Sorry, another angsty journal; I'm writing this for a friend.

The following quote is an excerpt from ~Savagenymph12's most recent journal:

"No offense, but ... There are some people who are getting too fake on dA. They only want posts, comments, or to see how many friends they can get. So let's see who will actually re-post this. This is a test to see who's paying attention. This is a test to see how many people in my friends list actually pay attention to me. Copy and re-post in your own bulletin. Lets see who the true friends are and I think I know who you are... Re-post this if you are a friend...Don't reply... just copy and paste this in a new bulletin as 'Fake Friends.'"

What Savagenymph12 has to say has some truth in it. That's not to say it's an infestation, though; there are many people on dA who are here totally for the experience. I've run into only a few people who expressed these traits. I know and have befriended many people who are here to make art, appreciate art, become better at art, and on top of all of those, just be with friends. That's the core of dA, isn't it? To hang out with and meet people who share our interests and be a little part of an even bigger and more unique community. We're all artists brought together by our trade, friends dragged here by other friends.

People who are only interested in tacking up the numbers can't be called much else than egotistical. Correct me if I'm wrong. What does a number matter? Whether your pageview count is 1 or 1,000,000, it will never change how good of an artist you are or how close your friends are.

People who mindlessly seek such things are seeking hollow gratification. There is no true pleasure in logging into dA every morning to meet 900,000 pageviews unless it's well-earned. The TRUE pleasure is in the beautiful, thoughtful comments people leave for your artwork, laced with their utmost appreciation, awe, and joy in watching you do what you do. It's better to have 50 pageviews and people who show you this appreciation than 1,000,000 and no one who stops to even have the smallest of conversations with you. Popularity is irrelevant.

I hope you all take these thoughts to your heart. Be thankful for the friends and watchers you have.