It seems that I'm finally able to put at least some of my thoughts into words - so, here it goes.
Over the past couple of months, I've spent more time thinking about being here, about the things that got brought (back) to the surface at the end of last year and into January.
There's been a lot of back-and-forth commentary, opinions, charges and counter charges. People on different sides of this that have been saying things that were perhaps better said differently (or unsaid, in some cases). I've added my own thoughts to this discussion previously, looking at it both through the lens of nearly twenty years as a member and as an employee of a large, multi-national organization.
The latter has come to the fore right now, as there seems to be a commonality to many of the comments made in defense of certain aspects of SG - that it's a business, not a democracy, and that those in charge have the right to run it as they see fit.
This is all very true, of course - it is a business, and the powers-that-be do have every right to run it as they see fit.
That being said, however, is it so much to ask that it actually gets run like a business?
Do the heads of successful organizations release private correspondence when discussing allegations that have been brought forth (irrespective of how true those allegations may be)? Do they tolerate staff members doing the same in order to counter complaints against them?
When confronted with the concerns and issues brought up by multiple people, would the head indicate that their business might not be the right place for you ? Would they, in the same comment, say that they are (to paraphrase) a "tiny little outlet that wants to hear your suggestions for improvement" and that you are "one member out of millions, and that just because you want something one way doesn't mean it will happen"?
(To be fair, I am not at all suggesting that they can cater to the whims of every single person; that is just not possible. But to call yourself both a tiny outlet and a company with millions of followers/subscribers worldwide is a bit of a stretch.)
Would they also release content for their millions of members without any compensation whatsoever for the person creating the content?
Does a film studio tell the cast and crew of a prospective film that they won't get paid until after the film is released, and then only if it proves to be particularly popular with the public and fit their other criteria (while being somewhat murky about said criteria)?
Do they also accept every single film that gets pitched to them, regardless of whether or not it meets their standard?
Do they allow their films to be shown by anyone, cutting themselves out of income?
Do they release multiple films from the same director/screenwriter within a short period of time? Given the opp
Do they continually accept films featuring the same script/plot, no matter how many times it's been done before? (OK, this last point might be a bit weak considering the number of reboots/remakes out there, but I think you get my point.)
Is the successful organization a proactive one, or a reactive one?
Changes take time, to be sure, and I have seen that some things have started to move in a different direction here - but I'm not going to be around to see the end result, whatever it may be.
Some of you reading this will know that I cancelled my membership at the end of 2020, and that I returned shortly thereafter to support a good friend who decided to become a Hopeful. I do not in any way regret my decision to return; I've been glad to lend my support, but also to catch up with some of you and try to get back into being involved in the community that has given so much to me over the years.
This time, however, it is permanent - my membership expires at the end of the year, and I have no intention or desire to renew it any further.
If you find your time here to be fulfilling and enjoyable, more power to you - I hope that you continue to find it to be that way, no matter how long you choose to stick around. I may still pop in from time to time until it's all over, but that will depend on how busy I am and how I'm feeling.
I wish you all the best going forward - stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy.
See you on the other side.
- Frank
