I want to add, regarding my statement about "lack of content": I'm a creative-content producer in a small but public way. When I have a new project I'm preparing to release to my community, everyone knows it's going to be good--not because I tell them what's in it, but because I'm
on fire with excitement and they can tell.
This "press release" indicates absolutely no enthusiasm. Why should I think it's going to be worth my time if the guy making it can't even keep focused on it--in his own press release?
Now to another subject:
I'd be willing to wager that this alt-hero comic ends up becoming yet another crowdfunding scam.
You know, the sad thing is, I've known (of) Beale for almost ten years. He's changed so much since then.
When I first encountered his site, he was pretty chill and surprisingly patient. Sure, he wasn't slow to bring up his skills and the goodness of his life, but he also never asked anyone for anything. Crowdfunding a project would never have happened.
He wasn't a joiner, and was clear that he didn't want to lead any groups; he wanted us to lead ourselves and not need a leader. He encouraged his readers to step out on our own and make our own way--and above all,
do the right thing and not give a shit about Social Justice Idiots. He seldom stepped into discussions in comments, but he would answer questions. The only times he ever got really testy were when Spacebunny was in late-stage pregnancy (yes, you could tell).
Honestly, Vox Popoli was a lot more like Kiwi Farms back in those days: different people with different opinions, but a general agreement that Stupidity was a constant and it was okay to point and laugh, with the occasional savage verbal takedowns.
After having learned a lot of good things there, I left for about a year (don't remember why). When I came back, though, it seemed like everything was different. I toughed it out for a while, but eventually I just couldn't put up with the toxicity--and the endless, endless focus on the Hugo Awards and Vox's vendettas against his more successful counterparts in the SF/F industry.
The crowdfunding scams, I feel are the influence of Roosh V. I remember when Reaxxion opened--behind a paywall, to capitalize on the GamerGate excitement. Roosh even said he wasn't a gamer. It was pointed out to the Dread Ilk that this was just a cash grab, but Vox blew us off, saying that a man should make money if he could.
And now, crowdfunding Vox's projects, which never materialize. He thought he could make Roosh into a Christian by buddying up to him; it looks like Roosh made him a con artist instead.
In the interests of honesty, there you go. So, since he's decided to become that which he despises, I've been doing what he would do back when I first "met" him: speaking the truth.
