![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
Open Letter to LiveVideo
Dear LiveVideo,
I am from EncyclopediaDramatica.com, a well-established Internet community devoted to humor, satire, parody, and Internet culture. As a group, EncyclopediaDramatica members are active in many online communities, including LiveJournal, YouTube, and MySpace (as well as many smaller communities). Many EncyclopediaDramatica users have recently joined your service and we have some concerns.
First, it appears that we are being unfairly targeted, though we cannot ascertain why. We have reviewed your terms of service and we do not believe any of our content or conduct falls outside them. The following accounts have been banned or deleted:
* Zionistacat
* EncyclopediaDramatica
* Bibble
* HonEdLolington
* djbb
* Wrybo
* YourTubaNews
* lolcimex
* Sheneequa
* Hoveround
* crakwhrrr (who registered yesterday and has never even used his account)
There may be others that the users are not yet aware of, as well.
In addition, many videos have been removed without any explanation. We have no issue with our videos being removed if the decision is warranted, but none of our communications to LiveVideo requesting a reason have received a response. If we are posting content in violation of the terms of service or incorrectly marking videos, you need to make us aware of the specific violation so that we can avoid it in the future. Users have also complained that comments are being removed from their existing videos. Whether this is deliberate or a programming error, we don't know.
We have, as individuals, requested the reason for the bans and censorship and received no response. We are now requesting the same information as a group.
We are disturbed by the attitude of LiveVideo in this regard. We, as a group, generate a great deal of original content and have a strong core of devotees. Investing our time and energy in creating accounts, waiting through your lengthy encoding process and site time outs, and then finding that effort to have been a complete waste because of the above reasons is not a user friendly attitude. Compounded with the absolute lack of response from LiveVideo, we must say that as a group, we are disappointed. We had heard good things about LiveVideo, both technically and in their responsiveness to the users. So far we find that LiveVideo falls far short of our expectations.
In addition, we have found that you have a user, "VioletKitty411", who is conducting a smear campaign against users based on their perceived association with Encyclopedia Dramatica. That association can be based on as little as subscribing to, friending, or commenting on the video or profile of an acknowledged Encyclopedia Dramatica user. We, of course, do not object to her expressing her opinion of Encyclopedia Dramatica. What we object to is her account banning witch hunt, complete with a hit list. Multiple users have reported her video "Fight Fire with Fire" drawing your attention specifically to the video description.
From the description:
"EDIT: Block all more... the commentors to these videos too, as they are part of the group, unless you know for a fact they are not.
At this page http://www.livevideo.com/EncyclopediaDr
Welcome to Encyclopedia Dramatica
By: zionistacat CHANNEL NOT FOUND
REPORTING FOR DUTY
By: Hoveround
ED Army GO
By: Bibble CHANNEL NOT FOUND
Encyclopedia Dramatica
By: YourTubaNews CHANNEL NOT FOUND
Sup LV, Love ED
By: Wrybo CHANNEL NOT FOUND
ENCYCLOPEDIADRAMATICA.COM
By: michaelskehan
Happy Birthday Girlvinyl
By: HonEdLolington CHANNEL NOT FOUND
African Outpost Report
By: cirrus
...
IMPORTANT: machrider was added to the list based on a friendship with a known EDiot, his only friendship, and there was absolutely nothing else on his page. This is a 100% association. Well, machrider voluntarily deleted this one and only friend (without being asked) and has subsequently been removed from the list. I cannot vouch for his uprightness, but let's give him this chance.
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING TO KEEP THIS LIST UPDATED "
No user cares that VioletKitty chooses to block them. It is her right. What we are concerned with is the obviously organized attempt to have accounts banned and the pressure tactics being used to force viewers away from our content, specifically the suggestion that everyone who comments on or subscribes to an Encyclopedia Dramatica user's work should be banned by her posse.
It is ironic that in the video she accuses Encyclopedia Dramatica users of deliberately attempting to inflate the ratings and comments on their videos, yet at the same time she asks that her group of subscribers and friends do exactly that for her video. In addition, it is openly discussed in the comments of this hate video.
Example comment:
Posted 12 hours ago by bugs2323
"bumping to keep it in the most discussed. i have nothing original to say about the ed that hasn't already been said. what? i'm tired lol."
VioletKitty is benefiting a great deal in terms of views and video placement by perpetuating this particularly nasty bit of drama. It is in her best interests to prolong it and keep it in the spotlight. She continues to make assertions that LiveVideo is supporting this campaign, as well. We feel that it would be an untenable situation for Encyclopedia Dramatica users to have the site administration playing favorites in user disputes as well as bad for the LiveVideo user community as a whole if a few special members are allowed to dictate to the site administration the removal of any user they find to be personally objectionable.
That this video and the accompanying issue has been reported multiple times and no action has been taken by LiveVideo leaves us only to conclude that carrying out a vendetta against specific users and promoting one's videos by inflating comments and ratings is, if not officially sanctioned, at least permitted by LiveVideo.
The video link is: http://www.livevideo.com/video/4A57FD0F
Again, we have no issue with any negative comments made about Encyclopedia Dramatica. We understand that ED offers very dry satire and treats no subject as untouchable. Many sacred cows have been roasted on the bonfires of ED. I would point out that there are many comedians and entertainers that outrage and offend the sensibilities of some. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and we respect that.
We request a response from LiveVideo addressing the concerns that we have raised in this letter. We will also post this communication on our channels. Thank you for taking the time to hear our concerns.
Thank you,
LiveVideo User ZionistCat
I am from EncyclopediaDramatica.com, a well-established Internet community devoted to humor, satire, parody, and Internet culture. As a group, EncyclopediaDramatica members are active in many online communities, including LiveJournal, YouTube, and MySpace (as well as many smaller communities). Many EncyclopediaDramatica users have recently joined your service and we have some concerns.
First, it appears that we are being unfairly targeted, though we cannot ascertain why. We have reviewed your terms of service and we do not believe any of our content or conduct falls outside them. The following accounts have been banned or deleted:
* Zionistacat
* EncyclopediaDramatica
* Bibble
* HonEdLolington
* djbb
* Wrybo
* YourTubaNews
* lolcimex
* Sheneequa
* Hoveround
* crakwhrrr (who registered yesterday and has never even used his account)
There may be others that the users are not yet aware of, as well.
In addition, many videos have been removed without any explanation. We have no issue with our videos being removed if the decision is warranted, but none of our communications to LiveVideo requesting a reason have received a response. If we are posting content in violation of the terms of service or incorrectly marking videos, you need to make us aware of the specific violation so that we can avoid it in the future. Users have also complained that comments are being removed from their existing videos. Whether this is deliberate or a programming error, we don't know.
We have, as individuals, requested the reason for the bans and censorship and received no response. We are now requesting the same information as a group.
We are disturbed by the attitude of LiveVideo in this regard. We, as a group, generate a great deal of original content and have a strong core of devotees. Investing our time and energy in creating accounts, waiting through your lengthy encoding process and site time outs, and then finding that effort to have been a complete waste because of the above reasons is not a user friendly attitude. Compounded with the absolute lack of response from LiveVideo, we must say that as a group, we are disappointed. We had heard good things about LiveVideo, both technically and in their responsiveness to the users. So far we find that LiveVideo falls far short of our expectations.
In addition, we have found that you have a user, "VioletKitty411", who is conducting a smear campaign against users based on their perceived association with Encyclopedia Dramatica. That association can be based on as little as subscribing to, friending, or commenting on the video or profile of an acknowledged Encyclopedia Dramatica user. We, of course, do not object to her expressing her opinion of Encyclopedia Dramatica. What we object to is her account banning witch hunt, complete with a hit list. Multiple users have reported her video "Fight Fire with Fire" drawing your attention specifically to the video description.
From the description:
"EDIT: Block all more... the commentors to these videos too, as they are part of the group, unless you know for a fact they are not.
At this page http://www.livevideo.com/EncyclopediaDr
Welcome to Encyclopedia Dramatica
By: zionistacat CHANNEL NOT FOUND
REPORTING FOR DUTY
By: Hoveround
ED Army GO
By: Bibble CHANNEL NOT FOUND
Encyclopedia Dramatica
By: YourTubaNews CHANNEL NOT FOUND
Sup LV, Love ED
By: Wrybo CHANNEL NOT FOUND
ENCYCLOPEDIADRAMATICA.COM
By: michaelskehan
Happy Birthday Girlvinyl
By: HonEdLolington CHANNEL NOT FOUND
African Outpost Report
By: cirrus
...
IMPORTANT: machrider was added to the list based on a friendship with a known EDiot, his only friendship, and there was absolutely nothing else on his page. This is a 100% association. Well, machrider voluntarily deleted this one and only friend (without being asked) and has subsequently been removed from the list. I cannot vouch for his uprightness, but let's give him this chance.
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING TO KEEP THIS LIST UPDATED "
No user cares that VioletKitty chooses to block them. It is her right. What we are concerned with is the obviously organized attempt to have accounts banned and the pressure tactics being used to force viewers away from our content, specifically the suggestion that everyone who comments on or subscribes to an Encyclopedia Dramatica user's work should be banned by her posse.
It is ironic that in the video she accuses Encyclopedia Dramatica users of deliberately attempting to inflate the ratings and comments on their videos, yet at the same time she asks that her group of subscribers and friends do exactly that for her video. In addition, it is openly discussed in the comments of this hate video.
Example comment:
Posted 12 hours ago by bugs2323
"bumping to keep it in the most discussed. i have nothing original to say about the ed that hasn't already been said. what? i'm tired lol."
VioletKitty is benefiting a great deal in terms of views and video placement by perpetuating this particularly nasty bit of drama. It is in her best interests to prolong it and keep it in the spotlight. She continues to make assertions that LiveVideo is supporting this campaign, as well. We feel that it would be an untenable situation for Encyclopedia Dramatica users to have the site administration playing favorites in user disputes as well as bad for the LiveVideo user community as a whole if a few special members are allowed to dictate to the site administration the removal of any user they find to be personally objectionable.
That this video and the accompanying issue has been reported multiple times and no action has been taken by LiveVideo leaves us only to conclude that carrying out a vendetta against specific users and promoting one's videos by inflating comments and ratings is, if not officially sanctioned, at least permitted by LiveVideo.
The video link is: http://www.livevideo.com/video/4A57FD0F
Again, we have no issue with any negative comments made about Encyclopedia Dramatica. We understand that ED offers very dry satire and treats no subject as untouchable. Many sacred cows have been roasted on the bonfires of ED. I would point out that there are many comedians and entertainers that outrage and offend the sensibilities of some. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and we respect that.
We request a response from LiveVideo addressing the concerns that we have raised in this letter. We will also post this communication on our channels. Thank you for taking the time to hear our concerns.
Thank you,
LiveVideo User ZionistCat
