I've had it. I get more than 300 emails a day and my problem isn't spam (Cloudmark Desktop solves that nicely), it's PR people. Lazy flacks send press releases to the Editor in Chief of Wired because they can't be bothered to find out who on my staff, if anyone, might actually be interested in what they're pitching. Fact: I am an actual person, not a team assigned to read press releases and distribute them to the right editors and writers (that's editor@wired.com).
So fair warning: I only want two kinds of email: those from people I know, and those from people who have taken the time to find out what I'm interested in and composed a note meant to appeal to that (I love those emails; indeed, that's why my email address is public).
Everything else gets banned on first abuse. The following is just the last month's list of people and companies who have been added to my Outlook blocked list. All of them have sent me something inappropriate at some point in the past 30 days. Many of them sent press releases; others just added me to a distribution list without asking. If their address gets harvested by spammers by being published here, so be it--turnabout is fair play.
There is no getting off this list. If you're on it and have something appropriate to say to me, use a different email address.
aaron@sunshinesachs.com
acoffaro@fortythreepr.com
actionengine@techmarket.com
admin@cartipostale.ro
adrian.richardson@ar-edelman.com
agarson@taylorpr.com
aheng@moca-nyc.org
alerts@alerts.shephard.co.uk
alessandra@livingdivani.it
alex@highwatergroup.com
alexanne.brown@edelman.com
amaury.laporte@diplomatie.gouv.fr
announcements@dmi.org
apartmenttherapy@app.topica.com
as@thehalogroup.net
athierer@pff.org
awaitkunas@gmail.com
bbrignac@tunheim.com
becky@mediafirst.net
blogworldexpo@gmail.com
bobkatz@easidemographics.com
bounces@darklight.ie
bozenawilkspr@aol.com
broesler@5wpr.com
brranko@gmail.com
bruce@newnetworks.com
bulletin@safe-democracy.org
burrill_life_sciences_media_group@vnh10.net
business_travel_news@vnh10.net
callcenter_events@tig.cmptechnetwork.com
carol.tong@bitepr.com
ccashin@laforce-stevens.com
cemerson@webershandwick.com
cheryl.taylor@chorion.co.uk
chilife@topica.email-publisher.com
chilife1@topica.email-publisher.com
chris@iwebtrack.com
chris@onnetusa.com
chriskeswani@onnetusa.com
chuck@broadwick.com
clay.agee@intermarkgroup.com
clickabilitycentral@nl.clickability.com
cmarch@shiftcomm.com
cmoreno@5wpr.com
cmsprmv@yahoo.com
connect@mailer.idgconnect.com
contact@freenyc.net
contact@mecfilms.com
contact@thejsf.org
cw@email.computerweekly.com
cynthia@emediadynamics.com
dan@onewordphotography.com
danielaschrier@rationalpr.com
danielle@popculturepr.com
dasrate@5wpr.com
davenetz@wallstcom.com
david.cross@ableton.com
david@banktrack.org
dbakker@kirvindoak.com
dberry@5wpr.com
dealmakermedia@response.whatcounts.com
dehartdottie@aol.com
dhenderson@peterlangone.ccsend.com
dice_newsmail-bounces@virtual-hideout.net
dkadakia@inventures.com
dkogan@rsowens.com
domondond@thirteen.org
drumbeat@comminit.com
ecomxpo@theonlinexpo.com
edison.lee@ogilvypr.com
editor@more.punchstock.com
eflyer@choicecutsonline.com
ekannett@sspr.com
email@dealmakermedia.com
emails@agencyaccess.com
engnews-bounces@rfanews.org
enotes@amnh.org
equalitynews@feitventures.com
erik@erikalmasphotography.com
evan@themarketingdivision.net
events@freenyc.net
events@mail.homeplug.org
events@sensesf.com
facilitator@americaspeaks.org
feedback@t-shirtsearchengine.com
financo@financo.com
fllamas@webershandwick.com
fttf@mww.com
gina.ghensi@analysys.com
guestlist@lushonline.com
hcohm@lgphilips-lcd.com
heather.mumm@fleishman.com
henk@isomedia.com
india-now@ibef.org
info.freespeech@gmail.com
info@artexpo.nu
info@asetek.com
info@cceia.org
info@csi-annual-event.p0.com
info@designboost.se
info@goodforparty.com
info@involver.com
info@policyinnovations.org
info@sustainabletable.org
info@tagonline.org
info@wordaffairs.com
internet@rsf.org
invest-now@ibef.org
is@news.imagesource.com
jamie.adams@ciscopress.com
jasperwireless@techmarket.com
jbrown@stantoncrenshaw.com
jdorfman@vivavi.com
jelena@crosbyvolmer.com
jennifer@credibilitybranding.com
jessica.tuquero@dc-intl.com
jgadley@gmi-mr.com
jill@market2world.com
jm@pmgintl.com
jmclaughlin@sspr.com
jmedrano@execforum.net
jmke.madshrimps@gmail.com
jmke@madshrimps.be
jneu@webershandwick.com
jodie@mpogd.com
john@larkinvolpatt.com
johnswren@aol.com
jonas.thornholm@xcerion.com
jorgen.nordin@end2endmobile.com
jroberts@hwhpr.com
jscoggins@doc.gov
julie@liaisonpr.com
julie@softscribeinc.com
justsystems@techmarket.com
kamika@sutherlandgold.com
katie@contosdunne.com
katie@fortythreepr.com
kcabrera@carabinerpr.com
kell@taylorcurtismedia.com
kelsi@investorscircle.net
kevin.johnson@techimage.com
kevind@text100.com
kfoley@coynepr.com
kim@scottandscottllp.com
klipsch@vnewscenter.com
klister@pr-vantage.com
krisj@geminiinc.com
krista@montageagency.com
kristen@hensonconsulting.com
kristien@prioritypr.net
kristin.coleman@morris-king.com
kszarkowitz@mporia.com
kthomas@thomas-pr.com
kwarman@b2zentertainment.com
kzox@nycap.rr.com
laurelkao@comcast.net
lauren@perkettpr.com
lauren@piercemattie.com
laurie@highwatergroup.com
lcapurro@jmprpublicrelations.com
leighnofi@sironline.com
levi@meiff.com
liaisonpr@liaisonpr.com
license@hypetraxx.com
lighthouse-list@independent.org
list@freepress.net
listmaster@soex.org
lkornblatt@sspr.com
llomasky@webershandwick.com
locone-bounces@dna-nyc.info
louis@future-works.com
lpalmer@comminit.com
lsambells@pressoffice.targetwire.com
maeilnews@mk.co.kr
mail@atoa.ws
mail@billiondollarbabes.com
mail@lensmodern.com
mail@pff.org
mailers@marketingmatters.net
mailman-bounces@box153.bluehost.com
mantos@sspr.com
marc@mail2.zogby.com
marge_casey__associates_rqbsrgb@cmpgnr.com
mark@choicecutsonline.com
marlenecheetahlearning@rogers.com
marquiswhoswho@email.marquiswhoswho.com
matt.otepka@104west.com
mchase@calysto.com
mclean@rodmclean.com
mcraig@ringling.edu
mdepoint@tunheim.com
mediacenter7@rothmedia.org
mediarelationsbounce@amnh.org
megang@mbooth.com
meghan@artfinancepartners.com
melissa.robbins@mtvnmix.com
melissa@pepcom.com
menziesbob@lages.com
mertine@melmpr.ccsend.com
messa@americanarab.com
michaeli@hwhpr.com
mika@platformlondon.org
mktinfo@pmai.org
mkusa@marketing.agefotostock.com
mlevine@lcoonline.com
morgan@allisonpr.com
morgan@gregoryfca.com
msg@msgnyc.com
mwalker@mww.com
news@metku.net
news@platformfestival.com
news@uiuc.edu
news@velocityreviews.com
news@vmagazine.com
news1@eprairie.com
news2@eprairie.com
newsbot@tweaktown.com
newsletter#27963.169@pink.nimbussoftware.com
newsletter@fineartamerica.com
newsletter@glass-inspiration.com
newsletter@worldsecuritynetwork.net
newsletters@chicblvd.com
newsletters@webshots.online.com
newwest@newwest.net
nfabris@corp.abiresearch.com
niewalda@kurzfilmtage.de
nikki@chicblvd.com
noe@future-works.com
no-reply@wetpaintmail.com
offers@mercurynews.com
ollie@commontime.ccsend.com
online_resources@cxolyris.cxomedia.com
paarmstrong@myspace.com
palm_software_newsletters@news.palmnewsletters.com
pam@techmarket.com
pandreu@5wpr.com
pattyb@gruman-nicoll.com
paula@kohnkecomm.com
pedro2nd@hotmail.com
petertulba@spe.sony.com
phil@contosdunne.com
photomonday@peterhollander.com
pih@bankinvest.dk
pine&gilmore@strategichorizons.com
pr@adremsoft.com
pr@elcomsoft.com
pr@mayocommunications.com
pr@welcomm.com
pr@xcerion.com
press@creditcovers.com
press@diacenter.org
press@freepress.net
press@lebook.com
press-bounces@taxjustice-usa.org
proctor@anet.net
promo@email.batteries.com
publications@houlihan-lokey.com
publicity@justrockpr.us
q@varnishfineart.com
qualcomm@qualcomm.com
rachel@inspire-communications.com
raghu.madabushi@opco.com
renata.guazzi@r-w.it
reply@reply.marketingsherpa.com
reply-34374@uptilt.com
resposito@5wpr.com
rexmore@themarketingdivision.net
rferguson@stantoncrenshaw.com
rferguson@thinkequity.com
rhart@nine-patch.com
rich@contosdunne.com
rick@montageagency.com
rippmedia@aol.com
robert.reeve@videojug.com
robertj@gymr.com
roger.howie@zaha-hadid.com
rpopko@webershandwick.com
rscanlan@gmail.com
rstephenson@cleanair-coolplanet.org
rsvp@believingisseeing.tv
rsvp@sonnenschein.com
s.goodrich@niveusmedia.com
salesinfo@diskeeper.com
sarah@caromarketing.com
scfowler@20m.ccsend.com
scleland@precursor.com
scoggin@waggeneredstrom.com
scover@crownpr.net
send78-proxymedia@caedefensefund.org
service@outpost.com
sfedulow@gcigroup.com
shannons@ferencomm.com
shipserv_newsflash@mail.vresp.com
stannenberger@mprm.com
stephanietrussell@gmail.com
steve@madeit.com
support@projectcamelot.org
swood@inxpo.com
syreeta@sparkpr.com
talentinfo@stocklandmartel.com
talia.andrews@fusionpr.com
ten@firstbornmultimedia.com
terrece.walker@mtvnmix.com
tesco.online@agboville.aviso.ci
tgould@shazaaam.com
thamer@delianet.com
thecallcenterschool@tallent.com
thesterlingreport@topica.email-publisher.com
thinking_out_loud@enews.1up.com
thomas.trenker@filmangelsclub.com
tim.billings@morris-king.com
tina@letoile-pr.de
tom.steiner@edelman.com
tomd@stylegroup.com
tribalddb_sydney@tribalddb.rsys1.com
trichardson@mrb-pr.com
tstadnicki@alphamediagroup.com
ttg-news@tweaktown.com
tvnewsday@tvnewsday.com
unitydeals@unityelectronics.com
update@activate.us
virtualworldsforum@dynamail.co.uk
vivek@rapleaf.us
wachovia.economics@wachovia.com
walmart@newsletters.walmart.com
wfeek@comminit.com
yj@onnetusa.com
yyamashita@lippetaylor.com
zingrec@zingmagazine.com
Publishing your email doesn't give people the right to flood your inbox. And that's not what we're talking about here. These are supposed professionals who are too lazy to do their job (research, target pitches, follow up). Cheers to Chris for holding them accountable for their actions.
Posted by: Pieter | January 15, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Very good point. Pr folks should be very aware and start building a mutal benefitting relationship with the editors.
Posted by: T Mosley | January 28, 2008 at 05:43 PM
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Posted by: mapSoN | February 12, 2008 at 03:19 AM
I love this blog! I would like someone to invent a " Rate address" button as an option to block so that I could rate addresses per email. Say a zero rating is spam and gets put on your block list, this rating also attatches to a searchable database of rated addresses. Everyone that is rated comes into your email as a color code, maybe red for zero rating (SPAM) and green for a healthy 5? It knida works for Ebay right? At last you'd know if the reputation of your emal address was getting tarnished... maybe an optional comment box for particular praise or admonishment?? *looks hopeful* *wanders off*
Posted by: Stephanie | March 10, 2008 at 02:52 AM
Why would you give in to free advertising for these guys. Not to mention, I didn't know that George Washington U even has a physics department.
Posted by: Malcolm Kass | March 24, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Acne Treatment Drug Cheap Drugs
Posted by: COMPIKNEWS | April 16, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Chris, I understand you about you're sicking an tired of your consider spam emails in your inbox. But, I think that there are many ways that you hadn't published all professional emails of people that do their work... but at the same time, I admite that it's a curious manner to try solve it ;-) I hope you publish the results
Posted by: FGrau | April 24, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Chris,
I have to confess to doing something even worse than you.
There was one company CEO (not PR) that put me on her news update list, and ignored repeated requests to take me off the list.
So I simply wrote a filter in Eudora that forwarded her a copy of every incoming piece of spam.
I never heard from her again.
Posted by: Timbo | May 08, 2008 at 06:31 AM
The slow death of the press release
Posted by: Melissa | May 08, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Wow. Hopefully by now this guy has been fired. Your job is to read releases and find good stories. By getting all those releases your job actually couldn't be any easier.
Cry us a river. And by placing those addresses on your site, you have done a far far worse action than someone who is trying to promote their own work by sending you a press release.
Wired should be ashamed.
Your magazine will be obsolete soon enough, you should respect the people who try to reach out to you.
Posted by: Flanders | May 09, 2008 at 06:49 AM
IT'S AMAZING THAT THE GUY WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE EDITOR OF WIRED MAGAZINE
DOES NOT REALIZE THAT WIRED MAGAZINE SPAMS ME AND EVERYONE ELSE WITH
THEIR 'GREAT SUBSCRIPTION RATES NOW' EMAILS TO GET US TO WANT TO
BE A WIRED MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBER, SO THAT BEING SAID:
'YOU ARE ALL JUST A BUNCH OF HARPER PTA HYPOCRITES!'
FIRE CHRIS
Posted by: Flanders | May 09, 2008 at 06:51 AM
I can't believe this shit bag is going to be the key note speaker at an event about digital platforms and the like. Maybe he'll post this list at the event or better yet, maybe he'll start spamming everyone who signed up to be at this event.
Funny I was going to go, but to see this schmuck as the key note speaker, detracts from the credibility of the whole event!
http://www.mediabistrocircus.com/index.php?c=mbadti
Posted by: Flanders | May 09, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Here's a release I would love to get.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Editor of Wired Magazine Chris Anderson
Lazy, Whiney, Unethical
Apparently Chris Anderson has time on his busy schedule to troll is email box for addresses he wants to expose, on his blog, while complaining about too many emails in in his email box.
Talk about a shameful, lazy abuse of power
Posted by: Writer at Tech Mag | May 09, 2008 at 07:22 AM
That's it. No more releases, now you have to get off your lazy bum, stop writing your blog, and do some actual research.
Best of luck!
Posted by: Chris | May 09, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Gee I wonder if Chris Anderson passed on this thread when trying to hire a publicist to promote his book!!
I feel sorry for that person.
Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.
Posted by: Publicist | May 09, 2008 at 09:46 AM
I ran across this today and have to say it's one of the best chains I've read in a while. I was also amazed to see some of the addresses listed. Two stood out in particular as I worked with the companies for a very short time.
My main reasons for leaving them both was due to the unscrupulous practices described in this blog. When it was demanded of me to 'shotgun' out inquiries to writers, I quit both companies. That's MY name that goes out with the information, let alone the client. I care about my reputation and am not going to have it damaged by those types of tactics.
However, there were a couple of responses here that stood out. When you try to handle your business professionally (pitching relevant topcs, being aware of news cycles, deadlines, etc.)and are still met with resentment or anger by journalists, it can make the job a little difficult. And unfortunately, we don't have the option of telling the arrogant, angry reporters to kiss off as we're not only representing ourselves but also our clients.
For every writer complaining about how tough it is to be pitched all day, I suggest you sit in our chair for a day. Let's see if you'd be able to 'smile and dial' every day and live in a world of constant rejection. Now that's just part of the gig and I'm not complaining but just know dear writers, that as much as you don't like hearing from the idiots among us, it's not a picnic for us to deal with the idiots among you.
I think Rodney King said it best. "Can't we all just get along?"
Posted by: Banjovial | May 12, 2008 at 03:48 PM
I used to work for a global PR firm as a junior-level AE and completely understand where you are coming from - everyone hates spam. Please understand, though, that most of the time you're probably getting these emails from junior level AEs or account coordinators who are just doing exactly what their supervisors asked them to do.
When you're new to the industry, you don't yet understand the importance of researching journalists so that you can tailor your pitches to fit their interests. That's partly because agencies don't take the time to adequately train junior-level staff and because you can only learn things like that from experience. I got an earful from a journalist who wasn't the proper contact for my pitch and that was after being on the job three weeks. I *did* research what he had covered the past two months - sports - but had no idea he never, ever covered golf tourneys - just everything else. I never pitched him again, even when I had news that was relavent to his beat.
There's a huge learning curve for young employees of big agencies, which is typically who sends you this information. Of course I know this isn't your problem - but you should understand that sometimes, it's just an honest mistake.
Posted by: former PR AE | May 20, 2008 at 02:37 PM
So Cris how can we send you a direct email as Chief Editor of Wired Magazine to promote an website is there any other possible way (besides editor@) or any staff in your team you would recommend for handle such thing?
Best
Flavio
Posted by: Flavio | June 05, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Up until a few years ago, I was a freelancer working in a very narrow speciality (show dogs).
I started to get an ever-increasing quantity of PR spam that was not and never would be of use to me - eco-friendly plastic packaging, bizarrely-themed theatrical productions, high-powered business media events and so on. Not to mention the spam trying to get me to sign up to PR release services so they can send me more spam.
All of this was (and still is) sent to my personal home email address, rather than to the contact addresses of the publications I worked for. Even now, on top of the constant stream of PR spam I get, I still find a new sender cropping up from time to time.
As I haven't written a word for money in some years due to illness but am still getting the spam, I offer you this warning: Leave the profession, get ill, retire, it doesn't matter - you're stuck with this stuff for the rest of your life. Possibly your heirs will still be dealing with it after you die.
Then they wonder why I'm generally rather short with PR folks when I'm forced into their company. They've been harassing me by email for years, and they probably always will. Now they're just an additional form of stress exacerbating my illness.
And for those who are interested: No, I have never yet received a piece of dog-related PR spam.
Posted by: Bloodaxe | June 22, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Interesting read. Found this string on a search for something different. As an MD of a pr agency we do of course train our staff to target exactly the right person every time. That of course would be easy if someone hadn't invented the voicemail. I can remember surveys where journalists greatest complaints were related to being called by the pr person saying 'did you get my press release'. How the hell is the journalists going to rememeber when they were gettign hundreds a week? And why should they care? So I agree that a more personalised approach is the right way to go. However 'outing' offenders is probably not the best way improve the overall quality of PR people or the reputation of journalists. Both are trying to do the best job they can. I'm sure that not one of the offenders meant any harm and would liked to have got it right. How about instead of blocking them sending back a ulr to a one page site that sets out what they did wrong and how they can do better in the future. I will write it if you like>
Best
John
Posted by: John Starr | July 02, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Other peoples / companies redistribution polocies are at fault here. My company (Nugent education) gets hammered with spam, but its often, a result of us carelessly registering our website and email in too many places years ago!
Posted by: Leighton Nugent | July 16, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Chris,
I came to your site after looking at some info as I was considering buying your book. This obnoxious, self-righteous behaviour has helped me decide against that purchase. You seem to have a problem with business, or perhaps the problem is with alternative forms of marketing that divert revenue from publishers advertising?
People used to complain about the amount of 'junk mail' posted through their doors. The unsubscribe process for that was considerably more work.
I am sorry to hear that hitting an unsubscribe button or e-mailing a request is such hard work for you. Deleting the messages is quite effective. Have you tried holding shift and pressing the down arrow to select several at a time? Perhaps you should check your 'spam' e-mails to see if any are offering Outlook training.
Dan Bannister, (Oct 07 post) well done for displaying the entrepeneurial spirit and keep up the good work on your marketing. If only more people were so driven to create and push their own businesses.
Posted by: Catherine Isbell | July 25, 2008 at 04:25 AM
hehehe, you are one pissed-off dude, Mr Editor.
You expect too much from folks in PR. :)
Posted by: Momekh | September 17, 2008 at 12:11 AM
I have to say that Chris is riding his delusional horse again. Read a great blog post about this topic here:
http://pressreleaseprblog.com/2008/09/16/will-the-last-person-to-leave-please-turn-out-the-lights/
Very balanced review - something Chris Anderson seems to be lacking. Love the National Enquirer comparison!
Posted by: Dan Edgar | September 17, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Add Joshua@msilver-pr.com to the list.
Posted by: Mike | September 18, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Are you serious?
What kind of professional are you? DUDE - your email is editor@wired.com, not JSMITH@wired.com. How do you expect to get professional emails? Everyone blasts info@, sales@, editor@, advertising@ with updates on what they are sending. They are known as general email addresses for broad information.
I hope the PR industry burns you. Get over yourself and realize you get emails from many people interested in somehow connecting with you. God I hope people waste hours of your day calling, writing, and emailing you.
You are one heck of a jerk!
Posted by: JeremyB | September 29, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Oh - misread... Ok so emails were sent to your personal email address. Ah, well that does little to change my opinion of you. The fact that you went out and published this list is really not professional and I don't respect it at all. Part of your job is going to have to come with these issues, and you just have to accept it. The immaturity of your response is what I find disheartening.
I agree that people who send corporate emails should know who they are talking to. The relevance is key - but to go and list all their email addresses on a blog... well not the right response in my book. What do I know I know though, I don't work for this "Wired" publication.
Posted by: JeremyB | September 29, 2008 at 01:35 PM
As a PR professional who has taken the time to research beats, tailor pitches and be polite only to hear the sound of silence...i can only sympathize with my fellow PR pros.
PR and journalism is a two way street. Without us, you guys would likely have to work that much harder.
Spam was here 8 years ago, and it will be here 8 years from now. Just CTRL click and Delete rather than striking back at us poor "flacks".
One things for sure: I'm never pitching or purchasing Wired magazine ever again.
Side note: with the death of print magazines imminent, you'd think journalists would strike a much more conciliatory tone to PR folks that are just out trying to make a living as well. Ah well, I guess when they're out of work and applying for a job at PR firms, then they'll reap their rewards.
Posted by: A dose of hypocrisy to go | September 29, 2008 at 06:34 PM
I read all the comments listed above.
Can U tell me about this list of Mail id?
You block this mail id's.
But this is not a solution of that type of problems.
Every person in PR line wants to add there links in others sites.
Manoj Thakur
Posted by: Manoj Thakur | November 04, 2008 at 02:54 AM
Wow! What a long list! Imagine the time spent deleting them one by one. I can understand the frustrations, I might actually do the same in my blog. Although they are really quite manageable at this point.
I came here through a link in WikiPedia because I was searching about The Long Tail.
I've read half of the comments (can't really read them all) and all I can say is, this is your blog. Readers may not always agree, but you sure can write what you want.
I'll go on reading on your later posts. More power!
Roy
Posted by: Roy | November 05, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Applause, Chris -- it's Chris, right? Putting telemarketers on a Do Not Call list is what we all do. Now, call a PR pro about a meaty story.
Posted by: Skaareworks | December 03, 2008 at 04:30 PM
So, I just visited the Wired home page and wanted to see if there are email addresses for the contributors, etc. No such luck. My question is then: How can you pitch someone are email them if there isn't any contact information available? [am I supposed to send an actual PAPER press release or call someone?]
Chris, I understand your problem, but don't you think that the problem with receiving spam would be minimized if your writers, editors, etc. were reachable?
Just a thought...
J. Miller
Posted by: Rob Miller | December 17, 2008 at 12:54 PM
wowwwww, that's a long list. I feel sorry for you to go through this much junk everyday.
cindy
www.Yocial.com
Posted by: cindy | December 17, 2008 at 01:38 PM
This same argument can be used to defend the corporate slash & burn tactic of buying out upstart competitors for the purpose of killing a competing product. It's highly effective. Does that make it right? We've lost a lot of good software (and other things) that way. It is ultimately bad for the world. But as long as it's good for one entity's bottom-line, that makes it ok. Eh?
Posted by: Brian Patrie | December 17, 2008 at 06:10 PM
@Millar- good point.
Posted by: Mark | December 18, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Kinda whiny.
Posted by: Schratboy | December 18, 2008 at 06:47 AM
Chris,
Thanks for showing that pushback is fair game. I have a saying "If you have the right to be an assh*$#. Then I have the right to call you on it." This didn't always go over well pre-web but today it empowers both parties. The offended/irked get to out the offenders/irkees and in turn the offenders/irkees can monitor was is being said about them and change their ways or not.
Posted by: Ian Alexander | December 18, 2008 at 06:52 AM
Best.Post.Ever.
Posted by: EVILmonkey | December 18, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Hello, Chris.
As I'm writing this, I'm imagining that this comment is going to a possibly repulsive mid-30s NERD. I also imagine that you're the kind of guy that was picked on and bullied in school. I've met a couple of writers like you who are on an ego trip and are seeking justice for old ghosts that still haunt you.
I really liked Wired. I even watch your pubs vodcast. But that's changed. You're self-righteous and it's unacceptable. Since when did the title editor start meaning god? Cause last time I checked it meant you're the one in charge of leading a pubs editorial content. In my role as a media buyer, I will never buy ad space from Wired.
Posted by: Anon | December 18, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Wow, I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier, but it reminds me of my email situation when I was editorial-page editor of the SF Examiner and editor of the SF Independent newspapers. I would never have published the email addresses as Chris did, but I certainly understand the annoyance produced by receiving hundreds of emails every day, most of them junk and a large portion of the remainder wrongly directed to me. The junk ranged from daily updates from a guy who wanted urgently to tell the world about the tentacled space aliens he said are wearing the skins of world leaders like so many people-shaped overcoats, to breathless press releases about the newest formulation of 12th most popular breakfast cereal in the United States, to hundreds of identical letters about John Kerry supposedly being a war criminal. Worse, though, were the ones that should have been sent to the sports editor or a movie reviewer or something like that, but were sent to me just because the PR flacks couldn't be bothered to use the right address. What a waste of everyone's time. I can tell PR people from personal experience and from talking with my colleagues that the surest way to get your press release ignored (and all future ones from you, too) is to send it to the wrong editor. Editors work on an absolutely mad schedule, have a huge number of sources competing for their attention and don't have time for nonsense.
I suspect that the people judging this post most harshly have never had to deal with anything like the crushing volume of bad email Chris gets. That said, I still wouldn't have published the list.
Posted by: Tom Prete | December 23, 2008 at 11:45 AM