So why not just send them an email instead of posting a blog post with a link-bait title like "Why I'm leaving X" and then posting it yourself to HN? Am I supposed to help with this cause? Is there a petition? Should I leave linked in immediately because there is a box that you can voluntarily put your password into? Well I guess I'll just add it to the list of "things I need to be outraged about today".

Because the author is trying to effect change and that is much easier with a little publicity.

I didn't see any mention of actually contacting linked in. Maybe he should start with them.

I'm sure they know that what they are doing is slimey. Asking them to change won't have any effect. Hitting them in the wallet is the only influence he has.

That's not fair. I would hope someone would at least contact me regarding my products before lashing out and having people call me slimy.