Server Suggestion Ban AI generated images on signs / billboards

[rat]

Suggestion Title: Ban AI generated images on signs / billboards
Suggestion Description: Ban AI generated images on signs / billboards

Why should this be added?:
- AI is incredibly cringe, harmful to the enviroment and detrimental to real artists. It shouldn't be allowed on the server. Wasting such gargatuan amounts of electricity to advertise your shitty gmod perpheads store is so wasteful!!!!!!

What negatives could this have?:
- Literally none.

What problem would this suggestion solve?: Me having to stroll through bazaar and see low effort shitty AI images on every sign.

 

[Kali]

yea i agree now although i do like seeing brake pad sandwiches

 

[unscsnip3r]

But not everyone has access to, or wants to use, image editing software

I'm gonna disagree hard here- there are multiple insanely powerful tools such as paint.net and GIMP photo editor- its more the later here. Plush many run commision services IG. Its a case of laziness in my opinion there

 

[Skudist]

While I understand that low quality AI images generally are a sore to the eye, I do not understand the point of "laziness" being used to speak against AI images.
I've seen many non-AI generated signs and billboards that are either not cropped properly, extremely low quality or seemingly lazily glued together bunches of screenshots. Should that be banned as well?

Yes, it may hurt a passive player-run business, of its kind there are definitely not enough here. But not everybody has the same creative skills or money on hand to create or commission signs for their business.

Nonetheless, the mere fact that you can (at the moment) distinguish AI generated art from human-made art is a reason, why people would still (if the money is there) commission billboards and signs. Unless you know what you are doing, human-made billboards and signs still look better.

I have yet to see a non-hypocritical argument here, that isn't made just for the sake of being against AI-generated art.

 

[GP]

The style in which someone decides to advertise their business should be their choice, as is the customer's choice to boycott or avoid any that obviously use AI if that's within their beliefs. I find AI images tacky, and if I had to choose between similarly-priced business I'd go for the one that put some effort and/or commissioned an actual human person to do their marketing material.

Rule 2.9 Advertisements and Images is already too restrictive in my opinion. We don't need it to ban more things, but clearer guidelines and enforcement on sign placement (rule 3.6 Construction and Properties).

 

[tylerye]

I would like to propose that "its so quick and easy" is not considered a valid argument against this suggestion. Any other points are welcome.

"Its so quick and easy" is completely an argument that can be made here when you're trying to disallow the usage of a tool that is pretty much known for being quick and easy. As Skudist said, slop is going to exist regardless of whether its hand made or ai generated so its not something that should be banned. Allowing its usage is not "endorsing" it and saying that AI kills creativity is just a completely incorrect statement when it allows people to create decent looking things based on their own creativity and imagination who wouldn't have the skills to do so originally, but that something that has already been said a billion times here.

 

[rat]

"Its so quick and easy" is completely an argument that can be made here when you're trying to disallow the usage of a tool that is pretty much known for being quick and easy. As Skudist said, slop is going to exist regardless of whether its hand made or ai generated so its not something that should be banned. Allowing its usage is not "endorsing" it and saying that AI kills creativity is just a completely incorrect statement when it allows people to create decent looking things based on their own creativity and imagination who wouldn't have the skills to do so originally, but that something that has already been said a billion times here.

You have a to compare the very selfish argument of convenience against the ethical and environmental impacts of generative AI, and if you come to the conclusion that the accessibility of not having to learn a skill and still having your "creativity" rewarded wins out, then idk what to say to you. AI is a perverse amalgamation of work done by unconsenting third parties that has been stolen and processed by companies to produce capitalism's wet dream, all of the content without any of the human spirit.

To clarify, I can't use photo editing software, but I'd sooner learn than embarrass myself by presenting the fact I use AI generation to the world.

 

[rat]

Also I do think that "not everyone knows how to" is an awful argument to make for many different reasons.

The main one that it's ok for people not to be able to do things! If they haven't put in the time to practice and master a skill why should they be given the tools to create a poor facsimilie of what actually skilled people can do? Why should we devalue the learned experience of many people just because little timmy doesn't know how to use photoshop (((

It's always the same argument: "I can't do it and it's cheaper," ask yourself sincerely (and going admittedly going overboard for a gmod server suggestion,) do you want to live in a world where most of the art is made by a machine? Where the extent of humanities creativity is thinking of cool ideas, typing them into a box and moving on with their lives? Would a computer be able to convey a message like Van Gogh or Shakespeare? (I've been watching dr who recently.)

It's not that big a deal to some, I get it, but AI is a dangerous drain of real creativitiy.

 

[Acerius]

I think banning the use of generative AI on the basis of the belief that it does more harm than good to the creative industry is such a cavalier argument. I don't disagree with said belief in the grand scheme of things, but ultimately this is just a game where the billboards and signs are a means of conveying information without having to rely on text, which we've had to do for years. We're not the Louvre nor the National Gallery, and a sign on PERPHeads that advertises a criminal organisation with a stupid name or a store that sells virtual guns isn't going to contribute massively to any predicted 'downfall' of these real-life industries.

Saying that "oh well if people don't have the time nor inclination to learn how to use Photoshop or other tools then they should be compelled to pay another player to do it for them" is completely unreasonable. If you don't want to support a player's business or organisation because their advertising is AI-generated and you are predisposed against the use of such tools then so be it, that is a personal choice you are allowed to exercise, in the same way that you don't have to be friends or interact with everyone you come across on the server.

2.9 is restrictive enough and sure, staff could have a bit of a higher standard in their discretion to stop the ultra-tacky stuff from getting through, but players shouldn't be locked out of a feature simply because they don't possess the skills to create something outside of the game with their own hand in a given piece of software. I can tell you're passionate about this issue but your activism is being pumped in the wrong place: go protest; raise awareness; lobby legislators; support real artists, sure, but don't force children and adults alike on a game to subscribe to what is ultimately a political belief through expanding a rule.

To clarify, I can't use photo editing software, but I'd sooner learn than embarrass myself by presenting the fact I use AI generation to the world.

Sure, and there's nothing wrong with that, but that's you. If people make AI-generated signs and billboards that look tacky but aren't downright rule-breaking - and they like it, and their friends like it, and it attracts people to their Bazaar/Business shop - do you know something, there's also nothing wrong with that either.

 

[Pufferfish]

Also I do think that "not everyone knows how to" is an awful argument to make for many different reasons.

The main one that it's ok for people not to be able to do things! If they haven't put in the time to practice and master a skill why should they be given the tools to create a poor facsimilie of what actually skilled people can do? Why should we devalue the learned experience of many people just because little timmy doesn't know how to use photoshop (((

It's always the same argument: "I can't do it and it's cheaper," ask yourself sincerely (and going admittedly going overboard for a gmod server suggestion,) do you want to live in a world where most of the art is made by a machine? Where the extent of humanities creativity is thinking of cool ideas, typing them into a box and moving on with their lives? Would a computer be able to convey a message like Van Gogh or Shakespeare? (I've been watching dr who recently.)

It's not that big a deal to some, I get it, but AI is a dangerous drain of real creativitiy.

so what you’re basically saying it that no one can argue against your point than? cause people use AI for the reasons of it being quick and easy. no one is aiming to defame you by using something that they don’t need to pay for or by using something that is simply “quick and easy” as that’s the whole POINT of AI imagery. and “not everyone knows how too” being not everyone is artistic and can make their own art, that’s why they use AI.

If you dislike that people use AI than don’t visit their shops. i agree artistic signs and imagery is much nicer but let players do as they please

 

[Inchs]

I disagree with this heavily.
Your argument is consistently that people should be paying for these images via ingame funds, what if you're a new player and wanting to start a shop? You don't have the money to do that.

And I think it's a stupid idea to pay someone real money to make a sign for a GMOD server. Ultimately AI is a gateway for people who cannot do various forms of art but still want things to look nice in their shops and I think it should be allowed.

 

[rat]

Everything I could say I have already said. Please accept this image as a form of surrender to our AI slop overlords.

 

[Lushi]

(delete this comment)

 

[Kalli]

I disagree with this heavily.
Your argument is consistently that people should be paying for these images via ingame funds, what if you're a new player and wanting to start a shop? You don't have the money to do that.

And I think it's a stupid idea to pay someone real money to make a sign for a GMOD server. Ultimately AI is a gateway for people who cannot do various forms of art but still want things to look nice in their shops and I think it should be allowed.

I can certainly see where you're coming from, but I think this argument is based on a rather flawed assumption, which is that signs and billboards are somehow essential to running a shop, which they aren't. Plenty of players run successful shops without any custom signage. Sure, signs and billboards are a nice bonus, but not at all a requirement to run a shop, so even if a new player can't afford to commission art for a sign with in-game currency or otherwise, they can still run a shop just fine without one.

Saying it’s “stupid” to pay someone for their time and skill, even in a game context, misses the point. If someone wants a unique, eye-catching design, collaborating with a real person (and compensating them fairly, if they so desire) fosters a more meaningful and community-driven experience.

If accessibility is a concern, perhaps an idea for Community Management (*cough* @rogue *cough*) is to explore community-driven alternatives. There are solutions that don’t involve compromising on artistic ethics or flooding the server with low-effort AI content.
Maybe create a community artist program? Trusted artists could apply to be part of a volunteer roster where they take on small commissions for players. In return, the staff team could compensate them with in-game currency or free premium.
Or look into having a curated pack of basic but well-made signage templates made by volunteer artists, available for free to new players. This way, people can still have decent-looking signs without defaulting to AI.

 

[SomeUser]

I can certainly see where you're coming from, but I think this argument is based on a rather flawed assumption, which is that signs and billboards are somehow essential to running a shop, which they aren't. Plenty of players run successful shops without any custom signage. Sure, signs and billboards are a nice bonus, but not at all a requirement to run a shop, so even if a new player can't afford to commission art for a sign with in-game currency or otherwise, they can still run a shop just fine without one.

Saying it’s “stupid” to pay someone for their time and skill, even in a game context, misses the point. If someone wants a unique, eye-catching design, collaborating with a real person (and compensating them fairly, if they so desire) fosters a more meaningful and community-driven experience.

If accessibility is a concern, perhaps an idea for Community Management (*cough* @rogue *cough*) is to explore community-driven alternatives. There are solutions that don’t involve compromising on artistic ethics or flooding the server with low-effort AI content.
Maybe create a community artist program? Trusted artists could apply to be part of a volunteer roster where they take on small commissions for players. In return, the staff team could compensate them with in-game currency or free premium.
Or look into having a curated pack of basic but well-made signage templates made by volunteer artists, available for free to new players. This way, people can still have decent-looking signs without defaulting to AI.

I actully really like the idea you have added, instead of just AI slop it rewards players that want to be a part of the community and help the community out with artwork, Theres plenty of talented people in the community that would be happy to help

 

[SomeUser]

I actully really like the idea you have added, instead of just AI slop it rewards players that want to be a part of the community and help the community out with artwork, Theres plenty of talented people in the community that would be happy to help

Also I want to point out that I get why people use AI non of us are oblivious and we get it, However I think that in this case it would be a good comprimise because people will still use AI but it rewards the players that go 1 step beyond and make something thats not just AI related, Im not saying AI is all evil im just saying i feel like something needs to be in place to reward creative people in the community.

 

[Inchs]

I can certainly see where you're coming from, but I think this argument is based on a rather flawed assumption, which is that signs and billboards are somehow essential to running a shop, which they aren't. Plenty of players run successful shops without any custom signage. Sure, signs and billboards are a nice bonus, but not at all a requirement to run a shop, so even if a new player can't afford to commission art for a sign with in-game currency or otherwise, they can still run a shop just fine without one.

Saying it’s “stupid” to pay someone for their time and skill, even in a game context, misses the point. If someone wants a unique, eye-catching design, collaborating with a real person (and compensating them fairly, if they so desire) fosters a more meaningful and community-driven experience.

If accessibility is a concern, perhaps an idea for Community Management (*cough* @rogue *cough*) is to explore community-driven alternatives. There are solutions that don’t involve compromising on artistic ethics or flooding the server with low-effort AI content.
Maybe create a community artist program? Trusted artists could apply to be part of a volunteer roster where they take on small commissions for players. In return, the staff team could compensate them with in-game currency or free premium.
Or look into having a curated pack of basic but well-made signage templates made by volunteer artists, available for free to new players. This way, people can still have decent-looking signs without defaulting to AI.

But players still have to PAY for it when they can generate something that works for FREE.
Unfortunately this is the times we are in and it is unavoidable

 

[rat]

Unfortunately this is the times we are in and it is unavoidable

About to break Godwin's law in trying to show how much of a non argument this is

 

[Kalli]

But players still have to PAY for it when they can generate something that works for FREE.
Unfortunately this is the times we are in and it is unavoidable

The ideas provided for the community artist program or the template pack would mean FREE content for players, with the artist possibly compensated by the staff team for their work.

 

[Inchs]

About to break Godwin's law in trying to show how much of a non argument this is

How is it a non-argument? The technology exists, it isn't going to go away and will eventually take many jobs not just artists, people have to begin to adapt to the times and continuing to hold onto existing times will just mean people are left behind.

 

[SomeUser]

How is it a non-argument? The technology exists, it isn't going to go away and will eventually take many jobs not just artists, people have to begin to adapt to the times and continuing to hold onto existing times will just mean people are left behind.

This is correct in all honesty that shit is not going away any time soon, again this is why i think a comprimise is a good thing, I feel like we allow (maybe a more stricter version) of AI pics, But also if someone wants to have the people in community make something and them get rewarded for it i feel like its should be a option