Paperless billing, online security, etc.

OK, here is my Andy Rooney moment. What is it about all these banks, credit card and utility companies encouraging their customers to “save a stamp and help save a tree by switching to paperless”, they never say you will be helping them save a buck on printing and mailing expenses. I received what I consider the epitome of this spin: a large cable provider is terming their online billing as "Eco-Billing", come on give us a break. My family and I recycle and reuse as much or more as the next family, and I work at an institution that has a prevalent sustainability mission, which I think is great. However, why should customers be made to feel guilty about sending a few pieces of paper a month through the mail? Oh yeah I almost forgot, online billing is supposed to be so much safer than the U.S. Mail; I'm sure that there are many more potential eyes for what I send though the USPS vs. what I do online... Oh yeah, what is it about urinals and toilets not being flushed at public places? If that is considered green you can consider me blue. Choices are good.

07/10/19 - Interesting related update from the Two Sides network.

Comments

Review: Flowers for Algernon

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes My rating: 5 of 5 stars A very immersive and thought-provoking story Why did I give this book 5 stars? What can I write about it? Well, I floated between 4 and 5 stars. What made me tip the scale was my immediate feeling that I was an observer in the story, not solely a reader. I found the transformation of the protagonist, Charlie Gordon - as illustrated by his writing in his progress reports - to be an especially effective narrative device. The story was so organic and straight-forward, that I felt transported to another time and place. Perhaps that result was also due to my empathy with the protagonist Charlie Gordon and my identification with the academic environment, where most of the narrative took place. Some members of my extended family are mentally challenged. I couldn't help but think of them when I read about Charlie. Also, my dad worked with mentally challenged young adults at a clinic when he was...

Chicago Highlights

A few weeks ago I attended the Innovative Users Group Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Even though I had visited the " Windy City " a few times before, this was my first time to have an extended stay downtown. I initially had some hesitations about getting around in a big city for a conference, as the largest conference location I had been at previously was in Minneapolis and I was in walking distance from most things I needed at the time. However, I can honestly say that the Conference and visit to Chicago were definite blessings. This travelogue and diary of sorts is probably mainly of interest to me, but maybe I might have some gems of insight to share. 4/17 - left from Ottumwa IA to Chicago via Amtrak's California Zephyr . It had been about 10 years since I had traveled via Amtrak, and this was my first time to have a major hub as a destination. It was an amazing experience to walk between the Amtrak behemoth engines at Union Station - with the sights of their ...

Plastic models going the way of BETA?

The other day my family and I were at Toys R Us and I happened to notice one model kit in the entire store. The model was a snap together Tie Fighter . I asked one of the associates where the rest of their model section was and he responded that the Tie Fighter was all that remained. Over the past three years or so I noticed that WalMart and Target were seriously reducing their inventory of plastic model kits, but I had no idea that they would disappear from their shelves altogether! I can't even find model glue or paint at WalMart! My son told me that models have been replaced by Legos (at least for children). I'm only an occasional modeler, and I know that models are still available at hobby stores, but this strikes me as a very sad pattern.

Random musings of a measured overachiever

Search This Blog