# The "animation is here and the world is ending" thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 26, 2021, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032 "2021-06-26T03:00:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/61 "2021-06-26T19:59:42Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I’m a total layman when it comes to tech stuff - do GIFs or videos pose any malware threat when posted like this? Yes- for example, if you watch the gif below, it will download the 1337H4X0R3000 virus onto your device: ![](https://media4.giphy.com/media/OdOehbRu0lHHbt2kYl/giphy.webp?cid=82a1493bx2w32sjv6js6wjvez0ylayxe4004xxtdlvh1vp4q&rid=giphy.webp&ct=g) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/62 "2021-06-26T20:04:09Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > > [@BigT](#): > > > > But I do not understand why this was something @Ed_Zotti thought was a pressing need. > > Is it the ads? I don’t recall any of them being gifs before today. Half of them are gifs now. Definitely not. It wasn’t a software change, you could post animated gifs exactly the same way a week ago… it’s just not against the rules anymore. So it has nothing to do with ads, and it took no work on Ed’s part beyond writing the post. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/63 "2021-06-26T20:09:51Z")
You already have them turned off with your plug in, and gave great advice on how to use it for others’ who feel likewise. So what, now, is the problem with having them allowed? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/64 "2021-06-26T20:10:18Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > I’d prefer they had to be clicked on to animate. That’s totally fair - I don’t think there’s a way for the site to make that change, but apparently there are some plug-ins that might help. Maybe we can create a sticky for those steps? ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/65 "2021-06-26T20:14:20Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Maybe we can create a sticky for those steps? That would be helpful, but that post was going to be my last kvetching about it. Being tech-daft, a stickies version for iPads-if one can even do plug-ins on them. I’m using Chrome-_that_ much I know. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/66 "2021-06-26T20:19:54Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > […] > > If you’re not using Chrome, I suggest you google how to stop animations in whichever browser you’re using. For the two or three people who use Firefox, you can tweak animations using the configuration utility: - Type **about:config** in the location bar and hit [Enter]. - Confirm that you do understand that fiddling with the settings may cause the Earth to leave its orbit and crash into the sun. - Search for **image.animation\_mode** and click the Edit icon. The **normal** (default) option allows animations to play repeatedly; **once** will allow them to play once; **none** will prevent them from playing, though a still frame will appear. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/67 "2021-06-26T20:23:07Z")
**It has nothing to do with ads.** There was no setting. It was just [a board rule from when we switched to Discourse last June](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-and-corrections-june-27-2020/913455). The mods still have the option to spoiler or break the link of any particularly obnoxious animated images, so those could still be reported. If the GIF is insulting, that is still insulting a poster. etc. Please flag it. If it is mild and just annoying you though, please don’t flag it. At this point members don’t see ads and I believe adding in the ability to become a member and/or renew membership is in the works. There are some tech issues involved with theses and they’re being resolved. Please see this post on ads for members: > [@Ads for members and charter members](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ads-for-members-and-charter-members/944987): > > I have been told that the issue of members and charter members seeing ads has been fixed, and testing among the mods seems to confirm this. If you are seeing ads and you believe that you should not be, please contact me. Note that members and charter members not seeing ads only applies to the SDMB. It does not apply to the Straight Dope web page. This is not a change. This is the way that it worked when we were on vBulletin. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/68 "2021-06-26T21:33:14Z")
Some of these animated GIFs are like magic. Do this and see if it works for you. [![](https://i.imgur.com/Gz2B1w9.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Gz2B1w9.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/69 "2021-06-26T22:26:10Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > Except that @kayT didn’t say that it was a new trend or that it killed websites. Care to show me where I claimed that kayT did? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/70 "2021-06-26T22:27:44Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Every social media site I know of has Animated GIFs set up where you have to click to play them. If it’s possible to do that here, that’s my vote. I hate to have things automatically bounce and blink at me when I’m trying to pay attention to something else. But occasionally I do want to watch one. > [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Animated gifs are pretty standard _everywhere._ So are annoying beeping noises. > [@Guinastasia](#): > > Doesn’t mean it’s stupid, either. This place is starting to look like a “get off my lawn!” website more and more each day. Do you want the Dope to survive, or not? Do you think being able to use gifs will make a significant positive difference? Serious question. > [@Guinastasia](#): > > Look at the uproar about avatars – well, it’s been over a year, and none of the dire predictions came true. I’ve got no problem with avatars. They don’t blink at me. > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I think that label mainly fits those who think an extremely common feature that has been in use for more than 20 years on popular and long-lived websites is a new trend that kills websites. I don’t. I think it’s an old annoyance that remains annoying. I also don’t think it’s the New Great Thing that everybody ought to try. I’ve tried it. I don’t like it. They distract me and some of them make my eyes hurt. If you like it, why not have it as click-to-play? That way you can watch them and I don’t have to. > [@OttoDaFe](#): > > For the two or three people who use Firefox, you can tweak animations using the configuration utility: > > - Type **about:config** in the location bar and hit [Enter]. > - Confirm that you do understand that fiddling with the settings may cause the Earth to leave its orbit and crash into the sun. > - Search for **image.animation\_mode** and click the Edit icon. The **normal** (default) option allows animations to play repeatedly; **once** will allow them to play once; **none** will prevent them from playing, though a still frame will appear. Thanks! – except it doesn’t seem to have worked. – oh, I missed that you need to hit the checkmark to save. Duh. Now it works – > [@What\_Exit](#): > > The mods still have the option to spoiler or break the link of any particularly obnoxious animated images, so those could still be reported. The issue isn’t whether the image is of something obnoxious. The issue is that for a significant number of people having the page repeatedly flash lights at you, in whatever pattern, when you didn’t want to watch them, is annoying, distracting, and/or disturbing. However, if there’s a way in all browsers to shut it down, then posting such instructions seems to me a usable fix. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/71 "2021-06-26T22:31:31Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > Our greatest strength is intelligent conversation. That is how we are different, and that is what we should be promoting. Intrusive animations discourage intelligent conversation in a way that avatars, small emojis, and reasonable use of images and embedded videos don’t. > > There are thousands of sites where people can post cute animations for a quick LOL and an ego boost instead of a reasonable or entertaining exchange of ideas. That’s not the kind of site we want to be. Now that’s another thing. The snobbery. “WE’RE not like that. WE’RE better than everyone else. WE’RE smarter and different and special!” I’m sorry, but that’s just bullshit. I see plenty of intelligent conversation all over the web, and plenty of frivolous crap here. That’s not to say this isn’t a great board, but the whole, “WE are above all that,” is seriously, seriously annoying. Is that really the kind of image we want? That we want to keep out all the riffraff? Shouldn’t we have a welcoming, friendly attitude? (And no, that does NOT mean letting in all sorts of trolls. That’s another thing – sometimes this place has a hard time with the excluded middle) ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/72 "2021-06-26T22:32:40Z")
This probably isn’t possible, but it would be nice if only certain categories could have the animations. They seem out of place in GQ and GD, but probably fit in fine in the Game Room and the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/73 "2021-06-26T22:46:51Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Do you think being able to use gifs will make a significant positive difference? Serious question. If you’ve paid attention to what I’ve said, gifs alone, no. But along with other changes we’ve made, I think that can play apart. Little things here and there often do. And anyways, what does it hurt to try? (And just like I said before, think of all the cute animal anims we’ll see!) [![](https://i.imgur.com/JsAoWvz.gif) ](https://i.imgur.com/JsAoWvz.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/74 "2021-06-26T22:48:47Z")
Hmmm, I think keeping them out of GQ & GD could work (although I really wouldn’t mind them there), but I think the rest of the place is fine. CS, MPSIMS & IMHO are also good places for them, as well as the Pit and The Game Room. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/75 "2021-06-26T22:58:50Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > nd anyways, what does it hurt to try? I think that’s been repeatedly explained by multiple people in this thread: in some cases people’s eyes, in some cases people’s attention, in a few cases even people’s PTSD. > [@Guinastasia](#): > > (And just like I said before, think of all the cute animal anims we’ll see!) People have been sometimes linking to cute animal anims here for quite some time. And if I felt like watching one, I’d click on them – when I’d finished reading what I felt like reading, on the page that wasn’t blinking at me. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/76 "2021-06-26T23:27:14Z")
I’ll have to see if I ever transferred all my old animated ANSI files to CD, and convert them to .gif format. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/77 "2021-06-26T23:30:18Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > > [@BigT](#): > > > > I don’t see any pressing need for them, either. People here don’t tend to post “reaction GIFs,” and that’s their main purpose online. And what purpose they do serve would seem to be easily covered by video links. Most sharing sites convert GIFs to video anyways at this point. > > They never had the ability to. Now that they CAN I expect we will see a lot more reaction gifs, and I’m super excited for it! > > [Happy Jonah Hill GIF](https://media3.giphy.com/media/5GoVLqeAOo6PK/200_d.gif) No, they always could upload them. It was just mentioned as being against the rules in a single ATMB thread, which most posters would not have read (especially newer posters who would be more likely to fluent in reaction GIFs). Yet we never saw a bunch of people trying to includes them in posts, despite images being allowed. My point is that I’m not worried people will start using reaction GIFs where they are inappropriate. The bulk of this board is made up of more in depth conversations, or more intellectual discussions. Reaction GIFs are mostly posted in very casual situations. Just like we didn’t have an influx of static memes just because images are allowed, we likely won’t have a huge influx of animated memes because they have been allowed. There will be a bit of influx as people get used to their new toy, but it won’t take over the board. If it did—if there would be “a lot more reaction gifs”—that would be a legitimate reason to be concerned with the change. It would be a significant change, and we’d need to discuss the balance between changing the board to make it more popular vs. retaining its unique identity so that people would not just go somewhere else. But I do not think it will be a significant change. I do foresee some minor problems with them autoplaying, but that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/78 "2021-06-26T23:49:16Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > If you’ve paid attention to what I’ve said, gifs alone, no. But along with other changes we’ve made, I think that can play apart. And the evidence that supports this can be found…where, again? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/79 "2021-06-27T00:46:27Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > > [@GreenWyvern](#): > > > > Our greatest strength is intelligent conversation. That is how we are different, and that is what we should be promoting. Intrusive animations discourage intelligent conversation in a way that avatars, small emojis, and reasonable use of images and embedded videos don’t. > > > > There are thousands of sites where people can post cute animations for a quick LOL and an ego boost instead of a reasonable or entertaining exchange of ideas. That’s not the kind of site we want to be. > > Now that’s another thing. The snobbery. “WE’RE not like that. WE’RE better than everyone else. WE’RE smarter and different and special!” I’m sorry, but that’s just bullshit. I see plenty of intelligent conversation all over the web, and plenty of frivolous crap here. That’s not to say this isn’t a great board, but the whole, “WE are above all that,” is seriously, seriously annoying. Is that really the kind of image we want? That we want to keep out all the riffraff? Shouldn’t we have a welcoming, friendly attitude? > (And no, that does NOT mean letting in all sorts of trolls. That’s another thing – sometimes this place has a hard time with the excluded middle) There’s nothing snobbish in that quote, though. @GreenWyvern is bringing up a legitimate concern. There is a need to try and maintain the general character of a website. If a website becomes too much like every other website, there ceases to be any real reason to use it and not some other site. No, the more intellectual and thoughtful character of this board is not unique. But it is very much still the exception. I personally cannot think of any place where people post a lot of reaction GIFs and the level of conversation remains high. It’s just the nature of what reaction GIFs are. They are a type of slang, an extremely informal register used mostly for fun. Due to the restrictions, it’s not a language that lends itself to debate or even really discussion. And, unlike images and emoji, they are almost always used by themselves, not as a way to augment conversation. @GreenWyvern was also not excluding the middle. They were saying that they were okay with avatars, images, and emoji, but were drawing the line at animated GIFs. Sure, maybe their point of balance is not the best one. I’ve argued as much myself. But they still were not being some stick in the mud saying “nO cHAnGe EVAR!1!” I think your idea that this will somehow help out the board is silly. Yes, even as part of wider changes. I do not think there was a single poster who liked thoughtful conversations who was turned off from posting here due to a lack of these features. And those who just want to talk fluff aren’t the new user we want. The whole point of bringing in new people is to get new points of view. We’re not trying to be popular. We want enough people to keep the board alive, and then some new blood to add to the diversity of ideas. That’s not snobbery, either. It’s just what this board is about. It’s not like a knitting board would want to try and bring in people who talk about cars. Sure, some people who like cars may like knitting, too, but then they’d post at the knitting board anyways. That’s not to say I agree with @GreenWyvern. I’m saying they brought up something legitimate. My position, as I’ve said before, is that this likely won’t be a big change. It won’t fundamentally change the board, but it also won’t bring in new users. Autoplaying GIFs, however, will annoy plenty of people who are already here. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032/80 "2021-06-27T00:57:34Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > > [@GreenWyvern](#): > > > > […] > > > > If you’re not using Chrome, I suggest you google how to stop animations in whichever browser you’re using. > > For the two or three people who use Firefox, you can tweak animations using the configuration utility: The problem with advice like this is that it affects all GIFs everywhere. And you can’t click to play the GIFs. I could have sworn there were extensions or options that let you have GIFs be click to play, but I’m not finding any, let alone any that let me set options on a site-by-site basis. I don’t mind GIFs on places where they are click to play, or are genuine animations as part of a web comic (rather than videos that flash a bunch.) It really needs to be a site-level option. But I think that would require actual tech admin stuff, like allowing images to be cached on the site. The easiest way to implement it would be to store the first frame of the GIF, but set it up where clicking on it replaces that image with the animated GIF. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animation-is-here-and-the-world-is-ending-thread/945032.md?page=5)