Our computers are omniscient

[vikingchyk]

Sc "no, I haven't told anyone there my new address, that's what you have computers for"

Just when you think people cannot surprise you anymore...

[Racket_Man]

That is almost as bad as something that a kid said to me way back when.

30 or so years ago (PRE_PRE_PRE-internet and way before widely available interconnected and publicly accessible networks) I attended a 3 campus community college. During that time I worked in the computer lab tending the college's HP-3000 machine and the various terminals (CRTs to teletype typewriters) that connected to it.

The lab had a tour of grade school kids come through one day. One kids was fascinated that one could be in another room and communicate with the "big" machine in the other room. HE then asked if we could access the City's Police and criminal files.

Sorry but no we could not I told him.

[thehuckster]

I pray for the poor souls who work for his credit card companies and banks who are trying to collect his payment for his overdue bills that are sent to some black hole.

[Hitokiri Akins]

I tell people that computers only do what a human tells them to do, so if a human hasn't told a computer to change your information, then it won't be changed. Best way to explain to the elderly who don't understand how computers work.

[BlackCat]

I seem to remember Australia Post did offer (years ago) a service where they notified all the utility companies and government departments of a change of address as part of the mail redirection (it did cost extra). This is possibly where the idea of omniscient computers came from, but even then it wouldn't have covered anything like the OPs store.

Even if the computers were able to access some central data store for the customers address, I'm sure he would have been complaining about invasion of privacy etc...

[Grendus]

Honestly, sounds like he's depressed over his late wife. He wasn't angry that you didn't automagically update his contact info, he was angry that the account reminded him of his loss. I don't think he was even expecting you to know the changes, he had just put all of the changes since her passing out of his mind and having to go over it again reopened the wounds, so he lashed out in the only way he could think to.

His actions were irrational, but I think he deserves pity, not ridicule or anger.

[Gilhelmi]

That is almost as bad as something that a kid said to me way back when.

30 or so years ago (PRE_PRE_PRE-internet and way before widely available interconnected and publicly accessible networks) I attended a 3 campus community college. During that time I worked in the computer lab tending the college's HP-3000 machine and the various terminals (CRTs to teletype typewriters) that connected to it.

The lab had a tour of grade school kids come through one day. One kids was fascinated that one could be in another room and communicate with the "big" machine in the other room. HE then asked if we could access the City's Police and criminal files.

Sorry but no we could not I told him.

It never ceases to amaze me that the science fiction of 30 years ago is the reality today. I enjoy conversations with my father about how transistors and the like were just theories when he was an electrician in the US Navy (late 1950s)

[otakuneko]

I tell people that computers only do what a human tells them to do, so if a human hasn't told a computer to change your information, then it won't be changed. Best way to explain to the elderly who don't understand how computers work.

The trouble with computers is they're very sophisticated idiots.

[dalesys]

The trouble with computers is they're very sophisticated idiots.

Dealing with extremely unsophisticated idiots...