope you're okay.
Hi! Thank you for your concern. I am indeed stressed and frustrated, but the things I can control are okay. However, I'm going to take this opportunity to explain why I am doing it, and I'm going to work under the assumption that you know nothing about Sanders Sides for the sake of making clear where I'm coming from.
Sanders Sides (from now on TSS) started as little goofy videos trying to explain and help resolve relatable internal conflicts such as learning new things, discovering who you are, analysing the origins of your favorite movies, etc, etc.
With time, they started to tackle more complex topics, involve bigger research, use a bigger production and became longer than 20 minutes each. No problems here from my part besides some quality concerns that have nothing to do with this and I will not talk about right now.
In the video Learning new thing about ourselves (LNTAO), a clear and timely warning due to flashing lights was emitted. By this I mean the warning was made at the very beginning of the video, it stayed on screen around five seconds in big bold letters, giving the exact timestamp of where photosensitive issues may be triggered and offered an alternate version for the clip on the description.
As an epileptic person who has ocassional photosensitive reactions myself, I was beyond happy because these kind of warnings, although necessary, are weirdly issued on time on mass media (see Incredibles 2, Into the spiderverse, Lalaland, and almost every Netflix original), even less offer alternate safe versions before health problems arise.
I saw this as a small scale big step to accessibility in media, I would give it as an example to anyone who would listen to my endless rants about the need for warnings about these effects. I still use it as an example sometimes. Because not only there was a warning and an alternate version, they were around three very light flashing sequences with appropiate spacing in a time frame of 43 seconds. It was a warning, an alternate version, and it followed the safety guidelines. One of the most amazing things I have seen in matters of seizure accessibility.
Why am I so angry then? Well, let's fast forward to the video Putting others first (POF). The link you saw me reblog so much was a compilation made by @yeet-ceit detailing every instance of potentially triggering material in regards not only of seizures, but any other sensory issue, as well as a brief explanation of why this is concerning. There was a rough 12:23 minutes of potentially triggering material in 51:09 minutes video. In other words, 23.93% of the video was damaging to people with ADHD, autism, epilepsy, chronic migraines, anxiety, etc. This video had no warning at all.
As I said, my epilepsy is ocassionally photosensitive. Only ocassionally. Yet, after five minutes of watching the episode, I couldn't remember most of it. I remember there was a song, I remember the name reveal and the angsty ending. The rest is a blur.
Memory loss is a part of some types of seizures, and seizures imply brain damage.
How did we go from the accessibility wonder that was LNTAO to memory loss on POF? I can't remember and I don't want to risk watching the video again just to understand fandom memes.
That is still NOT my main concern. TSS may be known as a @thatsthat24 youtube show, but everyone in the fandom knows that @thejoanglebook basically runs the show.
TSS would not be the main attraction of the channel without Joan's intervention. Naturally, they were asked if the next TSS will be more sensory friendly, they replied they didn't know why last video was an issue and later apologized for coming out as harsh.
I have no problem with them not knowing why it was damaging. However, I have a big problem with them not showing no signal of wanting to learn. The replies to their post went without acknowledgement and when yeet-ceit tried to give them the link to the post with the explanation the result was the same.
Why am I spamming Joan with the link now? Because I don't want any excuse for not knowing in the future. I understand they can't possibly see everything that is sent to them, but by heavens above, I can try.
