The toxic ideology around artist's intent
I have observed the purist's perspective many-a-times in this subreddit which likes to crap on encodes such as Moozzi2 as it meddles with the creator's original intent.
I don't get this sentiment AT ALL for the following reasons :
- the encode doesn't replace source file, so users can go and download a different one if they have an issue with this approach.
- what should be a standard, however, is to label such releases accordingly. A separate category be assigned—let's say tagged as [mod] (could be anything, this is a placeholder to get the point across)—so as to inform the users beforehand that this particular release (or group) may take some creative liberties with the content. Screenshot comparisons with the original source file be made (which Moozzi2 does last time I checked) so viewers can weigh themselves if they are cool with the pros / cons dynamic (grain, colours, sharpening etc.)
- referencing such encoders as "bad" and ones that are close to the original as "good" (even in wiki guides; meant to serve as a repository) is downright forcing a subjective interpretation on to others which should instead fall upon the end user, who will determine what he/she finds more enjoyable.
- I have observed perpetuation of such ideologies in other enthusiast forums rooted in experiential goals as well (case in point : audiophile, mechanical keyboard etc.) wherein there is an overarching agreement within the community as to what constitutes as "superior" and "inferior". When you ask why they basically boil down to : "because it is blah blah blah and it IS crap / good", generously offering the interpretation for you.
- Video Games have been modded since ages gone by and no one bats an eye. And rightly so, that is what gives the community life in some sense. You can have Shrek instead of Link in BOTW if you so desire. Don't like it? No prob, don't download it.(Granted that anime as a medium is not interactive like a video game, but the fundamental argument of selecting it to one's own preference still stands)
There will inevitably be reinterpretations, it is central to the process of art.
Heck with the ongoing AI developments, I hope we reach a point where an anime's artstyle can be changed to resemble others' leading to novel experiences and so on and so forth.
Downloads on nyaa have already shown very clearly that there are people who are into this and as much as you may want to bang your head, express discontent and whatnot, it won't change the reality of things.
The tone maybe harsh and rant-y because it has long baffled me as to how prevalent this sentiment is and as such manifested in the form of frustration resulting in this post.
All that said, if there exists some deeper nuance that I am failing to see, I would love to be informed and this post would be updated to accommodate valid criticisms.
If not, I request the wiki to be corrected.
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Edit : Not entirely unexpected but certainly didn't want to expect...this quality of responses. (pun intended)
Anyways, I've written a lot and have tried to trace tracks for others to reach the endpoint via the linked comments :
I would be frank, the only reason for my persistence is because I don't want newcomers to get misguided and the wiki is key to this.
Maybe even after all of that said and done, it won't be edited; the editors reluctant.
And if their stance is anything to go by, maybe my suggestion is polluting their intent.
But if it did ring a bell and you guys decide to treat this in a mature fashion - then taking this into account would be awesome.
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P.S - btw, some of you guys seem to be raising concerns that I've already addresses either in this post or in linked comments which leads me to think that you haven't read all of it (or carefully....or both). There's no cure for lack of attention but someone in the comment section has already put ChatGPT to good use so you might want to feed it text and address your concerns.
Seriously, some responses are straight up a reworded version of other ones.
I mean....not my post's intent but you guys will end up making this like a SAT Questionnaire.
`Find the correct answer given <insert prompt here> from the passage using inference.`
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