Should, as some have proposed, the ex-1UP staffers find themselves with other full-time work that prevents them from following through on their independent projects; the only appropriate course of action would be to donate the funds to charity.
You can of course say "whos to know if they really did and whats to prevent them from wasting the money before donating whats left" as both of these statements are potentially true. They are also potentially true of any organization you choose to give your money to. All you can rely on in these situations is your own intuition and what you are led to believe. This point is therefore moot. Furthermore, they will give the cash to charity should they be unable to use the funds. They will do so not because of any overriding moral obligation but because if it ever comes to light that they fucked around with the cash their careers in the industry will be ruined. This brings me nicely to my next point.
Attention all "small business owners" and "economics majors" etc. : None of the people involved in these podcasts as 'radio personalities' or whatever you want to call them were at any time responsible for ensuring that the podcasts they produced were contributing positively to the bottom line of their parent organization. They were not involved in generating new revenue streams nor was it part of their concern exactly how Ziff Davis would be able to generate a profit from the Game Group from quarter to quarter.
Their sole responsibility was the production of editorial content. Some of this content came in the form of podcasts and yes this was was not, strictly speaking, the work for which they were hired. However, if we would be so kind as to remember our 1UP history - specifically the words of Jeff Green - we would recall that the decision to begin podcasting came from the top down and in fact many staffers were reluctant to participate, doubting the need and effectiveness of such content (the proto-brodeo crew included).
I mention this to illustrate quite clearly that the podcasts were not spearheaded by the editorial staff in some cockeyed scheme for fame and the ability to screw off at work while still drawing a salary. Their creation was the result of upper Ziff management and their profitability (or obvious lack thereof) was the purview of this same level of management - not the staff.
To attempt to claim that donating money to these people is akin to throwing good money after bad and is therefore a poor decision crosses the line separating misinformed from asinine. In short - you're being a douchebag (I hope you see what I did there). This brings me conveniently enough to my third point.
The act of "donating money" to these people has been the other incendiary topic and as far as I can tell its really coming down to myopia and semantics.
Some are against donating money because there are much "better" things you can donate to than a bunch of recently unemployed, soft california gamers. This is true and there is no defense against the statement. However, before you use this argument with any seriousness I demand that you post a scan of the taxable donation portion of your tax return and then a tally, in dollars, of all the shit you bought this year because you *wanted*, not needed it. If the former outweighs the latter, go ahead and shout - you're a better person than the rest of us. If not, put your hand down.
Some are against donating money to these people because they couldnt run a successful podcast in the past and do not deserve to have cash sent their way to fuck it up again. Your argument is in error and I direct you to the paragraphs above - these people have not had a chance to prove that they can run a successful business, as financial management was never part of their job descriptions. Oh, and Mr. Independent Businessman? You'll give a couple of kids running a start-up company the benefit of the doubt on business management wont you? Seeing as how im posting in a place that, despite any current success, no investor would have sunk dollar-one into when it began? It is paying the bills isn't it? Thanks.
Some see the donations as an awesome scam - get your severance pay, throw up a donation button, wait for the cash to come in and do whatever you want instead of (and this is the part i particularly like) finding a real job. Has anyone else noticed that undercurrent of "what they do isnt special, anyone could do it, why arent they looking for real work?" because I sure as shit have.
Heres the thing, for all the posts about no real education, about them just talking and being entertaining, about what they provide being available elsewhere? I have a news flash for you. If you can get someone to pay you for what you do that is a real job. If you can continue to do so because you have marketable skills that are in demand and which, over time, become more valuable you have a career. Thats it. Period.
They were drawing a salary from Ziff and now they arent. Technically they're drawing their pay from $12000 worth of benefactors - benefactors who for the most part havent given money so that Chuff can have a taco, but because they expect... wait for it.... a return on their investment. Sounds a lot like working where you do doesnt it? If what people have put up money for doesnt come around, no more funds will be forthcoming and in the future these individuals will have a harder time making said money.
This happens every day in capitalist society - investors put money into untested ideas, products, etc. - sometimes they see a return and sometimes they dont. The reasons behind these investors actions are as varied as the things their money goes towards.
It is lunacy to think for even a second that someone is wrong because they invested money (lets remove the whole 'donate' term here) in something that provides them entertainment and who does so with a reasonable expectation of deriving more entertainment from it.
Yes, by putting up the donation button, despite whatever text went along with it saying "we dont need the money", they were in essence saying at the exact same time "we will take your money". This is not the hypocrisy you're looking for. This is intelligent business - getting money to keep doing something you like and which also has the potential to keep you employed (in any of a myriad of direct or indirect ways) is not some shell game.
Have they at any point denied that theyre taking cash without needing it? Does the fact that theyre doing it offend your sensibilities (and if yes, are you a communist)? Is the act of others donating affecting your financial well being in some way? If you still get to listen to content (which a few weeks ago you would have said you enjoyed) at a level of quality you have come to expect, for free, because of these donations, are you against it?
The answer to all of these questions is obviously 'no'. Reflect on your own argument and on this fact.
Finally, as a thought:
What if in 5 years RebelFM is monetized and has become as successful as Penny-Arcade? What if in this fantastical future everyone who donated now does not have to pay the subscription fee? Wouldnt you look back and say "that was a wise investment".
Consider, if you will, a future where after trying their best, the ex-1UP staff were absorbed into larger organizations and their independent effort ceased. When you look back and say "im glad i saw that movie 5 years ago and didnt give any cash to those fools" is the feeling not the same as if they had succeeded?
What if, 5 years from today, the beloved moderators of NeoGAF - having become pillars of the enthusiast community - decided to strike out as a real gaming entertainment team. Imagine if they said "we dont need money, but you've asked if you can give it anyway and we'd be fools to say no". Imagine my return. When I call all their supporters douchebags and am quickly banned. Imagine the irony.
But that will never happen... its just unthinkable... Isnt it?
, although I think you said it better tbh.
