Hey cook! Stop creating new recipes and fix the toilet!

1. Amanda Martin Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 11:16:00 AM PST

   I hadn't thought about how the (seeming) transparency of LL consequently turns all blog posts into headline news bulletins. We hang on their every word because it's all we get.
   
   I think the reason people try to squeeze these plaints into the comments before the 150 post count is because they've never considered that there is a better (or more effective) way to be heard than to gang up together in a single blog post comments section.
   
   Consider also that the idea of directly e-mailing or passing a notecard to one of the Lindens is an act that, based upon the average resident's Silent Ivory Tower view of Linden Lab, seems to one which would ultimately bear no fruit. And after that wait, the comments section is all filled up!
   
   But just as political commentators try to encourage people to educate themselves and then utilize their vote instead of griping in droves at the bar, I feel that the few people who recognize that there is a better way ought to attempt to spread the word that such an option exists.
   
   This sort of advice:
   
   "If you want to show your elected officials how you feel, write them a letter.
   
   To Your Representative:
   
   The Honorable (full name)
   (Room #) (Name) House Office Building
   United States House of Representatives
   Washington, DC 20515
   
   Dear Representative:
   
   When writing to the Chairperson of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, address them as:
   
   Dear Mr. Chairman
   Dear Madam Chairwoman
   
   Dear Mr. Speaker
   Dear Madam Speaker
   
   The above addresses should be used in email messages, as well as those sent through the Postal Service."
   
   I've never seen a post such as this advising normal residents to address complaints through proper channels. And while I'm a pretty bright girl, I honestly hadn't considered it an option. True, I'm also not the typical SL resident who bitches every time there's an announcement via blog.secondlife.com... but I am every bit as guilty as those who walk into developments with a blindfold, "post comments" section at the ready for bile. Because I have felt the same way -- I just feel it, and express it, in what I consider to be a slightly more dual-minded way.
   
   I suppose what I'm saying here is that the defense for those using LL's comments section as a soapbox to vent their woes may have a right to claim less responsibility for an ineffective approach to handling something they deem important -- simply because LL does maintain a certain untouchability and an approachability all at the same time.
   
   If I may say on the side, though, LL's open ears still trump those of every other business I've dealt with recently (IMVU included, and don't forget I had an internship there). Violet, the company responsible for my nifty new gizmo (glorified $200 paperweight), is so absent as to make it appear that the company stands a chance at failing. In comparison, Linden Lab is practically developing its clients and multiverse alongside its customers.
   
   Handing them gold stars for participating, even. :)
   
   The reality of it is that one's impulse to fire off at the mouth about SecondLife's improvements (or sidetracks) is exascerbated by a) the golden and limited space in the comment section and b) the anonmity that the good old interweb provides.
   
   Gabe and Tycho said it best.

    

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