'The Compound' is coming on nicely... (page 2)

Apognophos

That's just a logo, DD, it doesn't impact their ability to use the web site and advertise it, except that they can't stop others from using the logo if they can't copyright it.

I hear what everyone is saying about the reasons for re-location, but they don't make sense to me. Why would the Dark Lords leave NY, NY where it had credible PR on an international level simply by nature of its existence there. And Brooklyn has returned as a vibrant, upscale area. If I create a side-by-side comparison of the pros and cons I keep coming back to the recognition they receive from being in what many believe is the most important city in the world. That trumps a lot of apostates, taxes and living expenses.

Leaving for the 'burbs and hinterlands suggests, at least to me, an increasing paranoia. IMHO the move will continue their spiral into insignificance and increase the pace of delusional paranoia, suspicion and control. NY, NY likely served as a reality check to these narcissists. NY, NY can can painfully at times direct and honest; perhaps the Dark Lords are too sensitive to criticism. This doesn't bode well for the rank and file. But I've been out a long time; others likely have a better grasp on this.

AndDontCallMeShirley

a waste-separation plant

.

Is this where "New Light" comes from ?

Iown Mylife

ADCMS, thank you for a good laugh to start my day, LOL!

Marina

Apognophos

DJS, the word from people in the know is that the Society was frightened by 9/11 and decided to move out of the city before things get worse as Armageddon nears.

I think there are probably other factors, too. The buildings weren't exactly new anymore, and you mentioned the costs involved in operating there.

As for the benefits of being in Brooklyn, well, they may have gotten a tiny bit of PR from having the Watchtower name and the Read The Bible sign out there for New Yorkers to see, but it doesn't make any difference to someone one state away what town the WT HQ is, let alone to people in other countries. And other countries are where the growth is happening.

Finally, when they were getting constant supplies of paper and ink shipped in to them, it was useful to be in a city by the harbor. Now, like the main office of any other web site, no one really cares where the writers are located.

DJS

Apognophos,

Thanks for the information and filling in the gaps for me.

factfinder

Apognophos-

you bring up good points.

I'd like to add that this new gb wants to be in a more secluded area. Previously, the wts wanted the public to see all the bldgs. and their signs and millions did regularly. The witnesses had a huge presence in Brooklyn, at one time owning 42 properties! They wanted everything open to the public.

gb 2,.0 wants secrecy. As Billy brought out, except for those living in the Warwick area, nobody will even know they are there in their private, hidden headquarters by the lake in the woods! People will drive by on the highway and won't be able to see the bldgs, won't know it is there.

But that is what this gb wants-secrecy and privicy, in a nice, secluded, peaceful compound, away from the worldy people and noise of the city.

DJS- I agree, this gb are paranoid and afraid. Won't Jehovah protect them? I guess they don't believe he will.

And of course, the money-bringing in over 1 billion dollars selling the Brooklyn buildings and spending only around $12.5 million to build the new, more comfortable, smaller headquarters.

DJS

Factfinder,

A kinder, gentler, inclusive, trusting (of individual freedom and conscience) and less judgmental and controlling Borg is what is needed by the trapped masses. The move away from NY, NY to seclusion - and isolation- doesn't seem to suggest that any of these things will occur. Their operating costs will be funded by the Western congregations it appears, at least that's what the Dark Lords appear to be banking (pun intended) on. It will be interesting to see whether the congregations will fork over, I mean contribute, enough to keep the thing going. If Fying High is correct, and the sheeple tire of the abuse and control, it isn't likely the $ will cover operating costs and cash flow requirements. That, IMHO, will be the one thing that might, just might, lead to a kinder, gentler Borg. Or its implosion.

DJS

In hindsight the events of 9/11 were an optimal opportunity for the Dark Lords to re-invent the Borg. Sadly, they simply increased the rhetoric that the Big "A" was close at hand, using 9/11 to further their delusional rants and narrow their already myopic vision. They could have used those events - and the subsequent international attention which NY, NY garnered from it - to completely make the Borg over. They could have actually helped out or found meaningful ways to contribute to the post-event support.

Couple that with the re-birth of Brooklyn and the Borg could be shining like a new dime. If I'm their PR guy, I'm telling them they screwed up. Bad. But they have never been outwardly (wordly) focused and don't give a damn about anything but their numbers: the $ in the bank, the $ in monthly cash flow and the % increase. That's all they care about. There is a long history of Borg leaders linking approval from Jah with $ and increase. That isn't likely to change.

factfinder

DJS-

I agree-it is what the witnesses need, but this gb is the opposite and will stay that way.

If any change can come, it would take a new gb to replace this one.

And yes , money & more money is all they care about.

We see this in the continuous reductions in the printing budget:

no more mail subscriptions, g only once a month, study w not distributed to public, public w & g reduced to 16 pages, most books produced as softcovers, more emphasis on tracts and brochures offered door to door, no books used in fs campagns except Teach book.

More emphasis on jw.org pdfs rather than getting printed copies, having congs print out forms or get them from Staples? or was it Cost Cutters?

I imagine the km will also be printed by the local cong off of the web site eventually and tracts too.

Transferring Brooklyn's printing & binding operations to Wallkill, followed 6 years later by transferring Wallkill's magazine operations to Canada.

Consoladating from 42 printing branches in 1992 to 14 today.

Selling presses and running others on 2 shifts, closing branches-

all to save money. What do they do with the money?

They are benefiting from it that is for sure. It is all about the money.

A new kinder, more open, less judgemental, sincere and caring, honest gb are needed. But how do you get one?

'The Compound' is coming on nicely...

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