Three things make a post

[lirazel]

+ I am considering doing Fandom Trumps Hate, but for some inexplicable reason, I am intimidated by it in a way that I am not for exchanges. I would love to hear about other people's experiences with participating!

Also, does anyone know whether I can do a thing where I say, I'll write Pairing A up to 10k words and something Character X-centric up to 5k words?


+ I have become consumed with the need to see the Royal Shakespeare Company's 2022 take on Much Ado About Nothing. It's on BBC iPlayer. However, even with my VPN, I cannot get the page to load properly. I've tried a bunch of different UK proxies and none of them work.

Does anyone know a) where I can watch it elseweb (legally or illegally, I do not care) or b) live in the US and have a VPN that allows you to watch stuff on the BBC site? If it's just a problem with my VPN, I will switch VPNs. But I don't want to go to that bother if it's not going to work on another VPN.


+ And now I need to vent: my mom got an Instagram account a few years ago so she could see the pictures of my niblings that my sister posts (reasonable). Unfortunately in the last couple of months she's discovered Reels, and she keeps sending me all these videos of people telling you how not to get your house broken into or to not get kidnapped by your Uber driver. It's pure fear-mongering! I hate that she is watching these, especially because we worked so long to get her to not spend much time on Facebook! BOO SOCIAL MEDIA.

I also know that she has zero idea how to tell what's real and what's not, what's AI generated and what's not (even when it seems obvious to me, what is a legit website and what's not. I worry about her online all the time! I do not like this!

Comments

[misbegotten]

I have found that the BBC doesn't let anyone with a VPN view their stuff. But maybe there's a secret incantation that someone else knows. I'm going to track comments here just in case!

[evewithanapple]

I've done Fandom Trumps Hate . . . five times now, I think? And had a great time with it every time. And yeah, it's super flexible in what you offer - you can say "this fandom up to 5k, this fandom up to 1k, drabbles for this character." It's actually better to be as specific as possible, because then it's easier for people to find your auction.

[princessofgeeks]

I'm so sorry about your mom. Yikes.

[lirazel]

Okay, well, at least it isn't just the one I'm using. But BOO!

[lirazel]

That's so good to hear, thank you!

[lirazel]

She doesn't spend huge amounts of time doing it or anything, but it's definitely a source of fear that she doesn't need in her life.

[muccamukk]

My gran used to do that, but with chain e-mails that she got from her church friends! It was so frustrating because explaining digital literacy to a 90 year old is just not that easy.

[lirazel]

Yeah, it's hard enough with my 66-year-old mom--it's got to be exponentially more for a 90-year-old!

[rekishi]

Do you have an ERA license? Because then it's here (not sure who can get an ERA license so I'm at a loss there)

[sunshine304]

I've done FTH two times now though not as a writer but in fan labour (translation, beta, special expertise). It seems quite intimidating at first and I'd also dithered the first time, but it was a really good experience each time.

And yes, as evewithanapple said, you can specify different lengths etc - I've done that with translation. You can click "depends what the bidder contributes" when they ask about length and then you can later specify how many words you'd write for say, the minimum bid. Like, last year I offered help with some short sentences or culture stuff for the minimum bid, and translation of a fic up to 6k for a minimum of $ 10. You don't need to change the bidding amount, you could just use that space to define the lengths for the fandoms.
And yes, it's always good to give more details so that bidders get a better idea what they can expect from you. If the offers are super vague or extremely narrow, it's sometimes difficult to get bidders on them. Middle ground is good here.
You can check last year's offerings to get a feel of what people offer.

I'm sorry about your mom! *hugs* My mom is super insecure about technology because she never learned it (didn't need it for her job) and is now at an age where it has passed her by. My parents have a tablet now, though, and she sometimes scrolls through some shopping apps or the newspaper. But very rarely and she wouldn't dream of trying something like Facebook or, worse, Instagram.

[lirazel]

...I wonder if maybe my institution does? Probably not, but I'll at least ask. Thanks!

[lirazel]

Thank you for all the information! I appreciate it!

Gosh, I wish my mom would stay away from technology. It is not good for her! But I know it must be hard for your mom living in this world to not know how to do things.

[chestnut_pod]

Everyone has given you the correct information about FTH bidding, so I'll just say that I think it is actually a very friendly space with clear and reasonable expectations. Honestly, I'd even recommend it to beginners because of its clarity and all the support around it: check-ins, betas, cheerleaders, a whole year to get your act together and MAKE the thing, an infinite variety of creations to create… I am afraid I am just too swamped this year to do it, but I am very sad about it, because I like it so much. I hope you enjoy if you do sign up!

[lirazel]

That is so encouraging! And definitely makes me less intimidated. Thank you!!! <3

[sunshine304]

That’s a good point about the support and check-ups! The mods send out several reminders about check-in points etc. and also readily offer help if there are problems. And I also always liked the long timeframe (then again, it still needs a certain time management because almost a whole year seems long, buuuut… XD)

[sunshine304]

You're welcome!

Yes, it's sometimes a problem for my mother because she feels so extremely insecure around modern technology - like, just those big flat screen TVs with ever more functions, the new smartphones (she's got an old flip phone and doesn't want anything else). And it really is difficult, if one has missed the first steps for it. :( But on the other hand, I at least don't have to worry that she'll end up in some FB hate group or similar...

[lirazel]

Yeah. There are upsides and downsides. Life is so complicated now!

[muneca_brava]

I use ExpressVPN to watch iPlayer - just checked and I can watch Much Ado no problem with it! I'm not in the US though, not sure if that makes a difference.

[lirazel]

It may well have to do with the US thing...but I might have to try that one. Thanks for the info!!!

[lokifan]

Oh noooo, it sucks that your mum's found the fearmongering side of Instagram! Especially when you know the more she watches & shares that stuff, the more the algorithm will give to her... :(

[elperian]

If you find the RSC 2022 production, let me know! I would also like to see the thing!

That AI article was so interesting; ty for the read! I am getting dispirited by how quickly people are justifying integrating AI into every aspect of art and writing and I feel like an increasingly lone voice in the wilderness.

[geckoholic]

Also, does anyone know whether I can do a thing where I say, I'll write Pairing A up to 10k words and something Character X-centric up to 5k words? -- That should be possible, but you might have to make different auctions for each tier. #

Also, I know what you mean. I gave up on auctions after a few tries because I feel way more pressured about someone having PAID for my work, I discovered, and panicked into flunking more than once. /o\

[lirazel]

I KNOW. The algorithm is the enemy!!!

[lirazel]

No luck yet, unfortunately. *sigh*

You're welcome!

I feel like an increasingly lone voice in the wilderness

Maybe it's just the corners of the internet that I hang out, but I know a LOT of people who are worried about it.

[lirazel]

I gave up on auctions after a few tries because I feel way more pressured about someone having PAID for my work, I discovered, and panicked into flunking more than once.

Oh no! Well, now you know and you don't have to do them anymore!