Where Are The Activists?

2007-07-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

In a day when our country is more fucked up than it ever has been, and our laws are becoming more and more obscure, everyone is pointing the fingers. It's the Bush Administration. Cheney. Rumsfeld. Bush himself. Sure, you may have posted an article on digg about the last dickly atrocity Bush and his followers have committed, but what are you really doing?

In the 60's, when the country was heading in a bad direction, the generation turned to an immense wave of activism, with ferocity and devotion not seen since the time of our American Revolution. It was truly a time when anyone in our country could have easily said "I am proud to be an American." Everyone was doing something. Activism was everywhere.

While bogus laws are being passed which tell us what we can and cannot do to our own bodies, we just do things illegally and don't mind the problem. While this country has disgusting immigration policies, half the country wants to further fuel the fire, while the rest turns a deaf ear to the problem. While our CONSTITUTION is being ripped from our hands, we post articles on Digg.com, and go about our daily lives. While the president is GIVING himself power, HUMILIATING our country, we express our hatred of him, and we take polls, but do nothing more.

And yet the top article on digg is still...

Why, at the most demanding time, do we sit idly by and speak without acting? Where are the activists?

What have you done?

Call your senators. Tell them what you think. Make highway signs. Take part in a protest.

The more we speak without applying actions to our words, the more our so-called President will think he can get away with this bullshit.

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Where Are The Activists?

2007-07-07T22:24:00.000-07:00

An interesting conversation with an Apple representative...

2007-04-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm trying to purchase a laptop with my dad as a graduation present... I'm considering getting a MacBook. I went onto the Apple website and began discussing this option with an Apple representative.....

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* You are chatting with Josh, an Apple Expert

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Hi, my name is Josh. How may I help you today?
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Josh: Hi! How are you?
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Josh: Welcome to chat!
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You: Hi, I'm thinking about getting a MacBook.
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Josh: Hi! How are you?
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Josh: Welcome to chat!
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Josh: I'm happy to assist with that.
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You: ...But I'm also considering a Dell laptop.
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You: Why should I get a MacBook? What's better?
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Josh: OK.
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Josh: Only with a Mac do you get a system built by the same people who make the hardware, operating system and most of the installed applications. Everything just works together perfectly.
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Josh: Macs aren't vulnerable to the viruses and spyware that plague Windows PCs.
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You: I generally hate the Mac interface and Steve Jobs is the devil, but I heard a lot of good things about the MacBook.
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You: Sure they are. People just don't program Mac viruses as much.
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Josh: Did you know the average PC user gets a new system every 18 months, while Mac users get a new system, on average, every 3 to 4 years?
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You: Although looking at the specs on the MacBook...I'd need a new one quite soon.
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Josh: We would be more than happy to assist with that.
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Josh: May I ask a few questions to better understand your specific needs?
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You: Sure.
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Josh: A lot of our customers are new to Apple. What has you considering a Mac?
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You: Well I'm just looking for a laptop to take with me when I start college next year. A friend recommended a MacBook, and I'm open to the possibility. I just want to know why I should get a MacBook over a Dell.
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Josh: How do you plan to use your new Mac?
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You: Well, obviously it's going to be more work-geared, but I definitely want to be able to game on it as well.
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Josh: OK, what does work geared entail?
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You: Well, work-geared doesn't entail much at all. I could do any "work" I'd need to do on a... Commodore 64.
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Josh: How many programs do you like to have open at the same time?
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You: Haha. Are you trying to figure out how much RAM I'll need? I'm thinking I'll go for 1 gig, but I doubt I'll upgrade the processor.
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You: most of the games I play are pretty high-end. A gig should squeeze me by on them.
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Josh: Great. What programs do you use most?
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You: I don't know, does it matter?
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Josh: OK, it sounds like the 15" 2.16 MacBook Pro will work great for you.
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Josh: Have you looked into this Mac?
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You: Not really.
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You: I don't need a widescreen for gaming. Especially if by adding two inches I'm compromising weight.
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Josh: MacBook Pro.
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You: Thanks.
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Josh: You're welcome.
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You: That's a little out of my price-range. My dad's the one paying for the majority of it as a gift for graduation, and he'll pay $900 and I can chip in a few hundred.
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Josh: I understand, the MacBook Pros come with a dedicated graphics card, which are recommended for gaming.
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You: What does "dedicated" entail?
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Josh: Dedicated means that the graphics card uses its own video memory.
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You: Isn't that pretty much standard nowadays?
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Josh: Macs that have a shared graphics card, like the MacBooks, use the system memory and thats why they're not recommended for gaming.
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Josh: No, its not.
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You: Ah.
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Josh: OK.
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You: I assumed my 512 MB GeForce was using its own memory and not putting it to waste.
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You: :(
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You: But anyways, any more pluses of getting a MacBook?
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Josh: I understand.
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You: Do you know if they have a World of Warcraft out for Mac? I assume so but I've never really heard it said.
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Josh: For your needs, the MacBook is not recommended.
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Josh: I recommend the MacBook Pro for your needs.
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You: Is their a MacBook Pro less than $1.9k?
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You: er, there, rather.
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Josh: MacBook Pros.
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Josh: Here are the MacBook Pros we offer.
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Josh: Let me know what you think!
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You: ...They're all over $1.9k.
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Josh: I understand.
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Josh: If you plan on doing anything thats graphics intensive, the MacBook Pro will be your best choice.
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You: Huh. Do they make Firefox for Macs?
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Josh: They sure do!
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You: If I buy a MacBook, would I be able to send Steve Jobs a hate-filled letter?
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Josh: Thanks for asking, we don't have access to his e mail l address.
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Josh: Have you looked into desktops at all?
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You: Well, since I'm going to be in college I'll be doing a lot of moving around. A laptop is definitely the direction I want to go.
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Josh: Were you planning on taking your Mac to class?
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You: Yeah.
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You: Wait, do Macs come with wireless network adapters?
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Josh: Of course!
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Josh: They come with the AirPort Extreme card.
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Josh: Have you considered any of our financing options?
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You: Yeah, I was just looking at some of the monthly payment options.
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Josh: If thats the case, I suggest sticking with the MacBook Pro.
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Josh: When were you looking to place this order?
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You: No, I think I'll stick with the MacBook, thanks.
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Josh: I understand, were you aware of the graphics card that comes with the MacBook?
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You: Well, now that I think about it, Counterstrike and World of Warcraft aren't exactly what I would call graphics intensive.
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Josh: Correct, are these going to be the only games you play?
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You: For the most part. They're all I have time for now.
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Josh: OK, the MacBook comes with a Intel GMA 64MB shared graphics card.
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Josh: This is going to limit you on what you can do in terms of graphics.
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Josh: If you plan on doing ANY graphics intensive work on this Mac, you will not like the results.
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You: All of the MacBooks come with that same card?
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You: Even the $1.5k one?
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Josh: Good question, that is correct.
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Josh: They all come with the Intel GMA 950 card.
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You: So basically all my money is going into the OS, since the $1.5k is obviously not on the specs.
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Josh: Thats not correct.
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Josh: The MacBook is designed for users who are not looking for a graphics intensive Mac.
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Josh: People who have basic needs will find the MacBook perfect.
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You: I'm looking at a Dell Notebook that costs $700, and has most of the same specs.
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You: I think those other 500 are going into the OS.
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Josh: Not quite, Macs have lots of other options.
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Josh: They come with on board iSight cameras, expansion ports and best of all, the security only a Mac can offer.
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You: ...even the Macbook comes with a camera?
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Josh: Correct.
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You: As enticing as that is, I have no use for a camera.
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You: Do they make Microsoft Office for Macs? :)
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Josh: I understand.
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Josh: Of course!
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You: Hmm.
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You: BitTorrent?
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Josh: MS Office for Macs.
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You: How easy is it to pirate software, movies, and music through a Mac? Do they put any security software on there for THAT?
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You: I hear Steve Jobs is pretty anal about pirating.
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Josh: Thanks for asking, Apple can't comment on downloading media illegally.
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You: Hmm...
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You: Let's see...
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You: Okay, say, hypothetically, if my friend came to try to pirate things on my computer
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Josh: How else can I assist you?
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You: and I didn't want him to because I'm SO anti-pirating
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You: Would the computer be able to keep him from doing so?
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Josh: OK.
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Josh: Macs are not vulnerable to PC viruses.
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Josh: How else can I assist you?
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You: Interesting!!
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You: Would the Mac keep him from pirating?
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Josh: Thanks for asking, Apple does not recommend downloading media illegally.
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You: Yes, that's why I'm trying to figure out if it would be able to keep my friend out of a life of crime.
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Josh: I understand.
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Josh: How else can I assist you?
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You: He's got a very serious problem with this pirating business.
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Josh: This chat is designed to help customers shop. Do you have any product or order-related questions I can help you with today?
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You: I'd be very willing to purchase a MacBook Pro if it had some security to keep my friend from pirating software, music, and movies.
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Josh: I understand your concern, you can pass word protect your Mac.
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You: He writes his own bruteforce programs. Vicious, really, he is.
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Josh: I see.
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You: So then I take it Apples don't provide any defense against evil-pirating roommates, aside from password protection?
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Josh: You can set filters on Safari, the web browser.
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You: He can just download Firefox.
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You: But... nothing else other than web restrictions, and password protection?
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Josh: Correct.
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You: Awesome. I'll take one.
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Josh: I will keep the chat window open in case you have further questions about your order.
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You: Thank you for answering to my software pirating needs. You've been an immense help.
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Josh: Let me know when you have completed your order.
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You: Will do, Josh! I'll put a good word in for you.
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You: ...When I own Apple. MUHAHAHAHAHA!
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Josh: I will keep the chat window open in case you have further questions about your order.
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You: I bet this conversation has been the life of your day. Dreadful, it must be, sitting there relaying messages of system specs and links and the whole shabang.
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Josh: Hows your order coming along?
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You: Quite well. I'm putting in all of the highest system specs.
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You: Thanks to this great representative I've had, named Josh!!!
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Josh: Don't mention it.
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You: Do you get commission for this sale Josh?
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You: Because I think you should.
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Josh: Not at all, its not needed.
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Josh: I just want to make sure you get the correct Mac.
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You: What about a tip? Can I paypal you your tip?
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Josh: Thanks for asking, thats not necessary.
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Josh: Let me know when you have completed your order.
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You: It's almost done.
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Josh: Great!
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Josh: I haven't heard from you for a few moments. Would you like to continue chatting?
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You: I sure would, Josh!!
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Josh: Have you completed your order?
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You: Very nearly.
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Josh: Great, when you are finished, let me know your web order number.
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You: I think I've finished, but I'm not sure of the web order number. How many digits is ut?
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You: it, rather
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Josh: Thanks for asking, its on the "Thank you for ordering" page, you can't miss it.
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Josh: Are you able to see it?
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You: No, I can't see it. How many digits? I see several numbers.
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Josh: Thanks for asking!
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You: That doesn't help me...I need my order number :(
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Josh: It should contain one letter as well as 8 digits.
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You: Oh, that's it!
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Josh: Are you able to see it?
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You: Yes, I see it :)
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Josh: Awesome, your order is complete, how else can I assist you?
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You: Do you need to know my number?
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Josh: Not at all, I would keep that for personal reference.
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Josh: Anything else?
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You: ..You just said to let me know your web order number when I was finished.
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Josh: My mistake, its not needed.
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You: ...Josh, I don't think I can give you that tip after this little mixup.
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Josh: Not a problem.
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Josh: Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
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You: What, were you trying to get my web order number so you could steal my mac from me? Is that it?
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Josh: No, I do not have access to your order.
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You: You just asked for my order number.
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You: You were going to call your boss and pretend to be me, saying, "I made a transaction of web order number B-0105-8623, and it never was delivered. Could you send it to me please?"
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You: And then you'd get my MacBook Pro!
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You: You sly dog, you.
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Josh: I was asking for your order number to make sure everything went through on our part.
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You: Yeah, that's what I'd say if I was in your shoes and just got caught red-handed, too.
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Josh: How else can I assist you?
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You: Yeah, you can put your manager on the computer. I'd like to have a word about the honesty of his employees!
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Josh: Not a problem, one moment.
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You: Or hers. Sorry, if he/she is a female.
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Josh: I will transfer you now...
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Please give me a moment while I connect you to Amber.
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Amber: Hello. My name is Amber and I am a manger with Apple.
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You: Is that you Josh? I know it's you. I'm not that easily fooled.
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Amber: I am going over the chat currently and see that you placed an order and requested to speak to a manager. How may I assist you this evening?
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You: Well, there was one question I had that Josh wasn't too helpful about...
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Amber: I understand.
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You: I have a friend who has a software pirating disorder. I'm very against pirating and I was asking Josh if MacBooks come with some kind of security against pirating.
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You: He seemed unable to give me a definite answer on that.
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Amber: As Josh stated you are able to password protect your Mac so only you are able to access it. Then your friend will not be able to log on and illegally access your software.
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You: My friend is very skilled in the use of BruteForce programs. He even writes his own. Password protections hold no avail.
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Amber: I understand. Our machines are very secure. You should be able to set up the machine so he will not be able to access it without your permission.
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Amber: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
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You: I'm also concerned about Josh's honesty...
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Amber: Okay.
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Amber: I can assure you he is not planning to "steal" you new machine. Are there any other concerns you may have today?
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You: Yes. Can you give me Steve Jobs' e-mail address?
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Amber: Unfortunately, we do not have access to his email address. I am happy to provide you with a link where you can send feedback if you like.
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You: Does Steve Jobs read it?
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Amber: Generally, feedback is forwarded up to the correct people and departments.
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Amber: Here is the link...
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You: Come on, I know it's you Josh. Give me to your manager!
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Amber: Contacting Apple
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You: That link was detected as a phishing source!
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You: Oh my God! Are you trying to acquire my credit card information? I'd like to speak with your manager, Amber.
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Amber: Here is the url for the page as well.
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Amber: www.apple.com/contact/
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Amber: Is there anything else I can assist you with?
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You: It's still asking for my credit card information. Who is above you, Amber?
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You: Aside from the Heavenly Father, I mean
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Amber: I have tested the link and it leads directly to the Contacting Apple site. As you do not have any product or order questions, I will be terminating the chat.
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Amber: Thank you for visiting the Apple Store. We appreciate your business.
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You: No, no, but I was thinking about ordering the most expensive macbook pro!
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Thank you for contacting the Apple Store. If you require further assistance, please call 1-800-MY-APPLE.

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Where Are The Activists?

Where Are The Activists?

An interesting conversation with an Apple representative...