The Hollow Morning

Due to my growing paranoia (because everyone's entitled to it), I've currently locked my journal so that 99% of my entries will only be viewable to those listed as "friends". If you want to be added to this list, simply leave a comment with your name and reasons why.

As a side note, graphics, resources and icons made and used by yours truly can be found over at catharsistic, not here. Also, I prefer to friend personal journals, not fic archives, graphic journals, etc.

As most of you may be aware, there is currently an "Internet conflict" happening all around us. And this conflict? A dispute over the simple matter of individual choice, expression, and liberty. So yes, the webdesigner strike, a now disputed and controversial action—an action I agreed to and let take place not because of my own frustration, but trust I had (and have) placed in other people. Thus, let us recap.

As a webdesigner for more than nine years now, I have witnessed my fair share of verbal abuse, theft, discrimination and critic, and more than anything, I have learned how to properly and professionally deal with such incidents. If any one of you reading this has ever crossed me or stolen codes or graphics from any of my websites, you know that I'm not someone who will rage and scream, blackmail or threaten. I believe in giving second chances, asking for simple content removal and cooperation in cleaning up the ordeal. And, 99% of the time, I get positive responses.

In all truth, there are a lot of good people out there, and some are unaware of what "stealing" actually is. When I started out as a designer back in 1997, I learned a few lessons the hard way, but it was the many level-headed and explanatory webmasters and mistresses that taught me right from wrong and set me on the right track. I thanked them then and still do today, thus why I treat all "violators" with the same respect I was shown. And, like said, for the majority of the time, the responses and outcomes are positive ones.

However, that is not to say all people are so respectful.

In recent years, theft rates have increased all over the net, and the majority of "cooperative" violators has declined. And, not only this, but international respect has also become flawed. Call me "old fashioned" but when I began webdesigning (a long time before most of today's "modern" designers figured out how to code a body tag) there was a level of visible reverence amongst all designers. Elitists were practically nonexistent, and "popularity" wasn't a goal. People designed to provide help or information, and it was nothing more than a way to pass the time. Webdesigners talked to one another and gave helpful advice, and there was a level a positive communication I have yet to see in recent years. It's hard to explain really, but everyone was happy, and the ideal of "drama" was fictional.

Regardless, times have changed, which we all know, thus the current dilemma. Like many designers in recent years, I have become annoyed (for lack of a better term) with the amount of disrespectful comments I receive and the heightened level of theft. But not only that, our fellow webmistresses have nothing better to do than bitch and whine about other sites and pretend to act "superior." This, more or less, is common elitism—a sentiment of superiority cast towards others due to what they believe to be a "better handle on the art of their design." Now, of course, this has always existed, but it has never been so evident. And, unfortunately, this egocentric attitude has led to a lot of backhanded comments at other webdesigners and website types; one of these being "the uselessness of free graphic websites." And, like everything, a specific group of people will only tolerate being walked over so long before they take action.

Even though we are aware that many people still respect our terms and support us "freelance" designers in many manners of thanks, it is the increasing level of disrespect that has finally broken the last straw. People have accused us of letting a hobby become a chore, and I would like you say you are quite incorrect. Webdesign is not only a hobby for us, but it is also a form of expression, release and meditation. Sure, we make no profit, but that's not the point. It's about helping others and giving enough inspiration to the newer generation of designers. Where this is not to say there aren't designers who design purely for hits and "celebrity status," the designers participating in the strike (that Kyuu and myself know quite well) are beautiful people with pure intentions. They webdesign out of their love and consideration for their visitors, not for popularity. So, next time you want to accuse us of being self-centered or egotistical, please rethink your actions. I do not care for your opinions of me, since those who know me know I am nothing more than a humanist and peace keeper, but I ask you respect the others and take my word that they are some of the nicest webdesigners out there and have nothing but sovereignty and tolerance in their hearts.

The Strike:
So many are probably thinking, "How can they have tolerance if they're on strike?" Well, first I want to define strike, as in "to engaged in a work stoppage," which is exactly what we did. Our designs, our updates, our spent time—these are all forms of work, economic or voluntary. Sure, you can argue "it's only work if you make it work," but people have to realize that dedicating a proportion of your time to a productive outcome is work. Volunteering is work, writing is work, helping the needy is work, regardless if you enjoy it or not (and believe me, all these striking webdesigners love their work). We love it so much, in fact, that we are willing to take a stand for it.

I can't speak for everyone, but by living in Canada—an overly left-wing and unionized country—I have been exposed to mass strikes almost every year of my life. And what people have to realize is that striking is not about being an asshole and pissing people off, it's about taking a stand for your own individual rights and proving to society your freedom and worth. Thus what we are attempting to do. We all know that our strike is negatively affecting our fans and respectful visitors (which we greatly apologize for), but after so many years of being kicked in the gut, we finally decided to send a message to everyone.

We love what we do, and we adore the feeling of accomplishment we get from our efforts, but without respect and positive feedback, that passion dies, as does our patience. With having our names disregarded, our sites shunned, and our graphics stolen... It eats away at us, and we finally had to take a stand. We wanted to prove to everyone that we not only have a choice, but that we cannot be taken for granted. Everything we do is a favor to our visitors, which we try not to complain about. You cannot imagine the sheer joy when you see someone use your layout or icon, especially when said user decides to congratulate and thanks us for our work. Truly, that is the best feeling in the world because it gives you a sense of accomplishment. However, people take our services for granted, making the assumption they can abuse us and use us, and even though we may complain, we'll be standing there again tomorrow to take the same punch in the face. This is where they are wrong.

Our strike is to prove that we have the freedom, the will, and the power to turn a blind eye and remove our voluntary services from the web. We are here to prove that we, too, are human beings, and you can only hurt us so much before we break.

Point being, this strike hurts us just as much as our loyal visitors, and we apologize to these amazing individuals who have always been there to support us. Still, I want to express, on behalf of all the strikers, that we have freewill and are not afraid to use it. Personally, I love what I do, but after nine years, I don't think my heart can take another massive "stolen website" scandal or a sneering reply to an understanding theft alert e-mail. Really, I can't, and until I feel that people may start to rethink their actions and pretend to have a little consideration, I guess we'll have to stay away.

It's your choice to support us or not, but please, don't bite the hand that has offered to feed you and has been doing so for a decade now. We love you guys, but until the egos die down and our presence is properly respected... Well, you know how that story goes. We just want to raise awareness, and if any of us are to learn anything from this whole situation, it is that we're all human, we all have opinions, and that we should learn to respect one another. I understand why people detest this strike. Personally, if I weren't involved, I would protest our drastic movement. But maybe, if everyone stops to think, we'll learn that we are all human, and that maybe we all need to express a little international admiration.

( Misc. Edits and Notes )