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!superbowl@lemmy.world had its worst day ever yesterday as far as downvotes go. I normally get the random 1 or 2, in rare cases it can creep near 10, but we almost got 80 yesterday!
I went to do my morning posts and saw a regular commenter shared some AI art they had enjoyed, and while nobody said anything, they were really smacking the downvotes. I tried to diffuse the situation a bit, especially since it's a regular commenter whom I enjoy, and I don't want the community to drive off one of the few actual participants we have.
While everyone already had the sticks up their butts, I decided to share the one cartoon post I had in my queue, which we also eventually learned was AI generated, so the same group brigaded me pretty much. Joke's on them though, because it got appeal to All since it was a comic, so it's probably my top post for the year.
Posted some more normal things today and everyone seems to have moved on. I debated if I was going to post anything today after what I considered kinda crappy behavior from the group, but I took the high road. But if bad reactions make me hesitate to post, they certainly aren't helping anyone on the fence.
There has been a good smattering of posts from people other than me lately, so I hope it continues, but people need to be more chill.
Wow 80 downvotes! Some people really get their knickers in a twist don't they? It would be interesting to see how many of them spend their free time making quality posts, with beautiful photos, complete with a few Fun Facts for others to enjoy...
Maybe we need to a proviso 'it's just some fun, chill the fuck out'
Don't stop posting tho, I love your love of owls
(btw, I recently saw a Barn Owl out hunting just before dusk, flying around the moors. We were side by side with him/her flying, and me driving, then we pulled over to watch from a distance. It was amazing, I've seen one before as a white ghost appearing, then disappearing just as quickly, as I shit my pants. This time tho I got to see the markings and it's face quite clearly....great stuff!)
If people can't make a constructive comment, I'm sure they're not providing enjoyable content anywhere else.
That sounds like a great experience you got to have! Owls have been amazing us and jump scaring us since the caveman days, and they show no signs of stopping!
Sorry to hear about this. Maybe try to reach out to the mods to see if they can jump in and open a meta post to discuss AI generated post?
I saw you mentioning there you not being in charge, but at the same time, you post probably close to 100% of the content, so you should be heard.
I tend to forget we have mods, as we're typically drama free. I've talked to the original one a few times and they've always been helpful and have told me to ask for help if I need it.
They've said as long as it's owl content, it should be good. I've expressed my concerns about AI images before, and I have no issue if it's obvious stuff, which this was.
The only other time I've gotten anger really was when the mod asked me to do an actual Super Bowl owl event. The non sport and non US people were getting ticked and DMing me stuff.
People are allowed to not like things, but I do posts that don't interest me. I don't downvote hobbies or news that doesn't interest me. Not everything has to be for me and my enjoyment, but other people can't see that.
Today went normally, so it's back to normal.
A lot of communities I participate in are thankfully drama-free but it is hard for me to forget there are mods because the person providing a lot of the content usually has a little M for Moderator next to their name ;-; I'm glad yours has enough participants that I assume that does not happen
Yeah, I get mistaken as the mod a decent bit since I'm the primary poster. I don't want any actual responsibility; I just want to do the fun stuff.
I came and the group was already modestly active, but it was fizzling out, and I became the Lemmy I wanted to see.
For the most part everyone coming there is there for cute fluffy murder bird pics, so it's typically free from any conflict, but people really seemed to get triggered this weekend. It really caught me by surprise. I usually assume it's some rando downloading me for linking to the Facebook source. Sorry bro, but that's where all the rescues share stuff. As little as hosting can cost, it's still a cost for a place running with not enough people and a shoestring budget.
This is terrible for artist exposure but great for keeping my hands free of Facebook: I usually click and enlarge the image on Lemmy without ever touching the source link. But I do appreciate you attributing the source when the picture is not something you shot, I always thought that was appropriate netiquette. I link the source myself if I'm posting something I did not make. If it's on some undesirable place like Facebook I add in a little "link goes to Facebook" warning if it isn't just a plain URL where you can literally read the link is on Facebook.
Even if you don't have an account, you may interact with or use Meta Products… We also receive information using cookies and similar technologies, like the Meta Pixel or Social Plugins, when you visit other websites and apps that use our Business Tools or other Meta Products.
—https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy?annotations[0]=1.ex.41-InformationWeCollectIf
So even though I don't have an account myself, so many non-Facebook sites use their business tools, have that tracking Meta Pixel embedded that they have my data anyways. I am aware you might say "then why worry about going to their site, they have stuff on you anyways," I don't want to give them more and it is the principle of the thing. I'm not helping them by being another of your 300 friends on Facebook so you feel a tiny bit of additional pressure to give in and get one to stay in touch with people. This is probably why people don't want to be infected with Facebook cooties.
One way I look at it, and that you might want to advise these people to look at it, is that they benefit from our data without paying us a cent. We benefit back by having you use their hosting to store the cute owl image so we can see it for free on Lemmy without having to go to their website. I remember storms being made about hotlinking awhile ago on the internet. Wikipedia says it's also sometimes known as "bandwidth theft" or "leeching". I am not an "eye for an eye" type but Facebook is a huge corporation, not a human being with feelings or human rights. Facebook leeches my data, I encourage people to leech their bandwidth :)
I've tried to handle it in a way the community appreciates. I've asked them a few times how they'd like me to handle it since people have spoken up about it.
I download the pics and upload them to Lemmy, so you don't get any linking by clicking pics.
The source links I tried labeling with source domain, but the only people that responded basically said not to worry, anyone concerned about privacy is responsible for policing the stuff they click on, and they also said Lemmy apps are popping up the destination before it opens it anyway, which is true on my end at least also. I don't try to obfuscate the source with a shortener or anything, I'm too lazy for that.
I attribute the sources for my readers' benefit and the photographer or rescue equally. I try not to be preachy asking people to donate to their local rescue if they really love these animals and stories, as they don't get any public funding, and I want people to be able to find these places if they want to support them. Many have standard websites, but very few are regularly maintained, so for better or worse, Facebook is the best source to use.
I try to give everyone the best experience possible, and if anyone ever suggests anything, I accommodate it the best I can. People just need to talk if they have an issue. It's not as if I'm unapproachable... I spend all day talking to all of you! 😁
. I usually assume it’s some rando downloading me for linking to the Facebook source.
Damn
That's been my best guess anyway. It's isn't consistent enough for me to be sure, but I see the occasional AskLemmy asking why people downvote and some say things like "I don't like the source" and I've had one person kinda scold me before for making them click on a Facebook link and now they have Facebook cooties or whatever.
This post from today has 2 downvotes for example. Neither of my other posts today have any, and they're all Facebook sourced, but why anyone would downvote this pic is beyond me.
Scrolling back, the cartoons and AI ones, even the ones critical of AI where I point out both blatantly false pics and ones that get passed off as real are the most downvoted things. I understand they like the focus on real, unmodified things, but I don't get the need to actually downvote the stuff. While it may not be your preference, I don't think it detracts from the community, which to me is what downvoting is for. If you have a complaint or disagreement, say something. A random downvote is discouraging to a growing place. If someone is lying or passing off fake as real, downvote away so the mod or me can notice, but the way it is, it seems rude to people posting when they may not be knowledgeable of actual owl facts but still want to participate.