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Roberto Melendrez
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 04 August 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 377
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 12:08pm | IP Logged | 1
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I remember reading about some video game or film promotion about 7-8 years ago where anyone could sign-up a "friend" to receive "fun" messages (post and email) and phone calls (at various hours of the day or night) from a "serial killer".
The "gag" was the the victim would freak out and then get a "kick" when they learned (were relieved) that the whole thing was a promotion for the film/game. I think that they even went as far as to suggest signing up an "enemy" to experience the "fun".
There were some serious reactions from victims and a couple of lawsuits if I recall correctly. I suspect that since that and other similar promotions (like the "bombs" left in public places to promote some website) the purchaser assumes any liability for damage that results from signing someone up for something like this.
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Robbie Parry
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 June 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 12186
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 12:14pm | IP Logged | 2
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But I can just as easily see where something like this could be done and how someone would have thought it harmless and fun.
***
I'm afraid I don't get it. And never would. Especially in times like this.
I'd never want anyone to be surprised. I'm happy to tell someone a surprise of some sort will happen ("I ordered a mystery bottle of wine for you and you'll soon find out what vintage.") but the way it happened with our host, well I don't think it's right. It raises all sorts of ethical issues - and issues of privacy, too.
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Joe Smith
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 August 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 6595
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 12:41pm | IP Logged | 3
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I wonder if the paranoia of mystery deliveries has
killed off the Floral Delivery service. I used to do
plenty of "unsigned" and "from your secret admirer"
type deliveries back in the early 90's.
Eric, I feel for you, man. I think it's pretty easy to
see you were trying to do something nice and fun for
one of your idols. Don't lose that benevolent spirit,
though...there will always be someone out there who's
feelin' whipped and whose soul needs the lift, and you
could make their day better by thinking of them.
Quite an unexpected and enlightening thread for a
Sunday morning.
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132231
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 12:54pm | IP Logged | 4
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Eric, I feel for you, man. I think it's pretty easy to see you were trying to do something nice and fun for one of your idols. Don't lose that benevolent spirit, though...there will always be someone out there who's feelin' whipped and whose soul needs the lift, and you could make their day better by thinking of them. ••• By violating their trust? That's the central issue that seems to be getting lost in discussions of whether or not this is "fun."
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Michael Penn
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 April 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 12429
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 1:06pm | IP Logged | 5
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I think it's pretty easy to see you were trying to do something nice and fun for one of your idols.
***
But put yourself in the position of the "idol." He's just a person. The nature of his work brings him -- like it or not -- notoriety. That alone, even if he's Garboesque, is a special kind of risk. But what if, even in this evermore risky internet age, instead of withdrawing he decides to engage his fans on his terms: shouldn't his fans always respect those terms, no matter what their good intentions in considering doing the contrary?
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Robbie Parry
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 June 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 12186
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 1:08pm | IP Logged | 6
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By violating their trust? That's the central issue that seems to be getting lost in discussions of whether or not this is "fun."
***
I would not appreciate anyone (friend, family or acquaintance) doing what has been done.
Someone tried to register me as a member of a social club years ago (without my knowledge). Not in any way, shape or form the same or as bad as what happened here, but at the time I did say to my friend, "Could you ask me next time?" It was a social club I might have joined, but I wasn't keen that he had tried to sign me up without my knowledge.
A surprise can still be a nice surprise if you let someone know. If a friend told me they'd signed me up to a club that gave, say, monthly beer for 12 months (as a gift), then I'd be happy, but if they did it anonymously, such parcels would give me the creeps.
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Petter Myhr Ness
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 02 July 2009
Location: Norway
Posts: 3823
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 2:22pm | IP Logged | 7
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Inside was a second white envelope, mailed, according to the cancelation, from Norway...
--
I plead innocence here, JB!
But seriously, that's no fun at all! A stupid thing to do.
Many years back I had some "friends" who would order all kinds of things from a mail order catalogue in my name, resulting many packages being delivered (and thusly returned). It was incredibly annoying.
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Robert Shepherd
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 30 March 2014
Location: United States
Posts: 1268
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 3:40pm | IP Logged | 8
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I feel there are two issues here and both are about proper communication.
1. Eric could have/should have let JB know ahead of time there were "mystery" parcels coming to him.
2. The whole concept of a mystery parcel is unfortunately a poor choice for a business model in this day and age. At the very least, in the first parcel, the company should have included a letter to the effect of "a friend has sent these parcels to you as a gift, more are coming, you can cancel at any time."
Issues solved.
Edited by Robert Shepherd on 02 October 2016 at 3:41pm
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Joe Smith
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 August 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 6595
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 4:08pm | IP Logged | 9
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****By violating their trust? That's the central issue
that seems to be getting lost in discussions of
whether or not this is "fun."****
****I would not appreciate anyone (friend, family or
acquaintance) doing what has been done. ****
Over 1000 people have seen Eric shamed in public for
something he did as a gift for someone he has long
admired. One would imagine he was waiting with QUITE
a different outcome in his mind. He publicly
apologized up-thread. My post addressed to him was
supposed to be the start of the healing process.
Work/office HR strategy for "getting out with a win".
Piling on is very internet.
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132231
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 4:22pm | IP Logged | 10
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He publicly apologized up-thread.••• I saw an explanation. I did not see an apology. As to the "public shaming," whose fault is that? I did not name names.
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Joe Smith
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 August 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 6595
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 5:43pm | IP Logged | 11
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Look at this!
I hope this was just coincidence, but I'd bet it was the
'cookies" on my computer!
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Steve Bryant
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 11 October 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 60
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| Posted: 02 October 2016 at 5:55pm | IP Logged | 12
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My post addressed to him was
supposed to be the start of the healing process.
Work/office HR strategy for "getting out with a win".
Piling on is very internet.
------------ Joe Smith is wise.
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