This was published just as I was heading out of the office for a short vacation. (Disclosure: I work for Absolute Radio).
If we get a Zune in the office this could be the start of a new series!
Funny
The most bizarre offline coincidence…
Just had the strangest moment when catching the London Underground on my way home, and thought it was odd enough to share – and perhaps show the weird way the world works offline for a change.
Bearing in mind I’d only just bumped into @simoncollister on the train today after 3 months of commuting, and we both use the same line to get to work every day, it made it even more surprising.
I left work later than planned for various reasons, jumped on the Tube, and was stood deep in thought about various work-related projects when I suddenly heard my name just before I was due to get off the train.
Not only was it a former colleague and old friend that had spotted me in the same carriage, but the fact that I hadn’t seen him for about 3 years after he left to work abroad, and the fact he’s only in the UK for a couple of weeks just shows how weird life works sometimes.
Genius from The Joy of Tech…Twitter, 60’s style…
Dear telephone salespeople
I just wanted to write a friendly note for the telephone salespeople who seem to be repeatedly calling me – I know you’re all probably on commission, so here’s a helpful guide for you.
I work all day – so I’d rather you didn’t call from 9am-5.30pm.
I then come home in time to spend about an hour with my young son before he goes to bed – so please don’t call between 5.30pm and 7pm.
After he’s gone to sleep, I really don’t want him woken up by the phone, especially as he’s teething at the moment. Plus I’m trying to eat my evening meal, talk with my partner, and then find some time to do some more work, blog a little, or relax with some Xbox time -so please don’t call between 7pm and midnight.
Between midnight and 9am I’m sleeping, dealing with my son if he wakes up, or getting ready for work – so if you could avoid calling me between midnight and 9am?
Cheers.
If you do ignore this suggestion, I’ll politely decline your offers. And if you then repeatedly call me, I’ll start closing any existing business I do with you, complain to every organisation I can, blog about it, and make sure I help as many people to avoid you in the future as possible.
If you have an appropriate offer, I’m not hard to find and ask for permission to contact me. I have several email accounts, Twitter, Facebook, and a letterbox.
And if I’m interested, I’m happy to contact you and do business – and then recommend you if I get good service.
Cheers
Dan
(And here’s some suggested reading)
Why we fall for ‘Don’t Click This’
A recent spam attack on Twitter was entirely based around spreading a link with the words ‘Don’t click this’ – which of course, plenty of people did.
It led quite a lot of people to ask why anyone would click on a link which says ‘Don’t Click This’.
And that reminded me of a programme by Derren Brown on this very subject, with his usual mix of psychology, illusion and trickery.
Annoying Channel 4 in it’s infinite wisdom has disabled embedding of the very clip I wanted to share.
So ‘Don’t Click’ this link to view a video Channel 4 would rather people didn’t see, spread, share and use to promote the television series they paid to commission. Sadly the whole show isn’t available, including the later demonstrations with adults, and more explanation of how exactly he puts the ideas into the subject’s head in the most suggestive way.
I’m sure there are more clinical examples in the psychology field – which reminds me why Rich Millington recommended some psychology reading and blogs in his Online Community Building Manifesto.
So make sure you don’t subscribe to my RSS feed, don’t recommend this post via Stumbleupon, Digg, or Delicious, and don’t retweet it!
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