Jeroen Van den bogaert

@new_data_ @wakazhi

WARNING VERY LONG POST - Regarding @Leaflit 's Ai Vtuber avatar tool. I might upset some people and if it does you can tell me why in the comments - we can have a conversation. After the taking some time to really observe the entire "controversy" surrounding Leaflit's new Ai-powered Vtuber avatar tool. I really want to take this opportunity to give my own personal opinion, as someone who's neither very Anti-Ai or Pro-Ai...I'd like to think my perception of Ai is a mix of practical and ethical, of course that's just my own perception. I see Ai as basically a tool like any other, and what makes it bad or good is from the user who uses it and the key figures surrounding its development and growth. While I have been very critical of the tunnel-vision obsession with Ai by many corporations to the extent it has created real-world damage and to people's livelihoods... I think Leaflit's intentions with Ai is I am not afraid to say it - is POSITIVE. Why? Firstly, I think that over my time also being a legit Vtuber now, and meeting so many people from mutuals to followers who are telling me that Vtubing is something they want to do - one of if not the biggest brickwall has been getting a model just to get them started. Before I go further, I am going to make it clear that many Artists are just hard working honest people giving their time and effort for their craft and treat their clients right and fair. In fact I am VERY lucky to have found a very excellent Vtuber Artist and Rigger to do my Avatar - I am forever grateful to the both of them. So to be clear - I am talking specifically for a very SMALL subset of some Artists on a case-by-case basis, and their PERSONAL flaws. Sometimes its not just a matter of money, I have seen many cases where aspiring Vtubers have expressed that they are very ready and willing to fork out money for a commission...however its the other side, the Artist they want to commission who instead turn them away, whether it be because: 1. they arbitrarily decide aspirants are not worth their time, or if they do consider, charge exorbitant fees. 2. or more commonly nowadays - outright rejecting them because they once had an opinion or have views they do not personally like. For those who say "just get one model dirt cheap from an asset marketplace" - you have a problem then with Copyright, and the fact that the creators of those premade assets pull possession/control of the model you bought there if they one day decided they don't want you to use it anymore. Remember Powdur, Lizmeta and Kokoda? Most aspiring Vtubers have come to understand that if they want to establish their brand, their persona, everything - owning Copyright to their avatar is extremely important...and of course, that also means you have to fork out additional money to the artist to make that arrangement, IF they are willing to make that arrangement. So all these brickwalls keep snowballing...and you wonder why Leaflit released a tool like this and why the tool got popular? For those who are extremely outraged and going all in on the attacks on Leaflit because of this - I want to ask you a bunch of simple questions... 1. Is throwing threats, calling for Leaflit "sign-off irl" really the best way for you to express your care for human artists? Are you sure you are not creating more animosity to outsiders to the extent they may oppose you out of spite, hence sabotaging your own message? For someone who claims to support humanity, your actions are awfully Inhumane. 2. As some of you all are going at it with the ferocity and zeal of a paladin about how Evil Ai is for any form of content whatsoever...what about Neuro-sama? The same people who are being at the front attacking Leaflit, either fall completely silent when asked about Neuro, or are even creating mental gymnastics to somehow justify to themselves "oh Neuro-same is fine!" Again its the two-faced hypocrisy that angers me. So what's my point? There are genuine, and nuanced conversations and criticism to be had about Ai and its important that those more meaningful conversations and critique be had - and competing ideas be exchanged civilly and honestly. In my humble opinion, this maelstrom centred on Leaflit? Is NOT one of those conversations. It has just become another excuse for overt tribalism, and for people to just throw jabs at each other or to gain cheap clout. I am certain most/all people are very happy and willing to support their fellow humans when it comes to giving each other business and the means to get their careers or dreams running. The harsh reality is well...its reality. Its not perfect as I have explained. And for some people, that imperfection is what is stopping them from chasing their dreams or their passion. Leaflit said so herself, and I am certain many who would end up using her tool think so too - this is a stopgap, a stepping stone, a foot through the door. Few or maybe no one would be under the view that whatever that is created using this tool is their permanent solution...and if they get their chance and they have that clear road - the first thing in the minds of many would be "I am going to make this legit and find a proper human artist to make my model now!" In addition, whether out of spite or subconsciously, Leaflit's actions have created some positive change. Some artists (who evidently hate Leaflit), have decided to make their entry level models more accessible and easier for the aspiring Vtubers. The brickwall is slowly but surely cracking, and that's a good thing. Honestly, even if Leaflit was not the core reason that these walls are starting to crack, she at least contributed to it. Anyway, this is just MY take and I'm sure some feel strongly for or against it. So talk about it.

@GiveMeBanHammer @Leaflit and if i turn you away from my business where i'm selling luxury goods (which is what commercial models are,) does that entitle you to come back and steal the merchandise anyway?