Is SLBoutique developing power over Philip's world?

I have still never completely forgiven Flipper for the eye bleed inducing original version that was the same color as his hair.

I voted for Flipper's forum icon as well.
David Hasselcrotch wins this poll, hands down.

I also have to agree that the price of bologna should not relate to the Chinese trade deficit.

well, this thread didn't quite work out the way I was expecting. But that's what makes this so fascinating, I think.

It's interesting how my completely different perspective of things can generate such random results.

Ahaha. You could probably be a lot more effective, if you wanted to, if you weren't so busy trying to bash everyone over with your cleverness.

I voted for this.

heh heh now now, play fair!

i vote for Aimee's Pie.................or anything else that makes more sense

I think making sense isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Under the circumstances I can understand why you'd feel that way

Now you're getting it, Chip baby!

I think making crack isnt all its sensed up to be.

You tried re-opening a locked thread and a bunch of people made fun of you. I like making fun of you but I also think that you are far too smart to not have predicted this.

Peace out, dude!

Blaze, my post that you link to is not in particular about SLBoutique. What I have observed and experienced since join Second Life early last year however is that there is one clique of old residents who promote each other and oppose competition from outside. This opposition goes as far as slander and personal attacks.

Maybe this clique should not be called "FIC" because it does not automatically include all oldbies or all better known residents. Maybe it should just be called "The Clique" or something else.

I very much know what I am talk about. At some stage I was "darling" of some members of that group. You know, when Anshe was still "small" and "cute" and "harmless". I received all those perks that go with "being in" with them. At that time I could already observe how some outside competitors was treated and how certain networks worked, networks reaching well inside LL. I also remember one certain group where it was quite common to call out and mobilize people and their alts to forum thread, to neg rate one residents or file mass abuse reports.

But then came those days when little Anshe dared leave her little niche of Asian fashion and private entertainment and started *compete* by sell love animations. Suddenly she was asked to leave Crimson because of it. And those day arrived when Anshe *dared* to open mall island, undercut prices and compete with another existing mall island owned by one member of that clique. And so the list goes on because their "cute little Anshe" can not be controlled, corrupted or made to play by some cartel rules. Truth is I spit on cartels, despise people who need "their Lindens" to compete and I am thoroughly alergic to "in circles". It is simply wrong. I refuse to ask other residents for permission or license to compete. Who works harder and better should win, not who has more powerful friends. I hate how it work in China, I don't want this in SL.

And here we are back. It is same old clique who post their bias when it comes to SLExchange and SLB. Because SLB and Gigas and Merwan is part of their clique and SLExchange is not. You just need take look who posts what in countless threads on this forum. I have nothing against Flipper, not even against any particular member of this group. But I have something against this system of corruption where one clique promotes each other and puts down or even fights what stands outside. Now I could accept friends post positive about their friend's business. But friends posting slander about their friend's competitor is something that is wrong. I am tired of this slander propaganda machine about "Anshe's bad business practices", "lack of moral integrity of SLExchange owners" and so on. No single case is made where one customer was in any way treated negatively but just slander and slander and yet more slander is repeated.

Fortunately reality of Second Life community shows that most people just go about their business and choose best product or service. Because I am not only one who does not like others dictate me what to do.

If it helps any Anshe, I've been here longer than you and I *never* thought of you as "darling, small, cute, and harmless". I've always thought of you as being harsh, shrewed, and calculating. It is part of why I think you have been so successful. And I say that with respect to what you have accomplished.

Also, I'm always broke. I would love to find this clique so maybe I can make putty eyes at them and finally have success!

No matter how many times you call it slander it isn't, it is history and well documented history on these forums.

I'm not Merwan's friend, I'm not Flipper's friend, nor Adam's. I have had absolutely no contact with them for months. I have no material interest in the success of any service. I do have an interest in seeing that your disinformation, lies, and accusations about what transpired don't stand uncontested. History is not mutable. Ethics do matter to some people. You are a victim of no one or no thing.

The Anshe doth protest too much, methinks.

You're given me more credit than I deserve...

I really am not part of anyone's clique.

You can deny as much you want. What I posted is how it is. I hope some people reflect on this and think what is really moral and good for Second Life. This world is growing and one certain attitute could finally fall back on you.

But business and competition can also happen in fair and friendly way. Take land barons as one positive example. Competition between land barons is taugh and direct. We bid against each other at auctions, we undercut each other's prices in world. And yet we respect each other, don't form cartels and don't flame each other on forums. Because we all share ethics of competition, free market and fairplay. This is what made America and western country successful. This is what I hope China become one day and this is what Second Life should be!

Well it seems a lot of users are always on the prowl for new ways to categorize and marginalize other groups of users. With "FIC" falling deeply out of fashion I think "The Clique" may do nicely for the next six months. Somebody needs to start a few polls and levy a few vague unsubstantiated accusations against unnamed members of "The Clique". Then we're off to the races!

I'm reflecting on it, Anshe.

What you have said here and in that other thread explains in large part what happened to me in that other thread.

coco

Anshe has spoken. Obey.

Ahhh, here we have yet another marginalization of someones thoughts via application of that convenient label - FIC. If you accuse them of being motivated by group think, you can openly dismiss their opinions and attempt to remove from them their individuality. Great plan! Ironic too, because all the while, the folks who scream FIC at every turn, are usually the one's screaming about their own "individual thought", all the while working toward quashing that selfsame right from others, because they happen to disagree you.

"Nothing you say holds any merit - you're FIC, you can deny it all you want, it doesn't matter, because 'what I posted is how it is.' "

I will give you credit for one thing Anshe - at least you are direct with your accusations, and don't play not-so-clever word games like most of the others who also "believe" in the FIC, and try to fear people into believing it exists.

Nolan, I believe "FIC" term was used wrongly and in confusing way. It was used by people describe two different groups, which lead to unfair stereotyping. Some used it for describe those who are well known, successful or familiar with Lindens or even applied it to all oldbies. Others used it to describe one certain clique who help each other and try keep others out.

This wrong use of "FIC" term rightfully made those upset who are oldbies or well known, but who don't engage in certain clique behavior.

So to be more accurate and to put things in line with own personal experiences I rather talk about "The Clique" instead. I don't even have problem that cliques exist, but it starts become one issue when their members attack others. Unfortunately members of this particular clique did exactly that.

I am feeling that rush all over again.

Anshe, could you name people who are members of "The Clique"? I must warn you, this is a trick question. As the originator of the "FIC" myth knew ... once you try to get down to specifics the magic in using labels is gone.

FIC, Clique, cabal, cartel, I don't give a rat's behind what the flavor of the week is - it's still marginalizing people by bringing into question their ability to think for themselves.

Leave the semantics to FOX News please.

I don't believe in call out names of people in forums. I also have hope that some people who have been part of this reconsider and change their ways. It seems some already have, others have yet to follow.

But I invite you IM me in world, then I can tell you one list of people who I have seen involved in this.

I'm not allowed to talk to strangers. Besides, I would just post the list on the SL Herald, they hunger for this kind of raw meat!