In canvas 2025, what if we ganged up against the largest country flag, whichever it is?

[Idea] If you don't want to see huge flags taking space over actual drawings in the Canvas, pick the biggest flag that you can find to deface.

As long as a lot of people are doing that, the ones templating larger flags will be forced to reduce their layouts and give more room for actual drawings.


[Reasoning] When it comes to country flags, I think that the immense majority of the users can be split into four groups:

  1. The ones who don't want to see country flags at all.
  2. The ones who are OK with smaller flags, but don't want to see larger ones.
  3. The ones who want to see a specific large flag taking a huge chunk of space.
  4. The ones who want to see the whole canvas burning, like the void.

I'm myself firmly rooted into #1, but this idea is a compromise between #1, #2 and #4.

Typically #3 uses numbers (and/or bots) to seize a huge chunk of the canvas to their flags. Well, let's use numbers against it then. As long as #1, #2 and #4 are trying to wreck the same flag, we win.


[inb4]

But what about identity flags?

Not a problem. They're typically bands instead of thick squares, and people drawing them are fairly accommodating.

But what about [insert another thing]

Even if [thing] is a problem, it's probably minor in comparison with huge country flags.

What should be the template?

None. We don't need one, as long as everyone is working against the same large flag.

Just draw something of your choice over the flag, preferably over its iconic features.

But I'm not creative enough for that!

No matter how shitty your drawing is, it's probably still way more original than a country flag. So don't feel discouraged.

That said, you can always help someone else with their drawing. Or plop in some text. Or just void.

Why are you posting this now, you bloody Slowpoke?

I wish that I thought about this before Canvas 2024. But better later than never. (And better early by a year for Canvas 2025.)


EDIT: addressing on general grounds some whining from group #3 (the ones who want to see a specific large flag taking a huge chunk of the canvas space).

You do realise that this sort of "war against the largest flag" should benefit even you, as long as the biggest flag is not the one you're working with, right? Even for you, this makes the canvas a more even level field. Let us not forget that you love to cover other flags with your own.

eatham ,
@eatham@aussie.zone avatar

Please don't. The Aussie flag will likely be the largest, and it will have art on it next year (not like this year where we accepted art, next year it will be on the template.) It also allowed art this year. There is no reason to be an asshole and ruin stuff for no good reason.

lvxferre OP ,
@lvxferre@mander.xyz avatar

There is no reason to be an asshole and ruin stuff for no good reason.

Except when it's a rainbow, a flag of another government, or Tux's foot. Right? /s

I'm not blaming specifically you eathan for this, before you jump to conclusions. But even you should acknowledge that the main sort of people "being an arsehole and ruining stuff for no good reason" are flag posters. And I would not be surprised if they were the major ones behind botting and multi-accounting too.

Just keep it small.

narc0tic_bird ,
@narc0tic_bird@lemm.ee avatar

You do have a lot of prejudices.

lvxferre OP ,
@lvxferre@mander.xyz avatar

You do have a lot of prejudices.

Against who are you claiming that I have prejudice?

FireWire400 ,
@FireWire400@lemmy.world avatar

If you don't want to see flags, don't participate. Canvas is about people working together to create something and in my opinion, country flags have their place on there just as much as the endless brand logos, ponies and amongus crewmates.

lvxferre OP ,
@lvxferre@mander.xyz avatar

If you don’t want to see flags, don’t participate.

Or alternatively we [people who don't want to see larger flags seizing the space that should be taken by more meaningful stuff] can gather support to fight back within the rules of the Canvas, even if you found such a polite way to rephrase "if you don't like what we do, fuck off and don't play".

And I'm not even saying here "don't post flags at all". I'm saying "cut the larger flags down to size".

country flags have their place on there just as much as the endless brand logos, ponies and amongus crewmates.

And if left alone, their "place" becomes the whole canvas. We all know how nationalists are like - give them a hand and they'll scream "THE WHOLE ARM IS MY REICH".

FireWire400 ,
@FireWire400@lemmy.world avatar

I'm not even really disagreeing with you. To be honest, I'm quite sick of seeing large plain flags on the canvas, too. But I fail to see a point in being so angry about it to the point of wanting to "fight back" against the "nationalists".

At the end of the day, it's not that important. Just leave them and look for other spots to draw your stuff, maybe ask around in participating communities; they'll even help you if you ask nicely.

lvxferre OP ,
@lvxferre@mander.xyz avatar

But I fail to see a point in being so angry about it to the point of wanting to “fight back” against the “nationalists”.

Don't assume emotions of people on the internet. My reply was snarky indeed, but I'm not actually angry.

At the end of the day, it’s not that important. Just leave them and look for other spots to draw your stuff, maybe ask around in participating communities; they’ll even help you if you ask nicely.

You're preaching to the choir - that is exactly what I did in Canvas 2024. And also the reason why I'm proposing this alliance for Canvas 2025.

Conflict, forming factions, co-operation, and even vandalism are part of the game. That is how large flags pop up, and that is why I'm not proposing "GRAAAANT! We need rules against flags!" or anything similar.

However it works both ways. And just like people posting flags can organise towards a goal, I'm proposing that people with another goal should organise themselves. Even if you don't like it because it goes directly against your goal.

Snoopy ,
@Snoopy@jlai.lu avatar

The point of flag is, that they are (usually) easier coordinate, draw and restore.

I suppose they will alway start with the flag because it is our culture but also define a drawing zone.

I disagree with any form of vadalism, but you may invit them drawing their monument :)

lvxferre OP ,
@lvxferre@mander.xyz avatar

Due to the purpose of my post, I am focusing solely on the larger flags in the Canvas, a fact that you "conveniently" skipped past. And, instead of trying to proselytise my views, unlike you, I'm trying to gather people with common grounds, even with different views.

So I'll let my rambling against flags in general to another opportunity, and focus solely on the Canvas.

The point of flag is, that they are (usually) easier [to] coordinate, draw and restore.

In other words: they're boring and unoriginal, and take space of things that actually take more effort and cooperation to pull out.

I suppose they [who?] will alway[s] start with the flag because it is our culture but also define a drawing zone.

Both points are red herrings and you likely know it.

I disagree with any form of va[n]dalism,

Cut off the bullshit.

If you were actually concerned about vandalism you wouldn't be defending country flags at all, given that they're the major source of vandalism (more than the void).

Pick a timelapse of the canvas and see it by yourself.

but you may invit[e] them drawing their monument :)

Or alternatively I could tell them that their "monument" (pfffttt... holy fuck calling a dirty flag a "monument" is hilariously cringey) is taking off too much space, and gather other like-minded people to do it.

That is what I am doing here.

Snoopy ,
@Snoopy@jlai.lu avatar

Well, i find your post very aggressive...

i didn't miss your point and wanted to put another point of view on how usefull flag are on a collaborative and competitive space.

We got our 4 small flag erased because we were french.

I noticed people start drawing flag, then draw something. Why ? Because it is visual. You are simply telling them :
"We are this community, and here is our drawing area."

And yes there is conflit due to the lack of space and human ressource.

It doesn't dimiss you point, that's just another point of view. You are right too.

So from your stance we should erase the major flag : trans flag, germany and rainbow in the same way as Void that erased other people work ? What do you think it will happen ? What do you expect from attacking them ? A pixel war ?

Will they understand your point ?

That's not fun. You can create a group, that's a good idea. when the canva will start, go to their matrix room and suggest some drawing. But don't attack them.

Because if you attack them :

  • people won't be creative and try to protect their flag. You won't get any creativity except revenge : they stop drawing and fiqht you back. Unless you suggest them some drawing.
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