The Facebook debacle & other issues

53 minutes ago, Sebby said:

I've spoken with women who don't feel like a woman anymore because of it.

The loss of a prominent secondary sex characteristic heavily associated with both adult femininity and childbearing would have to be a crushing blow mentally. That's on top of the terrible mortality rate for breast cancer. When I heard about this I was pretty appalled, and it really feels like commercializing a terrible illness. 

9 minutes ago, BeyondTime said:

The loss of a prominent secondary sex characteristic heavily associated with both adult femininity and childbearing would have to be a crushing blow mentally. That s on top of the terrible mortality rate for breast cancer. When I heard about this I was pretty appalled, and it really feels like commercializing a terrible illness. 

"commercializing"

That's the word I couldn't find. My brain is mushy

I think there should be a line where using illnesses for items can or cannot be done. A doll with crutches or acne or something is a good way to help children accept the things they deal with and see the beauty in them. Same with hearing aids, stoma bags, etc. But using cancer is a step too far in my opinion. And many people who say they want the part (not all, of course) they have no idea how truly horrible it is to go through this. 

If you truly want to do something with the cancer subject, just make a T-shirt or something. Like the f*ck cancer doll shirts from a few years ago. 

---

Different subject: Did y'all see Danny's newest insta post?

"As a wannabe creator, I have learned to deal with criticism correctly" 

Edited August 31, 2022 by Sebby

Okay, so I haven't said anything on this forum in months but I have been lurking! Hope I'm not intruding or anything. 

I've been pinning after a (redacted so Danny doesn't get any ideas) SmD for a bit now. It's so frustrating to read all this stuff because, you know, I really like the dolls! It's just the banning people and making money off of people's disabilities and insecurities feels so weird to me. 

Also, about this new bust.... didn't Mr. Choo say most of his customers were children? Or am I mistaken? It seems really odd to market a bust like this to, you know, literal children. The only people who would "benefit" from this are adults. Seems a lil off to me.

1 hour ago, Sebby said:

Different subject: Did y'all see Danny's newest insta post?

"As a wannabe creator, I have learned to deal with criticism correctly" 

Yeah, I nearly keeled over when I read this. The best part is that what follows is actual criticism, and not some nutjob's hate for queer people that will sadly inadvertently trickle in once companies start rainbow-washing. Oh, wait...

 

Seems like this thread kinda skipped the amputee limbs. I was honestly surprised when he started talking about raising awareness and donating - but then it was just some of his dolls to organisations. Wow.

Edited August 31, 2022 by Collie

Just stopping in to say "representation matters". Whether it is a child coming to grips with what they see their mother going through or a woman trying to get more comfortable in their own skin, I do not see anything wrong with this product.

3 hours ago, Sebby said:

Different subject: Did y'all see Danny's newest insta post?

"As a wannabe creator, I have learned to deal with criticism correctly" 

Now he's also a comedian...... XD

Seriously...... lol

1 hour ago, marishade said:

Just stopping in to say "representation matters". Whether it is a child coming to grips with what they see their mother going through or a woman trying to get more comfortable in their own skin, I do not see anything wrong with this product.

I actually agree. While it's true I find it very difficult to trust a lot of things he says given his track record of bending the truth to outright lying, I don't doubt that he has people, maybe among his main supporters, who give him such suggestions because they're things that they personally want. Doesn't mean everyone has to have it of course, and feeling upset or triggered by it is also valid because obviously everyones going to have very different experiences and opinions surrounding this. I am personally a bit iffy on it but I can still understand the reasons why someone would appreciate it.

I was also wondering if he was every going to do a Pride related thing, especially after calling the acne doll Pride immediately after Pride month. It's empty rainbow capitalism sure but eh its harmless, the shirt design is fine, and the post would actually be kind of cute if it wasn't accompanied by the 'sure that happened' smug preening and  postering about it too being an item to 'own the haters'. I don't understand why he has to dampen the positivity in his own product reveals like that and turn it into bragging rather than 'hey here's a show of support'.

In the end these inclusive products mainly bother me because afaik none of the proceeds are going towards any of the causes they are supposed to represent, and I really dont understand how donating dolls to hospitals (for....what exactly, decoration?) is going to do anything other than advertise the brand, and it honestly just comes across as egotistic to me. (particularly on the burn scars dolls, no you cant have the doll, but it might be in your burn ward! to...look at, I guess? get well soon!) It would feel less like commercialism if even the slightest percentage of proceeds did. At the same time if they are truly making people happy then who am I to judge.

Your points are valid, I just wanted to give an alternate view. Continuing my thoughts regarding your points @Monty dolls or toys can be very good teaching aids when trying to describe something to a child (or anyone for that matter). Just because someone might not be able to take the doll home with then does not mean they would not benefit from interacting with it in a scary hospital setting. Nao robots are like that, the company who makes then do not provide them for home use anymore, more for hospitals, hospitality, and special needs classrooms. . . But people still benefit from them.

I am not saying what is good, bad, or most beneficial, just offering a different opinion.

31 minutes ago, marishade said:

Your points are valid, I just wanted to give an alternate view. Continuing my thoughts regarding your points @Monty dolls or toys can be very good teaching aids when trying to describe something to a child (or anyone for that matter). Just because someone might not be able to take the doll home with then does not mean they would not benefit from interacting with it in a scary hospital setting. Nao robots are like that, the company who makes then do not provide them for home use anymore, more for hospitals, hospitality, and special needs classrooms. . . But people still benefit from them.

I am not saying what is good, bad, or most beneficial, just offering a different opinion.

Sliding in with this point and your previous one to mention that there is no such thing as universal accessibility or representation. Even when representation is done by people who live with these conditions, everyone's experience with them is different, and so many interpretations that read as accurate to some people will read as offensive and stereotypical for others. This experience is more common for mental health/neurodivergency rep than it is for physical rep, but I don't think it's a stretch to assume it's similar.

I did see some discussion in a Discord that the prosthetic limbs are a bit lazy, since they're basically redesigns of the existing vinyl shells to look "cool/grunge," but they don't accurately reflect what prosthetics look like in real life. He also didn't sculpt new feet for the prosthetics, just used the feet he already had, which looks a bit silly and inconsistent aesthetically.

1 hour ago, fishbuttz said:

Sliding in with this point and your previous one to mention that there is no such thing as universal accessibility or representation. Even when representation is done by people who live with these conditions, everyone's experience with them is different, and so many interpretations that read as accurate to some people will read as offensive and stereotypical for others. This experience is more common for mental health/neurodivergency rep than it is for physical rep, but I don't think it's a stretch to assume it's similar.

I did see some discussion in a Discord that the prosthetic limbs are a bit lazy, since they're basically redesigns of the existing vinyl shells to look "cool/grunge," but they don't accurately reflect what prosthetics look like in real life. He also didn't sculpt new feet for the prosthetics, just used the feet he already had, which looks a bit silly and inconsistent aesthetically.

My post was not to suggest that there is or ever will be universal representation. Just that when there is something that provides it there are some who will be excited and feel included. And to your point, there will be others that do not. . . Not all products are meant for everyone. I was not suggesting that one view was wrong or right, it just sounded very one sided in the comments and wanted to add my take. 

 

As for the prosthetics, I do agree with you but also give allowances for Smart Doll's current "grunge scifi" preferences because I do think it fits well with some of the recent "Solar Marine" outfits. I would love to see a more realistic version though.

7 hours ago, Sebby said:

"commercializing"

That's the word I couldn't find. My brain is mushy

I think there should be a line where using illnesses for items can or cannot be done. A doll with crutches or acne or something is a good way to help children accept the things they deal with and see the beauty in them. Same with hearing aids, stoma bags, etc. But using cancer is a step too far in my opinion. And many people who say they want the part (not all, of course) they have no idea how truly horrible it is to go through this. 

If you truly want to do something with the cancer subject, just make a T-shirt or something. Like the f*ck cancer doll shirts from a few years ago. 

---

Different subject: Did y'all see Danny's newest insta post?

"As a wannabe creator, I have learned to deal with criticism correctly" 

just a wannabe creator...   uh I thought they were theee creator?    also dealing with criticism correctly?! wahahahahahha.. no

2 hours ago, marishade said:

My post was not to suggest that there is or ever will be universal representation. Just that when there is something that provides it there are some who will be excited and feel included. And to your point, there will be others that do not. . . Not all products are meant for everyone. I was not suggesting that one view was wrong or right, it just sounded very one sided in the comments and wanted to add my take. 

 

As for the prosthetics, I do agree with you but also give allowances for Smart Doll's current "grunge scifi" preferences because I do think it fits well with some of the recent "Solar Marine" outfits. I would love to see a more realistic version though.

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I was on my way out the door, but I was agreeing with your point!

As other's have said, the topic of representation is a difficult one - especially when it comes to such incredibly delicate themes as (breast) cancer and mastectomy. Still, I feel like this particular product is actually a step in the right direction. Unlike the Marble skin tone, we actually get a molded scar this time. I do kind of hope that he will offer a bust with both breasts removed, both for those who choose this option to 'make it look even', as well as those who took top-surgery to feel more comfortable in their own bodies. Luckily, I don't have a lot of experience when it comes to breast cancer, but I do know some transgender artists, who enjoy representing their own characters with top surgery scars. If this is a form of representation others can find comfort in, I am all for it.

Concerning donations, perhaps CJ could offer (limited-time?) SmD apparel - T-shirt designs with his characters decked out in pink ribbony outfits, think 'Pink Mercy' from Overwatch. 

Spoiler

 

It would take less resources to make and they could donate the proceeds, or at least part of them to research organizations.

I think the bust looks really good!

I don't think it's particularly bad to do representation on a product that is being sold, or when it represents something painful. Most groups that require representation have experienced oppression or erasure, often through violence, and it's for that reason that the call for previously-nonexistent representation exists in the first place. A lot of members of those groups do not want to 'celebrate' the things that've caused pain for them, and a lot of them do. 

But I also do not think DC is doing all of this representation to stroke his own ego like a lot of people seem to believe, so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming this is being done out of a sincere desire to represent. 

 

5 hours ago, fishbuttz said:

Sliding in with this point and your previous one to mention that there is no such thing as universal accessibility or representation. Even when representation is done by people who live with these conditions, everyone's experience with them is different, and so many interpretations that read as accurate to some people will read as offensive and stereotypical for others. This experience is more common for mental health/neurodivergency rep than it is for physical rep, but I don't think it's a stretch to assume it's similar.

I did see some discussion in a Discord that the prosthetic limbs are a bit lazy, since they're basically redesigns of the existing vinyl shells to look "cool/grunge," but they don't accurately reflect what prosthetics look like in real life. He also didn't sculpt new feet for the prosthetics, just used the feet he already had, which looks a bit silly and inconsistent aesthetically.

 

Agree with this, and also with the feet- I'm still hoping he'll do a corresponding foot for the prosthetic legs lol. 

 

11 hours ago, Sebby said:

I would like a full mastectomy bust (but I am banned so will never get it) because it's perfect for a trans character.

I'm guessing this kind of thing would be hard to execute, just because the scarring for top surgery is usually placed right below the bustline afaik - I'd be super interested in seeing it tried though!

 

Edited August 31, 2022 by Mizuumi-no-Otome

 

31 minutes ago, Mizuumi-no-Otome said:

the scarring for top surgery is usually placed right below the bustline afaik

Usually, but not always! The underbust scar is very common, but there are lots of different top surgery scars. Representation for even one of them would be nice.

2 hours ago, Oculae said:

Usually, but not always! The underbust scar is very common, but there are lots of different top surgery scars. Representation for even one of them would be nice.

I didn't know that! That would be really cool to see. Personally I love the XS bust for a very similar reason and would love to see it come back with a set of variation sculpts. 

1 hour ago, Mizuumi-no-Otome said:

I didn't know that! That would be really cool to see. Personally I love the XS bust for a very similar reason and would love to see it come back with a set of variation sculpts. 

I like the xs bust, cause it works as a boy bust. i own two 3D printed one's. 

I was actually shocked that he made those shirts, never did I think he would mention the LGBTQ community at all, and in a relatively positive light too? It may be the bare minimum, rainbow capitalism, or a cover for the pride doll thing, but its a step in the right direction.

My first thought when I saw the mastectomy bust was that it could be used as top surgery scars, glad to see others had the same thought lol. Kinda wanna see some on the Eiji/ Crimson body now, a person can dream lol. 

Edited September 1, 2022 by Mame

I hesitated to post this since I don't want to beat the dead horse, and risk looking like some sort of salty booty. But with new curiosity over the Ban Hammer occurring, and a few things pertaining to his representational stuff, I decided to finish this and catch up to more recent months.

Work boss, I am sorry, again. I will repent later.

(Same as before, I ramble alot + I'm a poor narrator. I might have missed a few things but I can add them in/correct them when brought up. I include 'Community Happenings' that are part of the bigger picture, but they can be skipped if you'd like.)

 

July 24th 2021 (Page 83) // Expanding on the Ban Hammer List

D.Choo posts to Twitter that the Ban Hammer List (Banned Customer List) will be receiving a new criteria;

"If person Z attempts to buy something on behalf of Person Y who is on the Hammer Time List, person Z ends up on the Hammer Time list too."

Attached to the tweet is MC Hammer's hit song from the 1990s, U Can't Touch This

(Community Happenings related to this on Page 83 to Page 84 : Discussions over how this is going to work favorably when;

• Numerous customers weren't even aware they were banned until they last attempt at purchases on the CJ website
• No notice is given to you if you have been banned previously
• Person Z might be hosting a mass G.O that could include a banned customer
• Person Z might be gifting an SMD to someone who is on the banned list/ isn't aware that they're banned.

Discussions over how he even intends on finding out who a Person Z even is are made aswell.)

 

(Community Happenings on Page 94 : Forum-goer reminds that listed on the SMD website in fine print, tucked between walls and walls of text is ;

"Buyers who ask too many questions or otherwise suggest they might be "problematic customers" will have their orders cancelled and possibly banned on the spot."

There isn't really an explanation as to whether 'too many questions' means a specific type of too many questions, rather than just 'too many questions' in general.)

 

August 28th 2021 (page 96) // Ban List Related Again (In context to Interstella blue releases)

D.Choo posts the following to Twitter ;

"Just to let you know, even with the "head only" text in the actual title of the product, some folks thought they were getting a complete doll. We have had to ban such folks from ordering from us again as it is not possible to set these folks expectations."

 

August 30th 2021 (page 97) // Vacation Post

D.Choo posts to Instagram detailing his ethics in prioritizing staff over customers in response to the community that expressed negativity over how difficult it is to obtain his products (due to) ;

• The short notice given before a product is released
• How quickly products sell out
• How long products remain sold out

He ends the post with the following;

"To folks who are sour about the lack of availability - just picture us enjoying our time off while you vent on da internets ;-)"

 

(Community Happenings on page 100 :  Forum Go-er places an order on the SMD website and is emailed by the CJ team, letting them know that there is an SMD owner near their vicinity (even providing the person's location and identifiable information) and is asked if this customer knew them in person. Separate confirmation email lets them know further that there are generally over SMD owners in the area aswell.)

 

(Community Happenings on page 110 : A post with a reminder that the original story description for Courage Tea had D.Choo comparing black slavery to being similar to 'having to deal with entitled customers'. (I am only mentioning this since his tone deafness regarding black lives and the BLM movement is not really a one time only thing.))

 

(Community Happenings on page 112 : Mentioned on the heels of the release for the SMD Cochlear Implants, posted to an SMD Facebook page, a deaf customer details their experience when messaging D.Choo to talk about the negative connotations of cochlear implants among the deaf community due to the medical issues surrounding the implants. The individual is thus blocked.)

 

2nd August 2022 (page 124) : Release of the Solar Marine Commander uniform

D.Choo announces the release of a new apocalyptic-aesthetic military space uniform for the SMD girls. One such colour wave is shown with a wine red arm band, a black denim body, displayed on an SMD gal saluting into the distance. Within the short story description is;

"The Entitled infestation has spread to all corners of the Gotandanium System which must be eradicated before the gravity of their nests starts to warp the space-time continuum"

(Community Happenings on page 124 : Discussions over the uniform ensue, questioning his usage of all these things in one picture;

• The colour choice of BOTH the uniform itself paired with the red arm band
• The fact that it's a very specific type of uniform
• The salute

A forum go-er details that they have been blocked by D.Choo for bringing up the colour scheme issue on the Instagram page.)

 

3rd August 2022 (page 125) Update Notice of the Solar Marine Commander uniform

D.Choo takes down the post for the black uniform and addresses the backlash not too long later with a lengthy apology. First paragraph goes;

"I apologize that our products continue to be offensive - the latest example was the Solar Marine uniform which has a wine-coloured armband. To me, this is an aesthetic, but I have been made to interpret it as a racist symbol."

He defends his choice of the arm band (only) by bringing up popular manga/anime character Suzumiya Haruhi, and the Japanese culture surrounding the usage of red armbands. He compares the allegations of his racism to the situation surrounding the temple Manji symbol. Later in the apology there is also;

"So my second apology is for not intending to change designs or halt sales of products that did not have any intent to be offensive - because everything we do will end up offending folks in some way or another - be it hand gestures, cocoa skin dolls, medical devices - or wine-colored armbands."

(The 'apology' is very lengthy, and has way too much to copy down here.)

------

And I think Page 125 is a good place to wrap this up since everything above is pretty recent anyway. And I think this should be it for notable stuff relating to his history of blocking and banning people from the SMD store.

 

Man, I went from writing lengthy recaps of my favorite K-POP band to rooting through D.Choo's latest happenings like some sort of gremlin. Sometimes I forget the specifics of what transpired just a small few months ago. It curiously makes me think that one is not always buying a doll from D.Choo, but rather, a very expensive loyalty card or points added to an ego meter.

It's an odd thing to come to terms with, personally.

@freakie-oppa You are amazing!!! Thank you so much for summarizing everything. You did a great job! 

*insert slow clap here*
 

I applaud everyone who put this list into something resembling order! Now we should all go toss it out into the great wild of teh interwebz and see if there are any bites from Mr. Choo’s legion of sheeple. It’d be nice if at least a few of them would pull the blinders off after reading it. 

2 hours ago, Stormlight said:

*insert slow clap here*
 

I applaud everyone who put this list into something resembling order! Now we should all go toss it out into the great wild of teh interwebz and see if there are any bites from Mr. Choo’s legion of sheeple. It’d be nice if at least a few of them would pull the blinders off after reading it. 

baaaaa ram ewe.   ( cause ya said sheeple)   weeeee can seees!   I do agree the people need to see that list & throw off the shackles of the cult of smartie babies

Edited September 1, 2022 by DollyDearest

Chiming up finally about a topic I've been bothered by a long time regarding Culture Japan.
When Smart doll was first released the whole "First ever" robotic BJD campaign was going on. I remember the whole first batch being advertised as a "cheaper" non moving prototype until the robotic version came out. However it never came out and the company got a lot of press by honestly just kind of lieing to everyone then sweeping it all under the rug a bit. That sort of kind of left the ol "kickstarter scammer" vibe to me from the company. It bothered me a lot and still does? We havent even seen any real updates on the supposed whole thing that started the company. What happened to the whole "Doll you can control and see alive"? Was it always a lie? 
I felt it was too good to be true when I first saw smart doll (robot). I just have been wondering why theres never been any sense of holding him accountable for starting out with an arguably different product then using the advertising from making all these articles and tech videos about "first moving doll" to launch what is definitely no longer a robotic doll product? 
Sorry if thats weird to be salty about

11 minutes ago, DreamsicleDollAqua said:

Chiming up finally about a topic I've been bothered by a long time regarding Culture Japan.
When Smart doll was first released the whole "First ever" robotic BJD campaign was going on. I remember the whole first batch being advertised as a "cheaper" non moving prototype until the robotic version came out. However it never came out and the company got a lot of press by honestly just kind of lieing to everyone then sweeping it all under the rug a bit. That sort of kind of left the ol "kickstarter scammer" vibe to me from the company. It bothered me a lot and still does? We havent even seen any real updates on the supposed whole thing that started the company. What happened to the whole "Doll you can control and see alive"? Was it always a lie? 
I felt it was too good to be true when I first saw smart doll (robot). I just have been wondering why theres never been any sense of holding him accountable for starting out with an arguably different product then using the advertising from making all these articles and tech videos about "first moving doll" to launch what is definitely no longer a robotic doll product? 
Sorry if thats weird to be salty about

I've only ever lurked in this thread but seconding this. This is genuinely the entire reason I had an interest in smd (having my own chobits persocom would have been amazing.) Same with the "tech" pieces that were made for the body too, like the mobile battery/usb torso, that was all along that vein and has been completely phased out. I'd be interested if anyone else has info on what exactly happened there.

1 minute ago, watercolorpastels said:

I'd be interested if anyone else has info on what exactly happened there.

He said that it wasn't feasible. No surprise there. - I sure as hell am not surprised that it was just another thing he hyped to high heavens.
He showed a decent prototype...
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10151727748851789

It seemed promising. But making it stable enough to stand for example, I just don't see how he'd be able to accomplish that with the smartdoll body.
But movement for just the upper torso, and tech stuff (such as charging electronics) is obviously doable. Probably too expensive (even though he "doesn't care for money"), and a higher risk of parts breaking/malfunctioning, which as it's become apparent, something he'd rather not deal with.

I don't know where he made the statement of having scrapped the whole robotics thing. Could have been swiped under the carpet, or it's to be found in a wall of text on instagram.

I wonder if he lost interest after he saw Volks Dollfie Honey project... 🤔