Selling Out Your Dreams for Cold Hard Cash

[Albrenia]

What if one's dream is to make a lot of money?

[Riria]

I make X money per month during my day job. I like my day job. I do it in part because I wouldn't want to spend 180 hours a month doing anything else (relative to the amount of effort I put in. of course I'd love to get X money for doing absolutely nothing, but that's neither here nor there). So if I ever create something, it would be something I did as a hobby, in my leisure time, so I would realistically put less effort into it *per hour* than I put into my day job *per hour*, considering that I genuinely like my job.

Therefore, if I'm ever going to be offered a sum of money to sell my intellectual property, I'm going to accept anything greater than the time I put into creating it calculated in hours, multiplied by X, divided by 180. That will usually equal out to a high 3 digit number. Which is, in all honesty, a pretty freaking low bar. Most offers are higher than that, even for property with moderate work put into it. So I'd probably accept most offers.

Sure, I would rather the new owner of my creation use it in a way that does not distort too much from the source material, preferably not at all, but I would accept that price even if I knew ahead of time that that's what they're gonna do. Because my ego be damned, I KNOW how much work I put into that creation.

[Rojava Free State]

What if one's dream is to make a lot of money?

"Demarcus Bowie's" dream in a nutshell. He once told me he couldn't wait to get his grandpa's inheritance money so he could spend it on bitches and when I said "you want a bunch of gold diggers to come around?" He said "nah man I'm gonna make these hoes fall for me." Lmao first off, imagine thinking that getting $30,000 in inheritance money makes you rich, then imagine wanting to have gold diggers and bootlickers all around you, then imagine thinking you'll actually make them fall for you as a person when the minute your money is gone, they're gonna get tired of you. If anything, you would be more likely to get attached to them.

This is why me and him are so different. I've seen what even a small boost in popularity will get you, so I really don't wanna see what thousands of dollars will get you when you're surrounded by cut throats and desperate people. I value my hard work and my ideas too much to cash them in for some backstabbers and fake friends. Oh, and speaking of that, he just texted me about the anime again.

[Sundiata]

Whatever work someone does, it should be done with dignity.

Workers should receive a wage that's enough to support them and their family at a minimum.

Not what the OP's asking. The OP's asking if you would give up creative control over something you made in exchange for money and some recognition.

Dignified work doesn't require workers to make that sacrifice. Wages aside, workers treated with dignity have creative control and choice in the workplace.

[Sundiata]

No, they should receive the wage they're worth. If they want to be paid more they should make themselves worth more.

People are worth more than anyone can pay.

One might even say priceless.

[Sundiata]

What if one's dream is to make a lot of money?

That's fine, as long as your workers are treated well and justly compensated.

[Valentine Z]

I still love programming and does it because I have a love for the Artificial Intelligence, and other potentials of computers; not just because of buzzwords, mind you. With that said, there comes a lot of times when I am not coding something out of passion, and instead for my studies, which indirectly means selling myself out for cold hard cash. So... yeah, that's one thing you could say that I have sold out.

Photography will still be my hobby and it will never change. I am an amateur hobbyist when it comes to photography, and I have taken thousands of photos over the years. Family photos, vacation photos... my hard drive has a crapton of .NEF / RAW files that I use for editing. Going back to the topic, I will never see myself becoming a professional photographer. There is no passion in attending, for example, someone's wedding to take photos for them, when you barely know the people. Plus, that's just my dream - to be on my own pace and to take pictures of whatever landscape I fancy and desire, unbounded by contracts and clients.

I mean sure, you can talk to the people and whatnot, but at the end of the day, you are primarily there for a paycheck, not for socialization.

[Saiwania]

If the OP isn't on board, the other person should just do their own thing. They don't need someone else's ideas to make an anime. It just has to get a good reception in terms of interest as to be a worthwhile story to begin with. Sounds like they don't want to do all the work of putting it together. Maybe if they were able to use someone else's work they wouldn't be successful in that either in terms of making changes that'd add value or benefit.

Really seems like a lose lose situation to me. On one hand, the other person could screw it all up. But on the other hand, the creator looks to be inactive with it, and nothing changes until they do more with it in terms of work or ironing it out if it really is something worthwhile.

[Rojava Free State]

I still love programming and does it because I have a love for the Artificial Intelligence, and other potentials of computers; not just because of buzzwords, mind you. With that said, there comes a lot of times when I am not coding something out of passion, and instead for my studies, which indirectly means selling myself out for cold hard cash. So... yeah, that's one thing you could say that I have sold out.

Photography will still be my hobby and it will never change. I am an amateur hobbyist when it comes to photography, and I have taken thousands of photos over the years. Family photos, vacation photos... my hard drive has a crapton of .NEF / RAW files that I use for editing. Going back to the topic, I will never see myself becoming a professional photographer. There is no passion in attending, for example, someone's wedding to take photos for them, when you barely know the people. Plus, that's just my dream - to be on my own pace and to take pictures of whatever landscape I fancy and desire, unbounded by contracts and clients.

I mean sure, you can talk to the people and whatnot, but at the end of the day, you are primarily there for a paycheck, not for socialization.

Imagine that someone co opted your photography and made you take photos that you didnt find interesting so they could make money.

[Ifreann]

I still love programming and does it because I have a love for the Artificial Intelligence, and other potentials of computers; not just because of buzzwords, mind you. With that said, there comes a lot of times when I am not coding something out of passion, and instead for my studies, which indirectly means selling myself out for cold hard cash. So... yeah, that's one thing you could say that I have sold out.

Photography will still be my hobby and it will never change. I am an amateur hobbyist when it comes to photography, and I have taken thousands of photos over the years. Family photos, vacation photos... my hard drive has a crapton of .NEF / RAW files that I use for editing. Going back to the topic, I will never see myself becoming a professional photographer. There is no passion in attending, for example, someone's wedding to take photos for them, when you barely know the people. Plus, that's just my dream - to be on my own pace and to take pictures of whatever landscape I fancy and desire, unbounded by contracts and clients.

I mean sure, you can talk to the people and whatnot, but at the end of the day, you are primarily there for a paycheck, not for socialization.

Imagine that someone co opted your photography and made you take photos that you didnt find interesting so they could make money.

Yeah, that's how hiring a photographer works.

[Rojava Free State]

Imagine that someone co opted your photography and made you take photos that you didnt find interesting so they could make money.

Yeah, that's how hiring a photographer works.

Except imagine that your entire career as a photographer was controlled by these people. You aren't allowed to do anything else even on your own free time, or anything on the side.

It's like in the music industry. Lupe Fiasco once had an issue with his record company sending songwriters to write his songs for him and wouldn't let him do anything else. His whole creative property was taken over by an industry. His rap career was no longer his.

[Trollzyn the Infinite]

Yeah, that's how hiring a photographer works.

Except imagine that your entire career as a photographer was controlled by these people. You aren't allowed to do anything else even on your own free time, or anything on the side.

It's like in the music industry. Lupe Fiasco once had an issue with his record company sending songwriters to write his songs for him and wouldn't let him do anything else. His whole creative property was taken over by an industry. His rap career was no longer his.

That would explain why most music on the radio is utter garbage nowadays.

[Riria]

Yeah, that's how hiring a photographer works.

Except imagine that your entire career as a photographer was controlled by these people. You aren't allowed to do anything else even on your own free time, or anything on the side.

It's like in the music industry. Lupe Fiasco once had an issue with his record company sending songwriters to write his songs for him and wouldn't let him do anything else. His whole creative property was taken over by an industry. His rap career was no longer his.

Well, that's quite a bit (and by that I mean quite a lot) different than the situation you were in, no? Selling IP for art that you're no longer actively engaged with, as opposed to selling rights to your creative process while still being engaged within that field. Of course you'd find way fewer people willing to do the latter.

[Rojava Free State]

Except imagine that your entire career as a photographer was controlled by these people. You aren't allowed to do anything else even on your own free time, or anything on the side.

It's like in the music industry. Lupe Fiasco once had an issue with his record company sending songwriters to write his songs for him and wouldn't let him do anything else. His whole creative property was taken over by an industry. His rap career was no longer his.

Well, that's quite a bit (and by that I mean quite a lot) different than the situation you were in, no? Selling IP for art that you're no longer actively engaged with, as opposed to selling rights to your creative process while still being engaged within that field. Of course you'd find way fewer people willing to do the latter.

Yeah my situation is pretty unique. I dont really even do youtube anymore and then one day here comes the hustler, trying to make money off my ideas from two years ago, but with all these people being hired in a pyramid scheme.

[Old Zealand Founder]

Well, that's quite a bit (and by that I mean quite a lot) different than the situation you were in, no? Selling IP for art that you're no longer actively engaged with, as opposed to selling rights to your creative process while still being engaged within that field. Of course you'd find way fewer people willing to do the latter.

Yeah my situation is pretty unique. I dont really even do youtube anymore and then one day here comes the hustler, trying to make money off my ideas from two years ago, but with all these people being hired in a pyramid scheme.

Normally I'd say it's up to you, but the whole pyramid scheme part makes me suspicious - to say the least. Even if you somehow decided to say yes, it's unlikely for him to pay you back, and then you'd get into more trouble. Of course, without the pyramid scheme I'd still say no.

[Rojava Free State]

Yeah my situation is pretty unique. I dont really even do youtube anymore and then one day here comes the hustler, trying to make money off my ideas from two years ago, but with all these people being hired in a pyramid scheme.

Normally I'd say it's up to you, but the whole pyramid scheme part makes me suspicious - to say the least. Even if you somehow decided to say yes, it's unlikely for him to pay you back, and then you'd get into more trouble. Of course, without the pyramid scheme I'd still say no.

He's pretty broke. I told him for years now to get an actual job but he does this instead, and he found people who are actually willing to participate in this weird shit.

[Ethel mermania]

I still love programming and does it because I have a love for the Artificial Intelligence, and other potentials of computers; not just because of buzzwords, mind you. With that said, there comes a lot of times when I am not coding something out of passion, and instead for my studies, which indirectly means selling myself out for cold hard cash. So... yeah, that's one thing you could say that I have sold out.

Photography will still be my hobby and it will never change. I am an amateur hobbyist when it comes to photography, and I have taken thousands of photos over the years. Family photos, vacation photos... my hard drive has a crapton of .NEF / RAW files that I use for editing. Going back to the topic, I will never see myself becoming a professional photographer. There is no passion in attending, for example, someone's wedding to take photos for them, when you barely know the people. Plus, that's just my dream - to be on my own pace and to take pictures of whatever landscape I fancy and desire, unbounded by contracts and clients.

I mean sure, you can talk to the people and whatnot, but at the end of the day, you are primarily there for a paycheck, not for socialization.

Imagine that someone co opted your photography and made you take photos that you didnt find interesting so they could make money.

That is the job of a professional photographer. You think all wedding photographers love taking pictures of drunken fat relatives of the bride and groom ?

[Ethel mermania]

Normally I'd say it's up to you, but the whole pyramid scheme part makes me suspicious - to say the least. Even if you somehow decided to say yes, it's unlikely for him to pay you back, and then you'd get into more trouble. Of course, without the pyramid scheme I'd still say no.

He's pretty broke. I told him for years now to get an actual job but he does this instead, and he found people who are actually willing to participate in this weird shit.

If he wants you to work for him, tell him how much money you want, half up front and make a deal. You are way over thinking this

[Ayytaly]

Why wasn't I born a hot Brazilian woman who shows cleavage in ASMR videos? That makes money, right?

[Thermodolia]

Yeah, no, fuck that guy. He's not your friend. He's an idiot with a get-rich-quick scheme he needs you to complete. Kick his ass to the curb and let him suffer for his own stupidity.

To answer your question though: no, I would never surrender my intellectual property to someone else. Not so long as I live and breath. Creations belong to their creators, who must protect and preserve them purely. Selling out only destroys what was once great.

I mean, you say that but that's exactly how IP's work in the entertainment industry.

You're either contracted to work on a project or you have to sell the idea to the network or production company you're working with. TV channels and streaming services for example, people go to them and pitch their idea, and if those ideas are accepted than the creator of said idea/IP has to give it up to the network and basically have to let them do whatever they want with it. It's practices like this that are the reason why The Simpsons, Family Guy, SpongeBob, etc... have been allowed to go on so long despite the original creators leaving or dying, or why shows like, Teen Titans Go, Powerpuff Girls 2016, Thundercats Roar, etc... are allowed to exist without any input or signoff from the OG creators.

Point of order Matt Groening is still the Executive producer of the Simpsons as is Seth MacFarlane for Family Guy.

Stephen Hillenburg was the Executive producer of SpongeBob for most of its life so I really wouldn’t include it.

Thundercats Roar and Teen Titans Go deserve to be banned for being objectively garbage

[Rojava Free State]

Why wasn't I born a hot Brazilian woman who shows cleavage in ASMR videos? That makes money, right?

Bella Brookz? I still remember when I found out she's a pornstar.

[Rojava Free State]

He's pretty broke. I told him for years now to get an actual job but he does this instead, and he found people who are actually willing to participate in this weird shit.

If he wants you to work for him, tell him how much money you want, half up front and make a deal. You are way over thinking this

Actually I'm already ahead of you, because I told him no.

[New haven america]

I mean, you say that but that's exactly how IP's work in the entertainment industry.

You're either contracted to work on a project or you have to sell the idea to the network or production company you're working with. TV channels and streaming services for example, people go to them and pitch their idea, and if those ideas are accepted than the creator of said idea/IP has to give it up to the network and basically have to let them do whatever they want with it. It's practices like this that are the reason why The Simpsons, Family Guy, SpongeBob, etc... have been allowed to go on so long despite the original creators leaving or dying, or why shows like, Teen Titans Go, Powerpuff Girls 2016, Thundercats Roar, etc... are allowed to exist without any input or signoff from the OG creators.

Point of order Matt Groening is still the Executive producer of the Simpsons as is Seth MacFarlane for Family Guy.

Stephen Hillenburg was the Executive producer of SpongeBob for most of its life so I really wouldn’t include it.

Thundercats Roar and Teen Titans Go deserve to be banned for being objectively garbage

They were only executive producers because they originally penned the shows, for the most part they didn't do anything but reap royalties after they left.

Matt hasn't done anything related to The Simpsons for over a decade, Seth only does VA work on FG, Stephen did literally anything else other than work on SpongeBob until season 10, etc... Like, they're basically Executive Producers in name only.

Fun fact: Thundercats Roar was made because the showrunner's brothers loved the series, and he hated it and his brothers, so he decided to get into animation and make it solely to spite them. That is how much of a spiteful dickhead he is.

[Rojava Free State]

Yeah, no, fuck that guy. He's not your friend. He's an idiot with a get-rich-quick scheme he needs you to complete. Kick his ass to the curb and let him suffer for his own stupidity.

To answer your question though: no, I would never surrender my intellectual property to someone else. Not so long as I live and breath. Creations belong to their creators, who must protect and preserve them purely. Selling out only destroys what was once great.

You know that guy in the hood who thinks selling T shirts counts as a business? That's "Demarcus Bowie."

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

That's capitalism for you.