[Idea] If you don’t want to see huge flags taking space over actual drawings in the Canvas, pick the biggest flag that you can find to deface.

As long as a lot of people are doing that, the ones templating larger flags will be forced to reduce their layouts and give more room for actual drawings.

[Reasoning] When it comes to country flags, I think that the immense majority of the users can be split into four groups:

  1. The ones who don’t want to see country flags at all.
  2. The ones who are OK with smaller flags, but don’t want to see larger ones.
  3. The ones who want to see a specific large flag taking a huge chunk of space.
  4. The ones who want to see the whole canvas burning, like the void.

I’m myself firmly rooted into #1, but this idea is a compromise between #1, #2 and #4.

Typically #3 uses numbers (and/or bots) to seize a huge chunk of the canvas to their flags. Well, let’s use numbers against it then. As long as #1, #2 and #4 are trying to wreck the same flag, we win.

[inb4]

But what about identity flags?

Not a problem. They’re typically bands instead of thick squares, and people drawing them are fairly accommodating.

But what about [insert another thing]

Even if [thing] is a problem, it’s probably minor in comparison with huge country flags.

What should be the template?

None. We don’t need one, as long as everyone is working against the same large flag.

Just draw something of your choice over the flag, preferably over its iconic features.

But I’m not creative enough for that!

No matter how shitty your drawing is, it’s probably still way more original than a country flag. So don’t feel discouraged.

That said, you can always help someone else with their drawing. Or plop in some text. Or just void.

Why are you posting this now, you bloody Slowpoke?

I wish that I thought about this before Canvas 2024. But better later than never. (And better early by a year for Canvas 2025.)

EDIT: addressing on general grounds some whining from group #3 (the ones who want to see a specific large flag taking a huge chunk of the canvas space).

You do realise that this sort of “war against the largest flag” should benefit even you, as long as the biggest flag is not the one you’re working with, right? Even for you, this makes the canvas a more even level field. Let us not forget that you love to cover other flags with your own.

  • Snoopy ( Snoopy@jlai.lu ) English
    11·
    2 years ago

    The point of flag is, that they are (usually) easier coordinate, draw and restore.

    I suppose they will alway start with the flag because it is our culture but also define a drawing zone.

    I disagree with any form of vadalism, but you may invit them drawing their monument :)

      • Snoopy ( Snoopy@jlai.lu ) 
        8·
        2 years ago

        Well, i find your post very aggressive…

        i didn’t miss your point and wanted to put another point of view on how usefull flag are on a collaborative and competitive space.

        We got our 4 small flag erased because we were french.

        I noticed people start drawing flag, then draw something. Why ? Because it is visual. You are simply telling them : “We are this community, and here is our drawing area.”

        And yes there is conflit due to the lack of space and human ressource.

        It doesn’t dimiss you point, that’s just another point of view. You are right too.

        So from your stance we should erase the major flag : trans flag, germany and rainbow in the same way as Void that erased other people work ? What do you think it will happen ? What do you expect from attacking them ? A pixel war ?

        Will they understand your point ?

        That’s not fun. You can create a group, that’s a good idea. when the canva will start, go to their matrix room and suggest some drawing. But don’t attack them.

        Because if you attack them :

        • people won’t be creative and try to protect their flag. You won’t get any creativity except revenge : they stop drawing and fiqht you back. Unless you suggest them some drawing.
        • you may get a ban once notified
        • your fediverse id may be shared among other admins instance and get banned.
  • eatham 🇦🇺 ( eatham@aussie.zone ) English
    11·
    2 years ago

    Please don’t. The Aussie flag will likely be the largest, and it will have art on it next year (not like this year where we accepted art, next year it will be on the template.) It also allowed art this year. There is no reason to be an asshole and ruin stuff for no good reason.

  • apotheotic (she/her) ( apotheotic@beehaw.org ) English
    9·
    2 years ago

    It did make me feel a bit gross that from the get-go the plan was for the Australian flag to take up such an enormous space.

    I’m satisfied with how things turned out, with art going all over the flag and the stars shining through, but it didn’t seem considerate in the beginning.

  • OmegaMouse ( OmegaMouse@pawb.social ) 
    6·
    2 years ago

    I think the templates should be limited in size perhaps - if you look at the intended template location post from the other day, yes the Australian flag is significantly larger than the other submissions. However on the final canvas, people have drawn within the blue space of the flag which is actually quite cute. I don’t think ‘defacing’ is necessary, but rather a continuation of (at least what appears to me to be) a symbiosis where overlapping images work together.

    So I guess I’d like to see drawing accepted on top of any large continuous blocks of colour.

    P.s. I love what Canada did - the outline on top of the flag looks really cool!

    • OmegaMouse ( OmegaMouse@pawb.social ) 
      7·
      2 years ago

      I’m not quite sure I follow your reasoning here. You’re saying that people shouldn’t be proud of things that they have no control over? As a gay guy, should I not be able to put up a pride flag?

      There’s a ton of symbolism/meaning there, and doesn’t always mean blind devotion to a country.

      • apotheotic (she/her) ( apotheotic@beehaw.org ) English
        4·
        2 years ago

        Being gay, or any other actual identity, is an intrinsic part of who you are that would still be true if all of society’s constructs were to fall away. You’d still be interested, presumably, in people who presented in what we currently associate with masculine appearances. Trans folk would still be trans. POC, still POC.

        Your home country doesn’t hold up to the same rigour. I think that’s the idea? Its less a “part of you” and more a “circumstance of your conception”. But hey.

        • OmegaMouse ( OmegaMouse@pawb.social ) 
          2·
          2 years ago

          This is succinctly put - thanks for explaining it in this way. Yes, I agree that sexuality is a part of me whereas a nation you were born into is more of an external circumstance that can change in meaning. I do think that a nation’s flag can hold different meanings and representations for people though.

          • apotheotic (she/her) ( apotheotic@beehaw.org ) English
            2·
            2 years ago

            I don’t necessarily disagree with you, and I can certainly understand that from the perspective of nations that are currently being oppressed or suffering great hardships it might be a unifying symbol that helps people to find light in the darkness. I’m not sure I can see a huge argument for an Australian flag that covers 1/20th of the canvas, however. But to your original point, I see where you’re coming from about these nations flags having other potential symbolism.

      • алсааас [she/her] ( alsaaas@lemmy.dbzer0.com ) English
        4·
        2 years ago

        imo grouping ppl into nations (and thus states) is usually harmful. Ethnicity and culture are not synonymous with states which only exist for one class to oppress another (virtually always in favour of the rich)

        The concept of a nation is one of the initial lies of ruling elites. The exploiters and oppressors have shouted since the dawn of time: “Don’t look at this massive ravine dividing us into materially opposing classes, we are all members of this abstract notion of a nation, remember? Direct your hate towards the exploited ppl of other nations, they are the source of “our” problems, even though you are much more aligned with them materially!”

        For example: I wouldn’t have a problem with ppl painting flags of progressive movements or states where the working classes are in power

        EDIT: changed first sentence to a more accurate definition of a state (still basic)

        • OmegaMouse ( OmegaMouse@pawb.social ) 
          1·
          2 years ago

          I agree that nationalism is extremely dangerous. But I feel like a flag isn’t ‘owned’ by a nation, it can be an abstract concept that represents different things depending on the context. I get the feeling that the users that drew flags for this Canvas do not think their respective governments are perfect, or happily bow down to the rich. It’s more complex than that.

  • CaptObvious ( CaptObvious@literature.cafe ) BannedBannedEnglish
    2·
    2 years ago

    The flaw in the plan is that three or four large-flag cadres could conspire to support each other and overwhelm a protest.

    Ultimately, flags are just symbols similar to any other logo. But I’d still prefer just to see them banned from Canvas rather see Canvas turn into an r/place arms race.