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gothrockrulzHave I ever mentioned politics here? Nope. To put my political beliefs in a nutshell, politics depresses me to no end, so I do my best to avoid it, especially when there are fandoms calling my name.
But my fandoms, at least with regard to other fans on the internet, might actually fall silent. Thanks to SOPA and PIPA.
If you haven't heard of the U.S. government's latest attempt to seize power from its people, feel free to read this article. Also, you might want to check out this article, which reports that TV news apparently doesn't think we should care.
If my worst fears are realized and these bills actually pass, I won't be able to post icons anymore. There won't even be an LJ for me to post anything. I won't be able to gab with you all about how much we love being crazy weirdos, forging friendships with like-minded crazy weirdos miles and miles away though our computer screens.
YouTube, to whom I owe my introduction to Final Fantasy VII, Gackt, and J-rock in general, will be history. Tumblr, my latest time-consuming device, won't be there to tempt me anymore. And Wikipedia, my first stop for discographies, definition refreshers, and quick synopses, will be on a permanent blackout. That also goes for Blogger, Wordpress, Reddit, and pretty much any other fun, creative sites out there that don't hold lobby-power over politicians.
I'm hoping and praying that our voices will be heard and nothing will come of these conniving bills. But I'm also preparing for the worst. If this crap gets real, I'm boycotting any and all media with any tie to U.S. companies. Blu-ray discs, DVDs, CDs, everything. The media companies want these bills to go through so they can stop losing money? Then let's deny them MORE money. If they want their money, they've got to stop prodding the government to strip us of our freedom, and find another way stop pirates, a way that doesn't punish the innocent along with the guilty.
Now excuse me while I try to decide if I should nurse a developing headache, or do my best to enjoy what might become one of my last days of free internet.
But my fandoms, at least with regard to other fans on the internet, might actually fall silent. Thanks to SOPA and PIPA.
If you haven't heard of the U.S. government's latest attempt to seize power from its people, feel free to read this article. Also, you might want to check out this article, which reports that TV news apparently doesn't think we should care.
If my worst fears are realized and these bills actually pass, I won't be able to post icons anymore. There won't even be an LJ for me to post anything. I won't be able to gab with you all about how much we love being crazy weirdos, forging friendships with like-minded crazy weirdos miles and miles away though our computer screens.
YouTube, to whom I owe my introduction to Final Fantasy VII, Gackt, and J-rock in general, will be history. Tumblr, my latest time-consuming device, won't be there to tempt me anymore. And Wikipedia, my first stop for discographies, definition refreshers, and quick synopses, will be on a permanent blackout. That also goes for Blogger, Wordpress, Reddit, and pretty much any other fun, creative sites out there that don't hold lobby-power over politicians.
I'm hoping and praying that our voices will be heard and nothing will come of these conniving bills. But I'm also preparing for the worst. If this crap gets real, I'm boycotting any and all media with any tie to U.S. companies. Blu-ray discs, DVDs, CDs, everything. The media companies want these bills to go through so they can stop losing money? Then let's deny them MORE money. If they want their money, they've got to stop prodding the government to strip us of our freedom, and find another way stop pirates, a way that doesn't punish the innocent along with the guilty.
Now excuse me while I try to decide if I should nurse a developing headache, or do my best to enjoy what might become one of my last days of free internet.
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(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-19 04:30 am (UTC)But I love to write and love fanfic (even though my muse has been on hiatus for a little while), and I enjoy seeing people share their icons, their fan art.....their love for fandom. Because I love fandom. I've spent the better part of my life in some fandom or another, or multiple at a time.
Bills like these passing would crush me - it's like taking some of my oxygen away. I eat, sleep and breathe creativity, and I love that the internet enables people all over the world to share their love for something.
Fandom only enchances my love for the movie, show, etc.... This passes and I'll buy my movies and CDs used so I don't put money in the pockets of the corporations.
I've signed the petitions, wrote my letters, all with this sick little feeling in the back of my throat - it tastes like disbelief that so much of me might be gone if these bills were to pass.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-19 04:40 am (UTC)It's the same way with me--and pretty much everybody else involved in internet fandoms, I think. I haven't posted fanfiction yet--but it was something I wanted to delve into at a future time. Now I'm afraid I'll never get to do so.
Buying stuff used is a great idea! I'll definitely employ that technique, too, if I need to. (And probably use e-bay even more than I already do--oh, wait, the bills might find a way to shut that site down as well!)
It's hard to believe this is actually happening. It feels like something out of a horror movie. A horror movie aimed at geeks and nerds, but a horror movie nonetheless.
Do you mind if I add you as a friend? I appreciate your comment very much, and I'd like to get to know you better, even if these bills pass and LJ gets exterminated. From your icon, I know that we at least have a penchant for X-Men in common, fandom-wise. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-19 05:03 am (UTC)I figure with buying used, at least the money isn't going into the film companies' hands. I would definitely buy more on Ebay as well, unless, like you said, they find a way to shut it down!
Fanfiction was such a love of mine for years. It still is, I've just had some really annoying real life issues that have pulled me away from it. The stress made my muse dive into a black hole, I think. But I've had every intention of coming back to it full force, and it terrifies me that I might not ever have the chance.
Edited to add: I also want very much to get heavier into photoshop and video editing software to make fanvids and art related to my fanfictions. :(
(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-20 12:23 am (UTC)I haven't really pushed off with regard to fanfiction, just because of real life distractions. Also, since my dream/ambition is to be a professional novelist, I feel guilty writing fanfiction when I'm supposed to be working on a novel I mean to query. Eventually.
I want to learn to make fanvideos as well. After I get Photoshop. Too much to do, too little time!
(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-19 04:58 pm (UTC)This. All of this. Brava.
It's been a roller coaster this past autumn (and now this winter) with these bills; I've read so many emails from protesters (and sent so many protest emails); I've blacked out my Tumblr; and I don't even know what to do anymore except keep this up and continue to pray.
It's horrible. The fact that this is even a possibility is horrible, mind-boggling. It's such a blatant abuse of the First Amendment that I'm still completely stunned.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-20 12:29 am (UTC)You're right about the blatant abuse. You'd think more people (and by that, I mean more people not as involved in the internet as we are) would be up in arms along with us--oh, wait, it doesn't affect them, so they don't care.