Support your community.

The DBH Big Bang posting time has arrived. Even if you don't have the spoons to read everything, or you don't want to see certain explicit content, you can still support your community and hit that 'kudos' or 'like' button. It takes not even two seconds, and it means the world to the content creators. Here's hoping we see at least as many kudos/likes on each piece as there are other participants in the BB.

"You're gonna get replaced by AI, haha."

Any of these comments sound familiar? If they do, you're either an artist, a supportive friend of an artist, or the ignorant asshat sending such comments to an artist. An artist who: - Has spent YEARS of their life practicing and improving their craft, honing their skills, and otherwise DEDICATING themselves to what they love. "Talent is cheap. Dedication is expensive." - Spends time to create something for you, when they also have: other clients, other projects, other jobs, other things going on in their lives as do we all. They aren't your personal bitch, and EVEN IF you were paying them MORE MONEY FOR MORE CONTROL, at the end of the day YOU went to the THEM. THEY are the artist, THEY are the professional, THEY are the expert. Shut the fuck up and don't try to break them away from their integrity. If they don't want to do something for you, either thank them for their time, or take 50% of your payment back and start your own personal art lessons. It's only too late to learn a new skill if you're dead. - Is doing something that you sure as fuck can't do, because otherwise why would you be asking them? - Is a person and deserves respect, even if you don't like their style or can't afford to pay what they have determined to meet their basic wage requirements so they can create.

An artist is a person and deserves respect, even if you don't like their style or can't afford to pay what they have determined meets their basic wage requirements so they can create.

Don't ask me why, but I desperately desired artwork of Android Cat Gavin wearing water wings and splashing in water. I already knew who I wanted to commission (the fabulous @cptjh-arts, powerhouse artist and amazing person).

Apparently, water wings are actually DANGEROUS and you shouldn't use them. So there's that. But I digress. https://swim2shore.com/the-false-security-of-water-wings/

My concept drawing for Android Cat Gavin with water wings.

For the purposes of this post, I used two AI https://magicstudio.com/ai-art-generator/ and https://hotpot.ai/ai-image-generator/create (two free sites that do not require accounts).

First AI prompt: cat with water wings

Second AI prompt: cat with water floatation device

Third prompt (which is the specifics of my commission request): cat android gavin from "detroit: become human" wearing swimming floatation devices on his front legs, splashing in water, Nines holding him.

Are all of these AI-generated images cute? Sure as fuck they are. Were they free? Yeah, they were. Fantastical elements aside, do they all follow the laws of physics / imitate life? NOPE. Don't recall asking for Catvin to have two weird tails up there (Also I am scared of the flood apparently happening inside my house?). And that one flotation device does NOT look sea-worthy.

Crop of the commissioned artwork from the amazing @cptjh-arts. <3 See the full image here: https://www.tumblr.com/cptjh-arts/710889609313255424/just-finished-my-latest-commission-for-the-lovely?source=share

Absolutely fucking PURRRRFECT. Exactly what I wanted. And all it took were brief conversations of excitement and clarification with my artist. Win-win all around. I get fabulous art, they get paid for doing what they've dedicated their lives to doing, and we both get a pleasant social interaction.

AI-generated art will continue to be refined, but it will never replace a sentient human being.

I am a sci-fi and fantasy fan. I love stories of robots, of true artificial intelligences---or rather, artificial sentience---of "different, not better". When Connor Detroit or Sonny or Data come around, I will be the first in line to greet them and look at their created works with awe. We aren't there, though. And in the meantime, artists are being shunted aside in favor of AI-generated art managed by non-artists---people who do not understand dedication or creativity. AI-generated art will continue to be refined, but it will never replace a sentient human being.

If you can't afford to pay an artist, that's okay. They understand, because they too have bills to pay in this capitalist society that puts money before people.

What's NOT okay is when you talk to them dismissively, disrespectfully, or degradingly.

Grow the fuck up, get over yourself, and go support your fellow human beings.

You don't have to like something to support the person behind it. You don't have to read a fic you don't want to read, or look at a picture you don't want to look at, in order to let that creator know that they are seen. That they have worth. That they are enough.

I think the saddest part of it all is how much more a space would actually be a community if everyone put in a modicum of effort and care. No, you can't be expected to do all the things. But if you are seeing something anyway, you can easily stay a second longer. One extra second on your part may mean little to you, but it means everything to them.

"It's disingenuous!" you cry. "It makes it seem like I like it when I don't!" Wrong. The support you provide is real. The enthusiasm you show is appreciated.

You say you're a part of a community?

Prove it.

Cheer on people you don't know. Respond to someone who went unnoticed. Life is too short, and then one day they die. Make their lives brighter before they do. And if you're lucky, someone will do the same for you.

The candle that burns out is still worth lighting.

Beauty is not less for falling in the breeze.

Merm Monsters Magazine!

AHHHH!!! @elreyciervo 's Magazine of MERMS, fics and art featuring the denizens of the deep!!

Fucking fabulous. <3

https://creyesart.storenvy.com/products/35707147-mermonsters-zine

Check out their store for DBH prints and more!