It really breaks my heart to see vulnerable marginalized people afraid to make work. I want to say it’s not that bad but it kind of is ; the truth is that the internet is dangerous and you have to be prepared to set different boundaries with it than you might want to

But people pretty much have to do this anyway - the internet is just a gateway for harm even without making art. You are exposing yourself to many strangers’ potential for deep and callous cruelty, and even if you aren’t the target, this will sink into your head

The thing is tho is that it’s very easy to vividly imagine strangers doing harm to you but not others connecting with what you made. If you knew you had a chance to make someone like you feel less alone, what would you make?

I can’t express how worth it it is & people want to hurt others regardless of if you made something. Remember too that your doomsday scenarios always feature your worst fears, things that will actually hurt, bc it’s your own brain. In reality it’s often fucking ridiculous

- it isn’t your job to argue with strangers on the internet. you do not owe people access to you
- attention grants legitimacy. mute mute mute. they want to see you twitch
- sharing something to call it ridiculous is still sharing. (digital self harm & spreading it to friends)

likewise I’m not going to keep this thread up bc I prefer to express things when it’s on my mind & control when people get to feel like they have access to me and my thoughts and any kind of forum of discussion lol. This is to say I struggle to undo this same damage all the time