(no subject)

This kind of activism not something I usually do - everyone who's been following this journal for any length of time knows I'm usually the apathetic very quiet type, but... :: sigh:: Here we go.


This is rahaeli's original post about the 'sponsored communities' and 'sponsored content' which personally I recommend reading first, because the language betrays a lot. 3381 mostly negative comments as I'm typing this.

Here is bradfitz's 'clarification', which says more or less the same thing, only in a less condescending, fake-enthusiastic tone, but addresses none of the main concerns voiced. 1223 (again, for the greatest part negative) comments and counting.

Note that this has not been posted at news, but at the much less frequented lj_biz.


If you've read the posts (and perhaps browsed through some of the comments, many of which address IMO legitimate concerns, beyond 'OMG not another MySpace') and feel uneasy about cooperate involvement that isn't restricted to ads you can choose to have on your journal and at least identify as such when you see them, please voice your concern commenting in either post.

If you're in involved in any fanish activities, or just enjoy passively lurking around fandom, like I do, please comment and voice your concern. The following is copied from lj's TOS: You agree to NOT use the Service to: [...] 6. Upload, post or otherwise transmit any Content that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other proprietary rights of any party; [...] If LiveJournal determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that any user is in violation of the TOS, LiveJournal retains the right to terminate such user's account at any time without prior notice. IMO, this would be more then sufficient cause to get most fanish communities and journals suspended, should a sponsor file a complaint, unless you want to believe that lj would take the side of fandom (whose legal claim in this matter is shaky to non-existent) against a paying sponsor, which, personally, I doubt. This was less of a concern when - until now - lj was a medium movie, tv and publishing companies had no official part or interest in, but IMO (call me pessimistic or paranoid) will become problematic when fandom and TPTB start sharing a bed, so to speak.

If, after reading the announcement posts, you're in any way and for any reason concerned about this development, consider posting in your journal and spreading the word, because the lj admins certainly didn't go out of their way to make this as public as it should have been made..



Or tell me that I've chosen the wrong time & cause to rouse myself from apathy and that I'm overreacting, that's fine, too. :)

(no subject)

And now, back to our regular scheduled boringness. :)


First belly-dancing lesson went sort-of well, even, without too much self-consciousness. I really rather enjoyed it, as long as I didn't start to think too much what my various body parts were supposed do to, at which point, instant disaster and paralysis.

I hope things will stay this way & I'll manage to go through with it, because it does seem like a good way to get in better touch with my body...