(Life) Lessons In My Spam

I have learned a lot over the years by watching what lands in my e-mail’s Junk folder; and like you, I have seen a mountain of it.

For example — this one teaches us about Internet URL‘s (aka “addresses”).

We all recognize the “http://” but what in the world is the rest of that? Well, that address is for the web “page” named “b3q” (of all things), on the “website” named “z8” (of all things), in the “dot ro” (“.ro”) domain” –> which equates to Romania.
(You know “dot com”, but when you run into a domain you don’t recognize, you can look it up here.)

So “tami” wants me to click a link to a weirdly-named Romainian website. Fat chance of that! I have heard of the Cyber Mafia, and know they reside in the region that used to be “behind the Iron Curtain”. And I really don’t want a virus. (you do look at URL’s, don’t you?)

This next example teaches us that spam can tell us what websites to avoid, and where NOT to shop.

When I see a “legit” business, website, or ANY OTHER entity, resort to mass-mailing (aka “spamming me”), I know they are bottom-feeders, have all the morals of a telemarketer starving rat, and are in serious need (IMHO) of mental readjustment. I will not – ever – purchase, sign up, or in any way respond (except to hit “delete”) to unsolicited come-ons. You shouldn’t either, as I have never heard of any good coming from it.
I mean.. look at the company that email from MyLife is keeping..

Other times, I learn how stupid some people think we really are. This one is a paid ad from the Nikon camera company.

Well, sorry, Nikon advertising executives. I am not stupid – but I think you are. Ashton Kutcher? Really?
(Think about it. What is that guy known for?)

When they aren’t assuming we are stupid, I learn these people are assuming we are stupid and narcissistic beyond belief (maybe we are?), as in this example:

I am I supposed to believe that my opinion of a chicken restaurant is worth $100? That “taking surveys” is a paying gig?
Um.. okay. So why haven’t I been paid every other time I offered up my opinion? (Yes, yes, I know. A sucker is born every minute.) After all, (the old saying goes) opinions are like *sphincters*: everybody has one, and they usually don’t smell very good..

When they aren’t assuming we are stupid and narcissistic, there are assuming we are stupid and narcissistic and greedy beyond belief (maybe we are?),

Yup. Someone out there wants me to open this email, hoping I will believe that someone out their wants to just up-and ship me a computer. Because miracles of that nature happen every day.
Question: Why are they trying so hard to get me open an email?

Yes.. one can learn a lot from “junk” email. It seems there is a new credit card. What’s new about it? It lets me buy now and pay later.

Like many things in life, spam sometimes makes me laugh, (like the ‘pun-ny’ I just made) and sometimes makes me cry.

But I am not going to worry about that right this minute — it seems I have an inheritance I need to find out about. Free money!!!! Yay!

For the record: Never open an email from someone you do not know.

Period.

Look again, please, at all those mass-mailed emails. Ask yourself, “what is the common element?” (“common denominator”, if you will.)

That “Tech Tip” advice is, what? 30 years-old now? (So why do I have to repeat it….? But I will: NEVER open an email from someone you do not know – period.)

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

---

>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

---