Expanding Horizons: Embracing the Social Web After 24 years at DeviantArt

I'm starting a new journey and I'm excited to talk about it

Welcome to my new venture into the broader social media world! As someone who has lived and breathed DeviantArt for the past 24 years, this step feels both exhilarating and a bit surreal. Let me share why, after a quarter of a century, I'm branching out from the platform that has been my digital home.

For starters, I've always believed in the power and integrity of DeviantArt. As a founder of this early social platform, I was part of a time when social media was in its infancy, a novel concept rather than the norm. This commitment meant that, much like Zuckerberg sticks to Facebook and Musk to Twitter, DeviantArt was my sole online social outlet.

Over the years, I did set up profiles on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, but these were more placeholders than active engagements. My real thoughts, my passions, and my interactions were exclusively shared on DeviantArt, in my journal entries and community interactions.

But why the change now, you might wonder? Well, as Douglas Adams famously said in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," 42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. Now at 42, this feels like a symbolic moment for new beginnings. Plus, stepping down as CEO of DeviantArt two years ago gave me a new perspective. It's time to explore, to connect, and to share on a broader scale.

And that brings me to Substack. I'm genuinely excited about this platform. To me, Substack is to writers what DeviantArt is to artists – a democratic, meritocratic space where creativity and thoughtfulness reign supreme. It's a platform that respects and elevates the craft of writing, much like how DeviantArt has always celebrated visual artistry.

So here I am, ready to share my thoughts, experiences, and insights on a wider array of platforms. It's a step into a larger world, one that I hope will be as fulfilling and exciting as my journey with DeviantArt has been.

I invite you to join me on this new adventure. Follow me here on Substack, and let's explore the vast, vibrant world of ideas and creativity together. It's a bit late in the game, but hey, better late than never, right?

Looking forward to this journey with you all. Hopefully, you'll still have me ❤️