Okay, so I'm gonna pre-emptively say this (long) comment will probably be that gentle pushback you mentioned at the beginning. Full disclosure: My entry to fandom was during the early 90s (so webrings, Geocities, etc). I spent the first 20 (!) or so years diving in Western media fandoms. Since then, Kpop has become my primary fandom alongside other Asian media. My main platform is twitter.
FWIW, I do feel that your sense of dissonance is valid. Especially as the Youth (TM) are trying to establish their own set of rules for Fandom. Whether or not those rules make sense is up for debate.
Part of it is sensing the actual!passage of time. I certainly remember, frex, when ppl were kinda wary abt Tumblr after spending so much time on journaling platforms. As well as the most recent semi-generalized move to Discord and Tiktok.
There's also a combination of factors:
1. The rise and plateauing/semi-fall of Influencer or, better said, Hustler culture.
I remember seeing a lot of talk some 10-15 yrs ago abt how everyone could monetize their hobbies if they wanted some extra scratch. There's also the gray line of how commissions have existed since forever--though more particularly (per what I've seen) in fanart circles.
2. The Youth (TM)
Meaning both those who are young in age as well as those who are new to Fandom. The bulk of those folks (per my observations) have grown/existed during the peak of the Hustle culture. So it makes sense that they're more comfortable with the idea of using Ko-fis and other commission-based protocols.
It bears mentioning that many of them came into Fandom via so many different platforms (Insta, Facebook, Tiktok, etc) that also have their own culture. It is what it is.
3. The sad reality of economic hardships
Which have only grown harsher since Pandemic Year 1. The even grimmer reality is that most of those Ko-fis et all set-ups don't make enough to pay a utility bill at the end of the month.
Personally, I don't mind the Ko-fis, Patreons, and commissions stuff since none of it is compulsory. And, like, even if one or ten or even 100 ppl lock their fanworks behind some kind of paywall, I still have a lot of other fancreators whose fanworks I can enjoy for free.
That said, I do find it LOLARIOUS (if only because I don't want to stress out too much abt this) whenever I see someone freaking out while "establishing their brand" or bitching abt the non-existent AO3 algorithm. Hopefully, they'll find their way out of that way of thinking.
I'm gonna be a bit bold (maybe?) and say that the fandom gift economy continues to be what it always has been. There are plenty of exchanges around, for one thing. Also, I see a lot of fanartists creating stuff for others at the reasonable price of free ninety-nine.
Re getting fewer comments: I srsly cannot relate, hahah. Have always been a NNF. My only worry is if I'm creating something for someone in an exchange and the person never comments (even if it's to drop a simple "thank you".) ETA: I do get comments and kudos (so it's not as if this comment is accompanied by a tiny 🎻.) But I'm also not someone who is popular in Fandom in any way. FTR, I do leave comments on stuff (both new and old) if I really liked it or it moved/touched my heart. I don't ever expect the author to reply, but it's nice when that happens.
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FWIW, I do feel that your sense of dissonance is valid. Especially as the Youth (TM) are trying to establish their own set of rules for Fandom. Whether or not those rules make sense is up for debate.
Part of it is sensing the actual!passage of time. I certainly remember, frex, when ppl were kinda wary abt Tumblr after spending so much time on journaling platforms. As well as the most recent semi-generalized move to Discord and Tiktok.
There's also a combination of factors:
1. The rise and plateauing/semi-fall of Influencer or, better said, Hustler culture.
I remember seeing a lot of talk some 10-15 yrs ago abt how everyone could monetize their hobbies if they wanted some extra scratch. There's also the gray line of how commissions have existed since forever--though more particularly (per what I've seen) in fanart circles.
2. The Youth (TM)
Meaning both those who are young in age as well as those who are new to Fandom. The bulk of those folks (per my observations) have grown/existed during the peak of the Hustle culture. So it makes sense that they're more comfortable with the idea of using Ko-fis and other commission-based protocols.
It bears mentioning that many of them came into Fandom via so many different platforms (Insta, Facebook, Tiktok, etc) that also have their own culture. It is what it is.
3. The sad reality of economic hardships
Which have only grown harsher since Pandemic Year 1. The even grimmer reality is that most of those Ko-fis et all set-ups don't make enough to pay a utility bill at the end of the month.
Personally, I don't mind the Ko-fis, Patreons, and commissions stuff since none of it is compulsory. And, like, even if one or ten or even 100 ppl lock their fanworks behind some kind of paywall, I still have a lot of other fancreators whose fanworks I can enjoy for free.
That said, I do find it LOLARIOUS (if only because I don't want to stress out too much abt this) whenever I see someone freaking out while "establishing their brand" or bitching abt the non-existent AO3 algorithm. Hopefully, they'll find their way out of that way of thinking.
I'm gonna be a bit bold (maybe?) and say that the fandom gift economy continues to be what it always has been. There are plenty of exchanges around, for one thing. Also, I see a lot of fanartists creating stuff for others at the reasonable price of free ninety-nine.
Re getting fewer comments: I srsly cannot relate, hahah. Have always been a NNF. My only worry is if I'm creating something for someone in an exchange and the person never comments (even if it's to drop a simple "thank you".) ETA: I do get comments and kudos (so it's not as if this comment is accompanied by a tiny 🎻.) But I'm also not someone who is popular in Fandom in any way. FTR, I do leave comments on stuff (both new and old) if I really liked it or it moved/touched my heart. I don't ever expect the author to reply, but it's nice when that happens.
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