Mastodawn

Alanna Smith Dec 19, 2022

Y'all are chasing working artists away from this place by harping on how "sad" and "pathetic" it is for them to hope for a large follower count here.

It's not about attention. It's about their bottom line. More followers means more commissions, more customers in their online shops, more direct exposure to people with hiring power. It's honestly really cruel to keep acting like they want adulation when really they just want to pay rent.

They have ample reason to mourn what they built.

Alanna Smith Dec 19, 2022

You have to understand that, at least right now, losing their audience probably feels like going from having a well-established, high-traffic store in a luxury mall to having a stall at the flea market. They can climb back up from there, of course, but it's going to take time and work. It's silly and mean to shame them for not wanting to start over when they already worked so hard to get where they are.

Alanna Smith Dec 19, 2022

And I'm not blowing hot air when I say you're chasing away working artists. I follow a ton of artists elsewhere, and that's what I see them saying. They feel demeaned and dismissed by this attitude that wanting a lot of followers is vapid, or selfish, or something they need to unlearn. They know what's best for them and their business. Cut it out.

Alanna Smith Dec 19, 2022

And one last thing--I'm saying all this as someone who actually really likes Mastodon and would love to see more creators from my industry show up here! I've done my fair share of evangelizing, but I can't blame them for staying away when so much of this rhetoric is flying around.

Brian J. Crowley Dec 19, 2022

@alannawrites Same, however a lot of them seem to be addicted to the follower counts.

Alanna Smith Dec 19, 2022

@hamsterrage As someone who knows many, many high profile artists personally, I strongly disagree.

It's not an addiction to not want to lose your customers.

Brian J. Crowley Dec 19, 2022

I think it’s troubling to have that perspective VS supporting the 44B investment of a man who’s
-spreading conspiracy theories (Covid/ Paul Pelosi)
-platforming white supremacists
-banning journalists
-encouraging violence

At the end of the day… we have to vote with our dollars and our voices… If the above aren’t red lines then where do they stand?

@hamsterrage where did I support or endorse Twitter in this thread? I hated twitter before Musk, and I do think people should leave. And it's frustrating for me that people in my community don't see the potential of this place because callous comments are keeping them away. That's my whole point.

Brian J. Crowley Dec 19, 2022

@alannawrites I'm not referring to you, I'm referring to the folks that are staying and not making the effort to move.

Erin Fulmer Dec 19, 2022

@hamsterrage blockable behavior on this thread, sir.

PJ "Vote Green" Coffey Dec 19, 2022

By jingo, you're right. The point was:

"Artists are sad because holy shit it's a lot of work rebuilding an audience here."

The rebuffal has been "Artists are fascists and are staying on that website."

That's just not good faith.

Jennifer Johnson Dec 19, 2022

@alannawrites @hamsterrage Brian, you make it sound easy. Yes, Elmo is a trash human, but for an artist, it can be their livelihood. I have solid principles but if it’s eat or follow my principles, it’s an easy choice.

Additionally, marginalized communities have built up audiences and mutual aid networks and awareness - asking #DisabilityTwitter to cut and run could very well cost lives.

There is no black and white.

Brian J. Crowley Dec 19, 2022

@SimplyJennifer @alannawrites I hear you. Iran is facing a similar challenge.

The question I’m asking is what’s the red line? Clearly we’ve made a choice and moved… so what’s the barrier for other folks; and is it real or perceived?

Jennifer Johnson Dec 20, 2022

@alannawrites @hamsterrage go read some stories about Texas parents of trans children - read their stories about how they can’t always move, and how that tears them apart. Is there anything worse than knowing you can’t protect your child?

People are complex. Lives are complex. Living under oligarchic capitalism makes everything harder

Mellifluence Dec 20, 2022

@hamsterrage @SimplyJennifer @alannawrites "what's the barrier..."? Well, Jennifer named one in creating this thread - a reception here that seems judging instead of welcoming.

Amy Hoy Dec 19, 2022

@SimplyJennifer @alannawrites @[email protected] thus is the “but you PARTICIPATE in society, ha ha!” comic in real life.

staying on twitter is in no way materially worse than staying in the USA, if you’re a citizen. we accept that people should not have to move countries when bad leaders are elected bc the power differential and the cost makes it ridiculous.

nobody should be told to give up their (harmless!) living or human connection bc of musk.

Vidar Hokstad / Galaxy Bound Dec 19, 2022

@hamsterrage @alannawrites Consider that most creative sectors have average salaries for people working full time on their own projects near or below minimum wage.

Many can't afford the level of ideological purity you seem to want to demand.

I also don't buy that it's necessarily the right choice - people can just drop Twitter and hope people follow, or stay and try to coax more to leave. I'm not convinced there's one right answer.

Patty A. Gray Dec 20, 2022

@alannawrites Alanna this is an interesting conversation. I appreciate learning about how artists have used Twitter and what they need now. Thanks for joining us on Mastodon-I hope it will prove to be viable for supporting artists.

Alanna Smith Dec 20, 2022

@Pattyagray thank you, Patty! I hope so too!