General wah

[valis2]

I am catching up on the LJ flist, and I'm getting sadder and sadder.

I knew already that the HP fandom would be endangered by the end of the series, but now it's fragmented as well, and I'm really having trouble wrapping my head around having multiple journals. I'm a control freak, as you all know, and I hate the idea of cross-posting, but I also hate the idea of not cross-posting, and I hate the idea of having one main journal, and I hate the idea of having journal-specific entries, and I just feel like I'm watching my internet journaling experience take a nose dive.

Also, I find the idea that HP's parent corporations are going to put the smackdown on slash very chilling. (I can't remember where I read the entry now, damnit.)

*glooms about*

ETA: Oh, and this bit about everyone defriending LJ people so they don't have to read multiple entries? Understandable, but... *glooms even more*

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Even the anonymous agree with me.

that was me, saying amen to that

[schemingreader.livejournal.com]

Why LJ logged me out? I don't know.

I agree with you.

Re: that was me, saying amen to that

[valis2.livejournal.com]

*grins* That's happened to me before. In fact, IJ seems to really like logging me out quite a bit.

*hugs* I really hope that this gets cleared up at some point, but I'm not holding my breath. And there are friends on LJ for whom this is not even an issue, so I'm divided completely now, forevah, it seems.

[josanpq.livejournal.com]

I hear you! I'm sadden too and once the school year begins, I barely have time to keep up to date with ONE journal, never mind two or three. Sigh. I read LJ once a day and wander over to IJ when I think of it or have the time. I'm staying here until someone sets up a safe and secure and stable site.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Even when we have a safe/secure/stable site, some of my LJ friends won't move; they're not fandom-oriented, so no matter what I do, it's already split...hence the whining! *laughs*

[parseltonguepen.livejournal.com]

HP's Parent corporation is going to try and smother slash?? Where did you hear that? If you can find out, I'd be much obliged...

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. It was on my flist, um...let me see if I can find it...

[jen-deben.livejournal.com]

*nods*

What I've found depressing is that about half my flist decided they hated Deathly Hallows. Their posts on HP now centre on how much they hated book 7, how disappointed they are in JKR, and the glorification of AU fic that rewrites book 7 the way they wished it had been written.

Which I can respect, because I respect their opinions. However, I liked the book. There is now no conversation about HP that I can have with half my HP buddies. *pout* I miss them!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

It's such a crazy thing, isn't it? I really expected some sort of incredible dirge, some sort of impressive funeral celebration--like an exuberant wake--and all I found, for the most part, was, "Thank goodness for AU."

[morganmuffle]

There isn't going to be a crackdown on HP slash, or at least not without one hell of a fuss. They tried that once when they sent out C&D letters but fandom did as they said and put up age notices and then JKR linked to a site with slash on it and they're really going to struggle now.

Which is not to say we're safe but yeah, that's not one to panic about too much I think.

It is driving me slowly crazy that if I check my LJ, GJ and JF flists I end up with some posts three times.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm really hoping that she doesn't crack down. Seriously. As soon as that happens, a lot of fen will head for ze hills, especially considering the LJ fuss and the end-of-series fuss.

I'm going crazy too--I can't help but read four flists now, and I'm starting to really be disturbed by the fragmenting of the fen.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've been cross-posting and feeling weird about it, but I can't ever remember to check the other journals.:-/

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm just despairing here. A whole section of my life, one full of fun and wonder and insanity--it's all disappearing. Woe!

(Oh noes! Emo!valis!)

[marginaliana]

Wow, when you sum up the last few months so accurately, it really is kind of depressing. I started crossposting but the truth is that if I post during the day from work it's just too much effort to post three individual times. And 99% of my list is still on LJ, so now I kind of feel like the people on IJ are getting short attention from me since I don't check it as much and I don't post there as much. So, I dunno. I think I might actually go ahead and stop posting elsewhere and just use those journals for commenting.

And you know what really gets me? Snupin Santa is going to be ALL on IJ this year, which I didn't know when I signed up (it wasn't announced until a few days ago), and I'm actually really unhappy about it. I'm not duplicating all my fic over there in my personal journal, and I kind of hate the idea of having just one piece sort of hanging out somewhere else. Then again, I have a few random fics archived in odd places just hanging out, so I guess I can't complain (I don't really like that, either, but I archived those fics because at the time I was pushed to by various influences and I still kind of think those reasons are valid, but I'm just uncomfortable about not having all my reviews in one place and control over my fics and so on).

I don't know...

And yeah, I have to say the same as someone above, that it's really sad to me to see how so many of the people on my flist suddely hated DH or now do lots of Tonks-bashing and have all these fannish opinions that I can't get behind, and there's no way to have a conversation about that without pissing people off. So my discussion of HP has dropped waaaay off. :/

But you're back! And you're so sane! *clings*

[scribbulus-ink.livejournal.com]

Actually, you aren't going to have one piece hanging out on IJ; you're going to have it on the Snupin Santa website, which is where everything will be uploaded this year (which I've said in posts more than once), along with all art and some stories from 2005 and 2006. I'm using IJ for notification purposes only, not hosting/posting purposes.

I realize it's not going to make everyone happy, but considering there are people who have requested Marauders Era smut, I'd rather move the exchange off LJ where I won't feel compelled to f-lock posts that link to underage art/stories or risk losing the journal and everything that's been posted with it in the past 2 years.

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

Relax! Eventually everything will settle down. Those who tend to be involved in the more 'red-flag' issues like graphically depicted artwork or chan or other topics that make the general populace go ?!? are migrating over to IJ. Those who hate big-business bureaucracy are migrating to IJ in protest over 6A's corporate policies and recent treatment of fandom. However, I suspect that most people will stay on LJ for the foreseeable future - it's convenient, it's familiar, and like the real-life situation where one gets in a new landlord who enforces rules of no loud parties after 10pm, most of us tenants tend to learn to adapt rather than go through the effort of migrating to new digs.

Yes, there will be increased crossposting now that we're dealing with multiple journals. But we already have people who crosspost between communities on LJ so what's the real difference?

As to the rumor that the HP parent corporations are going to put the smackdown on slash, it appears to be just that - an unsubstantiated rumor. I saw the comment that I believe you're referring to, and nowhere else in any of the subsequent threads could I find any further information, only lots of wild speculation.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm just really wondering about things--wondering where to post, whether to crosspost or not--and it's just going round and round in my logic filter, honestly. I have no idea what to do. Part of me is really squicked by crossposting, but I know that there are people on IJ now who are completely avoiding LJ...ugh.

I felt it in my bones when HBP came out...the Golden Age was coming to an end, and soon. I think fandom has been irrevocably changed by this, some for the better, some for the worse, and I'm just going to cling to the friendships and hope for the best.

I really do hope that they're not going to put the smackdown on, though. That would really mess us up big time!

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

It's sad, and I have no intention of jumping ship, as I already am pressed for time maintaining this one. I wish the art and stories were all at a nice archiving site so I could go to them, as I seldom read fic as it comes up on my flist, just don't have that kind of time. Anyway, I hope it does blow over, IJ strikes me as a very transitory thing...

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yes, I will keep to my LJ for as long as possible; not only do I have a permanent account, but several RL friends (and non-fandom friends) are here, and here alone, and I doubt they would leave (nor would I wish to convince them to).

I do wonder about the other sites. GJ seems like a clone, in many ways, especially the part about deleting journals. JF was supposed to be a safe harbor, but they seem to have their hands full keeping their site operational. IJ seems okay so far, but they might not have the processing power either. Only time would tell.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Blech.

I started cross-posting, but I find that half of the time I just forget to use Semagic -_-. But even if I do cross-post, my IJ is pretty dead - I have a flist of 30 people there, as opposed to 190 watchers here! It's like starting all over again. Some five people that I like very much are posting exclusively at IJ now, but I can't keep up with two flists (that partially overlap); GJ I've already given up on entirely as it's even deader than IJ. sylvadin may say that everything's going on at IJ now, but that seems to be only the case for the smut-minded among us; if you're not a member of all the smut-specific communities, there's almost nothing over there :(. What I feared, has happened: us poor gen people have been cut off from the rest of fandom. I think it's a shame.

As for DH: I'm sorry. I'm one of the bashers - never thought I would be; but I can't honestly like the book ;_;.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm going crazy trying to figure out how to reach everybody. Seriously. If I post exclusively on LJ, I miss out on the cutting-edge IJ crew. If I post exclusively on IJ, I miss the huge LJ crowd. If I post on both, I irritate everyone. Plus, then I have to monitor responses on both journals.

I like having centralized discussions, y'know? I don't want to break up interesting conversations. I mean, with fic it doesn't matter--any comments are great. But with general interest stuff, I'd rather have everyone talking in one place.

*sigh*

I think sylvadin was saying that those who were especially sensitive to censorship, or those who were involved in channish activities, were the ones jumping over to IJ--I think you're both right, we're missing our pr0ny center.

[scribbulus-ink.livejournal.com]

It's definitely been a summer of change. II think the problem is that we're in the middle of the state of flux, so yeah, everything seems chaotic right now. By the end of the year, things will have settled down, and people will have found workable, comfortable systems for keeping up that they can work with and/or let go of what they can't keep up with. Either way, the dust will settle eventually.

Me, I'm getting the heck off LJ, but I'm still keeping up with those who don't.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, flux is what flummoxes me the most. I hate change. A lot. And this is a big change to something that I've been very involved with--something that's a very large part of my life. So I'm very resistant and sad and hurt and at the same time I'm very cynical about this, and I can recognize how silly it is to get so bent out of shape. Heh.

I just hate that everything is spreading out, y'know?

[ex-indykat261.livejournal.com]

Oh, and this bit about everyone defriending LJ people so they don't have to read multiple entries? Understandable, but... *glooms even more*

Between that and "...if you don't post to my LJ I'll defriend you" entries... I dunno. I can see not wanting "dead LJs" on your list; that I totally understand. But to defriend someone just because they choose not to post to a few entries for whatever reason? *sighs*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I get why people want to do it, but it makes me even sadder, honestly. I feel like--well, I feel like I've been friends with them forever, and this defriending, it "breaks the record," so to speak.

Bizarre, I know, but I'm still feeling weirded out by this entire debacle. *hugs*

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

I wonder if a lot of the quiet recently has to do with the time of year too. The fall semester just started and I know there's always a mad crush in August and September that tends to pull people away from being active online. The shifts are draining people, but it's just going to take a while to regroup.

What I find really sad is how this has really broken up the HP art communities.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there are definitely lulls at certain times of year--the big posting crush will happen further into winter, I think...

Still, I am wishing that LJ had waited a year or two to pull this out of their pocket.

And the HP art comms? I feel really bad for everyone trying to create fanart here--especially adult fanart.

[tjwritter.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine coming back after a month of being gone and seeing all that is happening. Watching it happen slowly everyday gives you a different perspective.

I'm staying with LJ because it's a little escape for me and it makes me happy and occasionally I'll get something that will connect me to IJ so I'll read that too...

And the smackdown on slash...that is ridiculous and coming from Warner Bros. My thing is, if you don't want people slashing your characters then don't get actors that have all showed us their bits and been on stage and screen embraced with other men...or horses!! Just don't do it!!

The hate for DH is getting me down too...I liked the book! There were things that sadden me deeply and things that could have been done better, but that could be said about most books I love...I guess it's bound to happen when you write characters that everyone loves and relates to, they're going to be sad or angry with the places you take those characters. Then there were some people that weren't going to be happy no matter what! I like AU, but I love when someone can take canon and really make it work for them!

Lets see, what else is getting you down? The end of fandom? Maybe we'll all get over it or perhaps we'll just get together on a cruise ship (http://www.wrocktheboat.com/index.html) and fall in love with each other all over again!!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I love LJ, and have for a long time now. It's really been a fantastic experience in so many ways! I adore the communication of it all, how people can carry on conversations, share art in all of its many forms, and how it's all so easy.

I miss the fandom experience already. I miss the fic, the con reports, the artwork; I can only hope that I'll find it somewhere else, but I'm not holding my breath!

[cafemercury.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

Even though I'm not updating much these days (simply because I'm busy with mundane, uninteresting-to-read-about-RL stuff), I am reading (and commenting, when I can think of something interesting/relevant to say). I would be sad to see you go, because I always enjoy reading your posts, fannish or no.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

My heart stopped when I saw your journal yesterday--I couldn't believe that it was empty! Then I figured that you'd gone to IJ.

I would be very sad to go, honestly. I love the social interaction, particularly among fans; it's been a really great ride, and I'd hate to see it end.

*hugs* And Happy Birthday!!!

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

The same thing has happened in LOTR fandom--a handful of people have decamped to other sites and are no longer posting on LJ, while others try to crosspost and maintain multiple journals. I barely have time to maintain my journal as it is, let alone wander around GJ and IJ. Woe.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Total woe! I am more dejected than I ever expected I would be, honestly. Having a somewhat centralized fandom was something I have really taken far too much for granted, and now that it's gone, woe woe woe!

[snapetoy.livejournal.com]

I'm one of the ones that have moved, Valis. I've ended up on IJ (permanent account over there, something I never did here) and my primary flist is there. I've set up a filter for reading LJ friends who aren't posting on IJ, but I'm actively preferring IJ. This LJ is really used only for comments now, although when I post something important (fic, Toy's Tourist Tales) I'll link back to my IJ from LJ.

I also think that where the creative output goes, the fen will eventually follow. A hell of a lot of it, particularly art, is now appearing on IJ, and with the big fests and newsletters moved over there, it'll all eventually shake down, I think. It's a similar experience from when we moved from the mailing lists to LJ.

*hugs* Hang in there. We'll sort it out.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I've purchased a permanent account on IJ as well. I'm hoping to scatter myself to the four winds (or the four journals, as it so happens) and see where the chaff recedes. It seems that a lot of the cutting-edge artists are moving there, but in the end, I know several dear people on my flist who will be staying here on LJ, so no matter what happens, I'll be maintaining more than one journal.

I never thought I'd see fandom decentralize even more, y'know? Boggles the mind!

*hugs*

Tomorrow night I'll start catching up on IJ. Sounds like there will be a lot of things to see and do there. :)

[imafarmgirl.livejournal.com]

It's totally depressing. I have my LJ for RL stuff but love reading fandom stuff and now it's all leaving. Sigh. I'm staying though.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm staying too, but I just wish more were staying with us, y'know?

[summerborn.livejournal.com]

I understand what you mean about the gloom. IJ doesn't feel like home, and I just wish it (being fandom in general and fannish discussions) didn't have to spread out. Centralization was very good to me! I haven't really figured out what to do either, though as scribbulus_ink said, I think it will settle out more clearly in a few months (gah). But I'll be reading on both LJ and IJ for the forseeable future. I don't think I mind that, though it does take some time.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I never realized how nice it was to have such a centralized section of fandom awesomeness here on LJ! I mourn it--I really took it for granted, it turns out. :(

[verdenia.livejournal.com]

Oh, that sucks about defriending. sheesh! I was just planning to make a reading filter, fer gudness' sake! :/
Um. Am *still* planning to make a reading filter. Oops.
I should really catch up with my IJ-only friends, too. Most of em are xposting tho.
*HUGS*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

What a nightmare, eh? I'm pretty much resigned to reading three journals at this point.