Buffalo Gal

I've been an enthusastic tester of Google's Gmail for several weeks now, laughing at the "big brother" alarmists and reminding folks that there is no such things as a free lunch (or a completely free Gig).
While I haven't graduated to the keyboard shortcuts, I'm fluid in "labels" and "conversations" and have been pretty impressed with the Spam filter.
Until this morning you could have stitched a G on my cheerleader's sweater. (All right, I haven't had a cheerleading sweater 25 years...)
Yesterday I e-unloaded on a longtime pal about some personal challenges. He came back, as he always does, with a clear-eyed view of the situtation which I was enjoying reading ... until I spotted three ads for "life coaches" along the side.
I immediately reread my email and his answer.
Getting ads for wine tours when you are writing about visiting Sonoma feels fine. Getting ads about "life coaching" when your email does not include words like problem, relationship, counselor or any instant trigger is just a little creepy.
They say that no human reads the email (it would be a ridiculously inefficient system) but to find out the machine scan can find greater context in a conversation that most men... I just don't know.
Whether I take a fountain pen to vellum or batter a keyboard, any message I create leaves tracks. There is no long distance communication that can not be compromised in some way.
It's implicit in the g-mail agreement that something will be reading over your shoulder... I just didn't expect to feel silicon breath on my neck.

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (1) Share on Facebook		2004-05-09 9:31 AM The Gmail trade-off I've been an enthusastic tester of Google's Gmail for several weeks now, laughing at the "big brother" alarmists and reminding folks that there is no such things as a free lunch (or a completely free Gig). While I haven't graduated to the keyboard shortcuts, I'm fluid in "labels" and "conversations" and have been pretty impressed with the Spam filter. Until this morning you could have stitched a G on my cheerleader's sweater. (All right, I haven't had a cheerleading sweater 25 years...) Yesterday I e-unloaded on a longtime pal about some personal challenges. He came back, as he always does, with a clear-eyed view of the situtation which I was enjoying reading ... until I spotted three ads for "life coaches" along the side. I immediately reread my email and his answer. Getting ads for wine tours when you are writing about visiting Sonoma feels fine. Getting ads about "life coaching" when your email does not include words like problem, relationship, counselor or any instant trigger is just a little creepy. They say that no human reads the email (it would be a ridiculously inefficient system) but to find out the machine scan can find greater context in a conversation that most men... I just don't know. Whether I take a fountain pen to vellum or batter a keyboard, any message I create leaves tracks. There is no long distance communication that can not be compromised in some way. It's implicit in the g-mail agreement that something will be reading over your shoulder... I just didn't expect to feel silicon breath on my neck. Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (1) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top