First of all, I'd like to apologize to any of the mods who might have to trouble himself/herself to close this thread since I think other similar ones exist, by RaXiv, and by belmikry...although the object of this one is rather different. Apologies also to those who might strongly disagree with what I have to say...these are all my own personal opinion anyway...I just really hope that it makes you guys think. I have to get this off my chest! Sorry, I'm kinda radical...
Note: This was inspired by my research and reflections regarding my work on Order-of-Reason's virtual working paper project as well as other members, and threads in the forums (special mention to belmikry's). It is not meant to diss anyone, is also for non-casual members, and I like writing in the third-person.;) Wasn't really sure where to put this, so it went under "everyday life".
Starting out:
Perhaps most people accidentally stumble onto MT while surfing the net (while searching in Google or Yahoo for wallpaper
sites or something to that extent). They then go "hey, cool site..." and sign up after a couple of pageviews,
happy with their newfound treasure-trove of art goodies.
Level...up!:
Being new, most simply explore, watch, lurk.
Some of the more impatient ones go straight to the gallery and start downloading wallpapers (scans are still
off-limits). Content with the simple joy of having new images of their favorite fancy at the moment, they stick to
that...until it comes to a point that they've got 3-4 windows all downloading at the same time, usually not even
bothering to comment since they know absolutely nothing about art, or "that program used to make walls",
though when they do, it's all spacebar and then "wow"...they just leech.
Others, especially the more sociable ones, wander to the forums and find topics of interest. Heck, they go straight to
creating their own threads on absolutely nothing at all...one, after another, after another...they join lots of groups
(and end up being really inactive in a lot of them, not really contributing)...they find it rather enjoyable to just
spam.
For those who have a sizable stash of scans and whatnot, or who know a little of image editing and manipulation,
submissions turn in early...some good, some okay, most not really up to snuff...then the makers of the latter rant and
complain when theirs are deleted by the "evil mods and their dog botchii".
Moving on:
And so it goes...some stay, some leave, some are banned...some stagnate, while others make the effort to improve.
It's been said innumerable times...MT isn't merely an image/wall/scan site. It has been often referred to as a "community"...one we willingly decided to join (though perhaps we really didn't know what we were getting into at the time, being n00bs and all...). While another thread focused on other issues, I guess this one zeroes in on the more "invisible" or "indifferent" members of MT, leechers, lurkers, and those who just don't give a damn.
Personal experiences:
Recently, I've been trying to make myself useful since it's vacation time (ending soon, though, but I'm
still gonna be around).
I'm learning more of Photoshop...I've got a wall pending, but not up at MT yet since my one and only
sensei-san suggested it wasn't good enough...and now I'm working on vectoring
my very first work. Ouch, but I don't want it taken down for quality reasons. I stink...no...I really stink at making walls, and I'm trying to improve.
I've a flair for writing, so I'm helping out at Universal Manga Proyect and Poetry-Corner. There are other,
better writers there, and I'm learning from them and get new ideas for my own creativity.
Intellectual discussions interest me, so I'm frequenting Order-of-Reason and the forums. I don't post much,
since I'm not that much of an intellectual (I'm more of a humanist and a catechist), but there's a lot to
be picked up from the discussions.
I try to send messages to my friends every once in a while, to keep in touch. They're in my list for a reason.
;)
But most of all, I enjoy each visit to Minitokyo and try to learn something every time.
I know we all have lives outside of this community. Work, studies, etc also exist and dominate, and I agree that they
should take precedence. There are more important things outside of Minitokyo, and if you've got a lot to contend
with already, by all means, devote your time to that. I'm just trying to say that there must be something else to
be obtained, aside from all the great art, while you're here. There must be something that we can give back to the
community, to the admin/mods, to the helpful and friendly members, to all the people who make up and make MT something
worthwhile.
Helping out n00bs is something not only the mods should be doing. Making, respecting, helping (emotionally, spiritually,
MT-ically ;)) and keeping in touch with friends is good. Giving useful, critical comments for original art and walls is
too. So are joining group projects and making use of one's talents. Developing oneself while helping the community
develop is the best way. There are a lot of members that do at least one, as I've seen in my research, and I
applaud them all.
I mean, can one really be content with just complacency and leeching? I really hope not.
And not just in minitokyo...I used this community to illustrate what can be...what should be done in any community, in your own community! Help yourself by and while helping others. :) Sure, these things do not actually fall under the policy; it actually goes above and beyond that, but it'd benefit everyone if it were advocated. I'm not forcing anyone...I am enjoining everyone.
Haha...a short message contained in a long rant...I wanted to clearly illustrate a point. I hope nobody was offended. I don't think it violates anything in the forum guidelines post though...very sorry if the mods deem that it does...
Wow, that felt good! Anyways, good day to all, and God bless. :)
