Quote by JustForYou

Is this where we all laugh awkwardly and pretend to know what on earth that means?😊

[Image removed by moderator. Please keep pictures of genitals to appropriate areas of the forums.]

Quote by sprite

I really am a Disney princess

❤️😀❤️

Quote by JustForYou

Sad that an atmosphere has been created that makes you feel such statements are necessary.

It is sad indeed.
My whole point was that there are those who do pass AI and "borrowed" pics as themselves and there are people who believe them.
A good healthy discussion on the matter may be helpful to those who aren't watching as closely and could prevent some real problems for them down the line. Right?

The fact that those who use AI and identify it as such are indeed thoughtful. No one says they have to do that.

Quote by Dani

Shit talking is my default setting. But who have I blamed? Where have I placed responsibility where it didn’t belong?

It seems to mean a lot to you to believe that I’m attacking you simply because I’ve very directly expressed my belief regarding your intentions and disagreed with your perspective. In fact, the only time our conversations have veered off course is when you’ve interjected how offended you are that I had the audacity to tell you what I think.

In that regard, you’ve assigned me emotions that don’t belong to me, and have made multiple attempts now to discredit my perspective. However, in all of your indignation, you have yet to tell me I’m wrong. You have yet to deny that your desire in broaching this subject was to get others to agree that you want us to encroach on others’ privacy to assume responsibility and prevent folks’ naïveté in being fooled by internet pretenders.

That’s because you can’t. That’s why all of your responses to me have defaulted to “You’re a meanie face who’s here to say mean things and I’m not gonna talk to you no more.” It’s also why you’re trying to convince me that I’m the one that’s upset, because you have no other means of invalidating my perspective so you’re grasping at straws. By the way, even if I was/am upset or otherwise having an emotional response, it still wouldn’t somehow magically make me wrong.

I assure you there’s nothing you can tell me about me that I don’t know, unless it’s inaccurate. I know I’m abrasive in my directness, and I’ve always owned that about myself. That doesn’t mean you get to decide who engages with you in this space, or how they engage. That’s not how “ongoing conversations” in public forums work, sweet pea.

Wow! And, you're a mod? Stirring shit like this on what was a pretty decent thread until you decided to blow it up?

And, you do this all the time? And you're proud of it?

I hope the thread survives, as it was really intended as something that would promote a healthy discourse until the child arrived. If it doesn't, that's too bad. I hope the admins will take a close look at what and who ended what was intended to be a helpful and discerning conversation.

Quote by Dani

LMAOOOOO. “Mod with an attitude.” I like it.

I’m not upset. I’m just like this. You derailed your own thread with your feelings about my perspective.

Anyways goodbye. I’m so sorry that my opposing viewpoints disrupted this “ongoing conversation” you started…and now seem adamant about ending. LOL.

You can try to reframe reality all you want, but it doesn't change what you're really doing here.

It wasn't your "viewpoint," it was your personal attack. You took a frank and open discussion and made it personal.

And yes, you are upset, you can deny it all you want, but coming in all Rambo then saying "I'm just like this" is, and always has been a complete cop out for owning your own shit... and you have lots of it.

I'm not at all interested in ending this conversation. I'm just done wasting time with you.

You can go ahead and reframe how you just came to make a contribution, but it's clearly evident what you're doing. Talking shit and blaming others.

Quote by Dani

Why is the time since your last response relevant? Especially since you’ve been actively responding to me today? You said you wanted an ongoing conversation, well here we are. And I’m not offended, as it takes quite a bit to upset my sensibilities.

You seem to be conflating “active and friendly conversation” with “echo chamber.”

I’ll do you a favor and disregard your incredibly condescending “I suggest we keep it that way.” If I desire such suggestions moving forward, I’ll ask for them directly.

Cheers.

Contrary to what you claim, you seem quite upset.
I don't know how I can be "conducting this thread," if I haven't participated in it in a month.
I'm not going to engage. This thread has been moving along exactly the way I'd hoped, with some good back-and-forth discussion. I'd hate to see it derailed, especially by a mod with an attitude.

Goodbye.

Quote by BryanRichardson

Does anyone think that my profile person is really me? Or even a real person? It seems obviously AI to me.

I mean, I am an old white guy with gray hair and glasses, but that picture doesn’t look like the real me. Like, at all.

I'm talking about a more extensive misrepresentation. It's out there. I'm not a raccoon either. 😉

Quote by Dani

Well I’m happy to clarify!

I stated in my earlier comment that this conversation hasn’t progressed beyond wanting the site to compromise its members’ privacy in a bid to mitigate folks’ personal responsibility to be savvy enough not get duped by internet strangers. Your comments thus far have been in alignment with the site assuming that responsibility, which compromises said privacy.

You also spoke to us needing to be “more proactive,” and we highlighted that we are indeed proactive in this regard, which was more or less disregarded by you.

Overall it seems like you’re not interested in a solution outside of us being more overreaching than folks generally have a right for us to be.

While I understand that you may mean well, this doesn’t appear to be as good faith of a conversation as you’ve presented.

You do realize that I haven't responded to this thread in over a month, don't you?

I have no interest in having this turn into any kind of flame-fest. If you're offended, I apologize. If you go back, you'll see that my original goal is to introduce a discussion that I didn't see on the forum. If you say it was ongoing, it wasn't lately. I felt it would be helpful to have it as an active and friendly discussion and so far it's been. I suggest we keep it that way.

Quote by Dani

I didn't say the conversation was "held decades ago." I said that this has been an ongoing conversation for decades. You approached this subject as if you, yourself were the originator of this "ongoing" discussion. It's been going on for quite a while. It has yet to progress beyond the desire for us to violate others' privacy in the name of making sure someone doesn't lust and/or develop feelings for someone who isn't who they say they are. I look forward to the day it does, but judging from the way you've conducted yourself in this conversation thus far, today is not that day.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say, "judging from the way you've conducted this conversation thus far, today is not that day."

Quote by Dani

This discussion has existed for as long as this site has existed. If you click through to past posts and threads in just about any section of the forums, you will find multiple iterations of this conversation, spanning nearly two decades.

Before AI, there was passing off pics of porn stars (or outright pretending to be said porn stars), photoshop, etc. There have been suggestions from wanting threads exposing such profiles to banning accounts who do this, to wanting to make catfishing against the rules.

Regardless of how often this conversation is rehashed, this is the sticking point: This is a site that centers fantasy and sex. As such, people come here and present themselves in any way they choose, be it honestly or dishonestly. Barring scamming/spamming, the site has no obligation to intervene because people have every right to lie about who they are on the internet. As unsettling as that is to to say and accept, it's the reality.

While as a site we have some measures in place that make it somewhat more difficult to be deceitful, these measures are optional, and therefore the onus is on the individual to govern themselves accordingly in light of the fact that people on the internet are not always who they say they are.

There's no such thing as "the right to lie." People have the ability to lie, and the opportunity to lie, but there is no universally acknowledged "right to lie." That said, there is no "right to be treated honestly," either. One can expect, or hope to be treated honestly, but there is no universal "right" to be treated honestly.

This site's approach to dishonesty and deception can either open the door to both or serve to limit the amount of both. While there may or may not be any legal ramifications, the degree to which they strive to protect their patronage still reflects on them. I think a healthy, ongoing discussion of the matter is important, even if it was held decades ago (especially if it was held decades ago)

It helps if you make the changes in the actual submission then hit publish again rather than do a whole new sub.

If that's what you did, then the next step is just patience. They are slammed with the contest right now.

Quote by MicaMeesha

I have to be honest, Photoshop is just too darn complicated for me, but I do the best I can, and yes, some of the media I post is a bit awful! And thank you so very much for your very kind words. xxx

No, no... thank you! 😉

I don't think there's a damn thing wrong with that, that's the kind of fun we're all here to have, and that's exactly the kind of disclosure I would hope others would be willing to make. It's making the false claim of "this is me" and then getting angry when people ask questions where I have concerns.

BTW, I can see the photoshop in some of your offerings, but can't in others. Either way, you were, and still are gorgeous. Thank you for being here and sharing those with us!

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Like on dating sites, before you meet in person, request a video real-time to at least verify appearances. Never send money. Never.

And if a picture shows 3 nipples, it’s probably AI. 😊

I do know a few who have met on here and married. There are plenty of “real” people here amidst the catfishers.

I’d run from those suggesting you “tip” them. You can see whatever they offer for free elsewhere. Tipping was set up to be for authors in support of their hard work writing.

Oh, I'm safe, don't get me wrong. I've lost "friends" here by asking for simple non-sexual verification. They always think it's something they can get past using AI then comes the time when they realize they're on the spot, (non-sexually of course) and get angry because they're busted.

I'm not really talking trying to hook up or anything. Just spending time visiting with a person and then watching their game collapse is disappointing and frustrating. Even harder is watching them go on to continue playing their game. Nothing here says they can't. And I'm not saying there should be either, I just think it would be helpful if there was more of a site-wide awareness that there are those out there who do that.

Quote by utterchaos

You're not an actual raccoon? 🤯 Damn, totally fooled me.

🤣 I do play one on... well... here.

Quote by Seeker4

It really comes down to whether you see this as a social site or a writing site and then what kind of social site. I come from the world of forums where you mostly just know someone by a username and an avatar to start with. It is rare to have real photos. So I am not looking for the kind of interactions where the authenticity of photos matters. Like JustForYou, I am more about the writing and just having some fun in the forums. Basically, if someone, real or fake, isn't active in writing or the forum's, they are off my radar.

I do think that you have a real concern for the kind of interaction you seem to be looking for. However, I am old enough and have been on the Internet long enough to just assume people are not always who they say. On the Internet, no one knows you're a dog, as the saying goes.😋

I don't think it's binary decision. I know several writers here who visit the forums and comment on wall posts. For me, what that allows for and invites is a sense of community. I think most would agree that a sense of community is a very valuable asset for a site like this. Granted the anonymity will always be a part of it until folks might be willing to take things a step further. Some are definitely more willing than others to do this.

The challenge comes when those who introduce themselves to the community in a way that suggests they are willing to immediately step past that anonymity and be recognized and interact with others while claiming that they are actually who they present themselves to be, when, to the discerning eye, they clearly are not.

That said, Of course, I am obviously not a raccoon, nor do I claim to be. 🤣

Actually, I think the discussion is going well. I fully anticipated that some would chime in with a "Meh, I don't think it's an issue," approach, and that's fine. Again, the main purpose is to have the discussion, not to make it a win or lose debate.

You're right, there are some here who could care less and are fine with just the naughty chatter, whereas others might appreciate more authenticity in what they view and who they might consider to interact with.

Again, I just had not seen any real discussion about this taking place while the fake accounts continue to proliferate here. My hope was that if there was such an ongoing discussion, and people would happen across it, then maybe they'd eventually start to look a little closer and be a bit more discerning before buying into the ruse.

One of the challenges is that when a person sees someone passing a bunch of AI images off as actual pictures of themselves, they might say something in response, but that person can simply delete the comment and block the person who is pointing out their scam.

Just an ongoing, informational discussion to keep the fact that these accounts are present here is helpful in itself.

I appreciate the advice, and I'm sure others do too. More than anything, I'd hoped to stir a discussion on the simple fact that there are peeps out there who are putting AI up there that others are falling for time and again. That, and clearly ripping other people's sites for their images and passing them off as their own.

I think it would be better to put that info out more often in a proactive fashion rather than referencing helpful posts after the fact.

So I've seen this happening on a regular basis here and elsewhere. The challenge is that AI has gotten to the point that unless you're on top of things, it's easy to be fooled. What concerns me is the amount of catfishing that takes place where I might comment on a picture only to be approached by the account asking me for pictures. The other thing, of course, is that there are so many on this site who are so caught up in trying to hook up that they bite and bite hard.

I understand that we're all adults here and are responsible for the consequences of our own choices, but does it not put the site at risk if someone gets catfished to the point that they get harmed by someone who takes advantage of them in this way?

I've had many massages by both men and women. While I've found many of the women very attractive, I've only allowed myself to get hard with one. When I rolled onto my back, I was covered with a towel, but it was plainly evident. She became very flustered but soldiered on until she got into my groin. I honestly did nothing to provoke her and, in fact, was rather embarrassed that I was in that state. She made a few passes along my hip flexors and came a bit undone and ended the massage.

I apologized, and she swore I'd done nothing wrong, just that she thought it best she didn't continue. I never asked why.

I've learned to be cautious. I enjoy reading about all the kinks and intimate proclivities, and love a well written story, but when it comes to personal immersion, I'm pretty straight. Not a prude, just straight with some bi-curious tendencies IF my partner is open and honest. (That's not an invitation)

Open and honest is hard to come by.

I've been catfished too many times to feel safe with it anymore. I'm here for the stories and other fun.

Quote by Mandapanda2025

I don't recall getting the "It's under review and cannot be recalled." That is what I mean. We are going on Day 8, and from a notice perspective, I don't know if it's in the queue or in someone's hot little hands. Yes, I can periodically try to recall it, but I'd probably actually end up recalling it and slide down to the bottom of the queue.

Well, that's interesting.

I just went to my latest submission, Mari's Run, to do a screen grab for you to show you what the "Cannot be recalled," notification looks like, and I see that it's been demoted back to the slush pile. Hmm? Any explanation on what happened there mods? Tomorrow will be 7 days since submission.

Quote by AvidlyCurious

I don't think it'll help much.

Sorry, but I don't understand the need to know what is going on before you actually need to know something (story approved or needs fixing). It doesn't change anything for the person who is waiting. You'll end up getting more messages with a random, automated note, nothing relevant, which I'd imagine it would add to the anxiety.

Granted, I'm the notifications' Grinch. I turn all of them off.

The process has been explained several times, even in this very thread. So everyone knows they'll get the notification that truly matters. Seeing that it's 'under review' getting five messages saying 'still awaiting for verification' won't speed up the process.

In the meantime, write some more, read some more, interact some more... so many things to do on Lushland that are far more enjoyable and fun than going over this again and again.

I don't think anyone's asking to speed things up, just to be better informed of where things are.

Better communication is a beautiful thing.

Quote by Obsolete_Fox

Please keep in mind that all mods are volunteers. We're using our free time to review stories here. Your suggestion that we reach out to each individual author about the status of their submission in the queue would result in us having less time to review stories, and thus would make wait times even longer.

I'm not suggesting that the mod reach out, rather, set up a simple automated notification procedure. (like the one that lets the author know their story has been assigned to a mod) It would take a simple click of the mouse or trigger automatically when the story is opened. A little time to set up the system, but potentially no muss, no fuss for the mod at all.

Quote by AvidlyCurious

We already know that we'll receive a message when it's verified or if it's returned for whatever reason. So why would the wording change anything?

Granted, I'm not clear on the process behind the curtain here, but I would assume that there are stages of interaction that a reviewer has with the submission?

1. There's the automatic notice when the submission is made saying it's under review and can be recalled.

2. Then there's the notice of when the story is assigned to a review and can no longer be recalled.

3. Then the wait begins until we receive the notice of acceptance or rejection.

I find myself wondering if the reviewer has even begun to look at it, or if it's sitting in their own personal slush pile. This makes me think there might be a place there where the reviewer can let the author know they've got it on their desk and are actually reading through it. I think it would also be helpful to the site to know if there are bottle necks occurring at any of those levels if they were to keep track of the time and the flow.

I mean, I've had longer delays IRL and on other sites, but it never hurts to look at ways that increase communication and provide helpful insights.

Quote by Laura_SM

I know someone with a spreadsheet — filters, tabs, the whole thing. Iconic. I didn’t think of that in ’97, when I was busy believing every hookup was either a rebellion or a love story.

I have tried to do the math. Which led to what can only be described as advanced sexual calculus — complete with estimations, rounding errors, and a deep dive into the “was-that-technically-sex?” category.

Final number? North of 120. Which feels... dramatic probably. Until you divide it by 28 years. Then it just looks like I was consistently bad at saying no.

In that same spirit I offer the following:

I try to avoid a backstory puke. If one is provided early, all that's necessary is to ground the reader in the moment and place so they can enter the flow of the story. Then, as the story unfolds, it can be worked in as unobtrusively as possible so the reader feels they're simply getting to know the characters or situation better without having it "splained" to them.

Writing a story is like having sex... too much too soon is a turn off. It's nice for intimacy and familiarity to grow as you progress and, little surprises here and there add to the experience.

One of my first lessons in writing was how important it is for me to allow myself to write a really shitty first draft. The reason it's so important that I do that is because ALL of my first drafts are really, I mean REALLY, shitty.

Try Mandi's suggestion above, and see if you can't get it moving that way. Don't expect to have much of a "real" story, but I guarantee that you will likely have what most of us start with: an overall idea and a few plot points. From there, you start filling in the gaps and revising what doesn't work. People don't usually just sit down and crank out a story when they begin writing, they learn to nurture, coax, and grind a story out of themselves.

After doing what Mandi suggests, set aside an hour to put your words down on paper. Don't worry for a minute how it looks or sounds - the main thing is to just get it down. Set it aside, give it time to germinate, then set aside another hour and come back and review what you wrote down. Resume filling in the gaps and revising things so they better match your vision. Don't ever expect to be satisfied, but if you keep cycling back to it, sooner or later you're going to read somethin you wrote and smile.

If you find yourself struggling, feel free to DM me and let me take a look at what you were able to come up with. Like Mandi, I won't write it for you, but I'm happy to try to ask some helpful questions that might stir your imagination.

Soul to Squeeze - Red Hot Chili Peppers