Another data point for the conversation: Last week I parked in the Metropolis-serviced lot across from St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit. I did not have to download an app, and there was no attendant, only signs with QR codes at each space that redirected to the metropolis.io website.
I still had to sign up for an an account and provide license plate, phone number, and payment info as part of the mobile site's registration, so I'm sure my data has already been sold, but the cancellation and data deletion process is onerous and took me the better part of an hour after reading this article.
To There are at least three email exchanges: first to begin the cancellation process, then to provide the phone number and a vehicle license plate on the account for ID verification, then to reply CANCEL to another follow-up email confirming cancellation. Onerous. Annoying.
The only reason I fell for the trap is because parking at that lot was $7 and the nearby ones attended by a human were $15-20.
... While production runs away from Hollywood at breakneck pace as studios take advantage of generous tax rebates from foreign governments to the tune of 60% of labor costs. If the subject did come up at all, I'm sure he was asked to make sure no loose talk of WTO-signatory "countervailing duties" ever gets beyond the angry-blogger stage.
The whole "flack" vs "flak" thing. "Flak" is what someone takes. "Flack" is what someone is. Flacks take flak, especially if they are the mouthpieces for a government agency.
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Another data point for the conversation: Last week I parked in the Metropolis-serviced lot across from St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit. I did not have to download an app, and there was no attendant, only signs with QR codes at each space that redirected to the metropolis.io website.
I still had to sign up for an an account and provide license plate, phone number, and payment info as part of the mobile site's registration, so I'm sure my data has already been sold, but the cancellation and data deletion process is onerous and took me the better part of an hour after reading this article.
To There are at least three email exchanges: first to begin the cancellation process, then to provide the phone number and a vehicle license plate on the account for ID verification, then to reply CANCEL to another follow-up email confirming cancellation. Onerous. Annoying.
The only reason I fell for the trap is because parking at that lot was $7 and the nearby ones attended by a human were $15-20.
It's official
We are living in a Paolo Bacigalupi novel. "The Windup Girl," specifically.
Obama speaks to Hollywood...
... While production runs away from Hollywood at breakneck pace as studios take advantage of generous tax rebates from foreign governments to the tune of 60% of labor costs. If the subject did come up at all, I'm sure he was asked to make sure no loose talk of WTO-signatory "countervailing duties" ever gets beyond the angry-blogger stage.
Pet Peeve
The whole "flack" vs "flak" thing. "Flak" is what someone takes. "Flack" is what someone is. Flacks take flak, especially if they are the mouthpieces for a government agency.