Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

If your reading this, I want to apologize to anyone I have offended. I was in the wrong submitting this. My facts were not in order and my anger was misplaced. I apologize specifically to Ramyb, the object of my anger. It was anger fueled by misinformation and falsehoods. I am truly sorry. You don't deserve the hatred and anger I brought or from anybody else you have received.

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

I'm in for at least 300 if it prints!

[quote]Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!
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(I am editing my previous comment and revising it only to this,) Midge, I love you!
As always your artwork is beautifully done.

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midgerock wrote:I appreciate your feedback, but you may be missing the purpose of this design. If you know what this is about than I can understand and appreciate your decline of the design. I love you too! ;)

You KNOW I KNOW, that you know that I know that YOU know!!!
and yes, I DO love you!

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

Midger, you got a pair my friend. I try to stay neutral (in public forum that is.) but I had to come out and say way to go! I love that you have the guts to come out and say this wit your art. I will definitely be buying 3 or 5 of these guys on the off chance a protest shirt like this ever wins.

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

How could those other bunnies POSSIBLY think that he's one of them?!

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

I would say it's a woot reference, as it would not be at all amusing if you didn't know of woot. I would even venture to stretch that further to say that woot has become a part of pop culture as shirts from here have appeared on national TV a number of times.

Edit: I typed the above before reading the comments. Now that I think I have a better idea of what this shirt is all about, it looks like you're just being really petty.

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

Instead of wasting time on this you could have created something interesting. This is a petty cry for attention, nothing more.

Congratulations on adding to the problems of this website.

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Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

Three cheers for protecting the cash cow!

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odysseyroc wrote:Three cheers for protecting the cash cow!

Look, I think he is a hack and even a bit of a cheat. I'm not here to defend him at all.

However, this entry was ridiculously unprofessional and petty. I don't think stooping to a lower level to attack any member of this community is ever acceptable. Taking the time to create and submit this piece shows a serious lack of professionalism and I'm kind of disappointed to see an artist that I respect encouraging this kind of behavior.

/moralrant

Johndis5 wrote:Look, I think he is a hack and even a bit of a cheat. I'm not here to defend him at all.

However, this entry was ridiculously unprofessional and petty. I don't think stooping to a lower level to attack any member of this community is ever acceptable. Taking the time to create and submit this piece shows a serious lack of professionalism and I'm kind of disappointed to see an artist that I respect encouraging this kind of behavior.

/moralrant

Here's the thing. As artists, we have no real voice here. Our only option is to sit here and pretend that everything is fine, even in the face of obvious wrongdoing. A few weeks ago a group of us noticed that something weird was going on with a new member, and pointed out an obvious connection to another "controversial" member. The new member pretended to have no knowledge at all of the person that they were being connected to. Not too long later, after there was no question that they were connected, the controversial member finally stepped up and said "don't worry, I helped this guy, nothing to see here, move on". The people who rightly pointed out that something was fishy, were villainized because we shouldn't have questioned somebody who has a history of dishonesty.

There's a lot of glad-handing that goes on on here, because certain artists want to be everybody's best friend and get more votes. Do I think that Midgerock's approach was the best way to handle injustice? Probably not. Do I think that in this format, it's his ONLY way to protest? Yeah, probably.

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midgerock wrote:I appreciate your feedback and feelings about this design. I can respect them. I created this design in response to current events. I guess having a design come in 4th place beaten out by a design which placed may appear petty and unprofessional. But if there's full knowledge that a member of this community who continually wins based on cheating and swindling with alt accounts and swindling... I'm sorry but I'm not going to sit by and be quiet. You might say, "Make a better design." I have and will come back with quality designs which I and a number of other artists here continue to do week after week, but its ridiculous to see week after week designs which are cheated out what could have been theirs. Is that petty? Not a single bit. Ask those artists if they're mad. They are. Believe me they are. Many of them have left woot because of this. And nothing is done. Look at the comments in the thread for the design that placed. Most are crying out at this crap. But nothing is done. Sorry there's a problem and it needs to be addressed. Call me petty.

I'm well aware that there are a number of artist that are not happy with the status quo. I'm not an artist, but I understand why people would be upset. There are a lot of us vocal consumers on the boards that are upset for a lot of the same reasons.

I don't think that your reasons behind this little protest are all petty, but the way you acted on those feelings was very petty and unprofessional.

I understand your frustration, but if you can try and look at this from a different perspective, you came in fourth by a close margin and two of those designs make for terrible shirts IMHO. From the outside looking in and likely from the perspective of woot, it looks like someone is boohooing because they didn't print and that's not fair.

I think we're on the same side on the greater issue for the most at least, I just think that your actions could cheapen our concerns and cause people to be less likely to take them seriously.

Even as a joke you can produce something waaaay more professional that him.
I totally support you guys on that. There has to be something with that guy and his winning streak. Doesn't contribute creatively nor artistically to the improvement of the competition n woot doesn't do anything cuz they keep getting the money. Shame on you for rejecting this and taking away from us the only way we have to protest.
Well done Midge, very well done.

Johndis5 wrote:I'm well aware that there are a number of artist that are not happy with the status quo. I'm not an artist, but I understand why people would be upset. There are a lot of us vocal consumers on the boards that are upset for a lot of the same reasons.

I don't think that your reasons behind this little protest are all petty, but the way you acted on those feelings was very petty and unprofessional.

I understand your frustration, but if you can try and look at this from a different perspective, you came in fourth by a close margin and two of those designs make for terrible shirts IMHO. From the outside looking in and likely from the perspective of woot, it looks like someone is boohooing because they didn't print and that's not fair.

I think we're on the same side on the greater issue for the most at least, I just think that your actions could cheapen our concerns and cause people to be less likely to take them seriously.

Out of curiosity, what do you think somebody like Midge should handle this? What action can we, as artists, take other than just watching it happen time and time again, while pretending that the status quo is just wonderful?

odysseyroc wrote:Here's the thing. As artists, we have no real voice here. Our only option is to sit here and pretend that everything is fine, even in the face of obvious wrongdoing. A few weeks ago a group of us noticed that something weird was going on with a new member, and pointed out an obvious connection to another "controversial" member. The new member pretended to have no knowledge at all of the person that they were being connected to. Not too long later, after there was no question that they were connected, the controversial member finally stepped up and said "don't worry, I helped this guy, nothing to see here, move on". The people who rightly pointed out that something was fishy, were villainized because we shouldn't have questioned somebody who has a history of dishonesty.

There's a lot of glad-handing that goes on on here, because certain artists want to be everybody's best friend and get more votes. Do I think that Midgerock's approach was the best way to handle injustice? Probably not. Do I think that in this format, it's his ONLY way to protest? Yeah, probably.

There wasn't word that you just typed that I don't fully 100% agree with. I was very adamant about backing you guys up with the mysterious new artist. I am disgusted with how people just rolled over because a questionable person gave us a questionable reason that I don't think is true in the least. It's total BS. I just felt midge's protest was an inappropriate way to address his concerns with woot.

I know you guys don't have a lot of options to speak out, but I don't think this is the way to do it.

odysseyroc wrote:Out of curiosity, what do you think somebody like Midge should handle this? What action can we, as artists, take other than just watching it happen time and time again, while pretending that the status quo is just wonderful?

Dude, I wish I had an answer. Artists are getting pissed and leaving. Woot is aware of what's on peoples minds, and they seemingly just don't care. I can't say much more other than it sucks for a lot of us, artists and consumers alike.

Johndis5 wrote:Dude, I wish I had an answer. Artists are getting pissed and leaving. Woot is aware of what's on peoples minds, and they seemingly just don't care. I can't say much more other than it sucks for a lot of us, artists and consumers alike.

Then you understand why artists enter designs like this. It really doesn't even matter that artists leave, because new ones will take their place. Woot has the best payout of any of the shirt contests. They can afford to lose great artists, because they know that people are going to be lined up to enter. I'm at the point where I'm not sure I'll ever even enter another derby, it's not worth the headache. I also know that outside of a few people, I won't be missed and eventually those few people won't really miss me either.

midgerock wrote: I guess having a design come in 4th place beaten out by a design which placed may appear petty and unprofessional. But if there's full knowledge that a member of this community who continually wins based on cheating and swindling with alt accounts and swindling...

You guys need to lay off me. I'll have you know that I only have THIRTEEN fake accounts, so it doesn't matter anyway! ;)

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odysseyroc wrote:Then you understand why artists enter designs like this. It really doesn't even matter that artists leave, because new ones will take their place. Woot has the best payout of any of the shirt contests. They can afford to lose great artists, because they know that people are going to be lined up to enter. I'm at the point where I'm not sure I'll ever even enter another derby, it's not worth the headache. I also know that outside of a few people, I won't be missed and eventually those few people won't really miss me either.

You can't leave, I like what you bring to the table, both on the boards and in the derby. If you leave, I might start voting for unsavory characters in poorly thought out protest ;)

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midgerock wrote:I'll have you know I am quite savory! I am served best with an au gratin potato and nice fresh vegetable medley!

I typed that part out wrong. I meant to say I would vote for unsavory characters in a poorly thought out protest of my own.

I'm sure you're great with a little BBQ sauce.

Johndis5 wrote:You can't leave, I like what you bring to the table, both on the boards and in the derby. If you leave, I might start voting for unsavory characters in poorly thought out protest ;)

Good, I could use the votes.

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

Worst squirrel drawing ever.
You're losing your touch midgerock.

Johndis5 wrote:You can't leave, I like what you bring to the table, both on the boards and in the derby. If you leave, I might start voting for unsavory characters in poorly thought out protest ;)

Thank, I appreciate the support. It's just that for me, right now, this isn't fun anymore. I'm not taking myself completely out of the game, but I'm not going to force myself to work on something that I'm not really excited about either. I like to design because it's fun, but I also want to win. The longer I go without winning, the more it feels like it'll never happen and the more I feel like I'm chasing it, instead of just having fun. If there's a topic that I really like, I'll enter something, otherwise I'll be spending my spare time designing for myself and work on improving my art.

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PixelPants wrote:Worst squirrel drawing ever.

I thought they were penguins.

odysseyroc wrote:Thank, I appreciate the support. It's just that for me, right now, this isn't fun anymore. I'm not taking myself completely out of the game, but I'm not going to force myself to work on something that I'm not really excited about either. I like to design because it's fun, but I also want to win. The longer I go without winning, the more it feels like it'll never happen and the more I feel like I'm chasing it, instead of just having fun. If there's a topic that I really like, I'll enter something, otherwise I'll be spending my spare time designing for myself and work on improving my art.

I bet. I was really bummed when you got that late rejection. Give yourself a break, wait until you see a theme that you like, and rock the hell out of something because you think it's awesome. Screw the voters, they get it wrong all of the time.

odysseyroc wrote:Thank, I appreciate the support. It's just that for me, right now, this isn't fun anymore. I'm not taking myself completely out of the game, but I'm not going to force myself to work on something that I'm not really excited about either. I like to design because it's fun, but I also want to win. The longer I go without winning, the more it feels like it'll never happen and the more I feel like I'm chasing it, instead of just having fun. If there's a topic that I really like, I'll enter something, otherwise I'll be spending my spare time designing for myself and work on improving my art.

Dude, me too.
I just started a tattoo apprenticeship and that's already taking 12 hours a day.
I stopped enjoying this weekly drill way too long ago. It's pretty discouraging when e very week the 'bunnies' slap on the face to so many other artists who work on their designs with real passion. It's just not fair.
From the frequent winners my respect goes to Mr. Dixon and Mr. Spens. Top those guys is darn f(x)cking hard, i'd say impossible with my current artistic abilities.
I'll come here every once in a while, but not as frequent as I was.

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

It can be frustrating for the voters and consumers as well. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for the artists.

I hope the really great artists continue to submit!

JRWorkshop wrote:Dude, me too.
I just started a tattoo apprenticeship and that's already taking 12 hours a day.
I stopped enjoying this weekly drill way too long ago. It's pretty discouraging when e very week the 'bunnies' slap on the face to so many other artists who work on their designs with real passion. It's just not fair.
From the frequent winners my respect goes to Mr. Dixon and Mr. Spens. Top those guys is darn f(x)cking hard, i'd say impossible with my current artistic abilities.
I'll come here every once in a while, but not as frequent as I was.

I appreciate the shout out, as I feel far from considering myself a "frequent winner", and feel the same frustrations to get my work across as most of you guys. It makes me glad to know you guys respect my abilities though, which does help keep me going.

I haven't placed in actual derby since the Rainy Day derby....that's been quite some time. So just know that we all struggle for the top spots every week and feel the same need to keep motivating ourselves.

cmdixon2 wrote:I appreciate the shout out, as I feel far from considering myself a "frequent winner", and feel the same frustrations to get my work across as most of you guys. It makes me glad to know you guys respect my abilities though, which does help keep me going.

I haven't placed in actual derby since the Rainy Day derby....that's been quite some time. So just know that we all struggle for the top spots every week and feel the same need to keep motivating ourselves.

I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said you are easily one of the top 5 designers here. I think every week you come up with something original, expertly executed, and stylish. I'm surprised to hear that your last win was in the rainy day derby. I guess for me, that's also part of what makes this all so frustrating. If I was losing to you, robbie lee, drakxxx, boots, Walmazan, etc. every week, I could accept that. Knowing that the designers that I look up to are losing most of time too, really sours me on the whole process.

odysseyroc wrote:Then you understand why artists enter designs like this. It really doesn't even matter that artists leave, because new ones will take their place. Woot has the best payout of any of the shirt contests. They can afford to lose great artists, because they know that people are going to be lined up to enter. I'm at the point where I'm not sure I'll ever even enter another derby, it's not worth the headache. I also know that outside of a few people, I won't be missed and eventually those few people won't really miss me either.

As one of those "new artists" (i should probably put artist in it's own quotes, but not sure if that is grammatically correct) I've followed the derby for awhile now and am familiar with some of the controversy. I can say from my "new" point of view, that I sure would never criticize an artist because they seemingly have a huge voting block out there and I sure wouldn't want to piss them off. Although I am fairly confident I will eventually piss everyone off so I suppose ultimately it doesn't matter what I am saying here. I'm not even sure why I started typing this. I really don't know where this is going.... Everyone can piss off. You know what? I hope you all never vote for my shirt entries again. How's that? I don't need you. I don't even like you. OK, now I really don't know what I was trying to accomplish here. I take some of that back. That's just the booze talking. You seem like nice people and I shouldn't attack you like that. But sucking up just feels icky. Take your damn vote back, what do i care? I don't need it. I can get to like 6 votes just by calling in a few favors.... Yeah, I still don't mean any of that. Please vote for my crappy shirts.

OK... disregard all of that... basically the bottom line is that I will continue to submit a crap entry every week and if the fix is in on one spot leaving only 2, my chances go from slim to none to none to none.

thanks, that is all.

PS... did you vote for my crappy little shirt?

Yeah, ok, the shirt link was pandering for votes. But if I've learned one thing at shirtwoot... play dirty.

midgerock wrote:I appreciate your feedback and feelings about this design. I can respect them. I created this design in response to current events. I guess having a design come in 4th place beaten out by a design which placed may appear petty and unprofessional. But if there's full knowledge that a member of this community who continually wins based on cheating and swindling with alt accounts and swindling... I'm sorry but I'm not going to sit by and be quiet. You might say, "Make a better design." I have and will come back with quality designs which I and a number of other artists here continue to do week after week, but its ridiculous to see week after week designs which are cheated out what could have been theirs. Is that petty? Not a single bit. Ask those artists if they're mad. They are. Believe me they are. Many of them have left woot because of this. And nothing is done. Look at the comments in the thread for the design that placed. Most are crying out at this crap. But nothing is done. Sorry there's a problem and it needs to be addressed. Call me petty.

Why do you assume he did not legitimately have more votes? I can see how it would appeal to the average shirt buyer. I first joined this site because I came across a link to "Iceberg, Ahead!" I didn't use the site for a long time, but when I came back, I discovered the Reckoning. Of the shirts on there, the only 2 I considered buying were "Imposter" and "Donut Panic." Why? Because they were cute, simple drawings with a silly/Jatravartid humor that didn't have a ton of junk cluttering up the shirt. I personally don't like to wear extremely detailed or realistic designs on a shirt. The girls on my college campus that I have seen with Woot shirts seem to go for similar types of designs- simple with cute animals, by Seki, jasneko, etc. The guys go for stuff more like "The Binge."

Based on that, I find it believable that your design may have appealed to less people. It takes up a lot of the shirt, is in a realistic style, it's gloomy, it's gory, and it is a bit Hot Topic goth. You probably lost some of the female vote. And dude, you've got a chainsaw dripping with blood and a zombie with a bullet blasted through its forehead on there. Some people may not find that tasteful to wear in public.

NameyMcName wrote:Why do you assume he did not legitimately have more votes? I can see how it would appeal to the average shirt buyer. I first joined this site because I came across a link to "Iceberg, Ahead!" I didn't use the site for a long time, but when I came back, I discovered the Reckoning. Of the shirts on there, the only 2 I considered buying were "Imposter" and "Donut Panic." Why? Because they were cute, simple drawings with a silly/Jatravartid humor that didn't have a ton of junk cluttering up the shirt. I personally don't like to wear extremely detailed or realistic designs on a shirt. The girls on my college campus that I have seen with Woot shirts seem to go for similar types of designs- simple with cute animals, by Seki, jasneko, etc. The guys go for stuff more like "The Binge."

Based on that, I find it believable that your design may have appealed to less people. It takes up a lot of the shirt, is in a realistic style, it's gloomy, it's gory, and it is a bit Hot Topic goth. You probably lost some of the female vote. And dude, you've got a chainsaw dripping with blood and a zombie with a bullet blasted through its forehead on there. Some people may not find that tasteful to wear in public.

I won't lie. There is validity in your words. However, the greater portion of this community is "too cool to vote" or possible unaware of the site beyond "today's woot"; you can tell this is true when an editor's choice, which got a couple hundred votes, sells thousands of shirts. Happens every time it seems. My guess is the number of non-voting members greatly outweighs voting members.

I think the problem Midge is expressing here is that the voters, which don't even seem to make up 1/3 of the community, made the decision for all. This isn't woot's fault since every customer here has a right to vote, but it is something to factor in if you are comparing designs.

What I am basically saying is that there are A LOT of people that would wear that design in public (with pride), and there is a good chance it could have sold better than the design in question, but the majority of voters didn't allow it. I wouldn't say the system is broken though, and I am not requesting any changes (we don't want woot.shirts to go belly up because then we wouldn't even have this wonderful opportunity in the first place ). I am just saying that things probably would have a different out come if the most the community here participated.

Edit: I will add that I do love they way voting is set-up here, meaning you have to be a paying customer to vote. Voters are more likely people that will actually buy and appreciate the shirt rather than random schmucks the artist suckered into voting for their design. It one of the main reason why I participate here than other shirt contest sites.

chumpmagic wrote:I won't lie. There is validity in your words. However, the greater portion of this community is "too cool to vote" or possible unaware of the site beyond "today's woot"; you can tell this is true when an editor's choice, which got a couple hundred votes, sells thousands of shirts. Happens every time it seems. My guess is the number of non-voting members greatly outweighs voting members.

I think the problem Midge is expressing here is that the voters, which don't even seem to make up 1/3 of the community, made the decision for all. This isn't woot's fault since every customer here has a right to vote, but it is something to factor in if you are comparing designs.

What I am basically saying is that there are A LOT of people that would wear that design in public (with pride), and there is a good chance it could have sold better than the design in question, but the majority of voters didn't allow it. I wouldn't say the system is broken though, and I am not requesting any changes (we don't want woot.shirts to go belly up because then we wouldn't even have this wonderful opportunity in the first place ). I am just saying that things probably would have a different out come if the most the community here participated.

Edit: I will add that I do love they way voting is set-up here, meaning you have to be a paying customer to vote. Voters are more likely people that will actually buy and appreciate the shirt rather than random schmucks the artist suckered into voting for their design. It one of the main reason why I participate here than other shirt contest sites.

But if we go by amount sold, the design at issue here did better than both the 1st and 3rd place designs.

Also, I didn't mean to imply no one would want to wear midgerock's design, just that some people may not have voted for it for that reason. It's just that the violence on there would offend some people (or make people worried about offending others), and if there are any high schoolers or people buying for their kids on here, they may not vote for it because that design wouldn't be allowed in most schools.

PixelPants wrote:Worst squirrel drawing ever.
You're losing your touch midgerock.

Hey, at least HE got the noses correct.

;)

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Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

As a new designer, this is my first derby, let me share my yet unspoiled opinion if I may. i love the idea of the derby, i love the application but i don't always love the results. I realize I, compared to many designers here, suck. I realize I will likely not place unless due to a crazy lucky twist of fate or something but I, of course, hope that may happen someday.

That being said as a new designer i find it greatly frustrating that some people may have alt accounts or a "support team" that will vote for a design simply because designer x y or z made it. I would like to see people's designs getting voted because the design is amazing. These swindlers, as you call them, simply act to hurt the little guy, and being a little guy I am greatly offended by their actions. That being said when I am a top dog with my FOURTEEN alternate accounts (in your face Mt. 13) I'll likely have been corrupted by the system and am sure I'll be fine with my jerkface actions...

That being so I actually liked the "Stop the Impostor" design (before I knew of the controversy) and would likely have voted for it.

NameyMcName wrote:

Based on that, I find it believable that your design may have appealed to less people. It takes up a lot of the shirt, is in a realistic style, it's gloomy, it's gory, and it is a bit Hot Topic goth. You probably lost some of the female vote. And dude, you've got a chainsaw dripping with blood and a zombie with a bullet blasted through its forehead on there. Some people may not find that tasteful to wear in public.

This is a point worth considering. I think Draxxx is a good example to use here. He's been around, he's definitely got a following, but he rarely prints. It's not because he lacks in good ideas, execution, talent, or skill. He subject matter just tends to be a little to dark for the general audience. I think he is aware of that, but he doesn't bend to try and suit the voters, he does what he likes and sometimes it pans out.

I'll be honest here, Midge. I thought your recent robot design was seriously one of the best pieces of work I've seen you submit. It wasn't really my style and there was another shirt in the fog that I really wanted, so I didn't vote for it, but it was solid awesomeness. When I looked at it I thought, if this was on the cover of a video game, I would have bought that game on the spot.

I'm not a designer, but from what I see on here, the people that keep putting out quality work, work that they want to do because it's what they like, not because they are trying to cater to the voters, those are the ones that eventually get that print they are after. It's rarely a fast process, but it usually works.

The last thing, and I know this is hard, is you designers need to keep quiet about certain things. I know it's hard, and I know it may seem unfair, but you don't want to alienate anyone.

Keep you words positive, keep your designs quality. And let the ruthless criticisms come from Zaphod Beeblebroxs like me who don't have any votes to lose. ;)

Johndis5 wrote:
The last thing, and I know this is hard, is you designers need to keep quiet about certain things. I know it's hard, and I know it may seem unfair, but you don't want to alienate anyone.

I know what you're saying here, but some of us want to have a voice. We aren't content to just sit back and take it, while everybody pretends that no wrong has ever been done. Say what you want about how Midge chose to address the issue, at least it got people talking about the issue. In my book, that's a whole lot better than watching the glad-handing that goes on here most of the time.

odysseyroc wrote:I know what you're saying here, but some of us want to have a voice. We aren't content to just sit back and take it, while everybody pretends that no wrong has ever been done. Say what you want about how Midge chose to address the issue, at least it got people talking about the issue. In my book, that's a whole lot better than watching the glad-handing that goes on here most of the time.

If there was an argument to be had in favor of how Midge handled the situation, I suppose this is it. I can definitely see both sides here. To me it came off as a temper tantrum, but I can definitely see the positive of getting a conversation started. The glad-handing goes far beyond the initial artist this shirt was referencing.

It (the glad-handing) cheapens this site IMHO, but this is woot right? Everybody is just awesome-sauce! Right?

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Johndis5 wrote:If there was an argument to be had in favor of how Midge handled the situation, I suppose this is it. I can definitely see both sides here. To me it came off as a temper tantrum, but I can definitely see the positive of getting a conversation started. The glad-handing goes far beyond the initial artist this shirt was referencing.

It (the glad-handing) cheapens this site IMHO, but this is woot right? Everybody is just awesome-sauce! Right?

I agree about it cheapening the whole community, and I think it's a big problem. But as long as everybody here is everybody else's best friend, I guess everything is alright.

I have been with shirt.woot a long time (since March 15, 2008). I have printed once from votes and once as a staff pick for an HM do-over. I have had a few 4th places. I have lost motivation and ignored this site for MONTHS at a time. But nothing has ever been as frustration for me as to watch than "he who shall not be named" to be printed over and over and beating so many amazing artists every time.

I know my designs aren't awesome, and I doubt I would wear most of them as shirts. But I still continue to design for the fun of designing. Sure, going into it I know I will be upset about what does win over what should win, but I try and look at it as a practice to improve myself as an artist. Something I am working towards is, posting and not looking on the site till the end of the derby and voting on the ones I would wear.

Those are my thoughts.

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

I think this is absolutely petty. All you've done is draw more attention to the artist you have an issue with. When you could have taken the time to create something worth voting for instead.

I generally lurk the forums while only voting for shirts I intend to purchase - for myself or another person. Whenever I see someone take the time to do something this negative and counter productive, it pretty much means I will not be voting for their stuff again.

(Yes, I know what happened, yes she needed to go. Yes I know it bugs people that he is still here... If you want to succeed, do it based on your ability to produce what people want to buy, not by riding someone else's back - even in a negative way.)

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midgerock wrote:Glad you didn't read a single word in this thread. Thanks for stopping by.

Also see you failed to see I also have a design I did spend time and submitted this week. Too bad it doesn't meet your qualifications as something worth voting for.

I did read your diatribe & saw your design, as you can tell from my comments, I won't be voting for it as a result of your negativity. I expressed my opinion on your "protest". Your snark proves my point. Apparently, you have the right to protest with a shirt and snark, but when someone calls you on the pettiness of it, you respond with... more snark. By all means, continue alienating the people that purchase the product here. I am certain that will achieve your goal.

[Also irritating, you ARE talented and let your attitude disrupt your potential customer base]

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midgerock wrote:Your prior response proves otherwise.
This was never about Seki but cheating going on. And it needs to stop. I have no other way to post my protest apart from a design in protest as many others in history have done. You may think its petty and that's your opinion. But your prior response proves you didn't read the thread. There's no voice for the artists here at woot. I am trying to give voice to that. Designs weekly which deserve a fighting chance but get passed by while those who cheat the system go unchecked. That's the purpose of this design.

I read the thread. I think you do have other protest options, you just aren't using them because they're a heck of a lot harder than throwing up that design was. Doesn't Threadless have a similar setup to woot? If you believe the system here is stacked unfairly and the powers that be have no intention of fixing it, you are free to take your talent to a place where you feel more appreciated instead of dragging yourself down with this underhanded tactic.
If the majority of artists here truly wanted to make an impact and were willing to take a hit for it, group protest. If you all jumped, there wouldn't be a lot of seasoned derby designers to follow you. Sales would suffer. Woot would suffer and change course as a result. Unless you are willing to put your money where your shirt is... It seems petty.

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Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

If your reading this, I want to apologize to anyone I have offended. I was in the wrong submitting this. My facts were not in order and my anger was misplaced. I apologize specifically to Ramyb, the object of my anger. It was anger fueled by misinformation and falsehoods. I am truly sorry. You don't deserve the hatred and anger I brought or from anybody else you have received.

midgerock wrote:If your reading this, I want to apologize to anyone I have offended. I was in the wrong submitting this. My facts were not in order and my anger was misplaced. I apologize specifically to Ramyb, the object of my anger. It was anger fueled by misinformation and falsehoods. I am truly sorry. You don't deserve the hatred and anger I brought or from anybody else you have received.

Well, that was a 180... ?!?!? What changed?

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

This is awesome!!! Where can I get this shirt???

thumperchick wrote:Well, that was a 180... ?!?!? What changed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLrnOYJ0Vmo

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

I'm not a designer, I buy shirts I like once in a while, I sometimes vote for a shirt with no intention of buying it, just because I like the design or want to encourage the artist, or it's great, but not suitable for me. That said I'm adding my 2 cents just to say that it is Woot's duty to investigate any allegations of cheating (alt accts and the like) AND take punitive actions if called for or repeated. Honesty in this competitive process is vital to the health of the competition and the long term health and well being of this website.

thumperchick wrote:Well, that was a 180... ?!?!? What changed?

The admins of the site probably told him to knock it off.

Personaly I loved the protest shirt and I think it is an awesome way to protest. If any of the acusations are true which I have a feeling they are shirt.woot needs to investigate them and remove any cheating members. When you run a business and part of your business is paying for peoples work you need to do your due diligence and investigate any acusations of fraud and deal with it. If you dont then you shouldnt be suprised when your business goes under.

Re: STOP THE IMPOSTER!

For those who don't check the forums: Please read up.

If I were Woot, I would be unhappy just because it's not just the artist that's being tarred and feathered here. They've shown great restraint, I think.

Mavyn wrote:For those who don't check the forums: Please read up.

If I were Woot, I would be unhappy just because it's not just the artist that's being tarred and feathered here. They've shown great restraint, I think.

I read the link that you posted (thank you) and I believe that Midgerock has received privileged information , and I trust Midgerock , I just wish that everyone could see the secret information to really end this for good, if that were possible.
Most newcomers love and respect the artwork of the artist in question and then hear the" conspiracy theory" then come to truly resent this artist . What is really the deal?

SnowQueenVT wrote:I read the link that you posted (thank you) and I believe that Midgerock has received privileged information

There is no privileged information beyond a simple and honest message that they were barking up the wrong tree and that their time would be better spent focusing on their own great artwork. That's it. Good advice for all.

tgentry wrote:There is no privileged information beyond a simple and honest message that they were barking up the wrong tree and that their time would be better spent focusing on their own great artwork. That's it. Good advice for all.

Ok, I for one will try to let this go, because I also trust you.

...and I will try to take your good advice. Thanks, and I am sorry too.