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I wasn't sure if I wanted to comment on the whole kerfuffle; I've been reading around trying to see everyone's point of view, because that's what I do, but I wasn't personally concerned until I came across two particular links.
From![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
amberite: the blogs of the people who run WFI. This is not just about amateur but well-meaning citizens trying to help the fight against sexual crime involving children. (And no, I'm not going to start replacing words like 'incest' with asterisks and code - if I can't discuss the situation without my journal being threatened, then the situation is reaching the point of no return.) This is about vocal hatred of gays, transgender people, immigrants, liberal pacifists and other groups. This, I have problems with.
And it is all the more concerning in light of this dug up bybookshop. She links to the article itself, which is worth a read.
In all seriousness, LJ fandom has been a place where people feel accepted and safe in a way that they might not be able to in their 'real life' context. Of course there are nuts, but on the whole, fandom is a place full of level-headed and accepting people who know where the lines between fiction and reality are, and who will stand up and defend anyone's right to their self-definition and self-expression.
Part of me is convinced that this will blow over fairly quickly, but the other part is all fired up and ready to argue vehemently in favour of a place that has made me lots of friends, opened my eyes and my mind in so many ways, and taught me a hell of a lot about creativity and communication. Sure, a large part of it is the pretendy funtime games. Sure, there are bigger issues afoot on the world stage. But this has become, at least partly, about safe spaces being threatened. If LJ disappeared tomorrow, yes, life would go on, but a lot of people would lose one of the best and most tolerant 'places' for them to express their sexuality, their gender, and their opinions.
I don't think hysteria is warranted. But I wouldn't be posting if I didn't think that the situation has escalated to the point of concern.
A few people have pointed out this software, if you want to back up your LJ (not a bad idea in any case), and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
fandom_counts, which is pretty much a census/silent petition. It may not accomplish a lot. But it's one more straw on SixApart's back, and I don't think there's anything wrong with finding weight in numbers and then throwing that weight around. We have a voice. We may as well use it. And if it proves nothing more than a target list...well, see above re: point of no return. What the hell, people. Deleting interests is one thing. Allowing fear to dictate the way we use and inhabit this place is another entirely.
From
amberite: the blogs of the people who run WFI. This is not just about amateur but well-meaning citizens trying to help the fight against sexual crime involving children. (And no, I'm not going to start replacing words like 'incest' with asterisks and code - if I can't discuss the situation without my journal being threatened, then the situation is reaching the point of no return.) This is about vocal hatred of gays, transgender people, immigrants, liberal pacifists and other groups. This, I have problems with.And it is all the more concerning in light of this dug up by
bookshop. She links to the article itself, which is worth a read.In all seriousness, LJ fandom has been a place where people feel accepted and safe in a way that they might not be able to in their 'real life' context. Of course there are nuts, but on the whole, fandom is a place full of level-headed and accepting people who know where the lines between fiction and reality are, and who will stand up and defend anyone's right to their self-definition and self-expression.
Part of me is convinced that this will blow over fairly quickly, but the other part is all fired up and ready to argue vehemently in favour of a place that has made me lots of friends, opened my eyes and my mind in so many ways, and taught me a hell of a lot about creativity and communication. Sure, a large part of it is the pretendy funtime games. Sure, there are bigger issues afoot on the world stage. But this has become, at least partly, about safe spaces being threatened. If LJ disappeared tomorrow, yes, life would go on, but a lot of people would lose one of the best and most tolerant 'places' for them to express their sexuality, their gender, and their opinions.
I don't think hysteria is warranted. But I wouldn't be posting if I didn't think that the situation has escalated to the point of concern.
A few people have pointed out this software, if you want to back up your LJ (not a bad idea in any case), and
fandom_counts, which is pretty much a census/silent petition. It may not accomplish a lot. But it's one more straw on SixApart's back, and I don't think there's anything wrong with finding weight in numbers and then throwing that weight around. We have a voice. We may as well use it. And if it proves nothing more than a target list...well, see above re: point of no return. What the hell, people. Deleting interests is one thing. Allowing fear to dictate the way we use and inhabit this place is another entirely.
no subject
I am truly frightened of a life without lj. This whole thing is making me realize how dependent I am on it. YIKES, LIZZEN.
no subject
Plus there's the whole FICTION VS. REALITY thing, which I have SO MANY OPINIONS about, even in the realms of pornography and children. I want to quote something from Alan Moore's Lost Girls but I am at uni, so that will have to wait until tonight.
SUBVERSIVE ICON. DUH DUUUUUH.
no subject
Thanks for this post. I've seen a lot of anger and frustration on my flist today, and while I certainly understand the reasons, I guess I'm just too jaded. I've been around here for almost five years, and I've seen huge wanks/controversies before. They fade pretty quickly, as you said. In a few weeks' time, things will probably be back to normal.
That said, I do agree that this is opening a lot of eyes, including 6Apart's (they seem to be in damage control mode now, and are hinting they might restore some of the deleted LJs.) I don't think that "freedom of speech" is an inalienable right in a private, corporate arena such as this -- technically, we do agree to ToS when we join -- but we do have a social contract with this corporation and with each other. As with the FanLib fiasco, at least this is spurring fans to examine what those issues really mean.