Spam and me, and an apology!
These days when I open my email, it is full of spam - homes, car rentals, holidays, insurance, credit cards, courses, ... Is spam only mass mails, or do forwards count as spam; are emails from people you don't know - one those 'popular' notifications on winning some lottery or even better inheritance from someone in Africa - all spam? Here is one description. I think it is limited definition. Here's a more comprehensive one. Which means consent, more than content makes for Spam. Where would forwards from 'known' people fit in? Known used loosely to include FB contacts, or contacts from the online world.
Re forwards, I'd enough of them years ago, yes, even the ones which invoke Gods, and to me, even if they are informational, with the bcc and lack of a personal message and again the consent bit I'd be inclined to call it spam.
After all this outrage and positioning against spam, I just went ahead and indulged in some. Oops, yes! There is/was a chain mail of sorts going around titled Collective initiative or something on those lines, where one had to send a quote or verse or poem to a person mentioned and to further the initiative bcc the mail and methodology to 20 others. I received this from more than 1 person. And I was in two minds to participate - time was one thing, and what would it achieve? Also no one knew how it originated, if the names of the people/person who started it was revealed it would probably give the 'initiative' more credibility? Credibility to what purpose, shrug, no idea? Was it a mischief-mongering exercise or should one take it at face value? Umm, I do not even know 20 people to send it to twice or thrice over. And though I'd not read the definition of spam before that (though I wish I had), I did wonder on the consent bit.
I heard from bloggers who don't normally interact with me, never read/comment on my blog, but thought I'm 'sport' enough to participate. Mea cupla, I thought on the same lines when I furthered the chain. Maybe it was my sense of participation or even need for validity, much as I hate to admit, that I went ahead and sent it to people I've talked with, interacted with ranging from many times to just once, and some whose blogs I read!! I did receive a polite but firm refusal to participate, and thankfully stoic silence from the others, who know me slightly better (considering our blog personalities and identities etc), I'm now a certified umm spammer, in my own eyes and others'.
Apologies to all I've spammed. To all those who sent me quotes, thanks, but also no thanks. I hope you had a better experience than me. If there is a bigger picture, do enlighten me! Thanks in advance. Oh and I am not judging anyone, this is my view.
Re forwards, I'd enough of them years ago, yes, even the ones which invoke Gods, and to me, even if they are informational, with the bcc and lack of a personal message and again the consent bit I'd be inclined to call it spam.
After all this outrage and positioning against spam, I just went ahead and indulged in some. Oops, yes! There is/was a chain mail of sorts going around titled Collective initiative or something on those lines, where one had to send a quote or verse or poem to a person mentioned and to further the initiative bcc the mail and methodology to 20 others. I received this from more than 1 person. And I was in two minds to participate - time was one thing, and what would it achieve? Also no one knew how it originated, if the names of the people/person who started it was revealed it would probably give the 'initiative' more credibility? Credibility to what purpose, shrug, no idea? Was it a mischief-mongering exercise or should one take it at face value? Umm, I do not even know 20 people to send it to twice or thrice over. And though I'd not read the definition of spam before that (though I wish I had), I did wonder on the consent bit.
I heard from bloggers who don't normally interact with me, never read/comment on my blog, but thought I'm 'sport' enough to participate. Mea cupla, I thought on the same lines when I furthered the chain. Maybe it was my sense of participation or even need for validity, much as I hate to admit, that I went ahead and sent it to people I've talked with, interacted with ranging from many times to just once, and some whose blogs I read!! I did receive a polite but firm refusal to participate, and thankfully stoic silence from the others, who know me slightly better (considering our blog personalities and identities etc), I'm now a certified umm spammer, in my own eyes and others'.
Apologies to all I've spammed. To all those who sent me quotes, thanks, but also no thanks. I hope you had a better experience than me. If there is a bigger picture, do enlighten me! Thanks in advance. Oh and I am not judging anyone, this is my view.
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It's incredible, isnt it? most of us have spammed someone or the other at some point of time.
ReplyDeleteYes, Rajrupa, going by the definition of spam, it certainly seems that way. Welcome to my blog!
DeleteEven i get lot of spam..I just ignore it..
ReplyDeleteAbout quotes, I wouldnt mind it as there is no harm in spreading good word:)
:) Renuji, that is a certainly another way of looking at it.
DeleteHaha, I too joined you in spamming ;)
ReplyDeleteQuite a few people did, but I'm the one having second thoughts.
DeleteI didn't receive any from you..so I am guessing I was spared ! Or else, my spam filter caught it.
ReplyDeleteFor future ref, I don't respond to such mails, much as I may be regarded as being rude. However if you have sent me a one-on-one mail, I would respond usually within 6 hours..if I don't you should worry if something happened.
LG, I was prudent enough to send it to those with whom I've interacted via mail/FB at least once, so it's not a bolt from the blue. Responding within 6 hours to a personal email - totally respect that. I'm prompt too, but not close to that.
ReplyDeleteAww Vibha..you are not a spammer. These chain mails are very confusing and that too when they concern writing/blogging exercises. This reminds me that an interview mail had gone to my spam folder and I had deleted it without even seeing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pooja, this post was triggered because I went ahead and indulged in something against my better judgement! Well, yes, I could take refuge to confusion too:) Oh, can totally understand, this categorization business in gmail makes emails land all over the place.
DeleteSorry, I'm one of those who maintained a stoic silence ;-) I had participated in something like this earlier...no bad experience but just didn't feel like it this time. Also, I was preoccupied with certain things...sigh! this is becoming my excuse for many things in life now.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, Uma, no issues, I half did not expect anyone to reply! Oh, but I would think preoccupation is a great thing, talks of being focussed, so enjoy this phase too.
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