I don't feel like being bullied off of this platform today. I'm allowed to point out issues. I've also offered plenty of solid suggestions and advice over the years. I bring a wealth of wisdom to this platform, and so do plenty of others.
Downvoting arts and entertainment simply because you don't like it is stupidity in its purest form.
Humanizing Whales
That's where I'll start.
Over the years while working within this specific community, I've witnessed plenty of people acting like bullies.
It doesn't matter how much money is in the wallet. A bully is a bully.
When this community split from Steem, nearly everyone was being bullied. That guy had a lot of money but that didn't matter. The bully was a bully and failed like most bullies do. They always end up looking foolish in the end and it's nobody's fault but their own.
Like many folks in this community, I assumed plenty of people learned quite a few valuable lessons. After all that shit Justin put everyone through, I was under the impression those turning their backs on a bully would prefer to take the high road and not act like bullies themselves once they arrived, here.
I was wrong.
I can admit that.
I have no problems with being in the wrong. A bully, on the other hand, will not be able to accept the fact acting like a bully is typically frowned upon in our society. It simply won't register. Their brains are wired one way and that's it.
Once those types snap, there's no way to get through to them.
Most bullies have low self-esteem so I do my best to not take their actions personally or act in a way that could hurt their feelings further, since it's not nice to pick on people who are sensitive.
They'll act irrationally, typically out of anger and frustration. It's usually caused by that individual being angry and frustrated with themselves or their environment. They wear a mask that looks just like their true identity but to others the bully thinks it's Halloween and they're being scary.
In life, it can suck if they're being aggressive and you don't know how to fight. Online it's just pathetic.
Some whales here will use their stake as the mask when they feel like bullying.
That's pathetic as well. Especially when there are plenty of other members with plenty of stake, and they don't act like bullies. It doesn't matter how much money you have. Learning how to respect others and this concept of treating others as you'd want to be treated cannot be purchased. You either know it or you don't.
Money does not buy strength but in some cases, within this community, money can do a fine job of highlighting one's weaknesses.
When these toxic personas become locked into a blockchain, it becomes far more difficult for the bully to stand down.
Their weakness is the fact they need to look tough. A true sign of strength would be something like an apology but if a bully were to apologize, the mask comes off and that entire history of looking tough appears fake to those who couldn't catch on in the first place. Nobody will take them seriously if they decide to play the role of bully again in the future either, since that one time they acted 'normal' would make it easy to see through the act.
The bully sets themselves up to only be able to choose from two options:
- Continue being a bully.
- Go completely silent.
Fun fact: Bullies can be easily manipulated simply by saying bullies can be easily manipulated.
Being a decent human being is locked in forever as well. Most don't even need a blockchain for that. People have good memories when you give them good memories.
I can admit, over the years, I've left plenty of examples here of everything about who I am and what I can be. The good, the bad, the ugly. All of it; locked in forever.
If I could go back in time...
I wouldn't change a damn thing.
I don't expect the bully types to change either. It would be great for the platform if everyone led by example but that's not how reality works.
Everyone, including whales; that's humanity. Some are strong, some are weak. Bullies to me are fake as fuck.
Over the years I've had plenty of encounters with members of this community who've convinced themselves they hold positions of power. I can say majority have been good people even when confronted with uncomfortable situations.
I realize looking good is a top priority for many when socializing on chain. Rather than tackling the issues like respectable ladies and gentleman, these problems can turn into little tit-for-tat games of one-upmanship.
Even throughout these communication breakdowns with hints of showbiz and an audience drooling over the drama, I can say — based on my personal experience — it's common for both parties to come out on top. Maybe the problem hasn't been resolved but at least there aren't any hard feelings.
I will stand up for people.
Especially when I see they're being bullied.
I don't care how bad it makes me look. I know for a fact people on this platform feel like they're being bullied.
That doesn't make them soft. It doesn't make them little bitches. They simply know — after watching people act like bullies on Steem for many months or years — engaging with the bully only makes matters worse. These bullies can take away not only the fun factor but also the ability to earn.
They're forced to accept the bullying or else.
That has been happening for years and it makes me sick.
This individual currently tormenting members is frustrated with their environment. That individual has now admitted they do not like more than 50% of the content on this platform. That confirms my suspicions.
If anyone speaks up, their disagreement with a downvote will be spun into the classic entitlement issues spiel.
"You're just being a baby who wants their rewards."
Yes, much like when you catch a shoplifter, I've seen those art frauds and plagiarists whine about getting caught and losing rewards.
Not everyone who disagrees with a downvote is a fucking baby.
I witnessed a certain group, specifically artists and entertainer types, being targeted with downvotes simply for being successful; doing a good job and getting paid for it. I suspected the individual casting these downvotes was only doing it because they don't like something and as stated, those suspicions have been confirmed.
Call these people names like "babies" and "entitled brats" all you want.
When one doesn't like something, becomes antisocial and starts throwing a hissy fit, then goes on a downvoting spree, there's no need to call them names. They've placed their entitlement issues on display and for all to see. Picture a toddler throwing their toys around when you say, "It's nap time."
The folks getting downvoted were only asking why. I wasn't pouting about the downvotes I received. Yet everyone gets fed the same old script about "being babies" if they feel the way they're being treated is unjust.
We're not idiots.
Treating us like children only makes the bully look like an unfit parent.
Teenagers commit suicide because of bullies online these days. Here we have adults acting like bullies, expecting other adults to either accept it, or die.
I'm already dead. Now what?
The final nail in the coffin.
Downvotes are a great tool when used to combat abuse. Much like a hammer is a great tool to pound nails with. The hammer becomes a huge problem though when someone walks into an establishment and begins bonking employees over the head for doing a good job.
I'd put my life on the line to protect those people. I have a machete; it's nice, I like it, her name is Sarah.
That's much like a sword but around here, the pen is mightier.
I think some things are disgusting. Like when I see a large account downvoting arts and entertainment simply because they don't like it and hate the fact others like it leading to them feeling as if that contribution doesn't deserve rewards. And just to ice the goddamn cake, those large accounts earn far more in curation rewards than many of these creative types combined.
Push a button, earn more. Work your ass off, earn less. Then get whipped and like it or else!
Slave!
Many people want me to stick around. Under these current conditions, that's a huge ask.
If I've reached the peak and the only place I can go now is down, there's nothing left for me to do here. I've accomplished everything humanly possible, if that's the case.
If a future in the arts and entertainment here isn't allowed, then I'm only setting myself up for failure if I continue.
I don't want to be like some folks here, waking up every day, wondering how much I've lost.
For years, I'd go to sleep. First thing I'd do when I wake up is check messages here. Notice some more support trickled in through the night. Start the day in such a great mood, especially if things went well.
Nearly four years. Never expected nor asked for a damn thing from anyone. The good times always outnumbered the bad.
The vibe now though is... meh
The art you're about to see I'd guess took at least a couple hundred hours to complete since I started creating animations as well to be 'impressive'.
Producing more though, knowing in advance I'll be knocked down if it does well? How can I possibly trick myself into finding a way to make this experience appealing again...
I don't want to leave and I don't want to be forced to fail.
I'll think about it...
Enjoy:
All Previous Editions:
The State of the @NoNamesLeftToUse Address: A Strange New Land
The State of the @NoNamesLeftToUse Address: The Art of Self-Sabotage
The State of the @NoNamesLeftToUse Address: Finding that Groove Again
The State of the @NoNamesLeftToUse Address: 25 More Days of Being The Only Me You Have
The State of the @NoNamesLeftToUse Address: Another Month Worth of Sights To See
The State of the @NoNamesLeftToUse Address: Staring at This Box, Wondering What to Write
The State of the @NoNamesLeftToUse Address: Still Willing to Work for Your Support
The State of the @NoNamesLeftToUse Address: What Two Months of Hard Work Looks Like
To Conclude
"It never ends."
That's how I'd normally end this post. It never ends.
In those links above, you'll find thousands of hours worth of work. Years worth of my efforts. And there's even more than that.
In order to conform to this new model where success isn't allowed or restricted, I'll have to be putting far less effort into my posts, since working hard now would be counterproductive. I think that clown section alone took roughly twenty hours and it was all for one post. The writing required a couple more hours.
That post was downvoted for the simple fact I pointed out how one member was downvoting artists simply because the artists were working hard and finding success here on Hive; but the bully didn't like that.
This is quite the conundrum.
I'll take a moment now to thank everyone for your support over the years. Thanks for coming to shoot the shit with me from time to time. It was a lot of fun.
Thanks for having my back.
Have a nice day.
© 2020 @NoNamesLeftToUse. All rights reserved.