Why I Can't Join in the LJ Strike

[jetpack_monkey]

So the 24-Hour LJ Strike is set to start at 5:00PM Thursday for Pacific Time/Arizona. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to post within that time (trust me -- it's been a weird week). Also, I don't particularly care that the basic accounts have been eliminated in favor of the Plus -- LJ is a business and that business needs money to operate.

Also, am I the only one who finds it curious that there's a strike going on to demonstrate to the advertisers the power of the LJ user base... so that we can get ad-free LJs? Somewhere that logic doesn't line up.

I'll admit the "top interests" snafu sucked, but it's been rectified now. At this point, LJ functions largely as I expect it to.

Comments

[netgirl-y2k.livejournal.com]

I have this perverse desire to post once an hour, every hour, for the length of the strike.

But that's just me.

[booster17.livejournal.com]

Um... there's an LJ strike?

[sarakat.livejournal.com]

Yep. You can read some more about it here (http://hisdreamer.livejournal.com/249511.html).

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

Damn, beat me to it. I had the link all copied and everything.

[sarakat.livejournal.com]

Heh. I'm a sucker for someone who doesn't know what's going on and I actually do. Makes me feel all smart and stuff. *g*

I've edited my entry now with my own thoughts on the Great LJ Strike Of 2008.

[liminalliz.livejournal.com]

AGREED ON ALL POINTS.

[tinylegacies.livejournal.com]

For me personally, it's not about the basic accounts being eliminated, it's the way the company has been communicating with its' userbase.

I have no problem with the decision because I do understand that LJ is a business and needs money to operate, but I don't approve of how we were notified or how the situation has been handled since then.

[sarakat.livejournal.com]

How we were notified and how it's been handled since would be the only reason why I would participate in the strike. That said, will I participate in the strike? Not likely. I love an above posters inclination to post every hour of the strike. Sadly I'll be in a meeting all day Friday and won't be able to do so. *pouts*

[midnightfae.livejournal.com]

I am inclined to agree that the way they handled notifying their user base was teh suck. But, it didn't really affect me (since I'm an early adopter from the days of yore), and I figure, if they piss enough people off, they'll leave.

I'm a strong believer in the power of the economy, and I do believe that either LJ will fix it's problems or they'll go out of business. I do not, however, think the 24-hour "strike" will fix anything.

In fact, one of the problems with this "strike" is that it's lasting for only 24 hours. So what? LJ knows it, you know it, and in a day - it will be all over. A real strike - and one that will be effective - lasts until something changes. If you want an effective LJ strike, you need to get a large number of people to leave indefinitely, and only come back when things are fixed. And, personally, I don't think people are angry enough to do that yet. I'm certainly not.

[tinylegacies.livejournal.com]

If you want an effective LJ strike, you need to get a large number of people to leave indefinitely, and only come back when things are fixed. And, personally, I don't think people are angry enough to do that yet. I'm certainly not.

You're absolutely correct. And I know I'm not that mad yet either. I'm certainly getting there and I'm working on setting up more things off LJ. But I'm not about to give up what I have here and leave completely.

I would, however, consider participating at least partially in a long-term strike (meaning, I wouldn't post in this journal, but I'd still do the minimal things I need to do to keep my RP characters active in their respective games).

[steinba.livejournal.com]

I fully intend not to post during that timeframe.

...wait, there's a strike?

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

*snerk*

[butterflykiki.livejournal.com]

*snort*

*points up* That, yes.

And yeah, I don't love the ads, but I don't hate 'em. And their public relations department sucks, but it always has. And... everyone else can get angrier for me. I am le tired. And apparently French.

[qkellie.livejournal.com]

This situation has got me madder than is logical, I understand. I said this already, but maybe it bears repeating: what I want is for SUP to come clean about why they did what they did to the interests and to extend a "warning period" before phasing out basic accounts. I'm not mad that they need to phase those out for financial reasons, but don't do it and then tell people after the fact. That's just mean. If it turns out that the interests were censored because of content, then that's bigotry, and I will be even madder than I already am.

I know I can go 24 hours without posting, but I can't go 24 hours without logging in. The idea of boycotting until a change takes place is very intriguing, though.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

And if this really does have you worked up, I support your right to take action on it. Always will.

I guess I'm just relatively unbothered by it. Call me jaded.

[timjr.livejournal.com]

I am suddenly reminded of the DC Taxi's '24 hour strikes' when protesting the fact they were now required to have proper meters and it was no longer a 'zone' system.

...they didn't work so well.