I read this article today about a guy who was complaining about Comcast on his blog, and shortly thereafter, received an email from Comcast, apologizing for the inconvenience, and stating that Comcast was currently trying to develop a solution to the problem. Kinda cool. Kinda freaky. I have actually wondered how much of that takes place. I have seen the occasional click-through statistic from Icerocket.com. I even had a guy from JPMorgan comment on my tongue-in-cheek post about the Corporate Challenge. The author of the article I mentioned, kept referring to this tactic of searching blogs like Comcast did, as big brotherish. I have always thought that big-brother type activities occurred in situations where the person who’s information was being collected, had some sort of expectation of privacy. I don’t see how one might expect any sort of privacy when posting information on a globally accessible medium. Mischaracterization aside, I can relate to the startled sensation that occurs when I am reminded that someone besides my significant other, actually reads this crap. It doesn’t really freak me out though. I personally think it is great that companies are browsing for unsolicited remarks about their services, etc.. I kind of wish that more of them would do it. Con-Ed, are you listening? Worst website in the world, dudes. Having to key in your 20 digit account number every time that you advance to a different screen is not convenient. So, I’m not really sure why you are charging the $4.50 convenience fee to pay a bill online. Not to mention the fact that the party it is really more convenient for… is you. By taking payment online, not only do you not have to pay someone to open my envelope and process my check, but the funds clear instantly. You might want to consider switching it up.
After discovering the information contained in the article, I am now going to have to resist more fervently, my urge to complain 100% of the time. I was sort of tempted to just let loose and write like 20 entries, listing my least favorite things, in hopes that someone who can actually do something about it (Con-Ed’s lazy/crappy web developers), would read my rant. But for now, I will just stick to stories about kittens, bunnies and butterflies. That way, when people search Google for that warm fuzzy feeling, they can read Jake’s New Blog.