Computers that feel pleasure

Apparently, the United States Postal Service has made a remarkable breakthrough in artificial intelligence. This evening, I bought stamps from an USPS Automated Postal Center (APC) kiosk. As I was leaving after completing my purchase, the kiosk bid me farewell with the following message: “It was my pleasure to serve you.” Remarkable!

“The No Asshole Rule”

I recently won a contest at www.trenchmice.com, and one of the prizes I received was the recently released book by Robert I. Sutton, Ph.D., The No Asshole Rule — Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One that Isn’t. It’s a fabulous book, and one I heartily recommend.

American Airlines bites

July 6, 2007 Customer Relations American Airlines Post Office Box 619612 MD 2400 DFW Airport, TX 75261-9612 To whom it may concern: I am writing to complain about the unsatisfactory experience my family had on recent American Airlines flights.

Lost baggage, take 2

July 6, 2007 Continental Airlines, Inc. Post Office Box 4607-NHCCR Houston, TX 77210-4607 To whom it may concern: I am writing about your handling of my delayed baggage on a recent Continental flight.

Lost baggage, take 1

July 5, 2007 Customer Relations USA British Airways Post Office Box 690098 East Elmhurst, NY 11369-0098 To whom it may concern: My wife and I are incensed over the loss of our baggage on a recent British Airways flight. Actually, “loss” is a misnomer, because BA knew where our baggage was at every moment and… Read More: Lost baggage, take 1 »