Holy f*ck.
Holy mother of Jeebus this is a long interview thread.
But after reading through most of it (pssh, like I'ma read all of that XD), I feel it's time that I laid my two cents out on the table.
First off, Chii- great interview. I love what you have to say. I've always been a fan of your videos and style because of the simple fact that I can see what you like (which is awesum animes with kick*ss titles and a strong sense of iknorite). I can't say I 100% agree on everything you said because there's always that small difference in opinions, but I can definitely I say I respect what you had to say.
I view AMV's as a sort of artistic expression, but I feel like it's not just about the whole "art" concept. It's a hybrid- it's expressing your love for the show, love for the music in a way that it entices others to appreciate it, too. When I watch AMV's, I don't solely think about "Omg this clip should've been here," or "this fade shouldn't be there omg how random" (LOL). I watch to appreciate the effort someone puts into their work, and to appreciate the anime and music itself. There are many editors/anime-fans who can disagree with me. Some people use anime as "stock footage" to make really deep emotional whatever sh*t, and others use anime to show how awesome the anime itself is or to showcase the overall feel/story/mood behind the anime. I can't tell you how many times watching an AMV has shown me the way to awesome anime- I know 'Attack of the Otaku' got me started on Haruhi, and Nostromo's 'ROS3' track got me started on Noein. The bottom line: There are so many different reasons people make AMV's- we're all human, and we all have different preferences. And if you aren't human...then where are you from because I'm curious
Back on track, everyone is different. There are ways in which we are like all others, like some others, and like no others. I don't think the problem here are the differences in how we express what we like/dislike/etc. I think the problem here is that over time, people start to think of themselves as a "level above others", and thus try shoving opinions down people's throats. I can tell you that this is not what art, editing, drawing, or anything is about unless you want to be a dictator. There are skill differences, yes- some people can create really epic AMV's that combine footage from multiple anime's and make it look like an entirely new show. And then there are other videos that still have their subtitles and logos etc. But they're still AMV's. What we all have in common is that we have an anime, we have a song, and we put it together. We make videos. In that sense, no one is above anyone else. But people forget that and assume the role of telling others "your video sucks because this this and this." Constructive criticism is nice, but there's definitely a fine line where something is constructive, and where something is destructive.
I left the org in about 2008, and returned this year. Why did I leave? The same reasons Chii did- people became ass-tards and you know, tbh, I do take things to heart. I'm sensitive

I don't get hurt by constructive criticism, and I actually enjoy making improvements to anything I make (whether it be graphics, music or whatnot). But when it gets to a point where someone says "Well this just downright sucked you should quit", then you know- that wasn't very nice. Also (four years ago, idk how it is now), I noticed a general air of arrogance when someone came from "YouTube". I frankly don't think there's anything wrong with coming from YouTube. I came from YouTube because I was a fan of anime, and decided "Hey, how can I make something cool like this so I can showcase my favorite kickass anime?!" In this aspect, I agree with Chii wholeheartedly.
By the way, to the arseheads that say that Chii only wants an "easy to please audience" and other comments- lolwut? I think that highlights a big part of the problem right there- some people think that they are above other people. I cringe.
The bottom line of my seemingly endless rant

*sorrygaiz* : Keep an open mind.
Once again Chii, you've really inspired me to edit whateverdafuqIwantto again. Thank you :')
/endapocalypticrant