Fell (continuation) by Caoimhe Hawkins

its really good and you should listen on youtube :) maybe even the rest of the album there are some gems in there!

Oh also, since tonight I’ve become possessed by the spirit of 13 year old me.

Jenna Marbles was fucking awesome and the majority of her videos still hold up two-years post her leaving YouTube.

YouTube ads have now made it so the rare occasion you can skip double ads now only skips one ad and not both of them 🫠 I will not buy YouTube premium for £16 a month to skip ads I will just go and do something else. Or go on my computer where there's adblock. Don't play with me YouTube, I will do anything to get out of paying for you

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Dude, the whole youtube adblock bullshit has broken normal functionality of the website. I finally turned off my adblockers. I can watch videos again, however, if I open a video in a new tab (how I've pretty much always used youtube), I'm completely blocked from it as if I were still using an adblocker. Maybe this wouldn't be a problem if I completely uninstalled ublock. but I'm not completely changing how I use the internet for one website.

I also want to say that there was a point where I actually didn't mind ads on youtube at all. I'd even let skippable ads run sometimes while I went to do other things, like a commercial break on television. I have more patience for ads than probably anyone I know. I didn't start using adblockers on youtube until they increased ads to what felt like a ridiculously excessive amount, and updated their policy to allow ads to be forced on videos where the uploader has turned them off.

Youtube is a business. Obviously their goal is to make money. But in trying to endlessly increase their revenue they've completely missed the fact that what makes their website profitable is. y'know. people wanting to actually use it.

I honest to god don't mind a few ads every now and then. I wouldn't mind paying to remove ads if I had a little more expendable income. But fucking forcing people to pay to make your service tolerable. I disagree with on principle. It's just fucking greedy and there's no excuse for it.

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This is outside the field of my usual posts but with the recent development of Watcher Entertainment rapidly digging their own grave:

If you want some content with the similar vibe to Buzzfeed Unsolved, whilst being really unique and honestly improving on the format in a lot of ways, I really recommend a podcast I’ve listened to for a while now called “This Paranormal Life”

Two Irish friends/comedians/“professional paranormal investigators” investigate the paranormal each week, alternating in bring each other new cases, and by the end of the episode, try to convince the other that the ghost/alien/cryptid story of the week is real or fake.

It’s been running since 2017, and while that means that not all the content is amazing, and I’d assume some hasn’t aged the best, there are so many absolute banger episodes, and there is a shit ton of backlogged episodes on most podcast platforms including video content on YouTube (episode 363 released less than a week ago from posting this), not even including the years worth of backlogged Patreon content.

Honestly like this is just an excuse for me to share a podcast I really enjoy lmao, but I know a big drive of people following Watcher was searching for the vibe of Buzzfeed Unsolved adjacent content, and I think that this might appeal to people searching for that kind of show!

So Watcher is launching a Dropout (it's not called Dropout but they're clearly using the same template format platform thing idk what it's called, and the same pricing structure), and the reaction so far has been wildly different than what I remember from Dropout's launch. I was curious about why that was or if I was just misremembering the Dropout launch, so I went back to the Dropout launch video to compare them and I think I can see where some of the difference is coming from.

If you want to make the comparison yourself: Watcher's Video, Dropout's Video.

I wanna clarify first though that this isn't a knock against Watcher or the fans who are reacting one way or another or anything like that, I genuinely am just fascinated with how different the reactions are to what seems to be the same business decision. This also isn't a 'wow watcher sucks and dropout is so much better' I'm just using them for comparison because they did the same thing with different results. ALSO this isn't about the business decision itself, just the presentation! Disclaimers out of the way, here's the analysis.

Title and Thumbnail So the Watcher.tv announcement video is titled "Goodbye Youtube" and the thumbnail is Ryan, Shane, and Steven sitting on a couch looking serious, with a dark background. That really makes it seem like they're quitting (which, ok, they are quitting youtube but not quitting quitting). Viewers are already primed to be upset, and it's easier to go from upset to angry than upset to excited, curious, or neutral.

Compare to the dropout announcement video: "How the Internet is Ruining Comedy" - inline with other collegehumor video titles, might make you curious. Thumbnail - Big News! with Sam smiling and a bright background. We know its big news, but he looks happy, and the exclamation point let's us know they want us to be excited. Viewers are primed to be curious and excited.

Tone The Watcher announcement has 2 main tones. The first half is very sentimental, almost sad or wistful at times, and while there are parts that veer into pride at achievements, it's mostly bittersweet and sentimental. The second half is a bit more uplifting, but still quite serious. It reminded me of a tech announcement, like when they introduce the new iphone or something like that. Very professional, sleek, and serious, which isn't automatically a bad thing! But I do think that's not the vibe a decently-sized chunk of the audience expected or wanted. Many people watch Watcher for the cast's dynamic with each other, humor, and the more relaxed/conversational/friendly feel that most of the series have.

Compare to dropout - excited and comedic tone. Still professional, but also fits the expectations of the viewers. People watch collegehumor for the humor (it was in the name, after all). They also poke a bit of fun at themselves, which lightens the mood, shows self-awareness, and alleviates some of the bad feelings about paywalling.

Focus The Watcher announcement focuses a lot on the creative journey of the cast and company, as well as how this move will benefit them. Which isn't a bad thing, that's actually quite interesting! The problem here, I think, is actually more about what isn't here - a solid explanation of how this will also benefit the viewers and why the viewers should be excited. There's a brief description of one new show, and the promise that existing shows will get an upgrade, but we weren't given many specific details about how they'll be improved, and there's only one new show to tempt us into subscribing. Some people will be excited for that, some people won't, and some people will be excited but not enough to subscribe. Having 2 or 3 series (even if it's 1 fleshed out plus a few teasers of what's in production or what is being planned) plus some more details about how existing shows will be improved would've helped. Without that, it really does seem like it'll just be the same stuff viewers were getting for free, but now paywalled, rather than new and exciting stuff. That makes a big difference. I think with the fans not getting as much focus, this also led to some (accidental, I hope) hurt feelings. Based on what I've seen from fan reactions, all the talk about hitting the peak of what they can do on youtube and wanting more, translated for many people to 'youtube isn't enough' which became 'you (the current viewers) aren't enough.' Which I don't think was their intent! But I also don't think fans are wrong for feeling hurt by that.

Compare to dropout: They clearly explain how the move will benefit fans, and reassure viewers that existing content will stay where it is, and only new content will be behind the paywall. (Watcher clarified this too, but in a comment. It's not in the video itself, which is a huge problem.) They include clips of several new (at the time) series that would be premiering on dropout, including things that specifically could not be made on youtube (due to weed, violence, and sexual humor), so the reason for the shift is clear to the audience.

Advertisers Both videos contain the sentiment that being monetarily successful on youtube means working to appease the advertisers, and that over time what the advertisers want and what the creators want drifts further and further apart, putting strain on the creators.

However, I think the message gets lost a bit in the Watcher vid. Instead, it leaves viewers with the idea that the main problem is just ads are annoying instead of advertisers putting constraints on content. I'm not even sure what the specific constraints are for watcher, because they didn't give any examples. And the focus on ads being annoying leaves viewers frustrated because people typically either don't mind ads or they already have an ad blocker.

Timing and Size Okay, this isn't exactly about presentation, but it is still a factor that impacts perception so I'm tackling it. And I'm actually going to do dropout first. CollegeHumor launched dropout in September 2018. Pre-pandemic, but also pre-Sam Reich as CEO. The company was still owned by IAC. It was a Company, and while it wasn't huge it wasn't tiny either. So launching dropout was a Company Decision, a Business Strategy. Some people were upset about, but it wasn't a personal betrayal (generally, anyways). If I remember correctly, this was also not a high point for the company. They kinda needed dropout to do well to keep things running smoothly (which is why they shut it down and sold it to Sam just 1 1/2ish years later), so the sudden shift made sense.

Watcher Entertainment is a company, but it doesn't feel like one. Ryan, Shane, and Steven own and operate things, but they're also the faces, and they're youtubers. Which makes every business decision they make feel more personal to viewers, especially those who have been watching for a long time. They've also seemingly been doing well on youtube, which makes it more difficult for viewers to understand why the sudden change is happening now. They do talk a bit about it, about the company expanding and wanting to do things that advertisers don't like (which I've already covered). However, mostly the choice to start a streaming platform is framed as 'the next big step' without much clarification on why it's the next big step. Plus, it's post-pandemic, and a lot of people are still struggling financially with the ripple effects of that. Yes, $6 isn't a wild amount of money, but there have been some months where $5 absolutely meant the difference between paying all my bills or not, and I know I'm not the only one. This, coupled with a lack of clarity about why exactly they're doing this, leads to fans feeling hurt, betrayed, bitter, and frustrated.

Now, presentation and framing isn't everything. No matter how perfect your announcement is, some people are still going to be upset. It's a big change, of course people will be upset! But I do think a more careful presentation would've alleviated some of the hurt and anger that fans are feeling. While I do think a lot of the reaction we're seeing is due to the decision, I think (based on what I've seen) that some of it is also based on the poor communication in the video itself, and that could've been avoided!

So I'm gonna get a little speculative and describe what I would've done. In this hypothetical, they've decided to launch the streaming service and brought me on just for the announcement.

Firstly, switch the title out. If they're married to Goodbye Youtube then add a (and hello...?) after so it's at least obvious they aren't fully quitting. The dark color scheme of the thumbnail fits their regular vibe, but they want everyone to be excited so they should look excited. Next, let's lighten the tone up. Being proud of what they've done so far is great, but we don't need the sentimental music and bittersweetness. Remember, the goal is to get viewers excited about what come's next - so let's focus on what actually comes next! Talk about specific show plans and mention why they wouldn't work on youtube. Then, take some time to reassure the fans. Predict a few likely worries and address them in the video. Acknowledge that it's a big change, that it will take time to get used to, and that not everyone will be onboard, and let the fans know that it's ok if they aren't onboard.

Like I said, this wouldn't fix everything. There are a few differences in between dropout and watcher that don't have anything to do with presentation. Dropout launched with primarily new shows rather than new seasons of existing shows, and they continued uploading to youtube relatively regularly in addition to the content behind the paywall, which I do think went a long way to keeping fans happy. At this point it's unclear if watcher will do either of those or not. But, while I don't think it would fix everything, I do think improved communication in the announcement would've helped.

My opinion to "desperate" artists and TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR ART

This is my art journey

6 years later...

If artists want support and followers, they should earn them by their own accomplishments and hard-work.

I hate it when they earn it from guilt-tripping others, being desperate and earn followers out of pity

You can never have a stable and healthy relationship with your followers that way, and you may get worse when you dont gain any interactions with them

Please stop doing this, and start growing your acc on your own. If you feel like your art doesnt appeal to others, start taking advice and study from other artists around you that you like. There are thousands of FREE resources on all platforms: Instagram, Youtube (recommended) , Pinterest (for reference) ,... And alot of separate websites you can find!

Trust me, hard work pays off

Its okay to feel like you dont improve at all, but thats not true, if you study and practice often (no need to do it everyday, it can be 2-4 days a week) you're already better than yourself yesterday

Compare your art to other artists has alot of benefits since you can see what to improve and see the progress. But dont do that too often, it'll turn to be an unhealthy obsession and in this world where there're always people better than you, you'll suffocate yourself forever. Thats a hard hit to reality but it's the truth. In this i recommend:

Find artists that you like and set them as your art goals, they can be artists with totally different artstyles, art is never something stable and its always good to try new things

From your art goals, start "taking" some of your favourite things about the artists and "artistically" add them to your own.

Tracing is another way to study privately for beginners, but i dont recommend doing this for long, it can stagnant your progress if you rely on it too much.

Unless its your style of choice, practice confidence in your streaks and lines, use your whole arm to draw (i know it can be boring at first, but everything you do now will have a rewarding result)

Stepping out of your comfort zone sometimes. You dont have to do this if you consider art as a hobby, but if youre serious or wanting your art to take a new step, i recommend expanding your art to many categories, like drawing backgrounds, hands, poses, anatomy, ect.

Study color theory, this is optional but i heavily recommend, this makes your art UPGRADE NO EXCEPTIONS

Here are some of my very basic tips, you've probably seen them everywhere and hear these thousands of times already, but if you're reading this and feel motivated, consider this the start of your journey! This is gonna be an exciting, might be tiring and frustrating, but memorable

Goodluck! The future awaits new extremely talented artists to bloom💖

I think i have things-changing idea about improving video watching experience for people with photosensitivity conditions (epilepsy, migraine, etc)

so, my friend showed me an app/plugin (idk), which can recognize sponsorship parts of videos and auto-skipping it

it looks like that in youtube design

so this thing shows you the part which it can skip (red one on the picture) and well, skip it

and i thought like

we can do this for flashing lights, right?

if some dudes made algorithm, which can recognize something so complicated, i think it's definitely possible to make algorithm which simply counts frequency, intensity, area, patterns* (i mean, it's 2+2 for computer, right?), then compare it to not-harmfull diapason, and if numbers are out of it - then algorithm could make that thing on the picture above - mark it on video timeline and make an option to skip it. i would also add some addition which could show numbers and if person can handle this level of intensity - this person can choose not to skip it.

i know nothing about computers, IT and coding so, just giving idea to the world. if someone already making/made something like this - pls, tell about the project in reblogs, i will use my blog as a platform to share. if it is a thing already - great, will share too, because it should be more popular then

*i learned these terms reading article on https://www.epilepsy.com

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Interviewer: So you've announced that you're doing your own streaming platform correct? What's going to change really you know? Ryan: For Ghost Files, I mean it's kind of the thing that's going to allow us to take bigger swings like we did this season, like going international, upgrading some of our kit, and just overall making the show better and more sustainable behind the scenes 'cuz it's a really hard show to make. And then as far as like other series it's going to allow us to make those a little bit better but also allow us to make new series in general, and also bring on new faces to the to the channel that we haven't previously been able to. YouTube is like a little bit of a harder place sometimes for that kind of content to survive…sometimes if something isn't getting the proper amount of views that it would need it wouldn't survive perhaps in that environment but on a different environment, perhaps our own platform, then maybe it will have a better chance and now that we have both it'll allow us to, I guess, really give everything a try. But really more than anything it's just about improving things across the board and then taking bigger risks on our shows.

Ryan & Shane Talk The Future of Ghost Files & Watcher Streaming Platform, posted on GAMINGbible, 25 April 2024

also included on the Watcher Collabs playlist

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11th House: Social Media Profiles

Aries in the 11th House: Your social media profiles may feature dynamic and energetic content, showcasing your bold endeavors and leadership qualities. You might be active in online communities, initiating discussions, and sharing your achievements and adventurous experiences. Extreme sports, motivational content, and leadership seminars. #AdventureSeeker #LeadershipGoals #GoGetter Prefers Twitter for its fast-paced interaction and sharing of quick updates, as well as Instagram for showcasing their bold adventures.

Taurus in the 11th House: Your social media presence may emphasize comfort and stability, reflecting your appreciation for the finer things in life. You may share content related to food, art, or nature, and you might engage in online groups that focus on practical advice and material well-being. Home decor, gardening tutorials, and gourmet cooking shows. #FoodieLife #ArtAppreciation #NatureLover Prefers Pinterest for its focus on aesthetically pleasing visuals and practical lifestyle inspiration, as well as Facebook for connecting with friends and sharing comforting content.

Gemini in the 11th House: Your social media profiles are likely to be versatile and engaging, reflecting your curiosity and intellectual pursuits. You may share a variety of content, including news, information, and social commentary, and you might actively participate in online discussions and forums. TED Talks, educational podcasts, and current affairs discussions. #CurrentEvents #IntellectualDebates #LifelongLearner Prefers Reddit for its diverse discussions and intellectual forums, as well as Twitter for engaging in various real-time conversations.

Cancer in the 11th House: Your social media presence may be nurturing and community-oriented, emphasizing connections and emotional support. You might share personal stories, family-related content, and nostalgic posts, and you may engage in online communities that foster a sense of belonging and mutual understanding. Family vlogs, DIY crafts, and emotional support groups. #FamilyFirst #CommunityLove #NostalgiaFeels Prefers Facebook for its emphasis on creating and nurturing online communities, as well as Instagram for sharing personal stories and connecting with others through visual content.

Leo in the 11th House: Your social media profiles may be vibrant and attention-grabbing, reflecting your creative flair and desire for recognition. You may share content that highlights your talents and achievements, and you might actively participate in online platforms that allow you to showcase your skills and leadership abilities. Fashion trends, celebrity news, and success stories of influential figures. #CreativeExpression #ShowcaseSuccess #InspirationalLeader Prefers Instagram for showcasing their creative endeavors and gaining attention, as well as YouTube for sharing their charismatic video content.

Virgo in the 11th House: Your social media presence may be informative and detail-oriented, focusing on practical advice and self-improvement. You might share content related to health, organization, and productivity, and you may participate in online groups that prioritize knowledge sharing and analytical discussions. Productivity tools, self-help articles, and health and wellness blogs. #ProductivityHacks #SelfImprovement #HealthyLiving Prefers LinkedIn for its focus on professional networking and career-related discussions, as well as Twitter for sharing practical tips and engaging in informative conversations.

Libra in the 11th House: Your social media profiles may emphasize harmony and diplomacy, reflecting your appreciation for beauty and balanced interactions. You may share content related to art, culture, and social causes, and you might actively engage in online communities that promote fairness, equality, and respectful dialogue. Art exhibitions, relationship advice columns, and social justice documentaries. #HarmonyAndBalance #ArtisticSoul #SocialJustice Prefers Instagram for its emphasis on visual aesthetics and maintaining harmonious social connections, as well as TikTok for creating and sharing balanced and entertaining content.

Scorpio in the 11th House: Your social media presence may be intense and thought-provoking, reflecting your passion and desire for depth. You may share content that delves into psychological insights, mysteries, and transformative experiences, and you might participate in online discussions that encourage profound self-reflection and exploration. Psychological thrillers, investigative documentaries, and esoteric knowledge. #DeepThoughts #MysteryUnveiled #InnerTransformation Prefers Tumblr for its introspective and thought-provoking content, as well as Twitter for engaging in discussions about deep and mysterious topics.

Sagittarius in the 11th House: Your social media profiles may be adventurous and optimistic, reflecting your love for exploration and philosophical discussions. You may share content related to travel, spirituality, and personal growth, and you might actively participate in online communities that foster open-mindedness and cultural exchange. Travel documentaries, philosophical discussions, and cultural festivals. #WanderlustSpirit #PhilosophyMatters #GlobalCitizen Prefers YouTube for sharing their adventurous travel vlogs and philosophical discussions, as well as Instagram for connecting with a global community and sharing inspiring content.

Capricorn in the 11th House: Your social media presence may be disciplined and goal-oriented, emphasizing your dedication to achieving success and recognition. You may share content related to career, achievements, and leadership, and you might participate in online platforms that focus on professional networking and strategic planning. Business news, financial planning guides, and career development webinars. #CareerDriven #SuccessMindset #ProfessionalGrowth Prefers LinkedIn for its focus on professional achievements and networking, as well as Twitter for engaging in discussions on career advancements and industry trends.

Aquarius in the 11th House: Your social media profiles may be unconventional and progressive, reflecting your passion for social change and innovation. You may share content related to humanitarian causes, technology, and unconventional ideas, and you might actively participate in online communities that promote collaboration and forward-thinking initiatives. Futuristic technology blogs, social activism movements, and scientific breakthroughs. #InnovationNation #SocialChange #FutureForward Prefers Twitter for its emphasis on sharing unique perspectives and engaging in social activism, as well as Reddit for participating in discussions about innovative and unconventional ideas.

Pisces in the 11th House: Your social media presence may be compassionate and imaginative, reflecting your empathy and artistic sensibilities. You may share content that inspires creativity, spirituality, and emotional connection, and you might engage in online groups that prioritize empathy, support, and creative expression. Spiritual retreats, music therapy sessions, and artistic expression workshops. #CreativeSoul #EmpatheticHeart #SpiritualAwakening Prefers Instagram for its focus on artistic expression and sharing compassionate messages, as well as Pinterest for gathering inspirational and creative content.

I don't know the term for creators who became popular outside the traditional steps to "make it" in their profession; then when people started taking their work seriously and giving them criticism, these creators saw it as an attack because they are not used to mentors and studies.

Smythe's professional training is vague at best, being a folklorist. Then there's the creator of the popular hell cartoon that became her own executive producer and director in her 20s (I'm not going to say her name since it tends to attract her rabid fans) and becomes reactive to any kind of criticism on Twitter. Then there's that TikToker Devon Rodriguez, who became popular for sketching people on subways, and when an art critic gave a mild review to his art gallery, Devon unleashed his fans on him.

Like am I seeing a pattern here for artists? And I guess, what do you think we can learn from it.

Ah, so this is a very interesting (and broad) topic that we've touched on in discussions in ULO and other webtoon-related communities. So buckle up, it's time for an ✨essay✨

I think the best way I can sum up my thoughts on this issue is: the vast majority of people who become paid content creators don't seek out a job as content creators, a job in content creation is just something that happens to them.

I say "content creation" because this is something that applies to a lot of other platforms and online mediums as well, such as the examples you included (TikTok, Youtube, Twitch, etc.). And don't get me wrong, it's not like every successful content creator out there didn't work their asses off to get to where they are, but for many... it still involves an element of luck. People don't go to school for it, people don't "apply" to become influencers, and much of it relies entirely on just making stuff until it gets seen and propelled into success.

I think a lot of these issues arise with the creators themselves and how they view their own work. The reality is that many of us artists have been treated as the "rejects" of society, we constantly feel like we're misunderstood and have some deep inner pain that we express through our art, and instead of going to therapy, we come up with OC's. It's a lot more fun and it's a lot cheaper LOL Webcomics naturally wind up being the perfect lightning rod for people who feel that way, where we can pour ourselves into the characters, the world, the narrative, in a way that perfectly mixes our talents for art and our need to express our innermost thoughts and feelings about ourselves and the world around us. So when our art gets criticized or rejected ... it can be hard for a lot of artists to not feel like it's a criticism of the self, a rejection of our identities, an attack on our feelings and experiences, because we've tied so much of ourselves to our work. And this can make that transition very difficult for people who are trying to go pro, because being professional demands separating yourself from your work, at least enough that you can view it objectively, recognize its flaws, seek out pathways to improvement, and not take every bump in the road personally.

A lot of successful creators are people who just never made that transition. It's led to an abundance of professional creators who know how to film themselves or react to content or, in the case of webcomic artists, write stories about their OC's, but don't know how to actually navigate the industry at a professional level. They don't know how to read and negotiate contracts, they don't know what deals are actually good for them and which ones are better left on the table, they don't know how to manage teams of people, they don't know how to react to the attention, praise, and criticism of their audience - they're just doing what they've always done, but now they're making money doing it.

None of this is to speak ill in any way of the creators who've found success and are still just doing what they've always done for money. None of this is meant to be a slight on the creators who are using webcomics and art as an expression of their deeper selves (I do it myself, it's very cathartic!) because ultimately that's what makes your work your work, the fact that you made it, with all your good parts and bad. Many of these creators are capable of running their platform without any issues because they've learned how to play the game, or because their platform is made up of people just like them so their audience is more like just a social circle.

But many of them still also can't operate on a professional level and those are the ones we often see getting called out and held accountable when they do shit like, I dunno, scamming their audiences for money or making alt accounts to manipulate user reviews or plagiarizing from other people's work or just being really REALLY shitty to their own audience.

Often times these are people who are just doing what they'd normally do as a hobby, became well known for it, and managed to turn it into a living. But they never actually learned how to turn their hobby into a job, and themselves into professionals.

And artists especially are prone to this because, let's face it, a lot of us are just weebs having fun drawing our blorbos, so of course if we get a chance to monetize that, we're gonna! We should! We should want to be paid for our work and time and efforts!

But we also have to remember that it's a different ballgame, especially if you're turning your audience into customers. "I'm just a baby creator doing this for fun" doesn't and shouldn't apply anymore once you start signing contracts, selling your art as products, taking people's money to fund your projects, etc. because now it's not just your art, it's what you're expecting people to pay for so you can eat and pay your bills and live.

As much as our art is often personal and should be cherished as such, you can't expect people to want to pay for it if you're not setting a bar and meeting it, or if you're not treating your audience with any amount of dignity or respect.

I'm not saying you're not entitled to having feelings or still wanting to treat your art as art, but the line between art and products is there for a reason, it's to set people's expectations and ensure that both sides are having those expectations met. Webtoon creators suffer from the same thing that a lot of Youtube creators and other types of content creators suffer from in this transition, and I feel like HBomberGuy summed it up best:

"In current discourse, Youtubers simultaneously present as the forefront of a new medium, creative voices that need to be taken seriously as part of the 'next generation of media' - and also uwu smol beans little babies who shouldn't be taken seriously when they rip someone off and make tens of thousands of dollars doing it."

It's not gatekeeping a medium, it's not telling people they aren't allowed to have feelings or to want to still have that personal connection to their work in spite of the professional level it's achieved, it's simply just expecting people to actually live up to the label of 'professional' that they're using to make money.

And this especially goes for someone like Rachel, who claims to be a 'folklorist' despite all the contrary evidence that says otherwise. This is the same person who copy pasted the first result on Google as her source on a simple word definition:

There's a second part to that HBomberGuy quote that also actually applies to Rachel really well in this discussion, concerning how she labels herself a "folklorist" and how that's affected and influenced the greater discussion surrounding Greek myth:

"But on the opposite end, Youtubers who act like serious documentarians gain a shroud of professionalism which then masks the deeply unprofessional things they do. We just saw that with James. I think [James] partially got away with what he's doing for so long because he acts so professional about it, so people assume, 'there's no way he could just be stealing shit!' so they don't check. And on top of that, a lot of James' videos contain obvious mistakes and made-up facts... but because they're often presented next to well-researched stuff he stole, no one questions it. I've seen James repeat a lie in his videos, and then other people claim it's true, and link his video as the proof. He has helped to solidify misinformation by seeming like he's doing his diligence."

There's always going to be discourse over what's legitimate and what isn't when it comes to Greek myth, there are loads of things we still don't know simply due to the knowledge being lost to time. But there's something to be said about a white New Zealand woman using her self-insert romance comic and platform to build a veneer of professionalism and legitimacy around herself, as if she's the authority on the subject, while simultaneously relying on first result Google searches and citing works that have no real foothold in the way of scholarly or "folklorist" discussion.

All that's to say, you're right, her professional training is vague at best. She's never completed a longform comic prior to LO, she's not doing her due diligence in actually engaging with the media she's trying to "retell" and exposing herself to the voices of those from the culture that's tied to it, and she's not holding herself to any sort of standards when it comes not only to being a professional, but a professional who's been held on a pedestal for all these years. She's still operating the same way she was 5 years ago - drawing and writing whatever pops into her head and sending it to her editor for uploading, with next to no intervention or guidance. Except now it doesn't have the benefit of being new and having "potential", it's getting noticed and called out more now than ever because it's been 5 years of this shit and it's been getting worse on account of her clearly being burnt out (or just giving up/not caring) and the readers can't be sold on "potential" anymore.

And that's all I have to say on that.