Being Ghosted

So here's a peculiar thing that I've noticed at Deep Dreams over the past few weeks. Some folks have completely stopped liking my artwork!

And when I say 'some folks', I mean people who I have been eXchanging likes with on a regular basis for almost a FULL YEAR!

I can see they are still on DDG and they are still creating images there, and I've kept sending them my likes as I always have, but suddenly, without warning, I don't get any back in return from these people.

Was it something I did? Was it something I said in a comment somewhere? Has my artwork suddenly become subpar and is no longer worthy of a like? What the heck is going on here?

Of course that's where one's brain goes when noticing such a thing. It must be MY fault that I'm no longer getting likes from these people. Even though I've never actually spoken to them, we were 'friends' through the likes we eXchanged with each other, and certainly because we were 'following' one another and in each other's feeds!

Initially, I really did think that I somehow ticked these people off in some way. I racked my brain about it, trying to figure out what I might have done, but absolutely nothing came to mind.

But now I think I've figured it out...

I've been watching the artwork being published by these folks, and I have noticed that they're getting less and less likes as time goes on.

I think that they haven't just stopped liking my artwork regularly, they've stopped liking a bunch of other people's artwork as well, and now they're receiving less likes in return as a result of this. It seems obvious to me now.

Here I was almost upset over being bypassed by these people, when in fact, the reason I'm being 'overlooked' is because they are sick and tired of playing the PolitiX of Popularity at Deep Dreams. Can't say I blame them, it's a lot of hard work.

This changes everything! 

Instead of feeling bewildered by their actions, I now feel as though I should be taking my hat off to them! They're still creating their artwork, but have come to the conclusion that it's not about getting likes, and certainly not about giving them! They're creating for the sole purpose of creating, which is really what art's all about.

Now I somehow feel that they might deserve my likes even more than ever before. When I see their work in the future, and if I really do like it, I'll be sure to still shoot a 'like' in their direction!

Also, I won't take it too personally when I notice I'm not getting regular likes from someone. In the long run, the likes don't really matter at all. People have the right to give (or not give) them however they choose to.

"X"

Friday the 13th of October, 2023