A Recent Experience With Steemit's Open Mic
Let me start by saying: Yes, I understand that no one "owes me anything," and that "participating in steemit openmic is a 'privilege,' so, after this, I obviously will not be participating in Luzcypher's openmic, BUT that's neither here nor there to my points.
So... Yeah. I am sorry to be doing this, because I realize how lame this may seem to some people--not to mention the fact Im "going up against" some supposedly "big fish" like the host of the current open mic, @luzcypher, but, it is precisely these "fish" who can get too big for their britches and start abusing people, and need to be checked.
The "rules" clearly state that videos MUST BEGIN by stating "Open mic, the week number, and your USER NAME."
Here are just one judge's "top picks" that did NOT follow this rule (And I am certain there are many more):
https://steemit.com/openmic/@adreini/steemit-open-mic-week-72-on-a-brisk-day
https://steemit.com/openmic/@abelfernandez/steemit-open-mic-semana-72-cancion-original
Yet, my submission (found here: https://steemit.com/openmic/@gjones15/steemit-openimic-week-72-jimi-hendrix-wind-cries-mary) clearly follows this rule. Yet, my video was, strangely, not just missing from any of the judges "picks," but, absent from the entire contest altogether! This seemed a bit strange to me, seeing as I was considered an "honourable mention" last week, and I worked my ass off on this week's video. Perhaps it had something to do with this little interaction I had with head honcho, @luzcypher, on a blogpost that I made, NOT even in the openmic contest (anyone who knew the rules would clearly know this was the case, so I find it odd that the host couldn't tell). Here is the actual post:
It is simply a normal blogpost which showcases my recent openmic entries which included the same exact one from this week. . It was NOT "another entry" Yet, this was luzcypher's comment:
I guess maybe he didn't like my response... but hey--that comment (which is still there, by the way) is patently false, and borderline libel. Luzcypher is clearly implying I broke the rules, when I clearly did not. All the while people who ARE breaking the rules get top spots...?? This is one issue.
The second one is, granted, probably a bit more "controversial," but, I'd like anyone of you to watch any of the recent "winning" line-ups of openmic videos... How many of the contestants have an "American-English" accent? That's all I will say.
As far as a solution, I am in the works with some fellow steemians to try and develop an alternative to the current openmic group; hopefully so we can get a bit more "diversity" in there (Yes, Diversity includes white people and Americans too...
Ps. just received this reply from another judge about the contest..:
Now, as "kind" as a response as this is, it's still bullshit, and just goes to prove my point. "Certain people" get "a pass?" Give me a break, guys.
Get your shit together.
Addendum . Since writing this post, I have had quite the "civil discussion" with the host @luzcypher; where he did apologize for his false accusation, and we have seemingly come to some agreeable place. I did change the title of this post from "steemit openmic is a joke " and removed tags "bullshit" and "cheats" because that felt overly harsh--the remainder of my post stands as a call to anyone who may have experienced (or might experience) something similar-- it is important, I think, my experience remains documented for posterity.)
Addendum Pt. 2 . Unfortunately, upon further consideration of the situation, there is something else I'd like to emphasize; please see post here: https://steemit.com/openmic/@gjones15/steemit-openmic-not-so-open-unless-you-re-a-hungry-venezuelan
First off let me say that i am not a whale. Not even close. I started open mic to help musicians get their music heard and to build a music community here on Steemit.
You may be right in that I mistook your same video posted twice as two entries into open mic when it was not. My apologies.
This was your entry right?
https://steemit.com/openmic/@gjones15/steemit-openimic-week-72-jimi-hendrix-wind-cries-mary
I did upvote this so i don't quite undetstand why you are upset.
I, too, would like to apologize for being coming off a bit harsh in my position--it is something I struggle with when feeling attacked. You don't owe me anything, of course. And I've been around long enough to know where I'm not welcome. Just wanted others to know, though, in case something similar may ave happened to them, which I just have a funny feeling it may have.
I don't understand how saying
made you feel attacked but in any case, I was clearly mistaken. I tried to remove the comment from your post but it is not letting me.
I'm sorry I made you feel not welcome. That was not my intention. In fact, I quite liked your song and performance and would love to hear more.
These rules we put in place are to make it easier for the Open Mic team to run this contest and are not intended to exclude anyone. The whole point of Open Mic is to build community.
Specifically, the newest rule of having to say your username is to stop the scammers who have been stealing people's entries, uploading them to a new YouTube account and claiming them as their own.
This is a new rule started two weeks ago and many people have not started saying their username yet. People do not follow the rules often. For example. we have 400 valid entries last week but only 282 upvotes.
One of the rules is they must upvote the contest post. Obviously, not everyone is following that rule even though I have upvoted all 400 valid entries. Following your logic, I should be upset too, but I'm not because the whole point of this contest is to build the community for musicians on Steemit. That is what it's all about and Open Mic is doing that brilliantly and that is no joke.
When a musician from Venezuela can feed his family for months with the earnings from an Open Mic entry we have done our job. It does not matter if they win or are included in the weekly "See Who Played" post. They earn by interacting with the community as you can see here:
https://steemit.com/trending/openmic
@luzcypher... It's not that I think that the open mic doesn't do a lot of good--I do.
That much is obvious. Of course I am glad that someone is able to feed their family in Venezuela. By that same token... I like to eat too. And I've put a CRAP-TON of hard work into learning this "skill" of music (and I know it sounds "arrogant," but , it's just obvious that my share has been a bit "more work" than some other participants.. should that not be be recognized...? And now I've FINALLY found a place that (ostensibly) offers the chance for me too, to "eat" from this ability; then it is floundered away, it seems??. (And with all due respect, I'm afraid your comment regarding families in Venezuela my belie a bit of your own prejudice; which, is fine.. I get it--and in some ways agree: they probably ARE more "needy" than I am in USA as far as eating goes. But idk, man... when you start figuring that into the equation... "Being needy" wasn't on the list of rules, from what I remember.. ;)
So much so, I do feel bad calling it a "joke," and will likely change my post's title. That being said... I can't help what I experienced, and, that is what happened. I can't help but think you are now backtracking a little bit...
That being said, it is much more respectable than purely denying the situation or resorting to "fighting" me which , I actually admire very much. I'm glad we had this interaction.
I am still glad I have said what I said, though.
Apology accepted. Thank you. (I would appreciate it if you would also delete the comment on my post as well.)
But my other points still stand. You can view them here: https://steemit.com/openmic/@gjones15/steemit-open-mic-is-a-joke
I'll just state the main one here for you:
You allowed entries into the contest that clearly broke "the rules," while NOT even including entries (such as mine, and others) that were legitimate/ "followed rules!" One must ask: well, wtf is the point of all this then? You're just proving my point by the fact that you saw my video!
(Plus, this is all aside from any claims about the actually quality of the entries themselves, which is a different conversation).
I don't want to "fight" with anyone, but, when you fuck with my music like that, I'm not gonna just sit there like nothing's wrong.
And let me add--perhaps you have become more of a "whale" than you are aware. I'm not sure of the exact definition, but, utilizing your power to manipulate a set system behind said participants of that system's back--sounds pretty "Whale-like" to me... YOU on yur OWN decided--without bringing the legitimate participants into the fold of democracy divided amongst ALL judges--when you left my entry out of that process--Without stating your reason explicitly--all the while allowing other "favored" participants into that process who DID NOT follow agreed upon rules... THAT is maybe what I'd call.. some form of tyranny, my friend! I'm sorry...
I am not stating anything other than the fact. If you do not see that... sadly, it only proves my point.
Looking from your standpoint at this community, I can see how it could appear like that. Many of the musicians who have not said their username for example, have been playing on Open Mic for 50 or more weeks and I'm sure I would spot someone trying to plagiarize their content as their own, which is why that rule is in place.
A whale, by definition, is someone with 100,000 steem power or more. I'm still a minow my friend.
I suggest you relax and focus on playing music and getting to know the community. There is no manipulation going on here, we're just supporting musicians. I upvoted your performance and still you feel wronged somehow. Attacked even. I was mistaken, apologized and still you're not happy with me and really you're attacking me and my team as some kind of manipulators.
Did you play a song for the community?
Did they hear your music?
What is the problem?
Yes. "Attacked," because, as an "artist," being accused of somehow plagerizing or falsely portraying one's art is about one of the worst things an artist could be guilty of. You apologized, I accepted. And I stand corrected regarding the "whale" comment. I was unaware that was the definition.
I never accused you of plagiarizing content. I just mistakenly said to follow the rules. Try to understand, I send that comment to about 100 people a week who double post the same video because they fear I missed their post as it takes me days to listen to 500-700 entries a week. I mistook your same video for a double entry and I hope you can forgive me for that.
But I never said you plagiarized content and for you to accuse me of saying that now is a joke.
I know it might sound odd, but there is a such thing as self-plagerization. But, yes, upon closer inspection, you're correct, technically you didn't accuse me of plagerizing. But my claim you had wrongly accused me of "falsely portraying my work" still stands. I will acquiesce that I could have "misinterpreted" the exact meaning behind your reply, but nonetheless, I think it's important to bring that "oversight" to your attention--especially if "100s of people" are receiving similar messages on a weekly basis.
And not one of them felt attacked or accused of plagiarizing as you seem to have felt to the point of actually attacking and accusing me of manipulation, exclusion, calling you a plagiarist, and attacking you, something i didn't even do.
Had you in fact plagiarised someone you would have been called out on it, downvoted, muted, and banned from entering.
Like i said, chill out dude. We're just having fun here.
Well, obviously not all of us are having fun. It's okay--I've never been one for "being a part of the gang" any way... I'm just gonna mosey on.
Again I never said that either. All I said word for word is:
How you can read so much into that to the point of hearing words from me I never said is mindboggling. Even as you, "upon closer inspection" retracted your claim that I accused you of plagiarism, you simultaneously in the same sentence stand on your claim that I "wrongly accused you of portraying your work"
How can you possibly interpret
as all of this? And even as I apologize you keep actually attacking me, open mic, and my team.
You can read the comment again here on your blog that I mistook as a second entry.
https://steemit.com/music/@gjones15/wind-cries-mary-and-castles-made-of-sand-hendrix-and-ever-since-by-gjones15
There is no attack, mention of plagiarism, or falsely portraying your work. So I don't really know WTF you're talking about at this point.
I'm so sorry you did not have any fun playing for the community but I don't regret seeing you go.
OK, bye bye.
I think you may be overreacting.
You think so? How good for you
I don't think they knew how much they would be able to chew before they bit. You play good Hendrix.
Thank you, sir. I enjoyed your Jethro Tull as well. That is a nice axe, btw; what is it? Oh, and I see you're in FL... I miss the South :( I lived in GA many years ( I know, "rivals" lol) . Never thought I'd be saying that haha
Gibson SST Chet Atkins model. They are outside my budget, so I bought a broken one and fixed it. Then I sold nearly everything with a sound hole in it.
Wow. lol. She's a beaut.. Never seen one like that! And never even played an "acoustic" with no hole!! Intriguing... That's hilarious: "got rid of anything with a sound hole.." Incidentally, I too own no instruments with "holes" atm... Which I frankly felt a bit odd that none of my "Openmic" entries used the "stereotypical" instrument of acoustic guitar... Hmm... But I think guitars are like many things.. They come and go :)
And I do understand the point about there "being a lot to do." Still not a legitimate excuse for this behavior though. They know exactly what they're doing. And if you don't get it, well, we'll just have to a"agree to disagree..." Which, is my whole point: Hopefully you and I can still "be friends" based on our mutual respect for music. Luzcypher has already shown his opinion regarding the issue: The fact that Luzcypher is behaving this way just shows that he (and any of his minions) is more interested in maintaining some kind of "status quo" upheld by some (unknown) ulterior motive--something other than simply showcasing the music. "Politics," if you will. And, as someone who understands that this is pretty much unavoidable, I know better than to really try and "fight" it. There's no changing these people. They're either not very smart, or they're totally insane. Either way, it's a losing battle. So, I can only hope to spread the word of my experience so that others may make their own educated decision! I'm no saint... but, don't fuck with my music! :))
I don't understand what you think my motive is. I'm just building community here, but I'm not perfect and can make mistakes sometimes.
When I play guitar I also sometimes hit the wrong note.
This is whats fantastic about this platform gjones, you can express yourself, put your point out there and your ideas can find like minded people if they are there to be found.
As far as you starting a competition of your own, I think this could be a good thing for the blockchain... competition always brings out the best in us.
I'am of the opinion however that one gets a lot more using honey than vinegar, but i celebrate your right to express your frustration.
All the best!
Oh, you're very correct--I am definitely more vinegar than honey :) . But hey, that's my whole point--let the music decide.. When people start trying to manipulate the purity of the music due to their own prejudices and egos.. and so blatantly... they've lost my respect. But hey, you and whomever are free to be a part of that system if you like. My point is just to let folks know what's goin on and like you said, they can make their own decisions accordingly.
PPS:
People should know this is the type of attitude certain "leaders" behind this "decentralized" platform apparently have. #notmysteem
I'll come at this from a different angle gjones. As far as I can tell there is nothing new or unique about Steemit per se. It's modeled on the same lowly evolved Social Darwinist economic mechanisms which have taken over the world in the past century.
As for the competitive model for music, art, and such. I find it more destructive than not. Competition is well and good in certain domains like sports, but to use it for a template for everything is sheer blindness, IMO.
Coincidentally, the Gnostic Kristos alluded to a condition wherein the blind would be leaders of the blind.
On the Steemit Openmic specifically: I stay detached from its functional mechanics and just enjoy what is good about it as there is plenty of great talent within this community regardless of my personal views on life.
I want to add something here to help argue for my point: we can objectively prove who is a better golfer quite easily. We go out and we play and someone clearly can prove they are better via this type of competition. It gets more complex than that but this is enough to make my point.
Now listen to a competition between the drummers Steve Gadd and John Bonham. How do you judge this? It's all based on subjectivity.
Now, sure, I guess we can say there are different levels of degree of talent--handicap in golf, beginners in music, but for me, I would have liked to have seen something NEW as far as a template for organizing this area of human endeavor. And although having a wallet on a social media site is new the background structure is the same old same old, IMO.
Russian bloody judges! lol So much of figure skating is based on subjectivity! Music, too, and this subjectivity within any competitive framework can open the door to corruption. I'm in no way saying this competition is corrupt but rather just making a point. You can't corrupt a game of golf via subjectivity.
I do see your point. They are different types of "games." There has yet to be a fully-defined "game" of "music," yet; or "guitar..." etc. though, some are trying ;) This is where "competitions" come in: attempts to "gametize" something--anything lol. Certain parameters are set; blah blah... you could do it with anything. In fact, some, perhaps mathematicians, might argue, that the more defined a game, or competition, the more "realistic" it is. That is to say, the further removed from "human" desires and bullshit something is--for example... a computer that judged "the best" ... drummer, for example, would be more honest than the humans... I think there may be something to that.
And, interestingly to this point, I've never even heard of steve gadd lol
Yup, one of the greats!
More two cents from a dissident gadfly. This particular model seems to have been the template of choice for the Chicago School NeoLiberalists. IMO., they are like a virus that has infected everything! It's not just music and entertainment as they've been extraordinarily busy in the field of spirituality turning every spiritual idea into a motive for earning capital.
But it's no accident that the IDOL model was implemented big time as neoliberal policy took over civilization. And although I agree with things luzcypher has said about the music biz prior to economic neoliberalism I don't see that the IDOL model was the solution to previous unfairness.
It becomes increasingly ironic to me that the "liberals" really end up being more of a tyrant than anyone! Just goes to prove Freud was correct--the harder we fight "against" a position, the more entrenched in it we not only become, but are usually, more so sympathetic to--although typically not "consciously"
You are correct, neoliberalism is neo-economic fascism.Control of the state via corporatism and central banking while using the political class to implement the vision.
The IDOL model has made it very easy to vet who gets heard and who has a voice. Have an opinion that the corporate fascists don't like? You'll be guaranteed to be sidelined via this model. John Lennon or God Him/Her self wouldn't stand a chance of being heard under this model. It's all about vetting. Please let's keep the discussion to that of HR PUFFINSTUFF!
Musicians haven't done themselves any favors in this regard though: even the most radical shut-up once they became monied.
Man... This is so true. --(I am not above the possibilty, either... I've never been "rich" before.. lol;) This is quite fascinating, though.
I like the "neo-liberalism is the new fascism," though... One part of your claim I don't get though, is why you think corporitsim and central banking are necessarily "neoliberal" views? Granted, they may (and do, I'm sure) have huge hands in these conventions, but, they have never been --to my knowledge--outwardly accepting of these positions. Or is this what you're saying, and that's exactly the problem.. That's the "two-faced" nature of the "liberal!" And I think this is the scariest part about it: they have no idea that's what they're doing
Central banking predates neoliberalism but neoliberalism is an extension of the central banking system. This is multi-faceted, too, and neo-conservatism plays its part especially within the corporate MIC.: the enforcement branch of the corporate state.
This is all loaded with duplicity, doubletalk, double binds, and a whole host of other peripheral complexities.
I'm not a materialist though and my spiritual perspectives on this lead me to believe they are very much aware of what they are up to.
An interesting point about the "blind leading the blind..." Not sure where I fit in there ;) And yeah... I don't know. I have "faith" that (a) "quality" will, usually, eventually, find its proper place. I'm not too worried about it. And I'm not sure how I feel about the whole music-as-competition--I'm curious to know where you might situate something like music or art in a "non-competitive" framework? What role would art play, and how would artists function in that society? It's difficult to even imagine (for me) a world in which quality does not come into play. Now, what the nature of quality is, well, that's another discussion lol
I don't like the idea of music as a competition either and this Open Mic contest was just a way to dangle a carrot to get people to enter. The whole point is to build the music community and if you stick around long enough you'll see that is what it's really all about.
Hey luzcypher, I do hope you realize the element of cognitive dissonance within your stance on this one. The template created here is modeled on the Idol competition. I do, however, have a fairly solid understanding of complexity and what's interesting to me is like Jezeus, you've kind of created a situation wherein there are so many mouths to feed! Billions and billions of artists wanting and needing to do what they love with less and less avenues of any viable way of going about achieving that. In part, this is what gjones is saying.
I do have the answers within my G.C.C although I think I'm going to change it to Earth Commons Civilization as I don't want to be caught up in the FE conspiracy. The point being is that people should be able to do what they love and survive and thrive while doing so. What would make music non-competitive is to end forced coercion on humanities basic needs of housing, food, education, and healthcare, Once people have satisfied their basic needs we can then begin the pursuit of their higher potentials, but this cannot be achieved under predatory economic systems. The root of the problem in 2018 is control of the money supply, who creates it and who controls it, and the only solution as far as I can see is some type of basic income which would mitigate the coercive tactics of the moneyed class. Once this is achieved, if it could be, we would then need a new education model premised on co-operation and learning a new way to live that is sustainable.
What I'm suggesting is that it's the coercive nature of this capitalist system that has fetishized competition and this so that 1% can own over 60% of the wealth of the entire earth. It's pretty clear this group would rather have the future be the Hunger Games rather than a new model like my new and improved E.C.C.
And for the record, my preferred modes of discourse is first dialogue, then rational debate followed by various Ad Hominem as a last resort:D
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STOPWhomp Whomp lol..