Google pokes loyalists in the eye: Reader has been axed.

Oh man, this is bad.  Google just announced that it was getting rid of Reader, as of July 1.  I love Currents, but it is completely inadequate -- as are most visually-oriented RSS readers -- to the task of rapidly scanning subscribed feeds.

Why couldn't they simply pass Reader off to an open source group to maintain and build?

Man, this just sucks.

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Update: It's officially universal, that everyone is upset. It's the number one topic on Twitter, and the entire internet is filled with rage and sadness.  Even good ol Felix Salmon is angry.

Google is evil I hate them OMG how could they do this. SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW googlereader.blogspot.com/2013/03/poweri…
— felix salmon (@felixsalmon) March 14, 2013

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No kidding, a lot of smart people are all weighing in, and all are upset.

I use Google Reader more than any single web site or app save Gmail. I’ll really, really miss it
— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) March 14, 2013

That said, for power users there really hasn't been a good comparison to google reader. I wonder if it'll kill rss entirely.
— Mike Konczal (@rortybomb) March 14, 2013

I'm very upset about Google Reader disappearing. I use it every morning, every afternoon. RSS should not be shoved aside!!!!
— Felicia Day (@feliciaday) March 14, 2013

Google is killing Google Reader and that makes the Internet very sad: gizmo.do/j8IoyOv
— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) March 14, 2013

"Usage of Google Reader has declined." Why do you think that is Google?
— Conor Friedersdorf (@conor64) March 13, 2013

Really, though. They're shutting DOWN Google Reader? Like how hard is Google Reader to maintain? Compared to moon trips and autonomous cars?
— Molly Wood (@mollywood) March 14, 2013

Wow, Google Reader shutting down. It really IS the end of blogging and old school newsreaders. Watch for "Subscribe in Google+."
— Gina Trapani (@ginatrapani) March 14, 2013

I don't think Google gets it...cutting off Reader created trust issues that even diehard Google fans are now openly voicing. Better hurry up with damage control.

That petition on Change.org has garnered over 10,000 signatures in less than 6 hours -- an exceptionally fast rate.  We'll see how it does over the next few days.

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As the world turns and people wake up to the bad news, people continue to sign the petition, now passing 30,000 signatures.