bennjordan
patreon
Legal Stuff/Content Freeze
🕑 Added 2023-04-21 06:13:41 +0000 UTCI realize that myself and my content are often a magnet for outlandish circumstances on social media, and I'm not exactly doing well at avoiding it while preserving my own personal standards regarding honesty and standing up for myself.
I'm trying very hard to write this post while balancing on a tight rope between being clear about what is going on while encouraging my supporters to not "take sides" or involve themselves. It's already embarrassing. I will not be naming names or groups in this post. Some of you may know something about the situation I'm referring to. If so, please do not name names or groups here.
Last week someone from a small company's Discord server had filed complaints with multiple companies and organizations (some large, some small), that detailed exaggerated, false, and unsubstantiated allegations about my behavior on that server. Understandably, things need to be taken extremely seriously on a formal level with larger organizations.
Statements need to be written, attorneys need to be filled in, and chat logs need to be collected from a 3rd party (in this case, Discord itself as the moderator of that channel is unresponsive). Until then, a lot of things have to freeze or be reviewed by legal council. Certain words will need to be banned on YouTube channels for a little while, and some comments regarding the situation may be flagged or hidden on Discord. I'm extremely against any type of censorship, but it is what it is.
The legal fees are also extremely expensive, and has gobbled up the budgets for 3 different science videos (2, if you don't count AI-enhanced UFC fighters as science). Additionally, I can't work directly or closely with audio companies or retailers until the situation has been either resolved by the complainant or the HR/legal departments of the organizations the complainant involved. Within 5 days, the situation has cost more than 3 months of Patreon + YouTube AdSense payments. I'm not sure yet whether I intend on seeking damages in the future. I just want this to be over with and don't want to hurt other artists or small companies.
Sim Selections can still happen this month, and I may be able to do streams with very careful planning. But the more important part of this message is that I'm extremely thankful for this community and its support. It makes extremely emotionally and financially difficult situations like this worth it. I'll keep everyone updated, and I understand entirely if the slower release of content in this period makes you want to take a Patreon break.
Cheers, from a very noisy hotel in glorious Gallup, NM.
Comments
2020k RJ Kozain
I'm in countless Discord servers and yours is one of, like, three that I check regularly. It's the same thing with who I subscribe to on YouTube, I'm always waiting what pops up on yours and just...oy, sorry you have to go through this crap.
John Coles
Thank you for the work you do. It’s unfortunate you’ve got this happening. I hope it resolves most expeditiously for you.
Robert Korte
I wish you sucess and good luck!
AquaticBorealis
Zoiks, well that’s a drag. Sorry you have to deal with this sort of thing.
M.S. Patterson
Well, that all sounds extremely stupid and obnoxious. Sorry to hear about the legal nonsense. May it pass swiftly and without long term repercussions.
Scott Darrington
I've got more than enough content and joy from said content for a lifetime already; I'm happy to bump up my little contribution and help as much as I can. Hope things clear up alright.
_truck
Oof. I don't know any details, but very sorry to hear you're having to deal with that, and fully appreciate the difficulty of the situation. Take care, and take as much time as you need. My patronage will certainly continue.
Kevin Williams
Let us know if there's anything we can do to help
Leo
It ain't much but I bumped up a tier. Encouraging others to do so as well. Stay strong Benn, this will be a distant memory someday.
Mur Dareik
As many of the good fellows in here, you can count with my contribution as well. Hope everything sorts out soon enough. Stay strong!
Gunnar Roxen
Batten down the hatches and protect yourself, Benn. No one needs stress like that. My tiny contribution will continue regardless
Keith Hare
Benn, I followed Flashbulb for 10 years before I accidentally found you on Youtube. Suggest you create a suitably eruditely-named Patreon subscription banding for those of us who are lucky enough to be in a position to give a little extra during this period. All the best, Keith
A
this all sounds so crazy, i hope you can just have some calm and normalcy for a bit after this gets resolved
Edward Davies
Just caught up with it all, take care Benn, don’t let the bastards grind you down!
Stijn Decneut
Take care, Benn, and I'd be surprised if many of us supporting you are doing that on the condition of a fast & frequent content release pace. I just hope that someday you will be able to share your account of what's happening now.
dreamer
Wait what? o.O Unbelievable how much damage a single bad actor can do in such a short time. Personally I'd say definitely seek damages. This person needs to get some sort of accountability. And you deserve this for the time, energy, money, and emotional strain that it is causing. Take care Benn and use as much time as you need to resolve this BS!
Erik
First comment/interaction since subscribing at the beginning: Take a break because you're dealing with some shit that's consuming time and money you'd rather be spending on making stuff? Nah. My measley $$ a month was paid for long before you even started this Patreon thing with your already clear dedication to sharing the things you learn and make. My bit isn't tit-for-tat, it's so that you can keep doing what you're doing as much as you can.
FWLTY
This may be the parasocial talking but either you’re the best liar I know or I’m right about my hunch that you respect the work you do and the people you work with. I joined your Patreon right before this happened and I’m with you for as long as I can afford it. You provide value whether you create content or not. Because you made me rethink why I made music in the first place. Thank you. I hope you can find the time to enjoy life a bit through all this. Nothing is worth taking that away from you.
Paul Davis
If you're east-bound, hate hotels and need a place to stay, Galisteo NM can offer a spot. Good luck!
kev Human
I am also oblivious to the situation but you have my support, megre as it is. I'm sure I'm one of many.
Riigs Music
Goddamn it. This is so wrong Benn. We won’t leap in and take sides but many of us will do whatever you need to help
Phil Schalm
As someone who’s dealt with large company legal (but in a completely different context) I fully appreciate your need to “tread lightly”. Please take as much time as needed to protect yourself and resolve this in a meaningful manner. As always, thank you for being so transparent and honest Benn.
Dream Static
Damn. I have no idea what's going on but I'm sorry you're having to deal with it. Jesus.
ryan
love you buddy. hope you’re doing alright.
