Sometimes I really like the interconnectedness of the internet. I like being able to cross-post with ease from one application to another. I can cross-post my Tweets to my LiveJournal, and I can cross-post my PUBLIC LJ entries to my Facebook. So many of my friends use so many different apps that it makes it easy for me to keep them all apprised with one or two little clicks. It's handy, and I like that it's there for me to use when I want to. For example, I will cross-post this LJ entry to Facebook and Twitter because I really want to spread the word and make sure this post is seen by as many people as possible.
However, some things I like to keep very private. Or, at least, private to a select few. And I like that I can control what is seen by whom. So when the option comes up for me to "cross-post to [other app]", I have the OPTION of cross-posting or not. Autonomy over my own content. I really like this. Because there are some things my friends-only on LiveJournal I trust with this content, but that would otherwise endanger my job or my personal safety if it was made public domain on, say, Facebook (where employers are KNOWN to investigate you, or your ex can use as evidence to have your children removed from your custody, and any other number of things that PRIVACY settings can otherwise protect you from). THIS is a very excellent explanation (by a psychiatrist) as to why this is a Very Bad Idea.
But LiveJournal has gone ahead (without even soliciting feedback from its users) and made it possible for my LOCKED entries to be reposted elsewhere on the internet WITHOUT MY APPROVAL. That is very much NOT OK. And a LOT of people are complaining.
So I will not be using LiveJournal anymore.
Neither, I am sure, will a lot of other people.
03 September 2010
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