Can we declare a war on layoffs?

I want to be clear here: I'm not happy about anyone losing their job. It sucks. It's a downright nasty, foul, frustrating experience usually empathized by coworkers who express uncomfortable concern for their colleagues. I say 'uncomfortable' because the coworkers are still retaining a paycheck, and they, too, could be next.

This being said, when I learned that Cnet.com is laying off about 10% of its workforce in the (all cuts to be made in the U.S.), I was surprised to see that this headline wasn't glossing the virtual pages of its online properties. Typically, Cnet has all the layoff details for other companies plastered on its site as soon as the news hits the streets.

Although, this is probably going to be a good move for them. They're a media company about technology, not vice versa. Perhaps they're realizing this. Cnet says:

...it is laying off 120 employees as part of an effort to streamline the online media company while generating more content for its news and entertainment sites.

But man, with stock at $7.25 (value closed on Wed), you'd think this move wouldn't have been a surprise. They're going to have to find a way to stand out from all the other sources of tech news out there: slashdot, arstechnica, valleywag, techcrunch, wired, various news portals/aggregators (BigNews, Digg, Reddit, Yahoo! News , etc.) by delivering competitive content that attracts ad dollars. Running leaner may help.

Of course, that little thing called the 5 year (and going!) War on Terror might also have something to do with things...

Still have my job? Yes. Game room...TBD

If you didn't know, Ask.com announced some layoffs today. We got the details in a nearby bar, where they broke the news and treated us to bagels and coffee and identified us as the 'go-forward' team.

So they can lay off 38 people, close offices in Japan, Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany, telecast the announcement that we'll be focusing on our core users, but do they really need to lock the doors on the game rooms?

Honestly, after announcing the layoffs and the shift in company priorities, couldn't they at least let people bust a few rounds off in Call of Duty 4 or shred some notes in Guitar Hero 3? Were they concerned that some of the ex-employees were going to get sticky fingers after getting the shaft?

But then, I think...I'd rather have a job right now than an Xbox 360. Still, the empty veal pens provoke strong pangs of empathy. Anyone working in the Bay Area or who has been 'downsized' or categorized as 'redundant' knows what I'm talking about.