Every time I see these posts with alarmists giving bullet-lists of things they are "going to do", it sounds a lot to me like they are trying to threaten Google.
Just so you're not surprised and disappointed later, I'll let you in on a secret- they don't care. Even besides the part where they are Google, I have witnessed a long history of complaints to different companies, and the more false bravado and chest- and/or drum-beating you display, the less they care about you.
I get your point, but I don't think that is what he is doing. Sending an angry email to Google listing all these points would be an example of chest thumping, and your right, Google doesn't care. I interpreted his comments more as "I need to look out for my own best interests."
If someone has the technical know how and monetary resources to have more control over their email and phone service, then why not do it. For some people it's great to just use what Google provides. It's relatively simple and is free, but you are at the mercy of whatever new policies they might put in place. Also, it is purportedly very difficult to get any kind of customer service from Google, so if your account is deleted, you might be out of luck. Google doesn't care, but for an individual it could be a huge deal to all of the sudden be cut off from multiple means of communication. If this guy doesn't want to take that risk, what's the problem with that?
I dont think he's telling Google what he's going to do, i thnk he's telling us, encouraging others to do the same. And you know what? I think I'll be doing the same.
That doesn’t seem to be true. Even Apple, for example, will often change their behavior, especially after much vitriol is directed at them. I don’t know whether it’s the vitriol or the nice constructive feedback (there is certainly always going to be some of that mixed in) that causes them to change but I see no indication whatsoever that vitriolic and loud criticism would make them shy away from changing things.
I think it would be an exceedingly bad policy for companies to ignore that kind of feedback. It’s valuable and it should inform decisions. That doesn’t mean that every vitriolic comment deserves a response, but flat out ignoring it – on principle and not because what is said is a wrong argument[1] – would be stupid.
On an emotional level I can understand not wanting to react to that kind of criticism. I probably wouldn’t want to if it were directed at me as an individual. But as a company? I think I would have to[2].
[1] And if there is no argument and only insults the company should do their best to find out what the underlying reasons are.
[2] I’m obviously talking about feedback on an aggregate level. The company should try and identify common patterns in the feedback they receive.
If someone owes the bank $1,000, it is that person's problem. If 1,000 people owe the bank $1,000,000 each, it is the bank's problem.
In much the same way, if one user gets upset and stops using Google or Facebook, it is the user's loss, but if millions of users do it, the company is in trouble.
Okay, they don't care - sounds like even more of a reason to take he above course of action, no? I don't get the impression it was supposed to be intimidating for Google.
You sir, aren't thinking things through. If you want to risk losing critically important emails because google decided it didn't like your google+ picture, you be my guest.
I for one am deleting my g+ account until they fix all this garbage. If they don't, then I won't use it, simple as that. I'm using it for fun, I don't really need it (everyone's on facebook).
BTW, let me know if you ever run any companies, I want to know who to short and what software not to use.
Just so you know, when you say "tell me if you ever start a company, so I can know to short it", you're inadvertently paying someone a gigantic compliment. It takes some of the fire out of flamey comment when its premise is that your adversary is going to take a company public.
Really, you're shocked at a hostile reaction when you accuse someone of "false bravado and chest- and/or drum-beating" in a post dripping with condescension? If you're going to dish it out...
I don't think silverstorms aim was to offend, rather he was trying to explain an interesting phenomenon and perhaps accidentally offended. jdunlop's statement, on the other hand seemed designed to offend.
I consider one an accusation and one more of an attack, but you are correct, I was being condescending (I grow oh-so-tired of those posts) If they really are equal I suppose I shall rest.
Grow up or GTFO, HN is a place for adults. If someone is impolite, your response shouldn't be a trollish immature response.
If your life is so grossly devastated by a google action then you're an idiot. All my data on google is backed up multiple times, because I'm a responsible adult and want to ensure the safety of my data. I don't trust google simply because it's google. They're a mega corp that's going to ditch you, screw you and abuse you for a penny if they can.
As I said, it's time for people to grow up or get out.
Comments
Every time I see these posts with alarmists giving bullet-lists of things they are "going to do", it sounds a lot to me like they are trying to threaten Google.
Just so you're not surprised and disappointed later, I'll let you in on a secret- they don't care. Even besides the part where they are Google, I have witnessed a long history of complaints to different companies, and the more false bravado and chest- and/or drum-beating you display, the less they care about you.
I get your point, but I don't think that is what he is doing. Sending an angry email to Google listing all these points would be an example of chest thumping, and your right, Google doesn't care. I interpreted his comments more as "I need to look out for my own best interests."
If someone has the technical know how and monetary resources to have more control over their email and phone service, then why not do it. For some people it's great to just use what Google provides. It's relatively simple and is free, but you are at the mercy of whatever new policies they might put in place. Also, it is purportedly very difficult to get any kind of customer service from Google, so if your account is deleted, you might be out of luck. Google doesn't care, but for an individual it could be a huge deal to all of the sudden be cut off from multiple means of communication. If this guy doesn't want to take that risk, what's the problem with that?
I dont think he's telling Google what he's going to do, i thnk he's telling us, encouraging others to do the same. And you know what? I think I'll be doing the same.
That doesn’t seem to be true. Even Apple, for example, will often change their behavior, especially after much vitriol is directed at them. I don’t know whether it’s the vitriol or the nice constructive feedback (there is certainly always going to be some of that mixed in) that causes them to change but I see no indication whatsoever that vitriolic and loud criticism would make them shy away from changing things.
I think it would be an exceedingly bad policy for companies to ignore that kind of feedback. It’s valuable and it should inform decisions. That doesn’t mean that every vitriolic comment deserves a response, but flat out ignoring it – on principle and not because what is said is a wrong argument[1] – would be stupid.
On an emotional level I can understand not wanting to react to that kind of criticism. I probably wouldn’t want to if it were directed at me as an individual. But as a company? I think I would have to[2].
[1] And if there is no argument and only insults the company should do their best to find out what the underlying reasons are.
[2] I’m obviously talking about feedback on an aggregate level. The company should try and identify common patterns in the feedback they receive.
If someone owes the bank $1,000, it is that person's problem. If 1,000 people owe the bank $1,000,000 each, it is the bank's problem.
In much the same way, if one user gets upset and stops using Google or Facebook, it is the user's loss, but if millions of users do it, the company is in trouble.
> Just so you're not surprised and disappointed later, I'll let you in on a secret- they don't care.
EXACTLY! They don't care. That's why you have to care. Otherwise, who's looking out for you?
Okay, they don't care - sounds like even more of a reason to take he above course of action, no? I don't get the impression it was supposed to be intimidating for Google.
You sir, aren't thinking things through. If you want to risk losing critically important emails because google decided it didn't like your google+ picture, you be my guest.
I for one am deleting my g+ account until they fix all this garbage. If they don't, then I won't use it, simple as that. I'm using it for fun, I don't really need it (everyone's on facebook).
BTW, let me know if you ever run any companies, I want to know who to short and what software not to use.
Just so you know, when you say "tell me if you ever start a company, so I can know to short it", you're inadvertently paying someone a gigantic compliment. It takes some of the fire out of flamey comment when its premise is that your adversary is going to take a company public.
http://ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
"Be civil. Don't say things you wouldn't say in a face to face conversation."
And you sir, are shockingly bitter. That's an uncalled for level of hate.
Really, you're shocked at a hostile reaction when you accuse someone of "false bravado and chest- and/or drum-beating" in a post dripping with condescension? If you're going to dish it out...
I don't think silverstorms aim was to offend, rather he was trying to explain an interesting phenomenon and perhaps accidentally offended. jdunlop's statement, on the other hand seemed designed to offend.
I consider one an accusation and one more of an attack, but you are correct, I was being condescending (I grow oh-so-tired of those posts) If they really are equal I suppose I shall rest.
Grow up or GTFO, HN is a place for adults. If someone is impolite, your response shouldn't be a trollish immature response.
If your life is so grossly devastated by a google action then you're an idiot. All my data on google is backed up multiple times, because I'm a responsible adult and want to ensure the safety of my data. I don't trust google simply because it's google. They're a mega corp that's going to ditch you, screw you and abuse you for a penny if they can.
As I said, it's time for people to grow up or get out.