With their end-of-year update on my blog-hosting account, my provider wants me to know that they appreciate the 11 years I’ve been their customer. OK, fair enough, I guess.
With their awkward end-of-year video of photos I posted online in 2021 — awkward because the video has no coherent story line or theme — Facebook wants me to know that they’re still keeping track of me in a slightly creepy way. OK, it’s hard to see how to avoid that.
But with their end-of-year update on my new videos and the views thereof, YouTube wants me to know that they think I had a great 2021, creating and posting. And with their end-of-year update on the PC Optimum® points I’ve earned and redeemed, Loblaw (Where/when/why did the “s” go from “Loblaw’s”? And is it too late to change it back?) wants me to know that they also think I had a great 2021, getting and spending.
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
OK, enough. Unlike Queen Victoria, I am not amused. Who asked these businesses to report on my year?
For me, the slow creep of these unsolicited, intrusive, and presumptuous retrospectives just crossed a line. What’s next? My local pharmacy congratulating me on a year-over-year drop in chocolate purchases? The LCBO totting up my annual wine consumption?
News flash: Attention all organizations.
Butt out.
I know that I can’t keep you from collecting data on me. Have the courtesy to keep it to yourself. Don’t rub my face in it.
Moreover, I do not mark, measure, or value my year in the narrow ways that you can track, count, or assess and I do not appreciate you presuming to do so on my behalf.
I do not need, want, or value your year-end summaries and commendations.
If I ever wonder how much activity I engaged in with your entity, I’ll be in touch.
Over and out.
Love this one! Well done!!
Mary – Love the comment! Thanks! 🙂
There is an option. Don’t use Facebook. Then you can butt them out.
It’s one of the reasons I refuse to use Facebook.
Tom
Tom – You’re entirely right. Facebook is relatively easy to shut down, but other companies have learned their tricks and are a little harder to get rid of as they are my regular suppliers. Of course, if I didn’t collect their points, they’d only be able to track me by my credit card number. Which I fully believe they would do.
With convenience comes unwanted intrusion, but I am sure they’ll claim in the very fine print, you can opt out by clicking on some well hidden choices……
Jim R – Yes, we do it to yourselves. If you find that opt-out clause, let me know. 🙂
Moi aussi. I have no time for Anti-Social Media.
Ken – 🙂 Somehow I guessed that. A perfectly rational position.
As an IFTP, I should probably adopt “Butt Out!” as my motto.
Jim T
Jim T – I think I’ll make t-shirts . . .
I only get the — FB notifications of THIS IS WHAT YOU POSTED 3, 2, 1 years ago!!
My MAC spammer just catches all the rest. Or, I am not a great consumer or video maker or worthwhile member of society.
But it could be worse — in China you get points for being socially active and demerits for keeping to yourself!
Barbara – Oh, let’s not go there. Governments managing our culture/community is about ten bridges too far.