That Ring pet commercial this weekend set a lot of people off.
I checked my privacy settings today.
These are the agencies that have requested access to our camera 👇
Uh, no.
Before the Wright brothers, a Black inventor named Charles F. Page designed and patented an airship capable of powered flight. Page was formerly enslaved. He spent years studying flight mechanics and used his life savings to build a full scale model meant for a major exhibition
Your phone isn't "accidentally" listening to you. It's a feature, not a bug.
I talked about a specific dog food brand once 10 minutes later, I had an ad. It’s called "Shadow-Logging," and it’s happening through 5 settings you’ve never touched.
Here is how to kill the eavesdropping for good:
A reminder before you sign up for @ring’s state-sponsored surveillance marketed under the guise of “looking for a lost dog”.
Please, please, please don’t sign up for that service!
Always an adventure calling the IRS
Me: "Hi, I'm calling about penalty relief for my client. He's disabled and --"
Agent: "What's the account number?"
Me: "He lost his job. Couldn't afford to file. He has severe anxiety and --"
Agent: "I see. The penalty is $847. Next?"
Me: "His anxiety is documented. He's been struggling for years. He literally couldn't handle opening the mail from you guys."
Agent: "Understood. The penalty stands."
Me: "He's on disability income. This is going to hurt him badly."
Agent: "I hear you. Still $847."
Me: "He was literally unable to function during this period. His doctor can verify --"
Agent: "That's unfortunate. The penalty is assessed."
Me: "So there's nothing we can do? No hardship exception? No compassion?"
Agent: "Not without something to base it on, sir."
Me: *long pause*
Me: "I mean - unless I..."
Agent: "You could...."
Me: "Could what?"
Agent: "Well. You'd have to say it."
Me: "Say..."
Agent: "THE words, sir."
Me: "What words?"
Agent: "I can't say them for you."
Me: "It's not even a sure thing though. Could it work?."
Agent: "Only one way to find out sir."
Me: *long pause*
Me: "I'm going to say it."
Agent: "I'm bracing, sir."
Me: "First time penalty abatement."
Agent: "Excellent. Your client is eligible. I'm releasing the penalty now. We're all set."
Me: "Wait. That's it? Just like that?"
Agent: "Yes sir. The penalty is gone."
Me: "It's automatic?"
Agent: "Exactly."
Me: "So why all the drama? Why couldn't you just tell me?"
Agent: "Because most people don't understand how serious a decision it is to say THE words."
Me: "It's that serious? Why?"
Agent: "You just used your one shot."
Me: "What do you mean my one shot?"
Agent: "First time penalty abatement. You can only invoke it once per client. Ever."
Me: "...once?"
Agent: "That's right. Once... And then it resets again in three years."
Me: "Wait, it resets? So we can do this again in a few years?"
Agent: "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
As a parent, I think this video has taught me something useful.
I recommend that you should try it on your kids, too.
I have also shared it with my wife.
Credit: joe_drummer_boy on IG.