vest816:

I didn’t even submit an MLP piece…

I went to the #Group to re-read the submission rules journal, where it just said “no MLP art” as an addendum beneath the “no furry/anthro” rule. Nothing about “no MLP artists.” I went to the journal to make a comment requesting they specify this, so I didn’t waste my time trying to submit work to them. Unfortunately, I didn’t even get past the comment box. The #Group not only declined my submission, they added me to the blocked users list.

They banned me.

Great to see (I hope they are) teenagers still using DeviantArt #Groups as a platform to power trip and enforce silly rules. I don’t even follow the logic. Wouldn’t it just be easier to sift out the MLP arts as they’re submitted? Doesn’t it take more effort to write out this response, and add the user to the blocked member listing?

I ran a large dA Group too. The answer is yes, yes it does take more effort to do that. A lot more effort. I doubt the reasoning for this decision; the only logical reason to have such a policy is a personal distaste of a thing, and a desire to punish those who enjoy something the #Group admin doesn’t.

But hey. He said sorry. And I’m not upset at that particular person or blaming them; for all I know they’re just enforcing rules set by a previous admin.

I’m just perplexed that six years after the fact, this is still such a problem for some people. I’m a fan of a show, I make fanart of it. I just uploaded some Doctor Who fanart tonight. I have fanart from fighting games, all sorts of comics, and Game of Thrones. And still, even this many years later, I still get messages like “ura ponyfag lol” or “check your autism” once every few weeks.

But those are obvious trolls. Easily dismissed, easily forgotten; it’s why I don’t make a post like this one every time it happens.

However, this recent message irks me. Because it’s not a troll. It was sent from a legit member of dA who is also an aspiring (and very capable) illustrator. And he sent it representing a #Group on dA that has existed for several years, and has several thousand members and watchers. It carries some weight.

I don’t know what the message or moral is supposed to be here. I’m not going to petition or try to directly argue with the admins to reinstate my membership in that #Group. I belong to a ridiculously high number of #Groups as is. I’ll get on just fine. And so will they. They have plenty of non-Brony artists who send awesome stuff to their gallery on the daily, so I won’t be missed.

Jeez. Typing this all out. Even the fact it’s sent on behalf of such a large #Group of so many artists…reading it back out loud just makes it sound so petty. Eh. I’ve typed all this out already. Make of it what you will.

I suppose the takeaway is:

It’s [CURRENT YEAR] and [SUPERFICIAL GRIPE] is still a problem.

Funny how that #Group can use that exact same statement to talk about Bronies. Online interaction is hard.

Things like this worry me. So when you all ask “Where’s Ask Frigid Drift going?” you’ll understand.