Pinkanator said:
Maybe it's just me. I don't know.
I've been here for over a year now, place has made me feel more alive than ever, made me feel worse than ever. It's given me the loves of my life, and given me so many friends. But like, I just feel a general sense of gloom drawing over the place. Everyone's bickering now. Nobodies confident in their own work, and everyone jumping down each others throats isn't helping. Bunches of great artists are DNPing themselves, and I just can't help but feel depressed when I'm alone and thinking about the site. Cap it off with the fact that I can't help but feel this is my fault, for basically starting all this, and I just don't really know what to say.
Are we dying?
Well, yes and no.
See, here's the thing. While DNPing may seem kinda "out of the blue" usually people have a reason, and a good reason at that (save someone like Jimryu who still hasnt asked that his stuff be removed but always whines about it) but as you can imagine they may not always want to share that reason.
As for why it feels like a lot of them are DNPing? Well, simple math. The more people do it, the more it feels like it's happening because... well it is. BUT more artists are arriving on the scene too. And you'll find this trend in any community of any kind of people anywhere you look. The best thing to do is realize that yes, some people may leave, but more will always show up.
Now, as for people getting angry... I feel like this issue is being dealt with.
Thing is that a lot of it was lack of moderation (not "taking things in moderation" like "Moderators of the site") because honestly the guidelines a few months ago were... loose. Like "If I tried to use this rope to keep something in place it wouldnt work" loose. Now things are tighter, there are more mods, and that means better moderation. The issue was not that people were getting angry but that a few "firestarters" were saying things to MAKE people angry. Whether it was on purpose or accidental, it happened a lot. With increased moderation this seems to be happening less. Give it a little time.
Also it is in NO WAY your fault. Honestly I'd say the first major offender was... someone who I won't name but everyone knows EXACTLY who I mean and because said person got away with it for so long it not only "inspired" others but left a large vat of toxic gunk in his wake. Best thing to do is just focus on the positives and realize that realistically, while you may have done some things to annoy in the past (something most of us, including myself, are guilty of) you just need to move ahead. Onto the bigger and better and try to improve both your own attitude and, by proxy, the site.
And if none of that works then... I dunno. Go look at some hypno boobs or dicks or whatever floats your boat. I mean, that always makes me feel better ;)