Seems I Am Not The Only One....

[ladyofleithian]

Originally posted by morgandawn at Seems I Am Not The Only One....

......who feels the need to take a break from an increasingly dysfunctional relationship.


Original image and campaign source: reddit.

Edited to add my own thoughts (not part of the original reddit call for action):  And if you do not feel like taking a total break and perhaps want just a trial separation or couple's counseling, then perhaps consider Black March Lite 2.0 = spend, but spend money on those content creators and independent retailers who came out against SOPA/PIPA.  And tell them why you're buying their products in March.  There are many of them.

And for those who favor the more targeted boycott, you can find info  here.  But no matter which,  you can participate and you can tailor your level of participation.  We have the tools, the will and the strength to take a stand.


Text of image
Black March - Thursday March 1st 2012 to Saturday March 31st 2012
With the continuing campaigns for internet-censoring litigation such as SOPA and PIPA, and the closure of sites like Megaupload under allegations of 'piracy' and 'conspiracy' the time has come to take a stand against music, film, and media companies' lobbyists.
The only way is to hit them where it hurts.
Their profit margins.
March 2012 is the end of the First Quarter in economic reports world wide.
Do not buy a single record. Do not download a single song, legally or illegally. Do not go to see a single film in cinemas, or download a copy. Do not buy a DVD in the stores. Do not buy a videogame. Do not buy a single book or magazine.
Wait the four weeks to buy them in April: see a film later, etc... Holding out for just four weeks, maximum, will leave a gaping hole in media companies profits for the first quarter, an economic hit which will in turn be observed by governments world wide as stocks and shares will blip from a large enough loss of incomes. This action will give a statement of intent:
"We will not tolerate the Media Industries' lobbying for legislation that will censor the internet."

Comments

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

I don't want to dampen spirits or resolve, but from where I sit, this sounds like those "gas outs" people hold every summer when gas prices get too high. The people in charge know that they'll make up the numbers and the profits on either side of the "event," and they'll sit in the towers and laugh about it. More that, getting people to stick to this for a full month? Not so much. You'll also need to hit Nielsen households so as not have TV watched or recorded during that time because that's where advertiser dollars matter. Radio (FM and XM) will have to be hit as well. You tune in, they make money. And what difference does 1st quarter make? It's after the Xmas season, so they already expect a loss. A turnaround after that is what they look for. Hitting them during the summer blockbuster season is where it would hurt most.

That said, best of luck to all who go for it. I hope this is successful, and I hope it does send the right message at the right time. Me, I always vote with my dollar exactly because it's the only message they receive.

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

That said, best of luck to all who go for it. I hope this is successful, and I hope it does send the right message at the right time. Me, I always vote with my dollar exactly because it's the only message they receive.

That's probably the best option, really. Go with the companies that don't support SOPA/PIPA, and avoid the ones that do. *Sighs* I'm going to have to do my research, though, just to know what I'm up against.

And summer blockbuster season definitely sounds like a good option as well. *Thinking*

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

The plan has merit, just tweak it for maximum damage and convince the masses to side with you.

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

That sounds good. That definitely sounds good.

[chickadilly.livejournal.com]

This was kind of my take as well. I think the people who came up with this mean well but I don't see it making much dent. I also think it will hurt smaller and/or independent artists. People like Lady Gaga, for example, aren't going to see a dent in their sales but the local cover band with the lead singer who has a great voice will. (Or in terms of books Stephen King won't see much of a dip in sales but someone who self publishes will.)

Okay, truth time:

[wyncatastrophe.livejournal.com]

I support targeted buying and non-buying, and I definitely support exercising one's right to free speech in order to protest unnecessarily restrictive legislation (I've been doing a lot of letter-writing lately). But I have real reservations about the tone of this particular 4-week ban; if the goal is to impact the entertainment industry to an extent that will cause global economic hardship, I worry that this may not be the best strategy. Should we put our money where our mouths are? Absolutely. But precipitating worldwide crisis in the entertainment industry at a time when the global economy is already pretty shaky sounds to me like it runs the risk, at least, of starting a panic – remember that falling revenue was one of the reasons why the MPAA and other entertainment organizations were in such a hurry to propose their wildly reactionary legislation in the first place. And notice, also, that SOPA and PIPA were most beneficial not to individual artists, but to major media franchises; and that a boycott like this, if not very carefully directed, stands to hurt those franchises much less than the individual artists for whom most of us probably feel a greater affinity. In short: this is a good idea that could be better targeted and more clearly articulated. Your notes at the bottom are a good start toward that direction.

[treenahasthaal.livejournal.com]

This is a fabulous idea! Unfortunately for me I can't completely do this - as March is birthday month. My son turns 13 and will be expecting certain games, a DVD and a trip to the cinema! : (

It's also my Birthday in March and Games of Thrones comes out on DVD!! Ahhhhhhhh.....

I could just buy those things and no others - as I do buy a lot of DVDs. Just curb my spending - would that count?

[coldthermistor.livejournal.com]

Honestly? I think this is a bad idea. A very bad idea. I only say this because I think that right now, people have the momentum. You can't afford to lose it. By the time March rolls around, most people will lose their resolve or interest. A lot can happen in a month, and it's easy for people to go back to their routines and turn apathetic. This isn't their crusade.

But it matters now, when people still remember. And when they've been directly hurt or affected. When they're still unhappy.

Then again, I come from a country where we are masters at political apathy. So there's that. The opposition only wins votes because they were lucky enough to come when public anger was high.

[lindethiel.livejournal.com]

Um, with all due respect, the only reason such groups supported SOPA & PIPA, and now the new ACTA, is because of their shrinking profits. People go out and download movies and songs and programs and these companies loose money, money they actually do deserve, for the service they provide. Particularly the entertainment industry.

People want to stop such things as SOPA & PIPA, have a little decency and go BUY the CD's and movies. Go spend a measly $7 dollars for a movie ticket.

Man, it's not rocket science.

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

That's definitely true. I just wish they wouldn't have to go so far as censoring the Internet, is all. After all, I don't think the many should be punished for the crimes of a few. (And that made more sense in my head. I'm sorry)