Artemis (Cynthia Jeub) 4: Plotting The Grift for the New Location

[Coconut Flan]

Continued from here:

 

[Kolache]

Their reaction to the laundry leak reminds me so much of my evangelical mom. She sees any inconvenience or accident as spiritual warfare. In my mom’s case it’s “Satan wants to make my life hard because I’m a Christian” or “the media wants to make me feel bad because I’m conservative”.” In Art’s case it’s “the world wants to make my life hard because I’m poor/disabled/queer/trans”. 
Life is absolutely harder for people of marginalized identities. I just get frustrated (as a former long time patron of Art) that they have let marginalization become their entire identity. 

[Maggie Mae]

They have yet another "we have an anonymous person matching donations" fundraiser up. 

I understand why companies match donations for non-profits, especially when they plan to donate the money anyway - it gets their name out there and can be a bit of a "game."

But it's not that effective, and having anonymous individual pledge to match donations to an individual who refuses to be an adult is just strange. Anyone have odds on the likelihood that this person who will match $250 is an actual human person? Because I'm finding it less likely by the day. 

[Giraffe]

It doesn't even make sense to have a "matching donor" scheme for their kind of grift. Who cares?? I mean, if a charity I support has a matching gift then sure it may help lead me to give more. But to private grifters who want money so they don't have to be responsible adults? Give me a break!

[allyisyourpally5]

This current cry out for money has actually made me angry - no way do all those items need to cost $250, let alone $500 if they get their “match”. They need two mugs. How much trash can they seriously produce? Most of those items can be bought at a dollar store or certainly very cheap - go to goodwill for some of it. 
 

Art I doubt you read here anymore but if you do, you’ve taken this way too far. Just pure greed. Get off your ass and get a damn job. 
 

 

[Ozlsn]

Wish their "anonymous donor" would just give them the $250 outright and keep them from begging for five minutes. Or, and here's a thought, the anonymous donor could give it to them in exchange for something. Maybe on a daily basis, for five or so days out of seven. Regularly. We could call it, I don't know, an employment contract.

[MargieB]

Artemis is an unprincipled deadbeat.  They do not appreciated the money their donors have donated-- if they did, they would spend the money more carefully.  Artemis usually requests people send money "if they can spare it" but why should anyone want to give them any of their spare money? I would rather go out to lunch than send money to an unprincipled, lazy ingrate or give my money to someone who really deserves it.  It is way past time for people to stop supporting these entitled deadbeats.  Artemis needs to get a job.

[formerhsfundie]

This list of "basic" needs, everyone!

Aka Artemis's move-in, merry Christmas me list:

Quote

Any funds raised will go toward the following basic needs: -Broom/dustpan -Trash cans/bags -Step stool -Laundry basket/hamper -Mattress protector -Local transit card -Mugs -Cart for hauling -Organizing items -Medical needs

 

[Ozlsn]

Four FB posts in quick succession about having raised $30 of the $250 and the doubling of donations by the "anonymous donor". Which makes me think they didn't put aside much, if anything, of the money raised to relocate and are now in the same place they were three months ago (except for geographically.)

The amount of effort put into begging doesn't lead me to believe there is no possible way they could hold down a job of some description, which would at least get them interacting with more people.

[LilMissMetaphor]

Just FYI in case someone missed it the first time round, this is what Art wrote on Reddit a year ago addressing some of the concerns that were brought up.  It's very telling if you read between some of the lines.

"I don’t lie or make fraudulent claims to get money. That’s what a grifter is. I’ve closed all previous fundraisers and not all of them were successfully funded – for instance my legal name change and wedding fund did not get funded, so I still haven’t had a chance to do those things.

I’m unable to work for a variety of medically supported reasons. It’s not okay to ask disabled people for proof of their disability simply because it’s medical information. To entertain the question is to concede that it’s okay to go ask other disabled people for their private medical history. It’s a common misconception that people pretend to be disabled for benefits or monetary gain, but it’s rare and doesn’t really make sense to do because benefits and fundraising add up to so little.

I have been going to Seattle to look at possible places to live because it’s literally unavoidable, and I’ve been in severe pain because of it. That doesn’t mean I could do manual labor on a consistent basis. I don’t even drive, so I’ve had to cover gas and ask friends for help with rides.

Have you ever tried working at a call center? I have. They’re severely strict and demanding, and incredibly demoralizing without paying much. They’re not an accessible alternative for people who can’t do more demanding manual labor. “Get a job like the rest of us” is ableist and is a fundamental misunderstanding of how accessible jobs are. It’s no better than yelling it at someone panhandling on the street. The supposedly “easy” or “low-skill” jobs are still difficult to do.

I do use what resources I can, but it’s a total myth that there’s a robust social welfare system anywhere in the United States. If there was, we wouldn’t have so many hundreds of thousands of homeless people here, with millions more just a few missed paychecks away from joining them.

The toxic mold was confirmed. My partner is literally terminally ill from it. If you read the actual updates, the name of the illness and the research surrounding it have been detailed. We have a letter from the pulmonologist that we sent to the landlord explaining that the environment my partner was in was causing the illness. Again, you’re demanding medical proof that you have no reason to ask about. Some things can’t just be washed out.

I am as clear as I can possibly be about specific needs so that people know what they’re helping to support. I have said again and again that people shouldn’t give unless they can spare it and want to help. I even said that in the post linked to in this comment thread. My patreon is explicitly to support my writing.

So why am I still fundraising and making money off telling my story? Because I literally have no other real options. I’ve been formally diagnosed with PTSD, it’s not “alleged trauma.” If it was working all that well, I wouldn’t have to keep detailing my needs.

The real grifters in our society are billionaires, not poor disabled people. You sound like you just hate us for trying to exist."

[AugustPenguin]

Someone made a comment asking Art what they were doing to help themselves out. Not surprisingly it's been deleted. 

[Queen Of Hearts]

My guess is the "anonymous donor" = Art (aka, no real matching funds).  

Of all the people we talk about in FJ, I think I have the most disgust for Art.  I just find nothing redeeming about them at all.  Their non-stop grifting and laziness isn't even amusing, anymore.

[clueliss]

Chest to be totally picky, terminal is not the same as chronic.

[Coconut Flan]

I have chronic potentially fatal diseases..  They won't know if something is terminal until/unless one is actually in an end of life situation.  It sounds like the terminology that they should adopt.  

[Bookworm1564]

My all-time favourite Art post is the one where they say “Just for today, you can double the impact of your support with this opportunity” as if this was the moment we were all waiting for.

[MargieB]

How many jobs has Artemis had?  Maybe two or three?  Certainly not enough to make them an expert.  Apparently no one told them that working is not supposed to be a intrinsically enjoyable experience.  I worked in a call center.  It was not a fun job.  it paid the bills until I could find something better.  That is life.  No one is promised the job of their dreams.  Most people do not like their jobs.  Not working because you cannot succeed as a writer or an artist, which seem to be the only jobs Art will consider, is not acceptable.   Artemis needs to get real and get a job.

Edited July 26 by MargieB

[Ozlsn]

On 7/26/2024 at 8:47 AM, LilMissMetaphor said:

Have you ever tried working at a call center? I have. They’re severely strict and demanding, and incredibly demoralizing without paying much. They’re not an accessible alternative for people who can’t do more demanding manual labor. “Get a job like the rest of us” is ableist and is a fundamental misunderstanding of how accessible jobs are. It’s no better than yelling it at someone panhandling on the street. The supposedly “easy” or “low-skill” jobs are still difficult to do.

Art lists manual labour and call centres. And that's it. Not any jobs they could look at involving writing, from editing to writing student essays for money (yes it's dodgy but people do it). Not even playing video games for money (get character to a level where they have cool stuff for someone.)  Nothing about remote work, which there is more of now, and not even entry level white collar work.

On the one hand I agree with them that the social support is inadequate, and that detailing your medical needs shouldn't have to happen - but they just grifted nearly $5000 to move and for a holiday, and with the amount of effort that took they probably could have held down employment of some description and to be honest would probably be better off.

[LongTimeLurkerOG]

On 7/25/2024 at 6:47 PM, LilMissMetaphor said:

Just FYI in case someone missed it the first time round, this is what Art wrote on Reddit a year ago addressing some of the concerns that were brought up.  It's very telling if you read between some of the lines.

"I don’t lie or make fraudulent claims to get money. That’s what a grifter is. I’ve closed all previous fundraisers and not all of them were successfully funded – for instance my legal name change and wedding fund did not get funded, so I still haven’t had a chance to do those things.

I’m unable to work for a variety of medically supported reasons. It’s not okay to ask disabled people for proof of their disability simply because it’s medical information. To entertain the question is to concede that it’s okay to go ask other disabled people for their private medical history. It’s a common misconception that people pretend to be disabled for benefits or monetary gain, but it’s rare and doesn’t really make sense to do because benefits and fundraising add up to so little.

I have been going to Seattle to look at possible places to live because it’s literally unavoidable, and I’ve been in severe pain because of it. That doesn’t mean I could do manual labor on a consistent basis. I don’t even drive, so I’ve had to cover gas and ask friends for help with rides.

Have you ever tried working at a call center? I have. They’re severely strict and demanding, and incredibly demoralizing without paying much. They’re not an accessible alternative for people who can’t do more demanding manual labor. “Get a job like the rest of us” is ableist and is a fundamental misunderstanding of how accessible jobs are. It’s no better than yelling it at someone panhandling on the street. The supposedly “easy” or “low-skill” jobs are still difficult to do.

I do use what resources I can, but it’s a total myth that there’s a robust social welfare system anywhere in the United States. If there was, we wouldn’t have so many hundreds of thousands of homeless people here, with millions more just a few missed paychecks away from joining them.

The toxic mold was confirmed. My partner is literally terminally ill from it. If you read the actual updates, the name of the illness and the research surrounding it have been detailed. We have a letter from the pulmonologist that we sent to the landlord explaining that the environment my partner was in was causing the illness. Again, you’re demanding medical proof that you have no reason to ask about. Some things can’t just be washed out.

I am as clear as I can possibly be about specific needs so that people know what they’re helping to support. I have said again and again that people shouldn’t give unless they can spare it and want to help. I even said that in the post linked to in this comment thread. My patreon is explicitly to support my writing.

So why am I still fundraising and making money off telling my story? Because I literally have no other real options. I’ve been formally diagnosed with PTSD, it’s not “alleged trauma.” If it was working all that well, I wouldn’t have to keep detailing my needs.

The real grifters in our society are billionaires, not poor disabled people. You sound like you just hate us for trying to exist."

I remember reading this before. Well, they can take all their reasons and Stop. Grifting. Plenty of people with disabilities work and /or receive assistance (as I mentioned previously, my exPOS, who has disabilities so I'm familiar with a number of options and money). Some family, have / had disabilities. I've been an advocate for services and staff training (and provided training) for Years with previous positions - because it matters to me. So, yea, Artemis get. a. job. 

57 minutes ago, Ozlsn said:

Art lists manual labour and call centres. And that's it. Not any jobs they could look at involving writing, from editing to writing student essays for money (yes it's dodgy but people do it). Not even playing video games for money (get character to a level where they have cool stuff for someone.)  Nothing about remote work, which there is more of now, and not even entry level white collar work.

On the one hand I agree with them that the social support is inadequate, and that detailing your medical needs shouldn't have to happen - but they just grifted nearly $5000 to move and for a holiday, and with the amount of effort that took they probably could have held down employment of some description and to be honest would probably be better off.

So many WFH/remote legit jobs now. Hell, you can play games on your phone and earn gift cards; donate blood and get gift cards. I knew a homeless couple that donated plasma for higher amount g.c.

Absolutely! The amount of money; it's disgusting. And that amount of effort... At some point, even we don't want to or circumstances we don't want to deal with and adult, because... We're adults! Plenty of things I want to ignore or not deal with, just have go away but persevere because the alternative... not an option.

2 hours ago, Bookworm1564 said:

My all-time favourite Art post is the one where they say “Just for today, you can double the impact of your support with this opportunity” as if this was the moment we were all waiting for.

Like a sale for limited-time-only 🤣

[marmalade]

5 hours ago, Bookworm1564 said:

My all-time favourite Art post is the one where they say “Just for today, you can double the impact of your support with this opportunity” as if this was the moment we were all waiting for.

It's a PBS pledge drive! 😂

[MariaariaM]

5 hours ago, Ozlsn said:

On the one hand I agree with them that the social support is inadequate, and that detailing your medical needs shouldn't have to happen

It would definitely have to happen if they wanted support based on their medical needs from the state though. Why on earth should I believe some rando on the internet when they tell me they can't work, without any proof? They can claim all they want and I won't care or challenge them but when they want me to give them money? Yep, I do indeed want to see some kind of proof they legit need what they say they need or I will put my money toward another one of the thousands of other desperate pleas. There are so many in genuine need: why would I give my money to them and not the dog with the piece of ham on its face?

[NurseNell]

So, poor people get to have fun too. Yep, they do. There are lots of free things to do,  and there are contests and drawings to win tickets to events. I recently went to a major league baseball game, won a ticket. I don't expect other people to pay for me to do fun things. Every weekend there is one or more free events/activities in my town, in a city there are many such events. Like the Nike slogan, just do it Art.

[keepercjr]

On 7/24/2024 at 9:23 AM, allyisyourpally5 said:

This current cry out for money has actually made me angry - no way do all those items need to cost $250, let alone $500 if they get their “match”. They need two mugs. How much trash can they seriously produce? Most of those items can be bought at a dollar store or certainly very cheap - go to goodwill for some of it. 
 

Art I doubt you read here anymore but if you do, you’ve taken this way too far. Just pure greed. Get off your ass and get a damn job. 
 

 

Just about everything they listed could be found cheap or maybe free at dollar stores, thrift stores and Facebook marketplace. They don’t need a hamper either.  Just throw your dirty clothes in the washing machine and run a load when it’s full.  It isn’t like they have a large house to negotiate.  
dust pan - dollar store.  Hamper - mesh one at dollar store.  Step stool - $25 on my Facebook marketplace. Mugs - gonna be like $.50 at a thrift store.  Trash can - between $6 and $20 on my Facebook marketplace. Broom - $6 walmart.  Wagon - most expensive item at around $50 from multiple places. At most they need about $100 for those specific items if they shop smart. They could also post on a local but nothing group asking for those items to see what people might be wanting to get rid of.

re- terminal illness.  I have been saying this from the beginning - I don’t think Ryan’s illness is terminal.  They removed themselves from the trigger and he seems to be doing better,  he has no scarring in his lungs.  At most it is potentially chronic.  If he wasn’t able to escape the trigger and ended up with damage, that could lead to a terminal diagnosis. He should have no future problems as long as he is monitored and doesn’t come in contact with the mold that caused it.  I have a terminal illness that is chronic for now and I hope it stays that way.  New medicine advances Have really changed the game for many of us.  For Art, they seem to hang onto the dramatic and saying Ryan has a terminal illness sounds more dramatic.  
 

here is the post about fun stuff

we are cheap in my household (I am also saving up for an international trip we want to take next summer).  We look for the free/cheap stuff that is going on in my town and local area and decide what sounds fun to us.  They also have the EBT card that will get them on FREE to many museums.  I don’t know anyone who thinks poor people should be banned from having fun.  I also don’t know what Art considers “fun”.  Fun doesn’t have to cost money. My 19 year old son and his girlfriend go to a local park and feed squirrels. My friend and I went and spent a morning at a local free botanical garden.  If we had any quality museums nearby I would visit them too.  My same friend and I have also driven to a wildlife area about 75 miles away to see migrating waterfowl (snow geese, sand hill cranes, ducks) and we really enjoyed ourselves.  Local college music programs are usually free or really cheap.  None of this cost much money other than maybe minor transportation costs.

[Mrs Ms]

All the “poor people deserve….” Strawmen arguments are really insidious. Nobody is saying being >insert group< means you don’t deserve nice things. But this feels like an emperor laying around expecting someone to pop grapes into his mouth because “he deserves grapes” People aren’t upset about the grapes but by the laying around with gaping mouth expecting them to magically appear inside it. Contribute in SOME way to your own life outside of online begging. And stop gaslighting your marks ahem “donors and patrons”

[LongTimeLurkerOG]

Oh, and the not-so-subtle re-ask for wedding and name change money... Doesn't have to cost anything or hardly anything to get married, all about choices and what is important to you. I know someone who had a friend officiate, in a park, their everyday clothes. You could always do something fancier later; they didn't, that was how they wanted their wedding. 

I'm not bashing Art, I don't think that's anyone's intention here. It's the frustration because: the real world, entitled attitude, and from my perspective as someone who read (Cynthia's) posts and heard their story you want better for them than to have de-volved to this extent. Sometimes it's hard to drag yourself out of a situation, depression, (probable undiagnosed PTSD on my part, thanks exPOS) - But you do what you need to to get through it. Yea, it's hard. I hope they can get to a point where their mindset changes. 

Also, agree... Probably chronic not terminal. 

Hugs to those who have terminal diagnoses. 💙

Edited July 27 by LongTimeLurkerOG
Clarity

[MargieB]

I worked in state government and we had disabled people working for us.  They wanted to work.  There is no reason why Artemis could not do office work.  They are literate and know how to use a computer.  Artemis could do transcribing work from home.  The fact is, Artemis just does not want to work.  

 

 

Edited July 27 by MargieB