mysteryofthings

[mysteryofthings]

Uh... Tumblr? I know I’m not the first to get these ads but...

“The specific ads you see may be informed by various factors such as the content you are seeing, information you provide, your search history, your friend’s recommendations, the apps you use or based on other interests you may have. It may sound like a lot, but this information is the same stuff every website or app uses to serve ads.”

I don’t have any friends who like Trump and people who complained about this here also don’t lmao.

“Ads are more effective when they are shown to people who are likely to be interested in the product or service advertised.”

Very... effective...

“Unfortunately, until we live in a post-consumerist society built on an economy of surplus instead of scarcity that would enable us to procure both labor and materials at zero marginal cost, there is no way to remove ads from your Tumblr experience.”

XD 

So good to know that there are two extremes: “Post-consumerist society” and “will force you to see fascist, racist, transphobic, homophobic, rapist, misogynistic, child abuser, all around predator, moron, man with incredible power, ableist, enemy to the people” the list goes on.

You can shove all of your ridiculous rhetoric about “mental health awareness” and “inclusivity.” Again, yeah, users always say this. But it is even more embarrassing than usual that you still attempt to use “woke” and “liberal” language and reasoning.

Now that the tags don’t work, you take no responsibility for your algorithms that these ads supposedly pay for, you contribute to silencing marginalized people and equating s** with violence (wouldn’t want this post to disappear by using the s word), I guess I’ll once again try to import/download my Tumblrs and then just delete all of them.

Didn’t think Tumblr could get worse, but you just keep proving everyone wrong.

You know? You could have actually made some sort of money if you’d improved things in ways users wanted. But in spite of what you say, you don’t listen to them. You have bigger fish to fry. Well, good luck on that. I’m sure there are many rich businessmen who will be flocking to put money your pockets because Tumblr is so renowned for being a great networking site for rich conservatives.

@staff​ @support​ @engineering​ @action​

[mysteryofthings]

All right to every “oppressed” ao3 supporter out there, take comfort in the fact that the “ao3 discourse tag” is 99% people saying people who don’t want to normalize child porn are evil zealots/boring/conservatives/CHILDREN.

Look, I have also heard the “uh it’s their parents’ faults for not monitoring them” line. So, who’s the fucking puritan now? People who think that kids deserve to be abused if they don’t have parents who control their every move? How about gay kids? How about all those kinksters who DO know what consent is? I thought AO3 was champions for these people? 

Also, FYI, this is also what people always say to justify heinous things. I recall seeing a LOT of republicans saying that immigrant children deserve to be tortured and thrown in cages because their parents wanted a better life for them or existed. Excuse me, broke the law. That’s the definition of not taking responsibility. So before you tell someone’s parent who isn’t even in the conversation to take “personal responsibility” and to just *not be a victim*, maybe you should just not continue to do or defend bad things?

[mysteryofthings]

every nerd who donated to ao3 has to donate the equal amount to blm fundraisers I’m just saying

[mysteryofthings]

Just want to say that I probably reblogged stuff like this in the past, but I didn’t understand what most of this discourse was actually about. I hadn’t heard young people say that and just thought it was silly. 

My feelings on it now: a LOT of people (mostly teenagers and those in their early 20s) have been and still are fighting against creepy fandom moms/elders (as the OP mentioned in their tags) only to be dismissed as being young and ignorant. Their pain was/is considered FAR less than that of so many older people, mostly women, in the fandom who use their age to shut people up and do far worse. 

every time i see a post from a woman in their early twenties shit-talking older women in fandom as ‘predators’ and ‘immature’ i wonder how they’ll feel in a decade when they can no longer exempt themselves from the ‘immaturity’ of daring to have interests that aren’t your husband and kids

[mysteryofthings]

LOVING all the BLM content on AO3 and OTW sites and Tumblrs.

[mysteryofthings]

It is not correct that this sort of message only appears at the beginning of fics that you have “thoroughly vetted.” One can make it so that this request does not pop up at any time.

And no, this is not consenting to anything specific. “Adult” could mean a sex scene. Or it could mean bestiality and csa written to be titilating. And you can search for or find a few fics without entering one million tags and ratings.

People are not required to tag fics accurately. I have also been told that reading a fic (I browsed it) was my fault because it was clearly tagged. Well, it wasn’t. It had a lot of tags. But it left out some key points.

You can report fics in *extreme and rare cases,* and those fics may then be slapped with a “chose not to use content warnings” tag. That’s it. That means nothing, and gives the illusion of tagging or a warning without actually giving any information. People DO use it for a wide variety of reasons.

So this example of “consent” is very much used by many abusers as a form of plausible deniability. Well, you consented to This, so you can’t complain about That! Because it was included in This! It’s your own fault for agreeing to This!

AO3 has never been an adult space for adults. It explicitly invites children onto the site and takes NO precautions to protect them. Having one vague checkmark that anyone can click, encouraging those UNDER THIRTEEN to have their guardian or parent log them in, and then creating a site that ACTIVELY endorses pedophilia and rape as “things I don’t agree with but will defend to the death!” (which are also written by many a founder and president of AO3) creates an environment that not only puts children and, well, anyone in harm’s way, but also removes autonomy and the ability to control what one sees in any meaningful way.

And why on earth isn’t it the ADULTS’ responsibility to protect children, who everyone knows will get on a site even when there are far more safeguards than AO3 has (just as everyone knows that sex offenders will go on a site, even when they are DISCOURAGED, unlike the welcoming AO3)? Why are adults saying that children should be *protecting themselves* when their attempts to protect themselves are being met with derision, insistence on personal responsibility, and dismissal of their experiences because they are too “young.” This all contributes to a culture of victim-blaming and simultaneously expecting children to take care of themselves (which children SHOULD NOT have to do, and which is very fucking hard for children to do, legally or otherwise) and to submit themselves to the whims of adults, even if it pains them.

Many people criticizing people like the OP ARE referring to pedophilia and rape. Because THAT is one of the main criticisms of these online spaces. And adults who make posts like the OP, saying “this is CONSENT” (it’s not), and then mock underage kids for not understanding “adult” content? DO tend to be predatory. Because why on earth are adults that upset about a “movement” by CHILDREN. Again, kids do NOT have the kind of power adults do. And if they’re so immature and dumb--why sink to their level?

Edit: reblogged by OP--

(This is far from the only post like this. OP also reblogged stuff from someone who said they block MAPs and that the discourse gave them panic attacks and that minors shouldn’t interact etc., but actually CREATED a MAP group and said they loved MAP content and were a pedophile ally.)

Yes, a MAP, I assume, who deleted their blog. This argument makes no sense. Because people can be homophobic and fetishize gay couples. Who are adults. Writing graphic sex between underage characters or an underage and adult character meant to titillate (this can be very clear--comments will sometimes go on about how “hot” it all is) IS normalizing csa and affecting very real people (as is ALL fanfiction). It is also *public*, which is not necessary if this is really all just to cope, even though that goes against all sorts of advice re recovery from a whole lot of things. Insisting on making it public is either advocating to show it to children or to other pedophiles.

This person’s entire site is devoted to promoting “shipping”, dismissing any accusations of abuse or harm (including being severely triggered or groomed by sex offenders) as “just” shipping.

Note: these Tumblrs? Are all promoting “shipping.” It’s in their titles--except grumpy old fandmom and olderthannetflic, which both reference their age. At least one says that she “loves to meet people in person!” in her description or whatever.

So this is a pattern, it is promoting pedophilia and abuse, and it uses the good will of other people to do so.

Good morning! I’m salty.

I think we, as a general community, need to start taking this little moment more seriously.

This, right here? This is asking for consent. It’s a legal necessity, yes, but it is also you, the reader, actively consenting to see adult content; and in doing so, saying that you are of an age to see it, and that you’re emotionally capable of handling it.

You find the content you find behind this warning disgusting, horrifying, upsetting, triggering? You consented. You said you could handle it, and you were able to back out at any time. You take responsibility for yourself when you click through this, and so long as the creator used warnings and tags correctly, you bear full responsibility for its impact on you.

“Children are going to lie about their age” is probably true, but that’s the problem of them and the people who are responsible for them, not the people that they lie to.

If you’re not prepared to see adult content, created by and for adults, don’t fucking click through this. And if you do, for all that’s holy, don’t blame anyone else for it.

[mysteryofthings]

For the last few weeks, I’ve been going through it. First there was the constant stream of news about the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on Black communities, then came the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade at the hands of police and the wrongful death of Ahmaud Arbery. Meanwhile I’m navigating this pandemic along with everyone else, and trying to figure out how to make a positive impact along the way. It’s been dizzying. And I know I’m not alone.

According to Naj Austin, founder of the social community for people of color Ethel’s Club, all of those complex feelings and mixed emotions are normal in times of crisis and collective trauma. Ethel’s Club, which previously offered free mental health counseling for members in its Brooklyn location, has now transitioned to a digital model. “The great thing about a healing space like Ethel’s Club is that it takes our identity, and everything that comes with that, into account. You can’t talk about these complex feelings without talking about Blackness.” The club’s online community is hosting free, hour-long grieving sessions twice monthly.

For many Black people practicing social distancing, the need for virtual resources has never been more clear. So, I’ve compiled a list of six more mental health resources, in addition to Ethel’s Club, that are providing virtual support to the Black community right now. However you choose to grieve, process, and/or stand in solidarity, remember that you’re not alone, and that your personhood and wellness still matter.

Dive in Well

Maryam Ajayi founded Dive in Well, an organization offering digital classes on various wellness practices, to create a more inclusive wellness industry. Dive in Well hosts donation-based digital events like breathwork classes and therapy sessions aimed at centering self care.

Sista Afya

This Chicago-based, community-driven organization provides women from across the Black diaspora with low-cost group therapy sessions, workshops, and free online conversations known as Online Sista Support Groups, which cover topics like managing the stress sparked by consuming news.

Healhaus

Founders Darian Hall and Elisa Shankle created this space in Brooklyn to provide accessible and inclusive wellness to their community. HealHaus is currently closed, but their ethos has continued virtually through live streamed classes, including a healing cypher for men of color.

Therapy for Black Girls

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford founded this organization to combat the stigma around therapy that might otherwise prevent Black women from seeking care. Now, TBG has become a successful podcast, a directory that aims to connect women with culturally competent therapists, as well as a private community Facebook support group. The organization holds free group support sessions weekly on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. EST.

The Nap Ministry

Performance artist and poet Tricia Hersey founded The Nap Ministry to champion Black rest as a form of reparations and resistance against burnout culture and capitalism. While she normally hosts free pop-ups where visitors can take brief naps and workshops in the Atlanta area, Hersey has been using Instagram to provide mini sermons about the importance of slowing down and getting more sleep when you’re a Black person fighting oppression day-in and day-out.

Inclusive Therapists

Austin-based therapist Melody Li founded the Inclusive Therapists database to provide therapists with training for racial trauma and connect people of all identities, abilities, and bodies with culturally sensitive care. Li herself, and many other therapists in the Inclusive Therapists network, offer reduced-fee teletherapy options to ensure that financial limitations do not keep people from pursuing care. Decolonizing Therapy and Viva Wellness are two other therapy practices with active online platforms.

[mysteryofthings]

Some advice on fanfic: if you hate comments that are not up to your standards or that exhibit a hint of autonomy (aka they liked parts in your fic that you did not, or they are requesting a tag, or they say that this fic was upsetting, whatever), do not leave the comments section open, and certainly do not say how much you love and want comments lol. That’s confusing to people who actually believe you.

(And no I am not talking about “harassment” or “obscene comments,” not that AO3 the site cares about either of those.)

[mysteryofthings]

Time to delete AO3 praise on my Tumblr lol.

[mysteryofthings]

when you guys said “deep space nine is the most relevant star trek” this is NOT what i expected

[mysteryofthings]

Fucking thank god, installed x-kit and managed to get the old dashboard back.

Of course, I can’t also see the tags of other people, which was the only feature of the new dashboard I liked. Maybe I can do something about that with x-kit or Tumblr Savior.

I assume Tumblr will reply to my questions by copying their vague, never helpful answers from their pages. In which case, why have an option to contact them at all?

[mysteryofthings]

Also check out the ludicrously fake positive Tumblr app reviews on the App store

[mysteryofthings]

Every time I think about getting more involved in Tumblr again, it’s gotten worse lol. And by Tumblr I mean literally the site and it’s policies and usability etc.

[mysteryofthings]

Tumblr answered my feedback about tags. Here's what they had to say:

My favorite part is "Even if you don't see your post or group chat in search right away, stay assured other users will find it." If they take the time to go through your posts, maybe. I'm not sure how else they'll get to it if it doesn't show up in search.

And the link they provided? This is the bulk of its content:

So, basically... there is no way to guarantee your post will show in the tags because the algorithm might decide it just shouldn't be there. It might show up eventually, or it might never show up at all. 🤷‍♀️

[mysteryofthings]

Uh... yeah. Seems as though they have made it harder to look through tags, once again making it more difficult to use Tumblr as a place of... well, anything. I was going to say fandom, community, creativity, take your pick. Sorry, but hoards of businessmen aren’t going to buy your $50 Tumblr themes all of a sudden lol.

Does ANYONE know a way around this?

More importantly, is Tumblr going to be sold again, to a slightly less moronic entity? Clearly, that has made no difference so far, but I’m still holding out hope.

[mysteryofthings]

Hold up--I switched to the current Tumblr dashboard to more easily use Tumblr Savior and to see the tags in notes. 

Now I don’t see the option to switch back to the old dashboard.

In addition, is there now no way to go through tags or drafts by page number? You just have to endlessly scroll and scroll? Please tell me there’s a solution or I’m wrong about this.

[mysteryofthings]

OK so “Thinking Autism” is also a no go lol.