This is not going to be funny for those readers who have got fired lately. Fifty tech specialists likely Flash's at Netflix are expected to be let go in January 2009. It's not about the world's economy. It's about Silverlight. Here is what Steve Swasey, Netflix VP of corporate communications, has to say:

"For those of you who watch movies instantly on your PC or Mac, you may have noticed our player is much easier to install and use now with Silverlight. The good news is fewer problems for you. The bad news is that we are now overstaffed with technical specialists in our Customer Service (CS) group."

"The tech support folks have been underutilized. They’re specialists and the calls are able to be managed by our main Customer Service group, which continues to grow. In January we will add at least as many people to the main CS group as we’re letting go from the tech group."

This is a chilling message for Flash folks. Either they have to adapt or be unemployed.