#<- like there's something to be said about creating connection with artists through social media (it's fine)

[harrysgal]

I DIG YOUR CINEMA (2)

harry styles x yn aspiring filmmaker — social media AU

I know I’m just starting and don’t actually have much experience with this, but I’m actually having a lot of fun doing it and already can’t wait to post more.

About the smau: yn starts posting videos on youtube and is trying to build a career as a filmmaker. Things are going pretty well for her and she starts getting more attention when she creates content about shows she goes to. She’s also a fan of Harry’s music and some of his fans start getting suspicious when his team starts interacting with her.

About yn: although the character does not have a faceclaim, pictures suggest reader is white.

Disclaimer: The story it’s set in 2021 and it will follow their relationship through the LOT leg in the US. Since this is nothing but fiction, I will be following some of the real timeline but also adding my own stuff. On top of that, I won’t be basing myself on Harry’s actual posts.

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PART 1 — MEET YN / MASTERLIST

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I DIG YOUR CINEMA (PART 2) — LAS VEGAS

liked by bestfriend, yourmom, mollyjane_x and 22,108 others 

yourinstagram HELLOOOOOOO FABULOUS LAS VEGAS NEVADA 

view all 3,045 comments

user1 soooo… a new full time job that took you to las vegas? 👀 yourbrother Please behave  bestfriend don’t get (too) drunk without me pls harryfan STOP FIRST LOT SHOW IT’S IN VEGAS 

↳ harryfan2 She’s going to the show right???? I mean it can’t be just a coincidence anymore IT JUST CAN’T ↳ harryfan NO I KNOW THIS IS IT I CAN FEEL IT IN MY BONES

Aug 26, 2021 •

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liked by bestfriend, cuteguy, mollyjane_x and 22,451 others 

yourinstagram you’d think a lady in vegas would be out there getting wild but this one actually has been locked in her hotel room for the last 27 hours overthinking her ideas and freaking out about this new job lol if any of you could send me a pizza or something id appreciate it. thanks. 

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user1 nooooo you’re so talented whatever it is i know you can do it!! bestfriend yn ✋🏻  cuteguy Should I give you a call? 😊 harryfan17 I would too be freaking out if I had to work for THE harry styles lol

↳ harryfan16 we still don’t know if she is tho  ↳ harryfan17 C’mon she’s in vegas and molly and jeff are following her ↳ harryfan16 still 🤷🏻‍♀️ tour doesn’t start for another few days so this could be just about something else  ↳ harryfan16 also maybe she’s there because she wants to be and not bc she’s “working” for him. she’s done videos about several artists and she isn’t working for any of them is she?  ↳ harryfan17 Well yes but she literally just said she was starting a new job so 🤷‍♀️ ↳ harryfan16 so everyone just assumed HARRY, out of all people, hired her? c’mon guys lol she could be working for just anyone and STILL go to a show. one doesn’t have to be related to the other.

Aug 28, 2021 •

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liked by anthonypham, bestfriend, lookitsnyoh and 25,103 others 

yourinstagram fun fact: if you post something on the internet people around you might see it 🫠

guess im lucky this lovely group who still don’t know me at all cared enough to drag me out of my room and show me around the city. sometimes i get so caught up inside my mind that i forget how important human connection is — which is funny if you think most of my videos are exactly about that lol. so plssssss make sure to surround yourself with (nice) people. also get some sleep, drink water and feed yourself. it’ll do wonderful things for you!!!

anyway my mom was worried about my “not leaving the room post” so this is just me saying everythings good!! (i also already called her of course <3)

view all 3,557 comments

bestfriend LOVE YOU harryfan the new followers the new likes 😭 it’s happening i knew it  user1 so true bestie!! this reminded me of your 2nd video i think

↳ yourinstagram omg yesssss!!  ↳ user1 ahh i missed your interactions <3  ↳ yourinstagram i knowww! promise i’ll try my best to keep interacting even if it’s not as much as before 💗

lookitsnyoh my belly still hurts from all the laughing 

↳ yourinstagram and my mind is still rushing from all the talking ↳ anthonypham go to sleep you two 

harryfan9 I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING BUT OMFG I’M SO HERE FOR IT

Aug 29, 2021 •

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liked by anthonypham, mollyjane_x, bestfriend and 27,257 others 

yourinstagram sightseeing left me speechless. but here’s a picture from tonight. 

view all 4,107 comments

user1 omg you’re feeding us this week! i’m so happy you’re being active again <3 harryfan78 POST A PICTURE OF YOURSELF I WANT TO MEET YOU AT THE SHOW BUT I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE 

↳ user4 calm down pls? we like to behave as respectful human beings on this profile

bestfriend ❤️❤️❤️ bestfriend i’m losing my mind but i’m also so excited and proud! user7 I miss your videos :( lookitsnyoh when was this? where was I? bummed that I missed it!

↳ yourinstagram sorryyy just a last minute decision after dinner :( ↳ lookitsnyoh ohhhh makes sense now! Glad it left you speechless ↳ yourinstagram i mean the city is beautiful  ↳ lookitsnyoh sure thing it is 👽

Sep 1, 2021 •

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liked by harryfan, harryfan2 and 15,157 others 

fanwhometharry GUYS I JUST MET HARRY I’M SHAKKNG I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE NOW 

view all 2,107 comments

harryfan64 omg where did you meet him??

↳ fanwhometharry AT THE BELLAGIO  ↳ harryfan64 is he staying there???  ↳ fanwhometharry NO!! I MEAN IDK?? I DONT RHINK SO I JUST MET HIM OUTSIDE AT THE FOUNTAINS  ↳ harryfan74 hmm not tryin to be rude or something but that sounds like a weird place for him to be tbh ↳ fanwhometharry I FUCKKNG KNOW THAT?? I MEAN MY PARENTS WANTED TO SEE THE WATER SHOW SO I TAGGED ALONG BUT NEVER EVER THOUGHT ID BUMP INTO HIM THERE

harryfan62 you’re so lucky!! was he alone???

↳ imetharry I DONT KNOW?? I DONT REMEMBER I WAS SO NERVOUS  ↳ imetharry I KNOW THERE WAS A GIRL NEARBY BC SHE HANDED HIM A PEN WHEN I COULDNT FIND MINE BUT I DONT KNOW IF SHE WAS WITH HJIM OR NOT ↳ harryfan62 who was this girl? Anyone from the LOT crew? ↳ imetharry IDK I JUST SAID I DONT EVEN KNOW IF SHE WAS WITH HIM OR NOT 😭

harryfan15 Hi hun! Don’t listen to people, they're just jealous. It was really sweet of him to sign that for you! Hope you have a great time at the show 💕

↳ imetharry THANK YOU 😭😭 HE WAS THERE JUST WATCHING LIKE A NORMAL PERSON SO I DIDN’T WANT TO TAKE A PIC IF PEOPLE DON’T BELIEVE ME THEN I DON’T CARE I KNOW IT’S REAL 😭😭

Sep 1, 2021 •

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liked by gemmastyles, anthonypham, jefezoff and 35,109 others 

yourinstagram having to keep this secret from the world was the most cruelest thing that anyone has ever done to me. but whatever… it’s fine… i’m okay… i’m just gonna pretend this wasn’t a big deal and i didn’t just watch one of my favorite artists perform my favorite songs… and then i’ll just casually say: pls stay tuned for next wednesday when my new video will be up 😇

(i’ll be back and share more details once my serotonin levels have normalized again)

view all 7,125 comments

bestfriend i love you so much thank you for representing us so well  harryfan I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT OMFG I CANT WAIT I KNEW IT harryfan2 YN KASDHUHHD PLS OMFG YOU CAN’T JUST SAY THIS AND LEAVE user1 😲 i can’t wait for this one! harrystyles soz 

↳ harryfan OMFG HARRY ↳ harryfan5 ?????????????????????????? ↳ harryfan3 AUIDHIAUSHDBAJH WTF ↳ harryfan9 ARE YOU F KIDDING ME WHATS HE DOING HERE

cuteguy Nice! Glad you’re having a good time darling. 

Sep 4, 2021 •

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PART 3: DENVER

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If you happen to read and enjoy this, pls let me know? 🙏 thanks!! it would be nice to know if this is working, or what else would people would like to see.

[lycorogue]

Bot Invasion of Fanfiction.net

Well, gang, it's finally happened. The bots found my ffn account earlier this year. We're coming up on the close of the 13th week of 2025, and I have received as many bot requests to create illustrations for my stories. Woooooo 🎉[party popper emoji] I started compiling them on FB, but I think I'll have fun also sharing them here. Who's ready for some fun?

(I didn't note the dates for the first handful, but I'll date the rest)

Here is my first-ever bot DM. Such an honor, "Roselyn". It was also on my fictionpress account...

Subject: Creating Visuals for Your Fanfiction Hello! This is Roselyn you know what I think your story Blame Fate for This, is quite interesting I'm just wondering how about If I can make something for your story in my art style 🙂[smiling emoji]

Fun note: Blame Fate for This is one of my original stories. Not fanfiction. Cool... cool...

Another one over on Fictionpress:

Subject: Making Art for Your story Hey! I'm Maya I really admire your story Blame Fate for This and I'd be excited to create artworks for it!

Good gravy, why can't I get messages like this from real people? (┬┬﹏┬┬)

Subject: Appreciating Your Work Hello lycoRogue, I am absolutely enthralled by your writing; the worlds you create are simply enchanting. Your way with words is a gift that teleports readers into new dimensions, and your passion for the subject shines forth in every single word you write. I'd love to bring your words to life, be it through book covers, character illustrations, or simply visuals that go along with your work. Of course, that would need to be a paid service, but I would love to collaborate in a way that extends your storytelling further. Would you be interested? Do you also have any social media accounts where I can connect with you?

The start of them flooding my ffn account instead of Fictionpress:

Subject: open commission Greeting, Hope you are doing well I read your story and you get my attention

Last one that I mass-posted on FB. Boy, is it ever fun to FINALLY get messages related to my stories, only for every last one of them to be bots. Weeeeeeee. 🫠[melted smilie emoji]

Subject: Artist and Reader Hi, Your creations inspire me a lot; the way you defined the scene is amazingly done, and I would be thrilled to feature your stories through my art skills in affordable prices . If you're up for it, let's join together.

February 12, 2025:

Subject: Concept Artist / Reader Hello, Your creations are incredibly inspiring! The way you bring scenes to life is truly amazing. I'd be thrilled to showcase your stories through my art at an affordable rate. If you're interested, let's collaborate!

Happy Valentine's Day! (Only needed to wait 2 days for this one)

Subject: Story/review Dear LycoRogue, I'm Madeline Ava a concept artist and illustrator passionate about storytelling. Your work on Fanfiction inspired me and I'd love to collaborate. I create stunning affordable book covers and character illustrations starting at a minimum price.

At least that one was sent to my ffn account, so it accurately identified my stories as fanfiction that time....

February 24, 2025, this one I have contact info for! Fancy! I'd feel guilty sharing said info, but I'm like 99.9999% sure this is another bot, so... screw it. 🤷‍♀️[female shrug emoji]

Subject: Truly admire to your story. I'm genuinely impressed by your story and the depth of your characters. It would be an honor to bring your vision to life as a comic. Please feel free to reach out at your convenience using the contact details below. Contact Details Email: emmanoah1969 at gmail dot com Emmanoah333 on Discord

February 26th, 2025. Oh, this one was super convincing. A+ human mimicry here... (no typos on my part here. This is a straight copy/paste)

Subject: Creative Feedback Hi there, Your storytelling truly inspire me, it's amazing how you make each setting come to life in fair prices. I have a few ideas I'd love to share for that.

March 3, 2025. Thank god the most-convincing ones are also the ones that openly ask for a payment:

Subject: Artist/Reader Hi, Your storytelling is truly captivating it's so vivid and inspiring, like the scenes are alive. I'd love to bring your stories to life through my minimalist art style in minimum price. Would you be interested in collaborating on a project together?

March 14th, 2025. Not even the bots are reading my stories now…. yay….

Subject: Kathy! Hello, I'm Kathy Clay and a concept artist. I recently found your book and, while I haven't read it yet, I'd love to create a cover design for you. Once I've had a chance to read it, I can come up with a great idea. I know a lot of people might say they've read it, but I prefer to keep things simple and direct and I also have several ideas to relate your stories

We've caught up with earlier this week: March 25, 2025.

Subject: commission artist Hello fellow authors, After reading your book, I couldn't stop thinking about how amazing it was! I have some thoughts and suggestions about it that I'd love to share with you if you're interested.

And finally, the bot du jour (today; March 29th, 2025):

Subject: Commission artist Hey Jacquelina parson. is my name, and I'm a computer artist. Upon reading your book, I found it to be rather captivating. Is it feasible for me to contribute character illustrations for your book in the future?

Yet another real convincing one.

Who else is having this problem? Is it at the same frequency? My pity to those who are flooded even more than I am.

[themoreitisreproduced]

To AGE is a Blessing

-as Marisha Ray once said.

In the world of social media, it seems almost a given that artists, who are so regularly pushed to the side and ignored by algorithms, are finally in a competition so fierce one might compare it to the Olympic games themselves. Regularly artists are driven off of social media platforms, away from arts groups, and away from art all together by the social media machines desperate attempt to value the worth of their work based on likes. Is this a modern concept? Well, if we are simply talking about social media, then yes, it is, but the pitting of artists against one another has never been something that is strange to the art world. After all, there are only so many spots in a gallery. Something else that remains similar to the artist who came before in today’s day and age is the need for artists to group together. Older examples might be things such as The Brotherhood of the Pre-Raphaelites or the Surrealist painters, groups of artists who decided they enjoyed each others work and wanted to make work together, as a group. Though smaller now, these art groups have stood the test of time and still exist today, aided by social media.

One such art group is the A.G.E, the Artists Guild of Exandria. Exandria, the fictional world from hit D&D actual play show Critical Role, is a world of dragons, monsters, battles between Gods and wild, wild adventure. Now, when reading this you may be thinking to yourself, oh, so the A.G.E is an official project of Critical Role, but that is not true. Like many of the groups that came before it, the A.G.E is a collection of self-directed artists who want to make the world ever so slightly better than they found it. If that is through the use of art, then so be it. Similarly to their forefathers, the A.G.E utilises new and exiting exhibition states, such as social media, to show the work of their artists. Stretching across every continent and numerous cities, countries, and cultures, The A.G.E brings people together to create art about a show they all love and appreciate.

Again, I can practically hear people reading this asking themselves why. Why should you care what a bunch of fan-artists (most of whom have full-time jobs or full-time education) do in their spare time? It’s not as though the artists there are doing anything new. They are simply rehashing old characters and stories and pulling at people’s heartstrings in a cheap and easy way, as all fan artists do. After all, it’s not like fan art is a real genre of art. Firstly to that I say that is a lot of questions and most of them are statements, and secondly I say, if fan art is not real art, I urge you to look at any painting done in the renaissance period. Most of the art done is inspired by or from the bible itself, and while Critical Role is not the bible, artists have always taken inspiration from popular media of the time. Take, for example, Andy Worhol, who’s many works inspired by popular culture seem to be the only thing people recognise him for. It seems to be that when art became accessible through means of posting on social media, suddenly there was a huge upset about who could be counted as an artist and who wasn’t.

I have mentioned before the rage I feel at the class divide in art. It is almost glaringly obvious throughout history and even more so now, when everybody can have an opinion about every and anything. You will not see any of the pieces produced for The A.G.E’s projects hanging in a gallery. Instead, you will see them on social media, spoken about in friendly conversation, and forming a new medium of gallery and display all together. A medium that, instead of being a large white cube that focuses on separating the viewer from all the context in the world, not allowing them to think about what events might have inspired the artist, allows the viewer to think about how these pieces connect to their favourite characters. The way The A.G.E exhibits their pieces may be a lesson to all museums and galleries – there is value in the digital (not A.I) pieces being exhibited as they are meant to be seen, on a screen. The A.G.E members all have jobs, or a full-time education outside of art. They are not doing this for the money, they are doing this because they love it.

Now, again I hear you ask about the issue of Copyright. What about the original characters? The ones made by Critical Role? Are the creators not bothered by this blotch on their copyright? You might be screaming down with the A.G.E! Perhaps I have not been clear enough about how Critical Role works. Yes, whilst they still retain all their copyright to their characters, the cast and creators of Critical Role actively encourage fan art and fan works to be made and posted about their story. They encourage it so much to the point where one of the cast members is known and gladly accepts the title Art Dad, and they have a monthly show reel of fan art made. They even have a section on their website addressing this!

But what makes The A.G.E special, you’re probably now asking. What makes them different from every other artist on social media trying to make it? Why them, why not a bigger group? I hear you ask why, why, why, and I say back because they are good. Not just the technical skill of the art, The A.G.E is full of good, encouraging people and artists. Many people in the A.G.E are around to offer technical help on project pieces, sit with you whilst you work, or even just play a video game or two. You can feel the human connection in The A.G.E when you view any one of their projects, the time, love, and collaboration that has been placed into it right from the beginning, which is how art should be made.

The A.G.E works very simply.  Every few months or so, a new project will be announced, ranging from tarot cards to a toy workshop, and people will submit for certain characters to be given to make or draw. I will not pretend to know how this works, I have no idea, but I do know, quite simply, the people who assign the characters are nothing short of magic. You would think that only being allowed to draw one character causes chaos and makes people hunt each other for sport, which is where you would be wrong. Dreadfully so, in fact. As I have mentioned previously, The A.G.E is full of good, kind people with hearts bigger than their chests can carry. Critical Role has well over 100 named characters, so the pickings are often wide and varied. You could have someone pick a main, leading man or lady, or a side character who was only in one episode, hell, someone even once drew the fly swatter the cast use, so the choice is entirely up to the artist.

Now, I see you beginning to understand why The A.G.E is so special, and why it sparks such joy to write and view. The need for human connection in this day and age, especially post pandemic, cannot be understated, and The A.G.E provides that. Whether through talking about projects, or leaving support on people’s pictures, The A.G.E has an inspiring amount of connection in and outside of its projects. So you can say to yourself, The A.G.E is just a bunch of fan-artists, and I will say yes, yes they are.

And isn’t that beautiful?

Words: 1310

(Note: This post includes no images of the work of the members of The A.G.E, however I strongly encourage you to look at it yourself. Every members post is reblogged by the main social media account - @artists-guild-of-exandria. As also seen on BlueSky.)

[rainbowsky]

Hi RBS

Why gg is related to little prince in that little prince and rose story??

Hi Anon,

Fake, fan fiction, CPN.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry is a classic, exceptionally popular, beautifully told and illustrated story. Those who haven't read it can find it here.

In this previous post from 2021 I talked about The Little Prince and why it resonates with queer readers so much.

Standard disclaimer: This is my own personal opinion based on my own interpretation of tidbits I've learned over the years. Everyone is free to come up with their own.

If you ask a solo they'll give you a completely different story than a turtle would about how The Little Prince is connected to GG, but I think GG's (and DD's) connection to that story runs far deeper than anything any fan - solo or turtle - can claim.

The Solo Interpretation

The solo interpretation revolves around the prince's red cape and the many references to the red cape that GG has made in his art and on social media over the years, which many believe were in response to fan activity.

The first reference came during a live broadcast of XFIRE, where GG created a pencil drawing of a boy wearing a cape and holding a ball. Later he posted a colored version of the image on his social media, where it was revealed that the boy was wearing a red cape and holding a glowing moon.

His fans named themselves Xiao Fei Xia (Chinese for 'Peter Pan') after seeing the image. The name sounds like Chinese for 'small fat shrimp', which is why XFX are often called shrimps (or tempuras, in malicious references).

When his fans won him a solo song, he posted a photo of a boy wearing a crown and a red cape. He later changed his Weibo badge to The Little Prince in a red cape. In Nov 2019 he posted an image of himself on Oasis with a red cape and crown drawn on.

"But why do they think The Little Prince is about them, when they call themselves Peter Pans?" you might ask.

That is a somewhat ambiguous connection, but as far as I can tell it's because of the idea that he's their Little Prince and they are his Peter Pans. The song Satisfaction - which was meaningful to GG and his fans - was connected to the image he shared of the boy wearing the cape and crown. There is also the red cape connection. They wear a red cape, and 'their Little Prince' wears one too. Red is GG's color, and the color XFX identify their fandom with.

A Deeper Connection

In any case, like I said - I think GG's connection to the Little Prince goes deeper than fandom, and the simplest answer to why it has become so connected with him is that he loves the story. It means a lot to him, and on some level he really identifies with the character.

And it's not difficult to see why both GG and DD identify with this story. I actually wrote a whole thing about that a while ago on my blog but of course, I can't find it now. So frustrating.

The Little Prince presents a lot of themes about personal development, love, acceptance, self-acceptance, friendship and found family that resonate with queer readers, with artistic/creative people, and with anyone who has had to live with loneliness or isolation (such as incredibly famous people who are forced to live somewhat separate from the rest of the world). There are themes about grief and loss, and about different points of view.

To me, the story is about how wisdom comes through wonder. More than anything, The Little Prince is about maintaining one's sense of childlike wonder and sensitivity in the face of all the pains and trials of life, and in spite of all attempts to kill our spirit. No matter what we have lost and long for, we can find beauty in the love we have and the connections we make.

It is that spirit of wonder that makes everything special, and makes us special too. It's what makes us able to look beneath the surface and see what's really important.

This is something GG quite obviously values very deeply. He has referred to DD as a sweet, pure-hearted boy in the past, and has spoken appreciatively about the fact that DD has managed to keep a sense of childishness and guilelessness despite being in this industry for so long, and from such an early age.

And GG himself displays those qualities in abundance. He has a very light-hearted, sweet, wonderstruck, sensitive, curious, cute side that is a huge part of the magnetism of his personality. We see this come out a lot in his downtime, such as when he was at Universal Studios, or when he was wandering the streets of Europe. One of the things that is most compelling about him is his willingness to show that side of himself, even as a grown man.

This is - as I've said many times - part of GG and DD's incredible chemistry and compatibility. They share their own little world, and this world of fun, laughter, sweetness, mischievousness and curiosity - the spirit of learning, exploring and cackling together like gremlins - this is all very much aligned with the themes of The Little Prince.

Even the moments of loneliness and separation and coming back together again, the stars in the sky and the ringing of bells - all of this is connected to the story of The Little Prince.

And if you believe the CPN about GG's birthday letter to DD (which I definitely do), this is a message GG gives DD: grow up slowly. That idea has appeared in fake rumors and other references in the fandom. And it's very aligned with the themes of The Little Prince.

From the book: (mild spoilers for those who haven't read it). Slightly abridged.

...he looked at me steadily, and replied to my thought:

“I am thirsty, too. Let us look for a well...”

I made a gesture of weariness. It is absurd to look for a well, at random, in the immensity of the desert. But nevertheless we started walking.

“What makes the desert beautiful,” said the little prince, “is that somewhere it hides a well...”

I was astonished by a sudden understanding of that mysterious radiation of the sands. When I was a little boy I lived in an old house, and legend told us that a treasure was buried there. To be sure, no one had ever known how to find it; perhaps no one had ever even looked for it. But it cast an enchantment over that house. My home was hiding a secret in the depths of its heart...

“Yes,” I said to the little prince. “The house, the stars, the desert—what gives them their beauty is something that is invisible!”

As the little prince dropped off to sleep, I took him in my arms and set out walking once more. I felt deeply moved, and stirred. It seemed to me that I was carrying a very fragile treasure. It seemed to me, even, that there was nothing more fragile on all Earth. In the moonlight I looked at his pale forehead, his closed eyes, his locks of hair that trembled in the wind, and I said to myself:

“What I see here is nothing but a shell. What is most important is invisible...”

As his lips opened slightly with the suspicion of a half-smile, I said to myself, again: “What moves me so deeply, about this little prince who is sleeping here, is his loyalty to a flower—the image of a rose that shines through his whole being like the flame of a lamp, even when he is asleep...” And I felt him to be more fragile still. I felt the need of protecting him, as if he himself were a flame that might be extinguished by a little puff of wind...

And, as I walked on so, I found the well, at daybreak.

Bottom line: Be who you are, stay true to yourself, don't let the world destroy all the soft, sweet, fun, creative, childlike, insightful, open-hearted parts of you.

You are special because of what you love.

GGDD and The Little Prince

Both GG and DD have been repeatedly associated with The Little Prince, and both have been referred to as "little prince" by fans. The Little Prince and his rose have been beloved by turtles as a frequently occurring candy/CPN in the fandom for years.

This started for DD back in his Uniq days. There's an example of this in an early Uniq interview. At the start each group member is being introduced, and their group role is listed onscreen along with the names fans use to refer to them, DD's nicknames are listed as "White Peony, Little Prince." (They're all such babies here!! 🥺)

And he really is a Little Prince, both in terms of his youthful, pure-hearted wonder and in terms of his appearance. There are countless examples of Prince Bobo.

Both GG and DD have been associated directly with the story of The Little Prince, in that both have performed readings of the story - GG in 2018, DD in 2018 and 2019.

(Sorry, no Eng subs for that last one).

The brand Roseonly created many Little Prince themed items back when GG was endorsing them.

The recent photoshoot DD did for T Magazine was themed around The Little Prince, and people saw similar references in the photoshoot GG did for Marie Claire.

The Little Prince - CPN

There are too many CPN references to The Little Prince - or to elements from the story - to list them all here, but here are a few:

The Name

One of the things BXG get excited about is that in Chinese, The Little Prince is actually called 小王子 (Xiao Wang Zi - literally 'little king child'). While the character 小 (Xiao, meaning 'little') isn't the same as the Xiao character used in GG's name (his name uses 肖, which is a Chinese surname), they are pronounced the same*.

*Incidentally, 小 is the same character that connects XFX to the Peter Pan name, '小飞侠' or 'Xiao Fei Xia'.

I think it's also likely that it's a big part of why GG and DD feel a connection to The Little Prince - because in Chinese, it references/connects their names.

They both love word play and have connected their names in the past - in the BTS when they were filming the library scene and GG wrote WangXiao with the calligraphy brush, on DDU when they were asked to come up with a team name and DD suggested BJYX and GG suggested Yizhan instead. It's very much in keeping with their personalities to enjoy that connection.

The Huang Ziteng post

Back in 2020 Huang Ziteng made a social media post that referenced The Little Prince. It consisted of a photo of a Little Prince figurine and thank you card with a rose pin. The text of the post read, "The child told me he received a gift, so happy. "The most important things cannot be seen, but must be felt with the heart." It was posted on September 13 at 18:23 (Yizhan - Yibo Loves Zhan).

The Birthday Cake

When DD rode his motorcycle out to spend GG's birthday together back in 2018, the birthday cake was Little Prince themed.

There was also a restaurant scene from Gank Your Heart where a Little Prince cake topper randomly appeared on the table. Does anyone else remember that? I can't find the actual scene, but it was very 👀.

EDIT: here it is!

On the plate in the foreground.

A Dream Like A Dream

When A Dream Like A Dream premiered in Wuhan, the theatre plaza was overrun with flowers for GG, and he had to make a statement asking fans not to bring flowers. Fans got together and gave flowers away all over the city. GG posted a photo of a single rose, which turtles believed was sent to him by DD.

The caption: "With love, the sun warms the spring." The kadian "Love Zhan, My Bo."

Day Day Up

DDU was a source for a few Little Prince-related CPN. There was a Little Prince figurine on the DDU set, next to a skateboard,

and of course everything surrounding The Brightest Star in the Sky.

DD has frequently been referred to as the 'lonely star', and there is a great deal of CPN about GGDD and stars.

There's also a fake rumor that after DD's motorcycle accident back in 2020, GG was overheard recording a voice message for DD and saying, "you always shine brightly."

There are too many star references to mention. Also too many moon references to mention. There is a LOT of CPN that connects to The Little Prince. It comes up quite often in the fandom. I'm not going to try to gather them all here. Suffice it to say that it's very well solidified as something turtles feel a deep connection with.

Either/or is such a bitch

One of the things I find really frustrating about fan culture is that it is so warlike. Never is this more apparent than when talking about things like this. Solos believe The Little Prince references are for them. Turtles believe GG and DD are referencing each other.

Just a reminder to everyone - it's quite possible for BOTH to be true.

It's quite possible for GG and DD to find all of these things significant at the same time. It's quite possible for us to allow all those significances to coexist without making them into a battle.

More than anything, the references are for and about GG and DD. We can share our excitement for them because we're all their fans. We all love them. It doesn't have to be a fight.

[pankowcrumbs]

Chapter 10 Love in the Spotlight X Harry Styles

MasterList

Harry Styles Masterlist

Chapter 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

The weeks after our songwriting session were a whirlwind. Between Harry’s packed schedule and my own commitments, we spent every spare moment refining our song. It felt like a labour of love, blending Harry’s timeless style with the heartfelt lyrics I had poured onto the page. We named it "Unwritten," a nod to the journey we were still creating together.

Finally, the day of the release arrived. I sat in the studio with Harry, both of us buzzing with excitement as we watched the final moments of the upload. With one click, the song was live and ready for the world to hear.

"And that’s it," Harry said, leaning back in his chair. "Our baby’s out there now."

I laughed and swatted his arm. "You make it sound like we’ve just had a child."

"Well, we kind of did," he replied with a cheeky grin.

Within hours, "Unwritten" was trending worldwide. Fans were raving about the raw emotion of the song, and the lyrics were being analysed to no end. The rumours about Harry and me, which had been swirling for weeks, only intensified when we teased the music video set to drop the next day.

The following morning, I woke to my phone buzzing incessantly. Notifications flooded in as fans dissected every frame of the video. It showed Harry and me walking through dreamy landscapes, exchanging glances, and singing to one another. The chemistry between us was undeniable.

By mid-afternoon, our relationship had become the headline of every major entertainment outlet. Harry had anticipated the frenzy, and when I hesitated to check social media, he gently took my hand.

"Hey," he said softly. "We knew this would happen, but we’re in this together. Don’t forget that."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "It’s just... a lot. But I’m okay. And you’re right we’ve got this."

A week later, we found ourselves sitting side by side on the couch of a popular late-night talk show. The host was beaming as she introduced us.

"Tonight, we have two incredible artists with us! Please welcome Harry Styles and Y/N, here to talk about their new hit single, ‘Unwritten.’"

The audience burst into applause as Harry and I walked onto the stage. We exchanged a quick smile before settling into our seats.

"First of all, congratulations on the song," the host began. "It’s absolutely stunning. But I have to ask what inspired it?"

Harry glanced at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, I’d say it’s inspired by someone very special."

The audience let out a collective "aww" as I blushed, laughing softly.

"It started as a casual session," I explained, picking up where he left off. "We were just playing around with melodies and lyrics, but it turned into something really personal and meaningful for both of us."

The host leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "And the music video... I mean, let’s talk about that. The chemistry is undeniable. Are we... are we confirming something here?"

Harry chuckled, his hand brushing lightly against mine on the armrest. "I think the video speaks for itself, doesn’t it?"

The crowd erupted into cheers, and the host grinned. "Well, I’ll take that as a yes!"

The rest of the interview was filled with light-hearted banter and discussions about the creative process behind "Unwritten." Harry and I bounced off each other naturally, our shared laughter and glances leaving no doubt about our connection.

As the show wrapped up, the host turned to us with a final question. "So, what’s next for the two of you? More music together, perhaps?"

Harry looked at me, his expression softening. "I think it’s safe to say this isn’t the last you’ll hear from us. We’ve got a lot more to share."

The audience clapped as the credits rolled, and Harry and I exchanged a look that said everything we couldn’t in that moment.

[nataliastalks]

How Social Media has Changed how we Consume and Enjoy Music (opinion)

Social Media has had numerous effects on present-day society, and while most have related to insecurities that have stemmed from the different apps, I want this post to focus on the decreasing attention span and how the mass consumption of media has drastically altered the way we consume music and how it is produced.

WC: 898

The growth of TikTok has undeniably reshaped social media. This new form of bite-sized, fifteen-second to one-minute videos, designed to capture attention and encourage scrolling, has influenced other apps seeking to remain relevant. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and even Tumblr have all made their in-app versions that resemble TikTok. It has taken the world by storm, but its effects on music have not been talked about enough. While I think that there are some benefits from TikTok when it comes to music, there are quite a few drawbacks too. The power of social media has indeed given artists a big start in the industry with people like Artemas, Odetari, Malcolm Todd, and Addison Rae coming to mind first, but also bigger artists such as Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter have seriously benefitted from the publicity that TikTok has given them. The thing about all these artists, and what tends to make a song popular, is that they have made a clip of their song really catchy, something that will hook you in and think: "Wow, this is really good".

While this practice is not inherently negative, as artists have used similar techniques since the advent of radio, the issue arises when it compromises the overall quality of the song. More often than not I have gone to listen to a song that has become popular on TikTok, excited to find a song that is so catchy and caught my attention enough to go and find it, only to realize that the only good part of the song was the one that had been posted, that fifteen seconds somewhere within the depths of a tight two-minute song. It is annoying because, as a music enjoyer, I think finding new music is such an enjoyable experience, but it is beyond disappointing when what you thought was a gem turns out to be just a shiny rock, momentarily pretty, but not worth keeping.

This is not to say that this is always the case, though. There have been some amazing songs and artists that have come out of social media promotions, but that being said, I think social media has also created a big issue in terms of "gatekeeping" or other such aspects of "underground" music. With a society that is now so interconnected through online media, and the fact that the majority of us are carrying a high-speed computer with access to everything ever posted right in our back pockets, we have all different types of media right at the tips of our fingers.

I believe that it is amazing to have this much access to media, especially in terms of music, where you can find almost any song ever created. Where I think this becomes a problem for people is when they have found something, dug through the depths of streaming services, and found an artist or a song that they love, and this person might not be as popular, so it makes things extra special. This is such an exciting moment for anyone who enjoys music, and there is, of course, a sense of exclusivity that comes from being one of the few listeners. I completely understand the feeling, and it is nice to have this smaller community that you can say you are a part of, and connect with people on an almost deeper level because you have all discovered this artist.

The problem that I think occurs so much with this, though, is this growing sense of superiority that comes from people who solely listen to what they consider to be deep cuts from Spotify, Apple Music, or whatever platform they get their music from. This happens, and then suddenly, if more people find the artist or one of their songs becomes popular, these people who were "there from the beginning" are really upset because they lose this exclusivity that came with being a fan of the artist and I can understand being a bit upset but what I think is harder to comprehend is that these previous listeners are not excited for the artist that they love so dearly. They're not excited about the fact that with these new listeners that the artist could make more music and that they're getting the attention they deserve; they're just upset that they can no longer have this more obscure music taste.

Where I believe this mostly stems from, though, is that through social media, we have made things so much more reachable, and while it can be great, it uplifts the concept of things being "underground" because it is so rare now. I think that everyone does have a bit of pride in their music taste and it is nice when you can say that half the music you listen to doesn’t come from TikTok trends, that doesn’t give any person the right to shame people when they try and explore new music and if its some band or artist you listen to that becomes popular it is not fair to attack these people for not truly listening to them because they don’t know songs x, y, and z. People are bound to discover new things because of how much access we have as a society to music, but if they’re being respectful and enjoying the music, then there is no need to be so rude to them, which is so common in gatekeeping culture. 

A/N: That would be the end of my take on modern-day music and how its production and consumption have been impacted by social media. I think I could go into this deeper and talk about issues with the new trends of speeding up songs, but this was already so long, so I thought it would be best to save some things for the future. If you read the whole thing, I hope it was at least partially enjoyable. Have a great day!

[9800sblog]

hybe tarot reading

public perception vs people involved

public's perception

3 of pentacles reversed, 8 of pentacles reversed, ace of pentacles reversed, the hanged man reversed, 7 of cups reversed

talk about tainted perception, all cards reversed screams volumes about how ignorant and illiterate most people are about their rights. the public has all the information, they know everything that is happening but keep not wanting to connect one thing with the other, they're just trying to feel important and like they matter in a grand scheme. they see the world as a bunch of isolated things and people, with no connection, the justice system doesn't work, nobody is really doing their jobs and no industry, organization or system really works. trying to push a classic tale of "rich vs poor", instead of "people vs life", they see hybe as old money and creating narratives to control people. they think most people, all artists and others involved are simply dumb, and can't see they're being controlled. just flip the script, like the hanged man reversed looks kinda dumb reversed in this spread, flip it to it's right position and "damn how does he balance himself like that? is he playing with the punishment he received? how is none of his clothes falling off? that rewuires a lot of physical strength, knowledge of anatomy, physics, astronomy, wow this is an impressive ugly man" etc.

perception of people involved

the world reversed, 7 of pentacles reversed, ace of cups reversed, 9 of pentacles, the fool

literally screaming to the public "shut the fuck up!!!!!" they see how the perception is all damaged, and people are trying to use the perceived bad situation to prey on them, which is ironic since their poor vision is what lacks them see how protected these people, systems and organizations actually are. like law works 😐. nothing new under the sun, but they're definitely taking advantage of this situation to fix things that are actually broken, literally universally involved, like this spread literally screams climate change. public is really trying to not connect one thing with the other, not use logic and pretend they're the village in "it takes a village to raise a child". people are literally ignoring the fact that you need to pass the police system to be hired, get a contract, this whole thing is not about min heejin, did yall forget kpop is a public part of korean government? [politicians: "this is how we want the world to see our country", kpop industry: "yes, sir! 🫡"] did yall forget kpop is literally anti censorship and control? did yall forget how much horror, science, ancient cultures, spirituality/religion/witchcraft references they make on a DAILY? something I often say fits perfectly with this spread, "it's better to ask offensive questions than stay ignorant". public is playing detective while actual detectives are at work, chill.

what it's actually like

3 of swords, king of swords, judgement, 9 of cups, 2 of cups

this needs no explanation, it's literally what I just said. if this was a matter of pedophilia against people that are seen universally, it would have been fixed already, it's not hard to put someone in jail. all cards are connected, and yall pretend to know nothing about daily life. like when I say universally, I mean, songs play on your phone and you post things on social media through satellites, like stop playing dumb, this isn't an isolated situation, if you feel unsafe in front of this "feud", you're already screwed, fear is almost useless towards human evolution, what could actually kill us these days? this does involve science, politics, astronomy, everything kpop talks about. again, stop acting dumb. yall think aespa songs sound grainy why? they're breaking sound barriers like these people are smart as fuck

[volchekshotme]

ArtBlitz 4: A DIY Creative Showdown with a Mission in Orlando

If you were anywhere near Arena Art Bar last weekend, you likely felt the buzz radiating from inside as the 4th Annual ArtBlitz turned up the heat. Eight artists faced off in a head-to-head creative battle, where paint flew, the music bumped, and the crowd held their breath to see who would emerge victorious. But ArtBlitz is more than just a competition—it's a project born from a love for creativity and community.

The article is made possible by:

John Q, one of the masterminds behind ArtBlitz, has been pushing this event since 2018. “We did two rounds before COVID hit,” he said. “Afterward, it was tough to find venues that made sense financially, but we knew we wanted to bring it back. The first post-COVID event was a hit, and now here we are with ArtBlitz 4.”

But John didn’t do it alone. His long-time collaborator, Kyle, joined forces with him to bring the vision to life. “Me and Q met about five or six years ago at the Social,” Kyle explained. “The owners wanted to give the staff a chance to run passion projects, so we thought, why not put on a live art battle with local artists and some chill music? It turned out to be way bigger than we expected.”

The structure of ArtBlitz is straightforward but high-pressure: artists have 30 minutes to create a piece in the first two rounds, with votes split 50/50 between the audience and hidden judges. The top two artists from each round move on to the finals, where cash prizes are awarded.

“It's not just about winning,” said Kyle. “We wanted to give these artists a platform. The first time we did it, some of them sold their work, and that was the goal—getting them exposure and helping them make connections. Even if we didn't make much money from the event, that alone made it worth it.”

John Q echoed this sentiment, saying, “What I love about ArtBlitz is watching people do things I can’t do. It’s just exciting to see these artists come in and create under that pressure. It’s a vibe, and we’ve been fortunate to have such a great turnout.”

Part of what makes ArtBlitz special is the culture around it. “John is the glue,” Kyle added. “He’s built a community with his radio show, events, and just being a connector for people who love local art and music. That’s why this event has grown.”

With a DIY spirit and punk-rock attitude, both Kyle and John have managed to turn ArtBlitz into something more than just an art event. “We’ve always been about taking our own path, saying ‘screw the traditional way,’ and doing things our own way,” Kyle said. “That’s the heart of this event—giving local artists a space where they can break through and show off what they do.”

As for the future? Expect to see more of ArtBlitz. With quarterly events planned, the art battles will continue to bring out Orlando’s finest talents. “Follow us on Instagram at @artblitzorl to catch the next one,” John Q said. “We want this to keep growing, and we’re always looking for fresh artists.”

If you missed out on the action this time, don’t worry. The next round of ArtBlitz is just around the corner. Whether you’re an artist or a fan, this is one Orlando event you won’t want to miss.

[coochiequeens]

A woman is in such denial over having a female body that she is ok with exploiting a woman for a biological child. The whole article is about the art piece, not one sentence about why she wants a kid or pondering what parenthood will be like.

Ashley R.T. Yergens’s “Surrogate,” premiering at New York Live Arts this week, explores how trans men experience pregnancy and I.V.F.

By Lauren Wingenroth June 12, 2024

In “prettygirl264264” (2018), the choreographer Ashley R.T. Yergens threw himself a funeral.

It was absurd, and funny, with an “In Loving Memory” card in lieu of a program, and an a cappella rendition of Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.”

But it was also a dark meditation on how transgender people can be treated, even in death. “It was connected to this question of, How will I be remembered?” said Yergens, 32, who is trans. “Will I get to have a funeral in the way that other people get to be remembered?”

Yergens’s latest work, “Surrogate,” premiering this week at New York Live Arts, contains another premature life-cycle event: a birthday party for a frozen embryo. There is darkness under the surface here, too, as there often is in work by the Brooklyn-based Yergens, whose brash, irreverent dances are stuffed with obscure pop-culture references and virtuosic movement equally inspired by the postmodern tradition and the queer nightclub.

Nicola Gorham, who plays a mean, tell-it-like-it-is therapist.

During the course of making this new work, Yergens, who recently froze 24 embryos — his eggs and an anonymous donor’s sperm — saw his parenthood journey with a surrogate end, and watched as a state Supreme Court ruling in Alabama (later essentially made ineffective by new legislation) threatened the future of I.V.F.

“That birthday celebration,” Yergens said, “comes from a real fear of, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to be able to have a kid in this way.’”

Until a few years ago, Yergens wasn’t interested in becoming a parent at all. But during the pandemic, something surprising happened: He was hit with a case of baby fever.

“I’m like, You are on testosterone,” he said. “You have been in normal male range for years now. What is this biological urge?”

Yergens’s journey through the embryo freezing and surrogacy process would become source material for “Surrogate,” which also pulls from a 2008 Oprah Winfrey interview with Thomas Beatie, a trans man whose pregnancy was the object of public fascination. Yergens saw the interview as a 16-year-old. “I think it contributed to a delay in transitioning for me,” he said. “It kind of felt like, You’re going to transition, and then you’re going to be a pregnant man.”

In “Surrogate,” Faircloth performs early ’90s aerobics-style dances, which Yergens created by mixing and matching phrases from videos he found online. Yergens likened the physical labor he asks people to do in dance to a kind of surrogacy.Credit...Jeanette Spicer for The New York Times

The persistence of that stigma led Yergens to pursue using a surrogate. The process, he said, strangely mirrored his experience as a choreographer, living through the bodies of the dancers performing his work. “There’s this tension around literally asking someone to carry your genes, which is potentially life-threatening,” he said. “And then there’s the physical labor I ask people to do in dance. I got interested in how surrogacy shows up in these different ways.”

Yergens heightens and complicates this dynamic between choreographer and performer through his role in “Surrogate”: Though he is usually the central performer in his work, here he sits in the tech booth, where he makes an announcement, and sings original songs.

Social media, too, is a form of surrogacy, Yergens said, noting how it can supplant other forms of communication and how, during the pandemic, it replaced theaters as a space where artists could share their work. One monologue in “Surrogate” is based on hateful comments Yergens received on Instagram. Rewritten until they’re absurd, they are delivered by a mean, tell-it-like-it-is therapist character played by Nicola Gorham.

The structure of the piece — lots of short, fast-moving vignettes — feels like scrolling on social media, Gorham said: “It’s like an Instagram feed, where everything seems so isolated, but in fact there are these connections you don’t see at first glance, because it’s all been curated by the algorithm.”

“The algorithm,” she added, “is giving us all things Ash” — Yergens goes by Ash — “which is terrifying and amazing.”

Some of what the “Ash algorithm” spits out in “Surrogate” is “Children Will Listen” from Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” a human merry-go-round, a quote from the English philosopher Alan Watts and a meditation. “I’m someone who likes to throw in everything and the kitchen sink,” Yergens said.

More from the algorithm: early ’90s aerobics-style dances, performed by Justin Faircloth, which Yergens created by mixing and matching phrases from videos he found online. That makes the transitions between the steps difficult and, Yergens said, “creates fun mishaps.” (He is preoccupied by transitions, and yes, he’s aware of the metaphor.)

Yergens loves what he calls “lowbrow aesthetics” — wrestling, drag, cabaret. “There are definitely some choices that I make that I think are funny or thought provoking because of how dumb they are,” he said.

He also likes to include the occasional highbrow reference — like that Alan Watts quote, which is printed on a performer’s T-shirt — that he doesn’t fully understand. “I intentionally don’t learn much about it, because it allows for some absurdity to happen,” he said. “Then I like to go back after I’ve made something and I’m like, What have I done!?”

Yergens acknowledges that his work can be shocking, perhaps even inflammatory. “I guess the question I’m exploring behind the scenes of this work is, Is there some value in being a little inflammatory?” he said. “And maybe I’ll be like, nope.”

[cant-even-function]

Tumblr's Paradox: Freedom at the Crossroads of Openness and Responsibility

Social media is like a miniature society within the screen, with each platform offering different experiences. Among them, Tumblr stands out as a vibrant digital community where users immerse themselves in a diverse array of content and interactions.

The Allure:

What sets Tumblr apart from its counterparts is its unique approach to creating and consuming content. The platform's "mini blog" structure provides users with a framework to express themselves succinctly yet profoundly (Reeve 2016). Whether through short texts, captivating images, mesmerizing videos, or soul-stirring music, Tumblr offers a pathway for individuals to articulate their thoughts, emotions, and artistic endeavors in a visually compelling manner.

Moreover, Tumblr's interface is designed with a focus on user interaction, fostering engagement and connectivity among its diverse user base. The platform's reblogging feature allows users to share content seamlessly, expanding its reach and igniting conversations across various communities and interest groups. Through likes, comments, and blog reblogs, users establish connections, exchange ideas, and form virtual communities centered around shared interests, beliefs, and passions.

Tumblr values individuality and celebrates diversity. Users can customize the layout, theme, and content of their personal pages flexibly, creating a space of "personalization." This inclusive and accepting characteristic nurtures a sense of familiarity and empowers users, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. This is why, despite the presence of giants like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat, Tumblr remains a favorite platform for many people.

Will the open door that welcomed so many, now leave Tumblr exposed to the storm?

Openness

Tumblr allows users to explore their identities and interests without rigid rules, fostering appropriate communities and diverse voices. With minimal content moderation, users can delve into complex topics without fear of censorship, sparking unfiltered dialogues. This is something that other platforms rarely do. For example, on TikTok, content moderation is stringent; videos containing suggestive images or sharp objects are immediately removed. However, on Tumblr, sharing "nudity" images often remains uncensored and is even easier to find when searching through hashtags.

The shadow of openness:

Because of Tumblr's excessive "openness," it has led to some negative aspects. Like June said, Tumblr is a mishmash of thematic blogs revolving around every topic imaginable (2014). The feature of anonymity coupled with Tumblr's limited moderation has led to the emergence of inappropriate content, making some people feel violated and unsafe when using this platform. Moreover, there is a risk to security and privacy when users may lose control over their personal information when shared widely. The loose content control policies on Tumblr can lead to the spread of misinformation, rumors, and even fake news. This lack of control can affect the platform's credibility and create an unsafe environment for users.

#NSFW

In 2018, Tumblr issued a complete ban on Not Safe For Work (NSFW) content to restrict the posting of inappropriate images and animations. However, this transition process faced many challenges and criticisms. The lack of robust datasets due to Tumblr's previous lenient stance on adult content contributed to erroneous automated decisions and lack of transparency, leading to the removal of diverse content due to mistakes. Transforming Tumblr into a safer space is associated with sacrificing group cultural activities, raising concerns about losing the positivity of the "old Tumblr" and disrupting the community. Automatic filters hiding NSFW content sparked intense reactions due to misclassification and unaffected adult entertainment programs. The shift from user-controlled self-assessment to machine learning algorithms was criticized for gender bias and functional disorders. Algorithm errors, such as flagging LGBTQ+ content as adult content, disappointed users, mocking the system's inefficiency. Tumblr's poorly trained algorithm increased concerns about Verizon's indifference, fueling online resistance with criticisms focused on "nipple" as a symbol of rebellion.

The question remains: where is the line between openness and responsibility?

Reference lists:

Reeve, E. 2016 'The Secret Lives of Tumblr Teens'

Jacomy M, Venturini T, Heymann S, et al. (2014) ForceAtlas2, a continuous graph layout algorithm for handy network visualization designed for the Gephi software. PLoS One 9(6): 1–12. 

Power, JL 2014, “Tumblr,” Journal of access services, vol. 11, no. 2, Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 91–96.Pilipets, E., & Paasonen, S. (2022). 'Nipples, memes, and algorithmic failure: NSFW critique of Tumblr censorship'.

[creativemorningsmilwaukee]

💌 A love letter from our REVIVAL event!

Illustration collab by Caroline Ferrero @carolineartsy17  and Aly Miller @aly_illustrations

On May 16, ninety-two creatives gathered at the beautiful ThriveOn King in Milwaukee for an inspirational and creative morning (no pun intended! 😉). The space, which is the renovated and rejuvenated historic Gimbels-Schuster’s building, is a vibrant community hub in the heart of Bronzeville. It’s the home to local organizations including the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and the Medical College of Wisconsin’s community engagement programs, along with nonprofit partners, mixed-income apartments, and more. Read more about the space and the ThriveOn Collaboration here. Thank you so much for hosting us in your incredible space!

We sipped coffee from Discourse (thanks, Ryan!), snacked on Cranky’s donuts, and browsed pottery from Terra Alta before settling in for the morning. ☕🍩

To kickoff the morning, performance artist Jonah Denae read us a powerful poem. Everyone in the room was focused and attentive, pulled in by the storytelling and emotion, as she read it. Thank you Jonah for your words and your vulnerability. You inspire us so much!

Both Denae and our keynote speaker were recently featured in Shepherd Express' Central City Story: The Meaning of Juneteenth 2025: The People Speak.  Milwaukee residents, leaders, artists, politicians, and everyday people tell us what the holiday means to them. 

Thank you to Stephen for reading the CreativeMornings Manifesto! You rocked it. If you would like to read the Manifesto at our next event, please email us at milwaukee@creativemornings.com. ✨

Photo by Holly Schisler.

Keynote Speaker: KEVIN NEWELL

“There’s a difference between revive and revival,” Kevin began his keynote panel, hosted by speaker coach Alea Cross. He explained that to revive something implies that it is complete, whereas revival is an ongoing and continual process. He shared about how he has been a part of the revival process of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee, including ThriveOn King, through his business Royal Capital Group. “I never want to be in a space where I ‘revived’ King Drive.” And what does revival look like on the inside for Kevin? Embracing his love for the hustle and channeling it into the right ways. “I was always hustling,” he said. But he learned to go from being impulsive to finding control. Part of that is trust, along with patience and humility. “Do good by doing well,” he explained is his business philosophy. That, and collaboration, which he says is “the new innovation.”  Thank you so much for your inspiring words, Kevin! We walked away remembering to “keep the main thang, the main thang” and are making our lists of “things to do, things not to do, and things that can wait.” Your advice and words of wisdom encouraged us to embrace revival in our own lives!  Check out Kevin’s company here to see the great work he’s doing in the Milwaukee community. Thank you to Murphy Fraser for capturing quotes & Brianna Schubert for writing up our recap!

🎬 Filmed & edited by Precious "Jae" Burrell from Epic Media

CreativeMornings is about shining the light on our communities. One way we do this is via 30 Second Pitches. This is where we invite a few people to the stage and share a pitch. Our 30 Second Pitch Nomination Form is always open! Feel free to self-nominate :)

☕️📱 DOWNLOAD THE SIT BY ME APP + MAKE A FRIEND 

Brad Steckart set out to create an app that turns any coffee shop into a spontaneous networking hub. Sit By Me is a Milwaukee-built social app that helps you find nearby people open to quiet co-working or casual conversation in public spaces like cafés, libraries, and breweries. 

Whether you're new in town or just want to feel less alone, the app makes it easy to share space — without the awkwardness. Focused on bringing the "social" back to "social media," it's built for real-world presence and everyday connection. Join the thousands already using Sit By Me in Milwaukee, and discover local businesses making their spaces more welcoming to solo diners, remote workers, and friendly faces.

Download Sit By Me today and discover your next connection, one seat away.

🌷✨ JULY 11 + 25: CONFIDENCE COACHING WORKSHOPS Known for her empowering coaching philosophy that emphasizes self-awareness, resilience, and actionable strategies, confidence coach Janine Werner helps people break through barriers and embrace their full potential. Grounded in emotional intelligence and positive psychology, Janine will guide you through practical techniques to overcome limiting beliefs and cultivate a winning mindset.  Join her in an upcoming workshop at Mother Lion! Janine has offered our CreativeMornings community a 20% discount. Apply discount code CYCFRIEND at checkout.

Friday, July 11th (9am-1pm)

OR Friday, July 25th (9am-1pm)

📘📖📚 SUPPORT BERNIE’S BOOK BANK 

Bernie’s Book Bank enables positive life experiences through book ownership. Founded in 2009 in Chicago, Bernie’s Book Bank has distributed over 29 million books to children. Now serving more than 20,000 MPS students with free books, program expansion is underway. 

Curious to learn more or have books to donate? Contact Jenna Renno, executive director for the Milwaukee chapter: jrenno@berniesbookbank.org.

🖼️💫 DISCOVER YOUR INNER ARTIST WITH ARTS @ LARGE 

Arts @ Large is one of Milwaukee's largest arts education providers, serving communities through impactful programming, collaborative partnerships, and dedicated artist development. Artist in residence curator Jeff Zimpel shared more about A@L experiences led by professional artist educators, supporting the growth of emerging artists, lifelong learners, and students K3-12 through innovative programs, and meaningful community partnerships. 

The Arts @ Large Community Center is located in the Walker's Point neighborhood and will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2026. Interested in getting involved? Follow along: @artsatlargemke. 

Event day photos by Holly Schisler. Lots more love in our Flickr gallery.

[sticker-magazine]

How to stand out from the crowd in the small artist community

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In my previous blog post, I discussed why it’s essential to stand out in order to build a foundation that allows your group’s fandom to grow. But let’s face it: that’s easier said than done. Many people trying to build successful groups end up copying what others are doing. But the truth is, that’s the exact opposite of what you should do. It might seem tempting to piggyback off others’ fan bases, but to attract true fans, you need to stand out.

If you want to grow a fandom, you need to find a niche. Yaelokre, known for their song "Harpy Hare," creates folk music and has amassed 1.4 million followers! They could have played it safe by making generic pop music, but instead, they chose to create something unique and distinct from mainstream trends, which helped them connect with a dedicated audience. 

You might think, “My niche is K-pop fans!” and while that might be true, you may not be targeting that niche correctly. BABYMONSTER and MEOVV were criticized by some K-pop fans for having concepts similar to BLACKPINK, so why would they want a group that resembles IVE? You're trying to fill a void that simply doesn't exist. But how do you find a void that actually does?

An effective way to find your niche is by using social media! TikTok, for example, is full of posts where people express a desire for a K-pop group with a specific aesthetic—that’s your void. One aesthetic I see mentioned frequently is Frutiger Aero, a style popularized in the early 2000s for its futuristic yet organic vibe. The wiki defines it with things such as glossy textures, blue skies, tropical fish, water and bubbles. There’s your niche! There are thousands of aesthetics to choose from and many artists to take inspiration from to find your sound. Browse around the internet and explore different music genres that you don't usually listen to, you’re bound to find something you’d like for your group. 

Another key factor that could benefit your group is focusing on quality over quantity. By prioritizing well-written, well-produced, and well-mixed songs with high quality vocals, your chances of success will be much higher. But it’s not just about the music—it’s also about having a well thought out game plan for both the label and the group. Planning ahead is essential to make sure your releases, branding, and marketing are all aligned with your long-term goals. Without a clear strategy, it’s easy to find yourself lost, and relying on posting things that don’t actually reflect your groups image. A solid game plan ensures that every decision you make supports your vision, helping your group grow steadily while maintaining a strong, sustainable presence. Don’t rely on pity followers—aim to attract genuine fans who truly listen to and enjoy your content. Planning ahead gives you the structure you need to build a loyal, engaged audience that will follow you for the long haul.

People are more likely to follow and engage with an account that feels authentic, where they can connect with the person behind the screen. In K-pop, idols often share personal moments and experiences, not just promotional content, making it clear that there’s more to them than just making music. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there—let your personality, sense of humor, and passion for music attract people.

One of the most powerful ways to connect with an audience is through storytelling. Share the journey of how your group came together, the challenges you've faced, and what makes your creative process unique. Authentic stories create emotional connections and help fans feel like they are part of something bigger than just the music. For example, BTS has built a massive following not only because of their music but because of the stories they tell in their lyrics, their behind-the-scenes content, and their willingness to be vulnerable with their fans.

Authentic storytelling helps build a deep emotional connection with your audience, but it’s not just about what you say—it’s also about how you present yourself. Once you've shared your journey and the unique aspects of your creative process, the next step is ensuring that your group’s visual identity aligns with your story.

Research your selected niche along with current trends and try to reach a happy medium without becoming a straight up rip off. Visual branding is just as important as the music itself. Your group’s aesthetic needs to be consistent across all platforms, from album covers to social media profiles. This visual identity should be distinct, but it doesn’t have to be extreme—subtle details can make a big difference. Look at how certain groups use color schemes, and album art to communicate their unique vibe. Remember, your audience should be able to recognize you instantly just by looking at your visuals.

As an artist, it’s natural to want to grow and evolve, but make sure you stay grounded in what originally made your group unique. You don’t want to jump on every trend just because it’s popular at the moment, as that can lead to losing your authentic branding. Focus on maintaining a balance between evolving and staying true to your identity. You can explore new genres or aesthetics, but the core values that resonate with your fans should remain constant. A great example of this would be how Taylor Swift evolved from country to pop but always stayed true to her storytelling and songwriting authenticity.

In conclusion, building a successful group and fandom is not about copying what others are doing; it’s about finding your own unique voice, niche, and identity. By focusing on authenticity, storytelling, and a well-thought-out strategy, you can foster genuine connections with your audience. Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas and trends, but always stay grounded in what makes your group distinctive. From choosing the right aesthetic to delivering high-quality music, every element of your group’s presence should reflect who you are. When you stay true to your vision and create an authentic brand, your fandom will grow not just in numbers, but in loyalty and passion. Keep your focus on quality, originality, and consistency, and you’ll be on your way to building a fandom that will last.

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Martin Jensen, Sommer Ray - No Sleep

Internationally renowned Danish DJ and producer Martin Jensen and DJ and social media icon Sommer Ray have teamed up to release their exhilarating new single, ‘No Sleep’! Blending uplifting house beats with a pop sensibility, this feel-good anthem is a celebration of living in the moment and savouring every second of a magical connection, when reality can wait until morning. ‘No Sleep’ perfectly captures that euphoric feeling of wanting the night to last forever. Jensen’s signature production style shines through driven by an insisting piano, leading into a refreshing and exhilarating drop built with an uplifting and fun horn arrangement, topped off with a fresh country vocal completing the unique and unexpected production. It’s a dynamic fusion of sounds, marrying the energy of house music with the heart of pop, creating an irresistible groove that invites listeners to forget tomorrow and embrace the now. Speaking about the collaboration, Martin Jensen said: "We wanted to capture that universal feeling of not wanting a special moment to end and I feel like we have succeeded in creating something that feels timeless, yet fresh and vibrant.” Sommer Ray, a social media sensation with over 40 million followers, continues to make waves as a rising star in the music industry. Known for her bold and captivating presence, Sommer brings her love for electronic music and her native deep roots in country music into this collaboration, that radiates both passion and playfulness. Her evolution from influencer to musician has been met with widespread acclaim, and her contribution to ‘No Sleep’ solidifies her place in the electronic music scene. With its uplifting production, bright melodies, and infectious rhythm, ‘No Sleep’ is poised to be a standout track for both artists as the Autumn months arrive, bringing a bright spark to the darker months that will be a future go-to for fans and peers alike. About Martin Jensen // Danish DJ and producer Martin Jensen has taken the world by storm with his unique brand of electronic music, blending chart-topping pop hooks with infectious dance rhythms. With global hits like ‘Solo Dance’, the recent ‘Favorite Mistakes’ and collaborations with top-tier artists, Jensen continues to be a trailblazer in the electronic world, delivering high-energy tracks that dominate both radio and dancefloors. About Sommer Ray // Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sommer Ray is a model, social media sensation, and entrepreneur who has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces in the influencer world. Now, as a rising DJ and musical artist, she’s bringing her electrifying energy to the global dance music scene, building on her passion for music and performance to captivate audiences worldwide. Read the full article

[musicvalla]

Music Pro Strategies: How to Build a Career in the Music Industry

The music industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape, offering countless opportunities for talented individuals to make a mark. Becoming a music pro isn’t just about raw talent; it requires a combination of strategy, dedication, and the right tools. In this article, we’ll explore how aspiring artists can establish themselves in the competitive world of music, while also touching on concepts like refix meaning, using instruments creatively, and even leveraging social media to save and share content effectively.

1. Understand Your Niche and Unique Sound

Before diving headfirst into the industry, take time to define your unique sound and style. Are you a vocalist with a soulful touch, a guitarist who loves fingerpicking, or someone interested in digital music production? Understanding your niche not only sets you apart but also makes it easier to market yourself. Many artists today experiment with refix meaning, reimagining classic tracks into something entirely their own. A refix involves taking an original song and transforming its essence while retaining recognizable elements, often breathing new life into old classics.

For example, reggae and Afrobeat artists have mastered the art of the refix, making the genre appealing to modern audiences. By incorporating this concept into your music, you can appeal to both nostalgia lovers and those looking for fresh sounds.

2. Master the Instruments That Define Your Style

One of the keys to becoming a music pro is mastery over your craft, particularly when it comes to instruments. Many instruments, such as guitars, pianos, and even the kalimba, allow for expression through fingerplay. These are often referred to as instruments that you play with fingers, and they provide unparalleled intimacy in sound creation.

Learning to play such instruments opens up opportunities for creative expression. For instance:

The guitar allows you to experiment with techniques like fingerpicking and strumming to create unique rhythms.

The piano enables complex melodies and harmonies through intricate fingerwork.

The kalimba, a finger-played African instrument, offers a melodic charm that stands out in world music.

The ability to play an instrument with your fingers isn’t just about technical skill—it’s about connecting with your music in a way that audiences can feel.

3. Leverage Technology and Tools for Music Production

The digital era has democratized music production, allowing anyone with a laptop and creativity to produce professional-quality tracks. As an aspiring music pro, you should invest time in learning music production software like Pro Tools, Ableton Live, or Logic Pro. These tools allow you to create, edit, and refine your tracks from the comfort of your home studio.

One interesting trend is the use of refixes in digital production. Producers often take older tracks and apply modern techniques, such as pitch correction, tempo changes, and layered beats, to make them resonate with today’s listeners. This demonstrates how blending traditional musical concepts like refix meaning with modern tools can give your work a unique edge.

4. Build a Strong Online Presence

Social media has become a non-negotiable part of a successful music career. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube provide free and powerful tools for promoting your music to a global audience. However, competition is fierce, and many musicians dream of acquiring the coveted blue checkmark. While some consider methods like Instagram verification buy, organic strategies such as consistent posting, engaging with followers, and collaborating with influencers are more sustainable and credible.

That being said, having verified status can make a difference in how your audience perceives you. Verified accounts tend to get more visibility, which translates into more opportunities for collaboration and exposure. Whether you aim to achieve it organically or through less conventional methods, make sure your content is authentic and engaging.

5. Save and Share Your Best Work

Sharing snippets of your work on platforms like Instagram can help build anticipation for your next release. Knowing how to save video from Instagram with music becomes essential, especially when you want to repost or repurpose content. While Instagram doesn’t provide a native download option, there are third-party tools and apps that allow you to save videos while preserving the audio quality.

Artists can use these saved videos as promotional material across different platforms. For instance:

Post your saved Instagram videos on YouTube Shorts to reach a new audience.

Use clips as teasers on TikTok to generate buzz for an upcoming track.

Incorporate them into behind-the-scenes footage to connect with fans.

6. Network and Collaborate

No matter how skilled you are, networking plays a crucial role in building a career in the music industry. Attend local gigs, join online music communities, and collaborate with other artists. Many refixes and remixes are born from such collaborations, blending diverse styles and talents to create something extraordinary.

Additionally, connecting with established professionals can open doors to valuable mentorship opportunities. These mentors can guide you on how to navigate challenges like securing record deals, distributing music, and even understanding what it takes to be a music pro in the modern era.

7. Monetize Your Passion

Finally, turning your passion for music into a sustainable career requires monetization. Beyond traditional album sales and streaming royalties, consider the following:

Offer personalized refixes or remixes for clients.

Host online classes to teach instruments like the guitar, piano, or other instruments that you play with fingers.

License your music for use in commercials, films, or video games.

Conclusion

Becoming a music pro in today’s competitive industry is a blend of artistry, strategy, and adaptability. By mastering your instruments, understanding modern concepts like refix meaning, leveraging social media to build a credible presence, and staying ahead with technology, you can carve out a successful career. Additionally, learning how to save video from Instagram with music ensures you stay resourceful in promoting your work.

Remember, while shortcuts like Instagram verification buy may seem tempting, authenticity and persistence remain your greatest allies in creating a lasting impact in the music world.

[impactnews-webmaster-us]

Candid Like Never Before, Global Superstar Beyonce Opens Up On Life , Fame, And Reason For Singing

Beyonce, the global superstar renowned for her commanding presence and enigmatic public persona, has shared new insights into why she chooses to retreat from the limelight between album cycles.

According to Billboard, in a candid interview, the 32-time Grammy winner discussed the personal challenges of fame and her deep connection to music.

In her interview, Beyonce spoke openly about her approach to artistry and public life.

“I create at my own pace, on things that I hope will touch other people,” she revealed, adding, “I only work on what liberates me.”

As per the ‘Cowboy Carter’ artist, this approach is crucial for her well-being and creative process.

Beyonce described fame as something that can often feel confining, likening it to a “prison.”

“It is fame that can at times feel like a prison,” she said in the interview as per Billboard.

“So, when you don’t see me on red carpets, and when I disappear until I have art to share, that’s why, she added.

Throughout her career, Beyonce has consistently demonstrated her willingness to explore new genres and defy trends.

For instance, her recent country album, ‘Cowboy Carter’, marks a significant departure from the mainstream pop sounds prevalent in recent years.

Reflecting on her 2011 album, ‘4’, she noted, “I wouldn’t say that I was anti-pop. I respected pop. But it was a time where everyone was doing pop/dance music, and R&B and soul were getting lost. It was popular and fun, but it wasn’t my thing. It was not where I was going with my music career at that time. I was yearning for something deeper with more musicality.”

As per Billboard, the interview comes amid some controversy regarding ‘Cowboy Carter’, which was notably absent from the CMA Awards nominations.

Beyonce hinted that the album was inspired by a previous experience where she felt unwelcome, referencing a backlash she faced in 2016 when she performed ‘Daddy Lessons’ with The Chicks at the award show.

“Cowboy Carter was born out of an experience,” she noted on social media earlier this year, indicating that the album’s release was a response to those past challenges.

Despite the pressures of fame, Beyonce remains deeply connected to her craft. “Singing is not work for me,” she explained, adding “There’s magic in the way it feels on my throat, a resonance that vibrates through me. When I am at my lowest, when I’ve been sad or in a heavy fog, sick or anxious with sleepless nights, I sing. And, often, I sing alone.”

As per Billboard, she added during the interview that singing provides her with a profound sense of joy and stability.

“It steadies my heartbeat, it’s my best hit of dopamine,” she said, adding, “It’s one of the deepest joys of my life, a necessity as vital as breath.”