SO, the Mishka thread was getting a bit off-track, so figured i'd set up a stand alone thread. ISSUE: Does Instagram make toy-forums pointless? Why? Why not? Interested in people's thoughts...
The only people debating this seem to be you and Greg. Look, people can instagram, hashtag, social media whatever the fuck they want to, I don't care, it is personal choice. But come on, you are on a toy forum asking if a toy forum is pointless? Do you not see how that is going to come off? Would you walk into your local bookshop and ask the owner, "Aren't bookstores nowadays pointless?" What is the purpose of that? Where/with whom do think there is a discussion to be had? Is there any point to having your own toy blog when then are already scores of other toy blogs out there?
You went to the toy forum to ask if toy forums are becoming obsolete? Why didn't you ask on IG? Discuss... Great minds etc. Fortunately that S&S88 guy isn't here any longer. Seriously though, no toy fora are not dead. If you want a community, you come to one of these places; if you want a pictorial Facebook, you go to Instagram. The GUI there is optimized in such a way that a flowing correspondence like this is hard to find or sustain.
That's my point right there. By posting this 'discussion' on a toy forum, even if this were not such an inane topic to try and start a thread on, he's answered his own question. And anyone reading this is also going to have to same response....because they are reading on a toy forum. I can only hope this is misunderstood rhetoric.
Steve, you seem a bit tense there, friend. Were you reading the Mishka thread too? It's OK buddy, it's over now. Just close that other browser tab, guy, and let the anxiety wash away. I think that it's a legit topic of discussion, but maybe it would be better to frame the question in the future: Will IG make toy forums pointless? I think that people who hate Facebook style user interfaces (me) will never get interested in IG enough to use it except to look at pretty pictures (which is what IG is ostensibly all about). If sometime later Instagram changes their format to something more conducive to conversation (why would they?), then yeah, Skullbrain might be in trouble.
This place is an encyclopedia of toy knowledge. Tons of people here could write entire volumes on a single toy company. How the hell could IG replace any of that? I guess I could understand if someone used this place for the sole purpose of pimping their toys/websites they could see instagram as a viable alternative or even as superior but for people who are actually fans/collectors and want info both past and present this forum can't be replaced. IG is just show and tell often without even the tell.
Before IG there was flickr. I don't think these photo sites will replace a forum, not a toy one nor any other one. Rather they will complement it. I don't have IG or Facebook, I seem to do alright without... but no SB? Now, that's a different story.
...man. I pretty much agree with you: Forums have lots to offer that Instagram does not. BUT remember that Skullbrain is an open forum, so people can view only here and not contribute at all. Hell i had a damn funny comment on my Instagram from some person called 'jonsnowofwinterfell': "Hey art whore I agree forums are losing relevance. Rather than create an account and wait to be OKd on Skullbrain I'm telling you this here instantly." ...so Jon Snow SAW the post on Skullbrain, as it's open, but commented on Instagram... Hmmmm.... Link: http://statigr.am/p/623521731380730930_227683030 And Re: ...THIS i agree with 100%. And it was just a thought that popped into my head, and as i love forums and the community they foster, i wanted to ask! LOVE all the back and forth this is generating. On a similar note. ...i have even been discussing with non-toy-friends how Insatgram has created an off-the-grid marketplace too. * artist posts art * fan buys art via Paypal ...so easy! All ya need is an email account, Instagram + Paypal. No proper website or webstore needed!
I work in a bookstore and the amount of people that ask that to our faces and are gullible enough to think books are on the brink of extinction is unbelievable! Anyways, it's a legit question and good to see some attempts at generating substantial discussion on these boards! Every now and then I'l just pop a topic in google with "skullbrain" after it and I'll find the info I'm after. You can't really do that on instagram even if people are using hashtags properly. It's great as a visual reference, but if I'm after some knowledge then SB is where it's at.
Why do people think it's so hard to get an account here? You sign up, and like it says at the top of the signup page, "If you are interested in signing up, please also send us an email at tiredchildren at gmail dot com or josh at super7store dot com, as we get about 1,000 spambots a day a signing up, so chances are pretty good we won't find your signup without an email."
Vintage forum is still good. Instagram is better for new releases. I know many people who don't even bother to tease new toys on SB anymore, myself included.
This is one of those things you can do but shouldn't. If you are trying to be serious about being an artist or selling goods, I feel like you should at least make a little effort to craft a legit brand experience. I think of someone like MVH, who is really popular and has done a really nice job creating his brand, not just with amazing toys and header/backing cards, but also with a cool new website and the beautiful toy photography it features. This upcoming year, I am going to be building a new website/store as well and working more the way I present my figures. Selling your stuff directly on Instagram and just asking people to email you doesn't really do much to establish your image of being a professional artist/designer/retailer. Of course, I'm talking about people who are trying to sell the work they made, not the collector just trying to sell a toy they no longer want. I feel like some of the dudes selling on Instagram are using it because there are a lot of people on Instagram who aren't on SB, and I don't think anyone really cares on Instagram if people are selling a toy for 50 or 100 dollars more than they paid and making money.
to take the position that forums that foster discussion are worthless because sometimes the discussion is inane and you have to tolerate "haters" seems very cheap / cynical. Sometimes I wish there were more give and take on this board because I'm interested in how toys collide with other pieces of art and culture, but there's still a lot of good discussion that happens here. I guess this hobby is suitable to people who are only interested in buying and selling, but if that's the case, why not just move over to the stock market? You're more likely to make money.
Was gonna leave the discussion alone, but thought Greg's comment was funny because I find the "SICK NEED WANT" posts more of an Instagram phenomenon I signed up/sent an email to James and was activated the same day. The extra email is apparently too much trouble in these days of instant gratification... either that or the illiteracy rate is going up
...Very interesting points Joe! And i am with you on the issues associated with the post-pic-buy-via-email-n-Paypal approach of some craftsmen/makers/artists. Here i feel people who just want to get there work out there, it's fine. But as you say this method does not leave much for posterity (show flyers, promotional art etc), and thus dooms the maker to exist only as a maker, and not an 'artist'. ...BUT seems lots of makers are happy just being makers. Posterity and notions of 'art' be dammed. And that's ok i feel. AND some, like Lamour Supreme work both sides of the game. Lots of gallery shows, but no real web-presence except for Instagram - were he often also sells work direct. And he is arguably killing it. Finally, on yr point of Instagram flipper - i have only seen the opposite. Namely people selling stuff on Instagram, but for retail or 10% on retail, which is all fine by me! And re: ...SO behind you hear man. Figure the best way to get new discussions going, is to start 'em.
well it did take a year for my acct to get activated & I definitely don't recall seeing the email us part. was that there in '07? couldve just missed it.
Don't have instagram and am surviving just fine. FYI Any people who had to wait for more than a day/week/month to sign up....it's on them. It's easy to call S7 and just ask. It has nothing to do with being secretive or elite. S7 employees work fulltime and I'd assume don't always get the opportunity to respond to nonsensical signups. Look at all the people who a to signed up in the past and have never posted. THere are a myriad of them. A lot of them being spam. I remember registering and then following up like a normal human being and asking if it went through via email then phone. It took less than 30 minutes. Waiting a year to get on this board??? seriously?? Why didn't you just call the store or email after a week or so? This is not an exclusive message board.
