Comments on the broken gentleman.: post-scarcity communication.

Good point.

I usually argue that celebrity ...

2009-03-09T16:07:00.000-04:00

Good point.

I usually argue that celebrity breaks social media, but this is an example of volume overtaking importance.

That said, I would still argue that a deluge of communication indicates a ranking issue: they have to respond to some people, so arguing that they couldn't respond to something important rings a little hollow.

Not responding to individual fans, etc, is usually traced to there not being enough time, i.e. having something better to do, to someone better to speak to, with that time.

I would add that the other exception is if the per...

2009-03-09T15:53:00.000-04:00

I would add that the other exception is if the person in question has deliberately made the decision to be difficult to reach (Doesn't have/read email, not on IM, unlisted phone number, has staff, etc.). In general this is true of old people/luddites, and of those who, if they did not do this, would be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of communication thrown in their direction (i.e. Celebrities and Politicians). The reason "Could not be reached for comment" IS a valid excuse is because it is well known that these type of people have such filters in place, and cannot generally be reached immediately unless you have some kind of priority access to them.

I agree completely that this only makes sense in m...

2009-03-09T14:34:00.000-04:00

I agree completely that this only makes sense in major urban centres where there is widely available internet and cell signals.

I will admit that I'm spoiled by living a very connected life.

There's no problem with sending that signal, if you choose too. I was just commenting on the impossibility of avoiding a response without sending a message, in a technologically connected society.

This theory works only in areas where internet acc...

2009-03-09T14:21:00.000-04:00

This theory works only in areas where internet access and cell phone signal is of good quality and reliability. (i.e. all of southern ontario).

It falls apart when your internet is so crappy g-mail gets angry when you try to send attachments...or use the internet at all when its raining/windy/cloudy/etc...

Now, assuming this theory holds in at least some parts of my life, I pride myself on quick response time, however there are some people who aren't more important than my immediate life, and I frankly don't mind sending them that signal. Yup, I'm a jerk, but I have to take what power I can get.

Comments on the broken gentleman.: post-scarcity communication.

Good point.I usually argue that celebrity ...

I would add that the other exception is if the per...

I agree completely that this only makes sense in m...

This theory works only in areas where internet acc...

Good point.

I usually argue that celebrity ...