Awhile ago I started to realise how much it’s changed on Buzznet since I joined up nearly two years ago. The people that were popular back then were the people who posted band photos of fan sites. After the OG badges were introduced, things started to change as people realised that original content was recognised as something worthy. Now there is so much incredible original content on Buzznet. I wonder if when Funks and Mark created the Buzznet Originals group; they ever though it would have such an amazing and positive impact.
Sometimes it’s been clear that people don’t understand the group fully and that’s why the Buzznet Original Criterion was written. It’s disappointing when some people ignore important points and have taken it on themselves to steal photos from other internet photo communities. The HUGE problem is they get caught; are disqualified as it breaks the TOS and they are suspended/banned from Buzznet. On occasion the photo thieves have been caught in the act by other Buzznet members and have been exposed publically for their shameful act by these Buzznetters on the Buzznet Original Suggestion thread.
The heartbreaking thing is all it takes to become a Buzznet Original is to post content that is produced by you. People don’t have to be a professional photographer or have fancy equipment. In essence all they need is an imagination and a willingness to share their world. I loved Christiexox so much, because she uses a cell phone to take photos and she is open about her life. I’m a HUGE fan of StarlorSummers journals (add him and enjoy his awesomeness) when Ashley did his write-up he had only one photo (that was his profile photo).
I fear that photo thieves do it in hope that becoming a Buzznet Originals will make them popular, but it’s not the badge that makes people popular. Almost all of the OGs that are on the popular page virtually every day were there before they became OGs. They got there from taking an interest and commenting on their friend’s posts, because then their friends comment back (it’s not rocket science, yo!). Alas I guess if the photo thieves are too lazy to read the TOS, Buzznet Criterion, push a button to take a photo then sure as shit they are too lazy to look at other people’s content on Buzznet.
I hope that the need to steal photos to become a Buzznet Original will past. The people that may think that cheating is the only way won’t read this journal, but I had to rant about it.
Though I kind of miss having Brendon Urie's face on the front page like everyday it has changed for the better and I love it.
The amount of amazing photos and journals is fantastic.
I guess I have a somewhat unique position on this because, like Starlor Summers and GwenArtax, I was given my OG badge because of my blogs. I will admit, being on Buzznet and being surrounded by so many fantastic photographers has inspired me to try my hand at shooting and editing a bit more and I like to believe that through their comments and encouragement I've become a stronger photographer.
But all of THAT happened after I was an OG. And the thing is, being an OG did nothing to raise my hit count or the comments on my blogs or my popularity. That had more to do with writing blogs about popular bands.
Anyway, thanks for the awesome journal, Seb. You're the OG of my heart ♥