Hey everyone, Ive been testing out the "state brand name" rule for like a year and a half or something. Theres been mixed response to its use and efficacy. I borrowed the idea from other collection subs that deal with general collections and I thought it was a good idea. To me, it prevents gatekeeping and encourages discussion. As some may realize, I'm really into archiving and sharing information. Ive created most of the wikis for a lot of doll subs here and continously try to gather info for the public. I also actively build doll databases and contribute to ready made ones outside of Reddit. It also fosters knowledge and kindess to each other. Too many times weve seen users reach out and ask what something is, just to get ignored. Which is annoying. On the flip side, theres users who ask what something is even when it was already stated, also annoying lol then theres the caveat of collection rooms, which can be daunting to list the names of dolls and not necessarily useful if its hard to match the name to the doll in the photo. Note: this has nothing to do with sourcing. You must source images that arent yours and doll news. Its a matter of respect and verification.
Anyway, Im testing out something new. I created a new "DollRoom" flair, but theres conditions. A doll room must be an actual sizeable dedicated space to dolls. So if youre posting a table or shelf unit of dolls, youre still expected to list the brand names. The priority of the post must be the room setup and not necessarily the dolls, if that make sense. Additionally, if a user asks what something is, OP is expected to respond. Users are encouraged to report if no response was given. Ill reach out and gently remind OP to engage with the users. Do not just assume everyone knows what the dolls are just because theyre popular. This is a general collection sub for everyone and all walks of life so not everyone knows everything.
Let me know what you guys think about this new flair.
Additionally, some clarifications on other flairs
Doll News - this is for official news on doll releases or company announcements or doll events. Not that youve added something to a collection or anything personal. Please use the regular "Doll" flair.
Doll Haul - this is for when someone adds at minimum 3 dolls to their collection. Its a small difference and maybe not worth having a unique flair for. But let me know what you guys think.
Vent - this is not for personal stories, trauma dumping, or relationships. This a doll hobby page. Venting here would be "the prices are getting ridiculous, packaging is hard to open, i miss this era of dolls, im losing interest in collection". Its not for "my family thinks xyz, im struggling with my identity, is it ok to collect if Im xyz, the economy is getting overwhelming, the political climate is xyz". We all trauma dump and need to let out personal frustrations. We all need advice. Just not here. This is a toy page. Youre on Reddit. Branch out and expand what subs you interact with. And youll get much better responses from subs dealing with those issues. A lot of times subs can become echo chambers. So if you go on a doll sub and vent about your dolls getting thrown out, noones going to give you valid advice since, as collectors, were all going to be upset for you. And hobby pages should be light, as the mod, I simply did not sign up for modding those types of serious conversations. Thats pretty much it. If anyone has any ideas how to approach this differently but still maintain the environment of a toy hobby page, please comment below.
Doll Stories - this sometimes gets confused with "vent". "Doll stories" is literal. Either youre making a storyline with your dolls or you have a story about the doll. The doll has to be the main focus. For instance, "I found this doll abandoned and this is how I gave it a new home". Not, "my friends called me weird for liking dolls". The main topic there is not dolls, its the toxic relationship with the friends. This seems strict, but subs have to be on topic or whats the point of having different subs. And these types of posts get really repetitive and clog the feed to be honest. Everyone here is a collector, the fact this sub exists and the hobby exists is all you need to know that friends like that, are not friends at all and you deserve a safe real world environment. But go to a sub that focuses on friendships and toxic relationships to get catered feedback.
The rules surrounding NSFW and this being an all age and neutral sub
Firstly, discord links will never be allowed here. I noticed when I first became a mod how many low karma users post discord links and then the unsettling connections with NSFW users. Unfortunately, Reddit is open to minors. I dont agree with it. I think it should be 18+ across the board, but its not. I have some responsibility as a mod of a toy sub to be aware there are minors here. That means banning sketchy discord links, and since I cant confirm what chatrooms are properly monitored, I just completely ban them. Additionally, photos or videos of kids, like kid influencers, will never be allowed here. Its why the no selfies (but cosplay) rule exists. And even for cosplay, I wont allow kids pics on here. Its not negotiable, sorry but its my conscience. Additionally, anything sexually explicit is removed. That means anatomically correct dolls, or posing dolls in mature ways. The only NSFW content allowed is horror. I also encourage users NOT to censor anatomically incorrect dolls because, honestly, that makes it more weird lol thats the NSFW things. Just a uncomfortable PSA, since implementing mod bots that target NSFW users, the activity in this sub dropped by the thousands. And just to be clear, NSFW subs are categorized and explicitly named. So if you participate in a mental health sub that is NSFW, you wont be removed. It must be sexually explicit subs. There was an unfortunate correlation between users on this sub and those who participate in infantile NSFW content, which has now been completely blocked. I feel proud of that lol general NSFW users (those not involved in infantile content), please have the common courtesy to not interact with all age subs. Its not meant to shame anyone, but please be mindful. I would encourage making alt accounts to separate activities. But know, even with alt accounts, Reddit knows youre connected. So any sub engaging in particular sexually explicit content that relate to kid items will absolutely be removed. Its unfortunate Reddit allows it at all. Also a note, the rules surrounding NSFW isnt just to protect kids, theres also adults who want to enjoy a wholesome space and its very reasonable to meet that request on a toy sub. Thats my stance.
On the point that this is a neutral subs is as follows; this sub is for everyone so if you are a person who is strongly opinionated and can't tolerate others who are different from you, your content will be removed. There is no group that will recieve special exemptions. There is no group more important than the other or more "right". Stop trying to one up each other. So no, you cannot use certain profanities because you claim you identify a certain way, something that I could never confirm since were all anonymous and its unfair to ask me too. No, you cant make fun or discredit someones spiritual or religious beliefs. You also cant impose your spiritual beliefs onto others. No, there is no race baiting or racial discussions to to put any race down for any reason, even if its a joke. No, theres no political discussions whatsover, and your political beliefs have nothing to do with this sub. Additionally, there is no general stance that dolls are offensive or promote hate. Were not going to police or try to control others. If you do not like a doll, scroll past it. This sub is for everyone. All special events can be celebrated here, including religious holidays, identity celebrations, independence days, etc. Everyone is welcomed. Anyone trying to interfere will be removed. The only "policing" to be done on this sub is to make sure its SFW and on topic. Its not to shame or control each other. We certainly dont tell people how and when to spend their doll bucks. Thats why the core motto for this sub is "respect how others choose to collect".
Personal stances and my experience as a mod
This is the one and only time I will ever publicly make any statements concerning this topic. As some may be aware, im very quiet. I dont address anyone or anything because I have no obligation too and theres really no relevance to the actual hobby or space. Im here as a collector and Ive been a mod for about 2 years or so at the time of this post. Being a mod expands my doll hobby in a way I do generally enjoy. Thats it. Before I was a mod, I also was a user. I used explicit language, I broke the rules, I argued with mods, I got banned from subs. Im a person just like anyone else. So if you engage with me without hostility, most mod actions can be reversed. Mods are not punching bags though. I have no obligation to moderate users who insult me. You can absolutely disagree with the rules but you cannot attack my personhood. Im on here daily, and this needs to be a safe space for me too. The same protection I offer users, I offer myself. If I wont let a user curse out or threaten another user, youre definitely not going to do it to me. And yes, mods do get a lot of threats and I encourage my fellow mods not to let users try to puppeteer or abuse you. You dont have to deal with it. Im also of the mindset not to shame or embarrass users. I wont post public removals through public comments or otherwise, I wont post your private modmails even when they may expose some untruths, you can speak freely here but be kind and reasonable. I dont get paid for this so no I wont argue with you. The rules speak for themselves and they set the environment. That leads to the point that theres no arguing or protesting on the sub. Dont fight with each other. Theres no point. Just report. Also do not protest or boycott here. We dont do anything that potentially can shame other collectors. Protest on whatever company pages instead to express your frustrations, many of which are valid and agreeable, just not applicable to this sub. Theres also no brigading from other subs. Users are not allowed to complain about other subs here. Intersub fighting is not encouraged here at all and I readily remove those posts. If you are from any other sub, respect this subs environment or dont participate. Thats it. Lastly, just be chill lol post your dolls, your doll questions, your doll lore and fun facts, and just have fun.
Thats all the updates I have for now, let me know if theres any other notes of confusions or if anyone would like to see additional flairs. Thanks!
