Free.

I guess since I have been jumping from thread to thread discussing this very word, it's appropriate I spend my morning talking about it here. As a Poser community observer I find myself increasingly frustrated with decline of the community spirit and increase in entitlement, as well as the general devaluation of the skills involved in creating content. While I duck into the forums between meetings and tasks to beg for recognition for the exerted effort donated without requirement, I hear from every direction that it isn't just our generosity that is scrutinized but that of every content giver on the web right now. The demand for more free, high quality, high value things or rock bottom garage sale prices seems to outweigh understanding the concept of receiving adequate compensation for creative work. If this is the continued direction of our community, is there a future for content creators to make a living just creating content?

To my understanding after a few policy changes around the community, it is the general belief that the store sites should and have to give away stuff to increase traffic and if they don't give stuff away, they are doomed. Since that is a separate topic, I'll save that for another day and just focus on things that are made by individuals outside the companies and are offered without any monetary compensation.

I work with a lot of artists, some expertly skilled and able to model and texture with their eyes closed by stop watch, and some who meticulously create their masterpieces over weeks and months but none seem to set their pricing on an hourly rate or future sale predictions. I know a lot of artists who throw a dart at the board when setting product pricing, and we are often begged for pricing guidelines and mandatory pricing for certain product lines and types so that artists who tend to undervalue their work don't drive down the market. My personal opinion has always been that the Poser market is self-correcting and will moderate itself and the cream of the crop will rise to the top and everyone will be paid what they deserve. But maybe that isn't so, when increasing complaints are rising up everywhere and rather than shutting people down, people are jumping on the train. I know that there are a lot of traditions grandfathered into the community long before I joined it, but I'm starting to wonder when "the right to free 3D" became part of the Bill of Rights?

I said it in one of my posts on the CP forums, but I think it is such a simple fact that is so easily lost. 3D is an expensive and luxury hobby. If you think about Poserland like a real world situation, not every girl is going to be able to have the nice dress and awesome shoes. The girl in your runtime might want that other girl’s makeup, or her spray on tan. That convertible that drove by your screen last week was precious, and I'd love to own it too, but my scooter is parked next to the house. It doesn't mean we can't hang out together and have a good time. It does mean that you don't get to stand on the corner and scream to all your neighbors that you deserve a convertible too. They work just as hard as you, and their money was just as hard earned. You are electing to live in a neighborhood where you are going to see things that are slightly out of your reach. But you have a roof over your head...isn't that good enough?

This is my biggest frustration. It is the holidays, and people are hungry. It is cold outside and people are snuggling up with their kids in cars and trying to explain that Santa will find them. You have access to a computer if you are reading this. You have electricity if you are using Poser. In fact, I know quite a few people who work damn hard at Poser to have electricity and still find the time to donate to the community. In the spirit of the holidays, and for the sake of all those that have less than you, my holiday wish is that we find a place a little less negative than we have been. Rather than writing yet another complaint into the text box on your screen declaring what you deserve for your investment, think if your investment to that community has been positive itself. Stop reveling in what you don't have, and worship what you do - an amazing community of people around you on every level who are blessed to have the freedom to make art. We are so very lucky to be free. Let's start working together, and not against each other. This Poserland place is pretty awesome.