I know I'm pretty quiet on here, seeing as I hardly ever post anything. However, I actually get on DA every day to check my notifications, since I follow so many artists on here! It's enjoyable, and a great stress reliever to peek at the amazingly detailed worlds and characters of others.
That being said, I am aware of the drama that takes place on this website. Some of the artists I follow have had some horrific experiences, and I feel badly for them. However, I try to avoid becoming involved in or too knowledgeable of any DA spats. This is because DA works as an oasis of sorts for me. It is a safe harbor amongst all of the viciousness that clogs the internet. The only other website I use on a daily basis is Facebook, to keep up with friends and some news stories. Unfortunately, even though I carefully choose my Facebook friends, I still see so much hatred in my feed. It's very disheartening, and results in much blocking and unfriending.
This isn't to say that my goal is to be completely oblivious to the problems in our world. On the contrary, I do stay informed and do my best to calmly reason with any person I meet in "real" life who reveals deep-seated, illogical hatred of others. However, trying to reason with people on the internet is nearly impossible. There is so much hatred. So much ignorance. So much intolerance. All compounded by the disconnect from emotions and empathy that occurs when we interact with others through a screen. It's impossible to counter, and exhausting to even attempt.
My point in making this rambling journal is actually to thank those that read it, and those that don't. I want to thank all of you for the beautiful creations you post on this website. Thank you for allowing me to see into the wonders of your imagination, and to revel in the talents you possess. Thank you for doing your best to make this place a positive one, as difficult as that may be sometimes. I know DA has problems (a thousand or more, but that's another discussion entirely), but thank you for persevering and providing happiness to people like me.
Thank you.