dA: The Sinking Ship?

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CarlPearce's avatar
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Hi All.

I'm starting to notice, more and more, a very disturbing trend with deviantArt. Now, I have no interest in slagging off the website at all. I think it's a brilliant thing. A big community for creative types to get together, learn, talk, develop, share and bounce off of each other creatively. I love that. I've been looking for that for years. Living in a small village in the heart of the Welsh countryside, I don't get to chat with many other illustrators.

But the problem is the site is being overrun with people who want to abuse the gallery function on this website. Every time I log on now I'm seeing more images of mopey, semi-clad, terribly photographed (webcam?) teenagers trying to, what? Pick people up? Boost their confidence? But even worse than that is the tidal wave of flat-out pornography. Say what you will about artistic nudes, I have no issue with that what-so-ever. But some girl with the camera in her arse-hole while simulating sex is not an artistic nude. It's porn. And, quite frankly, it's ruining the reputation of deviantArt. 

I'm losing so many valued contributors to this website who have simply had enough. People who's work I value so much. And every time a client asks to see my work I automatically send them a link to my gallery. But these days I cringe in anticipation of what they may find if they accidentally stray outside of the gallery and onto the main page. What would they think then? It's a poor reflection on any of the professionals who use this page for it's intended purpose. It's like introducing a new girlfriend to your family and knowing your drunk "uncle knob-head" may be there. 

But what's the point of whining, eh? Well, it's got the point where I'm debating moving as well. I really don't want to. But I feel the website is getting to the point where it may be hard to pull it back from the brink. It's popularity, which I love because it attracts so much variety, is also it's downfall. I'm assuming the admins are doing their best to tackle the problem. Are there too little of them or am I just being far too naive? Who knows.

So. My question is; Where do we go from here? Because, right now, I'm starting to feel like the proverbial rat on said sinking ship. Is there another website out there that does what dA did so well, but without the detritus? I've heard of a few but on closer examination fell short. What other websites have the image sharing, community spirit, with artistic integrity, drive, a desire to learn, to grow and built in access to chat, share and develop with others?

Let me know if you're considering popping the life rafts, your thoughts on the matter, where you may be heading or if I just need to bloody well ignore it all.

Catch ya later

Carl



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Images 2 do... Still. I will do these one day. I promise.;


:iconcool-slayer: >>> Ash from Evil Dead 2 & fav.me/d2ydxaq

:iconvpizarro626: >>> Jubilee & your Muse character.

:iconwonderdookie: >>> fav.me/d2zdj3a


Headshots


:iconrek-drawings: >>> Your Harry the Horse character

:iconhoytsilva: >>> fav.me/d37yw05

:iconkevmcnamara: >>> fav.me/d2pfa2v

:icondropeye: >>> Hellboy

:iconjamesleestone: >>> fav.me/d2o1iho

:iconlordwormm: >>> fav.me/d2oaw3k

:iconghostpockets: >>> fav.me/d2rseuq

:iconcrazyfoxmachine: >>> fav.me/d4h1uz2
© 2014 - 2024 CarlPearce
Comments15
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CarlPearce's avatar
See, now THIS is what I'm talking about. Just clicked onto dA to have a look at some lovely work by lovely people. And on the front page, assaulting the hell outta' my poor eyes, is a big close-up photo of some dude's shlong. Right there. Just fucking waving about. Why the fuck would I even want to see that shit?! Seriously? For fuck's sake. Why is there no friggin' filter on this damned site?!