There we go, folks, the audio version is now live and available for five dollar or more subscribers, but y'all can have a four-minute sample clip as a treat. The full story’s around 18 minutes long, but according to my test audience, it’s worth the listen. Go sign up and check it out? I’d love it if I could justify getting to do more stuff like this in the future.
I regret to inform you that Discord’s new Terms of Service includes an arbitration clause. You can find it here https://discord.com/terms/#16. This clause includes an opt-out, which I have transcribed here:
You can decline this agreement to arbitrate by emailing an opt-out notice to arbitration-opt-out@discord.com within 30 days of April 15, 2024 or when you first register your Discord account, whichever is later; otherwise, you shall be bound to arbitrate disputes in accordance with the terms of these paragraphs. If you opt out of these arbitration provisions, Discord also will not be bound by them.
These clauses are underhanded ways that corporations seek to deprive you of your right to participate in class-action lawsuits and your right to a jury trial. (This does only apply to us users ,other people still spread the word though )
Bad news, @noodelzmop. Arbitration basically means that if you want to sue Discord for whatever reason, the dispute needs to be handled in house. Specifically, in their house. If you don’t get this email out, you’re basically signing away your right to legal recourse if they do criminally shitty stuff to you, like with the McDonalds app.
I have been told that emailing “I am confirming that as of the date of this email, I am choosing to opt out of binding arbitration to settle disputes with Discord.” With the Email you used for your discord account is enough for the notice but take this with a grain of salt as this was not said by a lawyer
reiterating that this only applies to US users
ALT
THIRTY DAY LIMIT BTW. I suggest taking sixty seconds to fire off a quick email with op’s recommended text. I have no plans to sue discord but better safe than sorry
This was already said above, but a mandatory arbitration clause means you cannot take any claims to court.
It forces you to give up your right to a trial by jury.
You are sent to arbitration, which is a similar (usually less formal) process. An arbitrator is like a judge (usually a retired judge or retired lawyer). So it’s like if you went to trial but only had the 1 judge, instead of a jury of your peers. A jury of ordinary people who may (or may not, tbh) be more sympathetic to the plights or confusion or mistakes of an ordinary person.
It also means if someone takes a class action case and wins, you can’t join the class to get the rewards (as noted above).
And yes, it’s quite legal. Some states like them more than others and even encourage arbitration to de-clutter the courts.
If you don’t like the sound of that? Opt out within 30 days. Otherwise you are stuck.
(You know who else sneaks a lot of mandatory arbitration clauses into contracts and TOS? Doctors. Think about that for a second.)
Sneak preview of a piece I’ve been working on. This idea has been floating around in my head for a long time now, as it’s a dedication piece to my dog that passed a few years ago. My intent is to put it on a hoodie in white ink, so hopefully I can test that out soon!
Grief is expressed in many ways and I’m glad I’m able to vent my grief with my art, even if this did take me years to start.
hey. don’t cry. crush four cloves of garlic into a pot with a dollop of olive oil and stir until golden then add one can of crushed tomatoes a bit of balsamic vinegar half a tablespoon of brown sugar and stir for a few minutes adding a handful of fresh spinach until wilted and mix in half a cup of grated parmesan cheese and pasta of your choice ok?
ALT
