What's Going On, Current.com?

WTF happened? This place was awesome. I know current inc has to eat but you guys are doing it the wrong way. Not saying I could do better though.

Corporate meat-hooks have gotten to it. Welcome to the next Wired Magazine Online. Start by giving people what they want and then slowly give up control to the accountants and the corporate execs. Has anyone else noticed that you can't watch a video (even the Current franchise content) without the rotating flash ads dominating your bandwidth?

Bureaucracies always protect themselves ya know?

I wrote them the following note:
___________
You guys are knifing up the activities section on the accounts page to present smaller lists - undoubtedly to conserve computer resources. You could contrive a "Latest Commentary" choice, bringing yet another breakdown to the activities choices for further increased resources that would probably be the most helpful addition for most people.
Maybe a week or two week's worth of posts of ongoing dialog by that member.

Suddenly I see no activity in many people's account list - when it is selected for showing "All Activity".
I had to select commentaries to see my comments - but only my posts are in "All Activity" which surely is not all my activity.

You see, when you design (and I am a very good designer) - you have to have an idea and you have to know how to institute the idea - but then you have ask yourself just exactly what is going to happen when the public uses the design.

You have to put yourself in someone else's shoes. What will happen? What will they experience?

This is what is missing in most design today. People just sit there, bone-headed, thinking in their box and, apparently, no further.

This has been long abetted by the idea that you can edit later - and that way, they must buy version 2.0, and increase your income. You can keep re-selling a slightly better version or a re-packaged version, over and over! Isn't it wonderful?!
The whole time, you retain your static position in life by not giving people their money's worth.

It looks as though all the threads I have commented on are missing from my account - only my submissions are there.

I guess it's stupid for me to write or comment.

Well current just lost another "Consumer." I loved the old format simply because current was like a box of chocolates. Corporate america has taken everything from us and now, our beloved Current is the newest victim. The United States of Corporate America: "If you can't beat em, buy em out!" Another example of the fact that the free press is an illusion used to keep people believing the propaganda being forced down their throats! I will no longer be contributing to this forum or watching the television station. We have to take the power back, we are what has made Current great. Good bye all!

All of your comments are good information, and they will not be forgotten.

Just another www site... sad really.... Can anyone make suggestions on another www that I can visit daily?

don't change curerent! & if you do, don't sell out,

current, you've come a long way baby.

The thing that I loved about Current was that it was vibrant and willing to take risks. The online environment was the perfect place to take those risks.

Online content should have been used as an experimental ground for what ended up on the TV.

What made the Current model so amazing was that content could come from anywhere at any moment. Some of it would stink, but the users could sort through the bullshit to find the shining gems.

It was like a community access station for the entire planet.

Now, it's becoming just another MTV with an online component that doesn't mean shit.

We're no longer being asked to participate, only to consume.

FUCK THAT.

http://Current.com

I have been watching Current TV since its first year of broadcasting. My perspective on just about all matters of life have been transformed thanks to Current. I grew up watching television. There has always been a strong drive to keep up with current events in order to understand the world, in order to get an idea of where I felt I fit into it all. When internet service became popular and widely available, I was an adolescent. After 9/11, I immediately found myself endlessly searching for sources of information and perspectives that had not been so boxed in by corporate agendas and mediocre shock value triggers. It seemed hopeless of ever seeing the truth coming out of main-stream media. It seemed corporate media was set on keeping the people ignorant of what was truly going in the world. I believe it was 2006, it seemed like another day of flipping through channels that I came across Current TV.

Here is a channel with material that was not only very informative, but incredibly entertaining. I learning about a diverse range of topics and all types of activity in the world, plus each pod was followed by the suggestion to contribute material and/or feedback. That is what made so many of us love Current the way we do. The idea was that there was a medium in which everyone could share their stories and comments, without having to be filtered through corporate mediocrity. My fascination maintained as Current went through changes. I am grateful for work done by producers at Current, including The Vanguard Team, each and every personality on Infomania. I can still remember how excited I felt when Douglas Caballero became a Current producer with the Daily Fix programming. Yet, the charm shined through the Viewer Created Content.

Current may not be for everyone, but it sure seemed to be a step in the right direction, breaking away from the format of feeding people information with no access or ability to provide feedback. I decided to not turn on cable television in this house when I moved in a year ago. This decision was largely based off the conviction that I had found enough resources online, like Current and Hulu, that I no longer needed the 24/7 running of television.

Current.com has seen quite a number of changes in the last year. I haven't been too outrageously bothered by it, though slightly pestered. There has been a flux of hateful personalities, typically defending and aligning with corporate-conservative and religious fundamentalist perspectives, those of which aggressively attack those they dont agree with, especially any that express a hint of liberal tendencies. It is understandable that people have become passionate about their views in these times. I would expect things to get heated in the first year of having a black man as President, along with all the other problems produced by Corporatism, and the threatening reality of the challenges we face with the environment.

It is very displeasing to see Current staff having the control over the top stories, while the 'uploads' section, where Viewer Created Content can be located, has not seen a change in the top stories for more then half a year. (Check it out: http://current.com/groups/vc2-us/ ) I do not know what to gather from this posting and staff member mario_a's comments. What does it mean they have "discontinued production on original web-only video content produced by our online team for Current.com", which is followed by "going forward any video produced for Tech, Green, or Movies will come from our in-house production teams on Current TV"???

With Leah saying farewell, does this mean The Vanguard Team, Infomania and other programming will no longer be a part of Current? If those shows continue running, just without having their own spots on Current, then I'm not worried about it. If what your saying is that they are gone for good, and Current staffers will be running the show from here on out, much like a coup by a team of bloggers, only its the new bosses' orders, then this is terribly sad news. Or worst of all, will it become strictly the Curent Tv programming that continues and all VCC2 and member contribution be put to an end? I'm not saying I will discontinue participation and vow to never to return. It just seems one of the best medium formats was never really given a chance, before being transformed. If this was over getting a growth in popularity and ratings, then the people at Current have rushed through and missed the reason many came to even value the medium.

Whatever happens, I know my interests will keep me around sources where content is not ran by a select few, where all persons can contribute material and comments, participation is promoted, and the content has a good deal of substance. That is what Current has been to me, though I'm concerned that I should be looking for that next best thing. Please keep us informed, and consider including us in these updates. Toot Taloo...

Current should do us a solid and hire Conan O'Brian! Current needs CoCo!

The new CEO changed everything to this MTV format shit.

Maybe he should resign ?

I'm not ready to give up but am really close...It's just not the place that I found and fell in love with. I hate the TV channel now and the online is loosing ground in my eyes. Does anyone know any other good sites out there? Where do you go other than CURRENT? Please help!!! I am interviewing for a new favorite site.

I appreciate Mario coming out being the only staff member to quell the masses. The only thing I can say is there is some serious unrest here lately. Whatever changes are coming to current may I recommend that those changes be implemented quickly or in stages demonstrating positive progress, rather than consistent layoffs and cuts.

What I ask of the current community is to not resist every change that occurs and be open-minded. I encourage all to provide constructive criticism and feedback.

Maybe the online community should try to come together in a more democratic way to push for changes and gather consensus on issues.

Does any one know of another place one can post interesting stories ? The TV part isn't necessary to me . If not there is quite a hole in the market .

C'mon BIGDADDYMELVIN, Spew forth. Tell us downhome jerkoff tree huggin' hippie liberals exactly how you really feel. Just get it all out, have a big blow. You know how good it would feel. #bigdaddymelvin #coalwar you know you wanna

Wow Dude! It sounds like you could use a good enima.

Why, Current? The user created content is what made this community what it is. Especially in unsure times, like Laura and Euna being detained in North Korea, the Current.com community came together to pour in support. It really would be a shame to lose this important aspect of the now dubbed "franchise".

Come on Current, stand up.

People, if you don't like Current, then why don't you start your own "liberal circle jerk" type of web site? How about it?

theres a good chance im done with this shit...shit being current of course

im guessing it all revolves around money, either they are not making enough or in need of it

I wish I understood how current worked . I'd like to see a post called 'the sociological and business history of current' .... with graphs and charts ! If i had access to the info I would write it myself . I do not see the TV part much , since the format changed , over a year ago . That is not why I was here any way . So , I realize I am hindered in seeing the big picture . That being said, the recent changes do not seem like an improvement or make sense to me . I am trying .

I don't even recognize this place anymore.

Current has been going downhill lately in my opinion. The same NON news on the front page for days...i dont get on here as often anymore. Im sick of the Fox mentality

Current has been going downhill lately in my opinion. The same NON news on the front page for days...i dont get on here as often anymore. Im sick of the Fox mentality

Stand up and take charge.

Current has also been overrun by crazy right-wing nut jobs that harass the site's productive members. Very sad to see.

So Current staffers, I think what everyone wants to know is if we're going to be put on a shorter leash. Are we still going to be able to post stories, or is that going to be reserved for staffers only? Ready to share that yet?

i'm somwhat confused, but I know I have a reason to be concerned and disappointed.
I really don't like what's going on.

1). the prominence of staff contributions that are just segments from shows (love the shows, but we can see it all on TV)
2). eliminating online staff today
3). no more current tonight, no more current exposed.

I was really excited about this place when I first discovered it. the channel too. I only got to experience how it used to be for about 4 months. now I feel like I'm just watching another network that just happens to show some unique pods, but there isn't much new from the viewers or our stories and responses on tv.

@mario, I really hope these changes will pertain to us being more involved again. we really do give a shit or else I'm sure many of us would have left this place, but I want stuff the way it used to be, everyone else does because it IS UNIQUE and can be again. it's why we're here!

--Eric

current [dot] com is a failure. bring back current [dot] tv

Sounds fascinating, hope we all can still ad articles and comments. We all get lame sometimes but there is quite a variety.

Well the first thing i would have done is not eliminate half of the original bloggers on here current. When opposition was fun on this website, and the website was in its original format you guys were doing well. Now its a one sided, confusing tard fest. Plus your leader is al gore.

Going back to the roots, would often help this constant problem, but if they(the staff) insist upon doing it their way, there is nothing we can do....

They are the staff, after all...

stop being a douche current!

Its like air america nobody who is willing to spend money to keep watching/listening wants to hear a bunch of liberal BS.

As long as there shall be protests about Current.com, I will never leave..

Ah, for so when the time comes, it shall be revealed...

(I love these posts, much protest indeed..)

Awwww, man!!!! Why?!
Ever since 2007,... Current has been trying to change their whole format. While I absolutely loved Current's original incarnation, and still do like it,... I can't imagine that these changes are going to uphold the user-created, independent, man-on-street feel that once was. I understand that change is necessary, especially with TV production,... but I just don't wanna see Current turn into a Comcast-owned, commercialized, trendy, Mtv clone.

Oh, well,... it was good while it lasted .... and I'll miss it.