Fizz fizz bubble bubble fizz
Sep. 5th, 2002 11:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
davywavyGosh, many things bubbling & fizzing in what I laughingly call my brain…
I just bothered to sit down & read the last week of nonsense on the Uk-General (for those of you who don’t know, it’s a forum for bitching & spite masquerading as a general news list hosted by a Gaming society I’m a member of), and some things struck me.
1) Whenever anyone says, “Let’s have some common sense!” or similar comment, what they’re actually saying is: “Everyone agree with me or you’re wrong!”
2) Those people arguing against the idea of the contents of the Livejournals being made more accessible to the general public are missing the point of the Internet – that is…it’s already in the public domain!
As an example, I recently posted up a short story (“Asasabulum”, scroll down if you haven’t read it, it’s on here somewhere) to my LJ. What this has done is ensure that no publisher will ever buy that story from me. Why? Because I’ve put it into the public domain. Anyone can surf right in a read it, and so I’ve negated any resale worth that tale may have had. Fortunately I’m comfortable enough that I don’t have to worry about selling the stuff I write and can write for a hobby, but you see my point, I hope.
In the same way, the reality of LJ (unless you go friends only) is that it’s in the public domain. People claiming that their LJ is ‘private space’ just for them and their friends are talking nonsense, both in terms of logistics (see the random button? That means that anyone can read your words – I pick up readers that way) and accessibility. I post here because I want as wide an audience as possible to read my stuff. If you don’t want a wide audience to read your stuff, why are you posting to a public access channel? I don’t understand? Why not just post to your friends, or set up your own list? Why use something that is so public and then try and hide behind mealy-mouthed justifications?
Frankly, if someone wants to say something, I’d respect them a lot more if they had the courage of their convictions just to acknowledge there may be consequences, rather than just squealing like a frightened pig when anyone suggests the possibility.
3) The primary defence of people trying to stop the Cam looking at their posts, when cut down to the bone, seems to be “So I can act like a petulant 12-year-old and you can’t stop me, ner-ne-ner-ne-ner-ner.” Well, that’s true, they can. But why would anyone want to use that as a defence?
Once again, humanity has left me feeling rather confused, cold, and lonely.
I just bothered to sit down & read the last week of nonsense on the Uk-General (for those of you who don’t know, it’s a forum for bitching & spite masquerading as a general news list hosted by a Gaming society I’m a member of), and some things struck me.
1) Whenever anyone says, “Let’s have some common sense!” or similar comment, what they’re actually saying is: “Everyone agree with me or you’re wrong!”
2) Those people arguing against the idea of the contents of the Livejournals being made more accessible to the general public are missing the point of the Internet – that is…it’s already in the public domain!
As an example, I recently posted up a short story (“Asasabulum”, scroll down if you haven’t read it, it’s on here somewhere) to my LJ. What this has done is ensure that no publisher will ever buy that story from me. Why? Because I’ve put it into the public domain. Anyone can surf right in a read it, and so I’ve negated any resale worth that tale may have had. Fortunately I’m comfortable enough that I don’t have to worry about selling the stuff I write and can write for a hobby, but you see my point, I hope.
In the same way, the reality of LJ (unless you go friends only) is that it’s in the public domain. People claiming that their LJ is ‘private space’ just for them and their friends are talking nonsense, both in terms of logistics (see the random button? That means that anyone can read your words – I pick up readers that way) and accessibility. I post here because I want as wide an audience as possible to read my stuff. If you don’t want a wide audience to read your stuff, why are you posting to a public access channel? I don’t understand? Why not just post to your friends, or set up your own list? Why use something that is so public and then try and hide behind mealy-mouthed justifications?
Frankly, if someone wants to say something, I’d respect them a lot more if they had the courage of their convictions just to acknowledge there may be consequences, rather than just squealing like a frightened pig when anyone suggests the possibility.
3) The primary defence of people trying to stop the Cam looking at their posts, when cut down to the bone, seems to be “So I can act like a petulant 12-year-old and you can’t stop me, ner-ne-ner-ne-ner-ner.” Well, that’s true, they can. But why would anyone want to use that as a defence?
Once again, humanity has left me feeling rather confused, cold, and lonely.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2002-09-05 05:31 am (UTC)Sure, if I put something up public, it's public. Any random person might wander along.
Doesn't mean I feel comfortable with having someone from my roleplaying society snooping around just in case I take it into my head to abuse someone.
no subject
Date: 2002-09-05 07:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-09-05 07:56 am (UTC)Seems simple enough...
Date: 2002-09-05 08:13 pm (UTC)Ideally... don't abuse them.
Realistically... don't abuse them where they can see it. If you do, expect consequences.
Re: Seems simple enough...
Date: 2002-09-06 01:55 am (UTC)I'd respect many of the people involved in this debate a great deal more if they had the courage of their convictions, and were prepared to stand behind the consequences of their actions.
Re: Seems simple enough...
Date: 2002-09-06 03:15 am (UTC)However, I am not at all sure that this justifies people from my role playing society 'keeping tabs' on my every act.
I do many things in the public domain. I have a job. I write. I do lots of non-Cam related roleplaying activity.
Is it acceptable for the Cam to check up on me in those places? Will someone wish to censor every word I submit for publication? Does someone want to come round and check that my day job is Coc-compliant? If not, why is it acceptable to 'keep tabs' on LJs?
I wouldn't wish to argue that my LJ is 'private' (though someone on my friends list could 'snitch' on me). I would wish to argue that my LJ is not part of the Cam.
Re: Seems simple enough...
Date: 2002-09-06 04:17 am (UTC)They've got just as much right to do so as anyone has to post what they like to the public domain. Some people might find it creepy that someone might want to read their writings solely for this purpose (let's face it, I do), but there's no reasonable argument to say that they can't.
If you think that this amounts to cyber-stalking, there are laws that deal with that sort of thing.
Re: Seems simple enough...
Date: 2002-09-06 06:36 am (UTC)Agreed. No one should ever say X about Y in a LiveJournal that they're not prepared to say to Y's face.
Re: Seems simple enough...
Date: 2002-09-06 06:57 am (UTC)That's all I was trying to say...
Re: Seems simple enough...
Date: 2002-09-06 03:20 am (UTC)Rather; Have the courage of your convictions. Say stuff to or about people in media where you expect them to see it, and deal with their reactions.
The part that has got me riled is the of people claiming public statements are private or intended for the consumption of a small group. I try not to say anything about people that I wouldn't say to them directly. It's somehting to encourage, methinks.
For example: Yourself. I consider your petulant and spiteful witch hunt against Grim to be downright pathetic on your part, and I've lost a lot of respect which I once had for you as a result of it.
I'll tell him what I think of his side to him. That way, there's no confusion.
Re: Seems simple enough...
Date: 2002-09-06 06:43 am (UTC)There does appear to be a bit of hypocracy there...
Person 1: "I have the right to call X a fucknugget!"
Person 2: "Well it's mean to call X a fucknugget where X can see it... why not take it private, where you can call X a fucknugget to a select audience all you want?"
Person 1: "Never! It's my webpage, and if I want to call X a fucknugget where the wrold can see, I shall, henceforth and forevermore! Muhahahahahahah!"
Person 2: "Sigh. Sad that this is as far as you've grown up."
Person 3: "Interesting philosophy... in that case, you wouldn't mind if I take every time you call X a fucknugget and record it on my webpage, would you?"
Person 1: "Yes, I mind! You have no right to invade my personal webpage!"
Looks like Person 1 wants it both ways. And he doesn't get to have it. And "Person 1" is likely the type who gets confused between "legal rights" and "personal desires" and can quote vast chunks of half-comprehended legalese verbatim, but doesn't really know what it means.
Oddly enough, just like your prototypical Anarch PC.
For example: Yourself. I consider your petulant and spiteful witch hunt against Grim to be downright pathetic on your part, and I've lost a lot of respect which I once had for you as a result of it.
Fair enough... we all have our opinions, and I wouldn't expect you to understand mine without the stereotypical mile in my shoes.
I'll tell him what I think of his side to him. That way, there's no confusion.
One could hardly ask for anything more.