Looking for Feedback on a Doll Experiment: The Vagabond

I would choose one platform and stick to it. So DoA or Discord or Twitter etc. keeping it in one place means a lot less work to oversee the whole thing and you don't risk alienate or exlcude participants based on their political views, tech restrictions or location once the project is under way. I've lost count of the times I've voulentered to help out with something only to later realize that I'm cut out of large parts of the project due to things like that. People always assume that every one is ok with -and have access to- the same things that they do and that is simply not true. Especcially if you want to do an international thing. If you do decide to do a cross plaform thing, make sure to state that clearly right from the start so that people know what they sign up for.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, while I understand wanting to make it into a big thing and wanting many eyes on it, that will also increase the risks of loss or sabotage. Especcially if it's open to be viewed by people outside of the hobby.

The public will still be able to enjoy and marvel at the project in the youtube video once the whole thing is over. (Well, the part of the public able to and ok with using youtube, that's not a given either.) At that point all the risk is also gone.

 

@DamirSoull Well it seems like you've got it all pretty well figured out then! I really hope you can make this project happen because it would be really delightful to see

 

{LAUGH!} The only phone I own is the landline in my house

Teddy

 

My husband was just reading over my shoulder and commented that I could try using the phone, but the picture quality wouldn't just be on the low side, it would be non-existent... {SNERT!!!}

Teddy

 

See, this is exactly what I was talking about!
I myself am a landline person and while I do own a cell phone, it's not a smartphone and I wouldn't want one the way they are typically made now. Don't get me started on those (walking around with a GPS tracker in your pocket, voice commands that a search enging can screen and all that) it's completely irrelevant to this topic beyond the fact that people does in fact prioritize differently and should be free to do so.
That is also why I suggested to find participants that already have some sort of connection. For example, it would be safe to assume that all DoA users are somewhat comfortable using DoA and since there is no real restriction on what e-mail provider or image host that is used to activate a DoA account or post images here that keeps if fair and possible to manage at a level that people can be comfortable with on an individual level. (Heck, you could even own your own server and literally host things yourself, never letting it out of your hands.) If you were to (just to pull an example out of a hat) require people to use a google-owned platform, then an g-mail account would be required to be able to create a user account and interact with the project.
Something like that may still be ok, but can only be assumed to be ok if the people you engage in the preoject are already ok using that.

 

This entire thread is filled with such good ideas! I, for one, would love to see this project come to fruition and even be a part of it!

I think that DOA is a great place to organize this type of project, especially when considering hosts. You can see how long people have been a member of the community/forum, what sort of things they've posted, and, most beneficially, feedback from other transactions they've done on DOA's marketplace. It would really allow you to get a feel for the type of person they are and whether or not they'd make a good host!

 

Most people I think have already expressed any concerns but if it all goes well it sounds like a really interesting project and a great excuse for some of us who have perhaps been intending to go out and take photos with dolls and keep making excuses NOT to, to actually DO IT lol.

Plotting the course would take some doing though, you'd need to carefully plot things to minimise shipping times/costs while having interesting little jumps.

Also, Dang @Teddy, you're close by!

 

This is such a cool idea and I'm super interested in it. The idea to do a USA run first makes sense to me as I was also thinking that instead of just the vagabond shouldering all the shipping costs, have it split 50/50 between the host. I personally would be willing to split because I think it's such an interesting project, but I can see where others would not just a thought!

 

Call me a curmudgeon but it sounds too expensive and like a recipe for getting your doll stolen. If it were me I might think about doing a “flat Stanley” version with a paper cutout of the doll instead of the doll itself.

 

@DamirSoull : While you may get unlucky and have a problematic host (among other possible problems), that's an experiment of faith, and like all experiments, you have the risk of failure and the chances of success and it seems like you have enough elements to make an informed decision.

Nothing great has ever been achieved without a little bit of risk after all, even if we always try to control most of the factors.

I will definitely follow the US-run with interest!

 

Definitely interested in following this. I'd love to volunteer for the Vagabond to come visit but with poor health and no reliable transportation after the end of the month I don't think I'd be a good choice.
I recently was watching some videos about a similar thing happening with a doll as part of a virtual Blythe convention and it looked like a lot of fun for all the participants.
Even if I can't be involved I would love to follow along and see how your doll's journey unfolds.

 

If you remember, posting a message about it here will generate a notification to anyone following this thread.

Teddy

 

I have been a host for an OT traveling doll, taking her on several occasion to travel with me. Once she came and stayed for local touring, once I went overseas, and once she went to the north and once to the tropics. Of course that was when I actually owned a camera. For each occasion her host sent something along to her next stop.
It worked although once a host just set her aside and forgot to send her on. If it hadn't been for someone else in the vicinity
going to fetch her that would have been her last stop.
I enjoyed it and know that it can work. Good luck!

 

It sounds fun and I would love to see what happens, but I wouldn't want to host. I’d rather not risk losing or damaging the doll. Or if it somehow got stolen... For something that valuable, I really don’t want to be the one to break it, if that makes any sense.

If you decide to do it, would you consider doing some sort of green screen picture? If the pose is distinct, it should be easy to pick out the “real” ones from the green screens and it would give those of us who don’t want to or simply can’t host a way to join in the fun. You could request that all used photos be taken close to home and/or specifically for the challenge, to replicate how the hosts wouldn’t be able to take them prior to the vagabond arriving (and prevent usage of vacation pictures). No risk of stealing, forgetting, and members with health or transportation issues may have an easier time.

 

This sounds like a lot fun. In echoing the concerns about the doll getting lost/damaged/stolen, perhaps getting a very tiny resinsoul exclusively for the project? That way you are not missing a doll you already have a connection with while they are on an adventure.

 

I one did something like this but it was journals. I think it was called 1000 Journals.

Anyway, if you do decide to do this, I will gladly participate!