Little rant since I’m trying to figure out what to draw on my shoes (also this isn’t a pity post or anything about me wanting more attention, I just want to ramble :3)
The world of social media baffles me when it comes to tumblr and pinterest. In addition to stolen content (which I’ll get to later), putting your mark out on the internet is so much harder than most would think. Commonly, influencers, people promoting products (hehe tongue twister), models, and singers are the ones whose content is boosted and spread to others. Not to say some of these people aren’t talented, but most of those on social media who spread creativity or knowledge are snubbed in comparison. Although some people can take years off of their channel for their personal life and continue to thrive and profit, others have to apologize and try to compensate for their lack of content. From my own hiatus and what I’ve seen from people I follow who have taken a break for themselves, it is nearly impossible to build back up the reputation we once had. Whether followers who had praised your content since your beginning start to unfollow, or your likes just aren’t what they used to be, promoting your career or hobbies is so hard after a break.
As for what I was mentioning in my opening, stolen content, specifically on pinterest, is at a concerning level now. Various artists I follow, whether they have this app or not, I’ve seen have many of their artwork on there without their permission. Plus, if they don’t have it, they have to hope someone tells them someone is reposting their content without their knowledge. Many times in these cases, the reposters don’t credit or will censor any watermarks in a hope to convince others it’s their own pieces. When asked for who created it, I usually see one of three responses:
1. The reposter will title it “Not mine!” and say they aren’t aware who made it. However, if you’re sharing someone else’s art on another platform, 1. Why post it at all?? 2. If you don’t know who made it, why reupload it knowing it’s not your own?
2. They will claim it’s their own, even when others call them out in the comments. This, however, often leads to the comments getting turned off.
And 3. There will be a simple, or no title at all, and comments will be turned off. As for the creator, this prevents any possible means of credit as well as all of the saves or likes to go to someone who didn’t put in any work.
Plus, if I or others want any chance to get back our art or to regain the community we’ve lost, we have to constantly push ourselves to make more art or more videos to please those upset we were gone for so long.
I have pretty negative views on reposting. I just don’t see how it does anyone any good. The reuploaders are usually immature about taking someone else’s content, the creator doesn’t get the reactions, and any form of interaction with the content goes to someone who did NOTHING. They literally just copy pasted a photo and get hundreds of likes! It’s infuriating as an artist myself to come across art that makes my jaw drop, only to find out it was uploaded 3 years ago by unknown_user with a singular comment on the post asking “where can I find the artist” with NO REPLIES. Plus, since it’s not exactly illegal, they can just get away with it while some people think the art is that persons. I hate it so much y’all don’t even know
As for this post itself, it’s mainly a critique as to social media as a whole from my personal experiences and what I’ve seen occur to others. Although the capability to share more about yourself and your interests is extremely beneficial to those regardless of their ability to communicate socially with others (social anxiety is great ;-;). However, the amount of dishonesty, stealing content, and drama can lead to ruin for it as a whole. Although I won’t cover the effects of social media on teenagers, mental health, or perspective since that would need another post, it’s important to take these into consideration as well. In addition, although I LOVE being able to share my own content on here, it sucks that my own work often goes unseen and receives little reactions just as thousands of others on here. Moral of the story, support young artists, talented creators, small businesses, and anyone else who makes you smile to see their work.
That’s all for now folks.
- Max <3
