Ramblings of Texture theft, drama and karma...

I'm so sick of all the designer's pointing fingers at each other and crying, "Thief!!!"

A certain couple of designers, who I will not name, seem to be on a rampage lately, attacking any designer that has a PIECE of a skin that resembles theirs. Now, don't get me wrong, I do think it's wrong to take someone else's hard work and use it for your own gain...welcome to real life where it happens all the time, Knockoffs EVERYWHERE. Yep, hurts sales, but only for the folks that are ok with owning a knockoff...

I bought a whole set of skins, and the creator spoke to me about it, turned out she'd made the same mistake a couple other designers are currently accused of, and this designer was also crucified by a few designers...Including the two of the first paragraph. What I admired about this designer is that she admitted it to me, she admitted it was a mistake and she'd learned from it and moved on. That's growth. So I bought the skins. They are my absolute favorite right now.

The real culprit here is Linden Labs. They KNOW this technology exists, they ADVERTISE that what you create is yours, and yet they don't support the creators in a way that makes them comfortable creating. So, if you are really worried about your stuff being stolen...don't create it in Second Life. You are NOT Protected in any way from theft. And they lie outright when they tell you otherwise.

If you continue to create, knowing the above, then you deal with the issues that follow...over and over again. Stand up for yourself privately and KEEP IT THAT WAY. Let the SL community babble about what they think so-and-so did to whom, and keep your communication with one another private. Too many went public with the most recent issue. And people are getting hurt. meh.

I think what bothers me the most about all that is going on is...well, one person has decided to take a break because of all the negativity. Great, take a break, breaks are good, brings you back fresh to SL and let's the drama die down...and if your health is in danger, you better believe it's time for a break. Do it, do it NOW.

What bothers me about that is how it's so dramatic. I realize feeling are hurt and really cruel things were said, that sucks.

I posted early in my blog about an issue I had with a modeling contest...and what my opinion was of why/how the model was chosen. The person in question addressed me with a comment and was very diplomatic and kind in telling me what she had to say. That was cool. What made me wonder about this person, were all the posts that followed...all her friends blasting me about what I said, in not so kind ways. How can you be a "nice" person and hang out with people who post mean things like your friends do? Now I do understand defending those you care about, and I said some shitty things, but how does attacking me for what I've said, make it right? It was humbling and hurtful and made me rethink my post, and acknowledge that I was emotional when I posted it, (probably had a glass or wine or two as well), and I apologized. None of the original attackers came back to see that and if they did, they never said anything in return. I was mentioned in an interview, though not by name, only situation, where my apology was accepted. I guess I should be grateful and to some extent I am. But the term, "birds of a feather flock together" just keeps haunting me.

All I can say to the person taking a break is this: Shit happens in Real Life and in Second Life. You learn from it, take the good and the bad and you grow. I got over being verbally attacked by your friends. I think you can understand, as I did, how friends do stupid things to protect each other, and get over what happened to you as well, and yeah, it'll take some time, so do take what you need. But stop adding to the drama. Just get better.

It goes with being semi-famous that your second life will be in the public eye...but, No such thing as bad publicity, right?

To all your defenders, yep this one comes off a little bitter, you bet. I love how my line of apology got used in her latest blog too...I'm human and I make mistakes...yep, it sucks when you get attacked for it too. Face it and move on. That's what I did.