a few thoughts.
1] if an employee of a company (say a media giant) publicly criticizes the direction of the company or any of it's subsidiaries, then yes, they are most definitely going to be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. that's standard shit. most corps have what they call a code of conduct which covers this. corporations are just way quieter about it when the shit hits the fan.
2] i'm pretty sure koston was already fed up with alex's negative attitude/comments and his slack demeanor when it comes to getting actual skating done. something about a straw and a camels back?
3] this could still be a prank. either way, it's not really earth shattering. it's fucking instagram.
4] though i'm pretty sure eric is not a scientologist, the response was pretty in line with the way they typically deal with SP's (suppressive persons). especially the veiled threat of a "disconnect". it makes me think that maybe eric was being leaned on by steve to "handle" the PTS. if alex doesn't stop making "suppressive" statements about scientology steve is, by the tenets of L.Rons organization obligated to "disconnect" with him and anyone who communicates with him. if not, then he risks being labeled a SP as well.
5] if those words ^ made no sense to you, good, you're not a scientologist. if you want to know what the hell it meant, check this:
http://members.chello.nl/mgormez/childabuse/disconnect.htmland this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suppressive_Person6] the berrics (no matter how i personally feel about it) has helped skateboarding a lot. from the smaller overlooked kids like corey kennedy (i know, i know) that would've probably quit by now, to companies like blvd et al, that are getting tons of coverage and publicity from the site that they would otherwise not be able to get at all. AND especially the street plaza stuff that's going down. that's sick.
i don't think they help the overall mindstate of groms in the park, but that's what we older dudes are there for. and yes, i'm intentionally omitting the free video argument (well, i WAS). i still don't go there everyday, but i do think that the pro's outweigh the cons by a fucking longshot.
k