A few words about thinking.

[2dlife]

Ok, I'm seriously not in a good mood about new LJ policy thing. And not because I'm against it... I'm all for LiveJournal adding sponsored features and the like to the LJ user experience, I think it's well within their rights and that it was very nice of them to tell us. What I'm annoyed by is the response. It goes to show just how irrational

Comments

[2dlife]

Oh! I missed one.

But LJ is alienating its userbase! I'm being ignored! I wouldn't listen to you either if you don't make logical arguments. Come up with some solid concerns and I think they'll be glad to address them.

[annaonthemoon]

I think I must have missed something. what? I thought the ads were onlty on that "sponsored plus" or whatever account and wasn't supposed to effect paid users? Do you happen to have a link to the information about it?

[2dlife]

Added to post.

[annaonthemoon]

thanks. will read and get back to you with my opinion.

[annaonthemoon]

Uhm...I also don't see what the big deal is. according to the entry you linked to:

And, before anyone gets a chance to bring it up, we'll be honest: paid users are going to see the (unobtrusive!) sponsorship information on pages about sponsored features.

To me, this says that if you don't want to use the new features that are sponsored, you DON'T HAVE TO and you WON'T see the ads...which is later reiterated in an edit to the entry.

So. I agree with you that people need to quit their freaking whining about it. It's not like LJ is saying they are going to put big honkin' ads on our personal journal pages, or even as a banner at the top. It's *only* going to be on the pages for the sponsored features.

I'm not sure I understand the bit about adding SMS interfacing. I've ben able to update my LJ via a text message pretty much since they activated "post by email". Unless this will somehow text you people's entries, but that's a little silly, don't you think?

[2dlife]

If you read the copious comments, you'll quickly see what prompted this rather vitriolic post.

[idan_cohen]

I have one important detail you have neglected to add:

INTERNET!!

[2dlife]

Call me self-centered but it disturbs me that people I know (intelligent people, no less) are falling under these self-same logical fallacies.

[idan_cohen]

Tsk. I'll be forced to explain for you then.

Those against this whole thing aren't coming from a position of logic. They are coming from emotional reaction and instict, not to mention pattern recognition.

EMOTIONAL REACTION:

"I trusted LJ to be a 'good' place, and now I trust them less! I feel betrayed!"

"I really like LJ, and now I feel that eventually I will have to leave!"

"LJ is getting just like MySpace!"

(and others)

PATTERN RECOGNITION:

As per the experience of every person on the internet ever, any site which begins to use words like "We are improving your experience!" with connotation to money will eventually slide down that fallacious slippery slope to, well, being MySpace. (See emotional reaction #3).

INSTINCT:

"Fuck, he just said they're 'working to improve our experience'. Fuck no."

Not a complete list in any way but I feel this is a good guide to the negative aspects!

Also just setting all of that aside for the moment people just don't want ads.

[2dlife]

... I see. I'm truly frightened for thus seemingly large population in the world.

[sartan0]

I agree with all of C's posts and comments up to this point and fear for the emotional Internet masses. They are not going to win any arguments.