TW: FLASH + THEMES OF BULLYING/OPPRESSION (also in desc + some venting!!) ------------- yeah, very bold of me to upload an original-code animeme to this song centered around Scratch's recent shortcomings when there's already one that's like the fourth thing that shows up when you search "silence" that's prolly way better than this. Character: Scratch Cat (he/him, @scratchteam) Song: Marshmello (ft. Khalid) - Silence Coding: @Echoa_badger Art: @Echoa_Badger Hoo boy... I had this planned since like maybe 2023 or smth and it took only a week to make, but somehow I think this might be the best thing I've ever coded completely on my own. Anyway... I'm supposed to say something regarding the site here, but tbh... I'm not that well-versed in all the drama (despite both my activity and time on here). Still, I understand all the harassment, unfair reporting and banning, broken features, etc. that's plagued the site I believe since 3.0 was announced. I've seen it go live. I remember so vividly being distressed by so many Scratchers I've gone to know since 2016 leaving out of spite. (hell, it might just be one of the primary reasons why I have abandonment issues lol) at first I didn't understand why so many ppl hated it besides a general resistance to change, but given how things have barely improved since then... it hurts even more, just from the implication that this could've easily been avoided. the signs were there, they were EVERYWHERE, and yet... nothing's changed. if there was, it didn't really do much. That isn't to say Scratch since 2019 has been digital hell (after all, two years later would be when I created this acc which is arguably my best years here), it's just that time and time again, something goes wrong with either the mods or the community which pushes a few ppl away, including those I've admittedly grown attached to. and it keeps happening. over and over, no matter how much protesting is done against it. However, I do want to leave this on a somewhat positive note. Scratch is FAR from the only site suffering from unfair censorship, toxicity, and the like. Try to find a SINGLE online service these days, and I assure you there's at least one major issue that ruins the site for everyone. it almost feels dystopian. But as I said before, there are still people out there that have that same creativity and kindness that was so prevalent prior to 3.0. Even those who advocate against unfair moderation and hateful behavior do justice to the site by acknowledging that change CAN be made, even if it barely ever happens. It's better than nothing... after all, you can't improve your life w/o recognizing what's wrong with it to begin with. Plus, there's the big-ish update coming in June that's supposed to be a prelude to 4.0. so first off DUDE WHERE WAS THIS ALL THIS TIME?? It's been SO LONG since 3.0 released that I legit thought it was gonna be the last major overhaul on one hand I'm a bit scared since we currently have ZERO idea what'll be except there's gonna be some pushback regardless of how it turns out and likely they'll be justified in some way. but this could also be a fresh new start where ST listens to the community and the steps in undoing the damages that have plagued their site since 2019 or at least learn from them. but then again, I could just be really desperate for things to work out for once. it's not like the world is going to end if it doesn't anyway. ...that being said, my GOD was this so hard to code. I mean I probably should've expected that from such a complex project, but legit I keep having to redo they just... disappear?? it feels like some exterior system just keeps, but that's likely just me... (prolly also the reason why this has like little to no "bg effects" alongside time constraints)
