Information Is Power

by | Aug 31, 2023 | A Bit of Everything

The past few weeks have been hard for many creative types and I’m here to spread some information. From the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, AI tainting everything, and Amazon giving KU authors the lowest payment per page read ever even though KU subscriptions have risen. I’ve gone back and forth between writing about this on my blog and not. So here we go. This one is going to be a bit long so brace yourselves, my dudes.

WGA & SAG-AFTRA Strikes

For those of you who don’t exactly know why they are on strike, let me give you the main bullet points. Most big studios haven’t changed contracts since streaming services became a thing which is screwing over writers, actors, production assistants, and more from a trickle-down effect.

First Reason

Residuals. How is it that people like Bob Iger and David Zaslav can have multi-million dollar salaries while the creatives who actually put in the time, sweat, and work in get paid pennies? Why do they get residual checks that don’t even cover the cost of postage? And according to a handful of articles, these same super-rich studio heads want to wait out those on strike so they’re desperate for work and take the bullshit contract they have put forth which has already been rejected. Up until yesterday, they had refused to even try to enter into negotiations.

Second reason

AI. According to several background actors, Disney studios have begun to inventory their likeness citing xyz reasons and if they don’t agree, they don’t get to work. Soon after, this became a point of contention in the new contracts. Studios don’t want to pay for extras anymore and would rather digitally input AI-generated background actors for a cheaper price. The handful of shows that have unveiled AI background have caught the attention of viewers and not in a positive light. However, who’s to say they would stop at just extras? Since people have begun to try and write stuff using AI, there are talks of writers also being replaced.

Bottom line: cheap, greedy assholes are trying to cut costs wherever possible, up subscriptions, and keep outdated contracts in place in order to have a better bottom line and more money going into their pockets. This is why streaming numbers have begun to decline, but clearly, that’s not enough. As of right now, cutting your streaming services to help boycott won’t help unless the unions call for a boycott. If you decide to do it because you feel morally obligated to, then do.

AI In The Book World

I’m not here to say pros and cons of using AI to make book covers or write books. If you use AI period, you’re stealing. It’s as simple as that. It’s as bad as people pirating copies of books and then saying “if you can’t afford to buy books you want to read, come to this illegal site.” Just no. AI uses other people’s hard work to try and create “new and original shit”. Artists and writers weren’t asked if their work could be used or copied, it was just taken.

To KU Or Not To KU

Whether you’re an author or a reader, DO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU. Do not go around saying authors who are leaving KU are punishing their readers or say authors that leave KU are stupid. Just like how every author’s path to success and every author’s way to write is different, whether or not they leave is up to each author. Some can’t leave, some are saying “screw you Amazon” and going wide, and others are doing some sort of hybrid model. Some people can’t afford to not be using KU and others are leaving period. Do what’s best for you, my dudes, and don’t insult people who are doing the opposite of what you’re doing.

If you want to leave KU because of the KU payout but can’t afford to buy all the books, look for the authors that are going wide in libraries and library apps. Join the Kobo+ subscription, it’s actually cheaper than the KU subscription. Try and become an ARC reader for your favorite authors. There are options my dudes, I swear.

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