So I made a post about a week ago talking about how streamers, particularly mcyt, don't value fanworks, and in it I linked a few clips from one streamer in particular with his thoughts that he shared on stream.
Now I didn't share his name in that original post, but I'm going to share it now.
Anathra, in a stream shortly following Pyro's boundaries announcement, was talking about his feelings surrounding the whole situation, as well as his thoughts on fanwork in general, especially where shipping is involved.
These thoughts included, but were not limited to:
Comparing fans to 'karens' and other people who mistreat food and retail workers, saying that "they treat people with contempt and as inhuman"
Saying that fans don't respect creators when they make fan works
Fans creating fanart and fanfic of characters they play is "weird and unhealthy behavior", regardless if it's posted publically or privately between a group of friends or in a private server.
"You have to try to make people understand that even if they're doing it in private it's weird and wrong"
Comparing fanart and fanfic to AI generated work
In response to a comment asking "Is it not a bit disingenuous to compare fan work to a climate killing water guzzling art stealing machine?" doubling down on his comparison and saying "It's not necessarily the climate side of things, its the same morality being used. If you take the climate thing into account, AI is worse. Using just the 'creative' side of AI, is what I'm talking about."
In regards to his fans "The most you can do is get most people to listen, there's always going to be weirdos out there we all know that."
Now why am I posting this now? It has come to my attention that the clips I got of these quotes from Anathra's VOD have been taken down, along with the original VOD as well. As such, I have no concrete evidence of these quotes, however below is the proof that the clip and VOD links once existed and no longer do.
Why did you remove these clips and VOD from your channel Anathra? Did you realize that these were awful things to be saying about your fans, people who support you and love your characters, SO MUCH SO that they dedicate time and effort to create wonderful works of art inspired by your stories and characters? I have to imagine you do realize, or else you wouldn't have taken these clips down at all.
Why are you trying to hide? If you were so brave as to say these things on stream, doubling down even, then own them. If you regret speaking your mind in a stressful situation, then take accountability for your harmful words. You don't get to just say these things and ignore the consequences. I'm sick and tired of creators thinking of fans and fan*work* as something they *deserve* and can control to their own liking. Fans create these things selflessly out of a love for your storytelling, only to be told that they're "weird" and "wrong" for it? That the hours they spend working on a beautiful piece of art or incredibly complex prose and fiction is equivalent to instantly generated ai slop? AI Slop that learned FROM FAN WORK? It's incredibly demoralizing for fans who are creating these things FOR FUN with no personal gain to be hearing that the creators they look up to see them so low.
Stop hiding. Your fans deserve better than a creator who will insult them behind their backs.
(This was a link I shared of the original VOD, which still has the original thumbnail and title, which can no longer be found on Anathra's twitch, despite being streamed ~June 8)
(My original clip of the above VOD, which has no thumbnail, and has been deleted, as well as the link showing that the clip is no longer available)
(I've not clipped anything else from Anathra aside from these clips, as I'm not even a regular viewer)
