Comments on: The growing email overload: more like killer algae or kudzu? http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:48:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Jim Graham http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-713 Jim Graham Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:38:25 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-713 Killer bunnies. Monty Python notwithstanding, the closest a President came to dying in the 1970s was Jimmy Carter at the flashing, deadly teeth of... A KILLER BUNNY http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter_rabbit_incident Squeaky Fromme holds no candle to the untiring ferocity of the bunny. Bunnies are Skeery! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxjggckztOY Killer bunnies. Monty Python notwithstanding, the closest a President came to dying in the 1970s was Jimmy Carter at the flashing, deadly teeth of…
A KILLER BUNNY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter_rabbit_incident
Squeaky Fromme holds no candle to the untiring ferocity of the bunny. Bunnies are Skeery!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxjggckztOY

]]> By: Rockhopper http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-714 Rockhopper Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:48:36 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-714 I love both metaphors - and I believe either one makes the point. Killer Algae is "fresher" so that might work where others might assume they already understand Kudzu. Whichever you choose...the law of unintended consequences is also an important concept to include. After all, e-mail was *intended* to be a productivity enhancer which may be the all-time greatest time waster. We ALL spend time pruning our Inbox, sorting through the noise to find the signal, etc. Rock on! I love both metaphors – and I believe either one makes the point. Killer Algae is “fresher” so that might work where others might assume they already understand Kudzu.

Whichever you choose…the law of unintended consequences is also an important concept to include. After all, e-mail was *intended* to be a productivity enhancer which may be the all-time greatest time waster. We ALL spend time pruning our Inbox, sorting through the noise to find the signal, etc.

Rock on!

]]> By: Gina http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-715 Gina Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:09:07 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-715 "Killer Algae" yes! Campy and we all know what it is. Although it does have it's beneficial side , Algae that is -I really know nothing of the killer species. Here in Hawaii we GROW algae for human consumption you know the spirulina type. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_(dietary_supplement) Health food you know...yes yes this is it Pam...the good healthy helpful (email/algae)gone killer -great si fi feel don't you think. Ok "nuff sed" Aloha~ “Killer Algae” yes! Campy and we all know what it is. Although it does have it’s beneficial side , Algae that is -I really know nothing of the killer species. Here in Hawaii we GROW algae for human consumption you know the spirulina type. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_(dietary_supplement) Health food you know…yes yes this is it Pam…the good healthy helpful (email/algae)gone killer -great si fi feel don’t you think.
Ok “nuff sed”
Aloha~

]]> By: Andy Pels http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-716 Andy Pels Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:45:36 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-716 Wow. Some great thoughts. You really should explore fully - like Peter's wondering about natural predators for email. I tend to agree that the killer algae (I guess it should be alga, right?) makes a clearer simpler connection. Plus, everybody can picture algae without visual aid. But I can't ignore your bunny-related threat and am thus compelled to point out that leporiphobia is a relatively common, debilitating fear of rabbits. And haven't you seen Donnie Darko? One cute bunny is when you have your first yahoo (or, God forbid, aol) email account that you used to email the 2 other people whose email addresses you have. Then (cue music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18TLHhhHZCA ) the bunnies all "work so well together" that things get a bit out of control... No - really I vote alga - but the bunny thing could work with a humorous twist. Wow. Some great thoughts. You really should explore fully – like Peter’s wondering about natural predators for email.

I tend to agree that the killer algae (I guess it should be alga, right?) makes a clearer simpler connection. Plus, everybody can picture algae without visual aid.

But I can’t ignore your bunny-related threat and am thus compelled to point out that leporiphobia is a relatively common, debilitating fear of rabbits. And haven’t you seen Donnie Darko? One cute bunny is when you have your first yahoo (or, God forbid, aol) email account that you used to email the 2 other people whose email addresses you have. Then (cue music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18TLHhhHZCA ) the bunnies all “work so well together” that things get a bit out of control…

No – really I vote alga – but the bunny thing could work with a humorous twist.

]]> By: Melissa http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-717 Melissa Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:01:43 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-717 Definitely killer algae. Kudzu is too regional. We are talking about a small portion of your book, right? Don't think you will have a problem with negative association with the original book, even if it is found to be a little over dramatic. Like the campy-ness! Definitely killer algae. Kudzu is too regional. We are talking about a small portion of your book, right? Don’t think you will have a problem with negative association with the original book, even if it is found to be a little over dramatic. Like the campy-ness!

]]> By: reinkefj http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-718 reinkefj Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:16:11 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-718 I'll vote for the bunnies. But they are not email. They are the email accounts. Acquired for whatever reason good at the time, they've grown and morphed into this never ending supply of care and feeding chores. Occasionally birthing new email accounts. Argh! Cute and cuddly, it's impossible to bring yourself to kill them. After all somewhere in the world they might lead to a key connection from some one who has your winning lottery ticket and only that one old email address tofind you. Double argh! I’ll vote for the bunnies. But they are not email. They are the email accounts.

Acquired for whatever reason good at the time, they’ve grown and morphed into this never ending supply of care and feeding chores. Occasionally birthing new email accounts. Argh!

Cute and cuddly, it’s impossible to bring yourself to kill them.

After all somewhere in the world they might lead to a key connection from some one who has your winning lottery ticket and only that one old email address tofind you. Double argh!

]]> By: gwen http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-719 gwen Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:32:57 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-719 Dear Pam! Why seeking a methapor in the nature? I would referr to an enormous overload of e-mails as being noise - someone tries to talk to you, but they are so many that you cannot hear the one you want to listen to, or cannot decide which one to listen to. So I would rather go for a methapor like an ever growing louder pub, disco or cocktail party. Dear Pam!
Why seeking a methapor in the nature? I would referr to an enormous overload of e-mails as being noise – someone tries to talk to you, but they are so many that you cannot hear the one you want to listen to, or cannot decide which one to listen to. So I would rather go for a methapor like an ever growing louder pub, disco or cocktail party.

]]> By: Kathrina http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-720 Kathrina Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:40:49 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-720 Hey Pam - I agree 'Killer Algae' is much more catchy, and definitely more recognizable! Miss you! =0) Hey Pam -

I agree ‘Killer Algae’ is much more catchy, and definitely more recognizable!

Miss you! =0)

]]> By: Carlos Hernandez http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-721 Carlos Hernandez Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:27:43 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-721 Mon Amie, How about "Ants on Candy Cane"! I am visualizing a never ending trail of ant platoons on the kitchen counter because little Suzie left her candy cane unwrapped! Will miss you at Blog World. Su Amigo, Carlos Mon Amie,

How about “Ants on Candy Cane”!

I am visualizing a never ending trail of ant platoons on the kitchen counter because little Suzie left her candy cane unwrapped!

Will miss you at Blog World.

Su Amigo,
Carlos

]]> By: Peter http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2008/09/10/the-growing-email-overload-more-like-killer-algae-or-kudzu/comment-page-1/#comment-722 Peter Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:45:05 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=48#comment-722 I would advise caution with the "Killer Algae" metaphor. I don't have definitive knowledge, but a bare minimum of research suggests that there are some who consider the _Killer Algae_ book a massive exaggeration. E.g. http://www.masla.com/reef/caulerpa.html In any case, I prefer the kudzu vine because *in it's proper place*, kudzu is a wonderful plant with many uses. For instance, it first spread across the US when farmers planted it as a soil improver. When the Internet was the domain of computer nerds and academics, e-mail was a wonderful, useful system. It only became a major nuisance when it was used for business and commerce. Here's a thought: what were the "natural predators" that once to kept e-mail in check? Was it academics' reluctance to waste one another's time with stupid crap? I would advise caution with the “Killer Algae” metaphor. I don’t have definitive knowledge, but a bare minimum of research suggests that there are some who consider the _Killer Algae_ book a massive exaggeration. E.g. http://www.masla.com/reef/caulerpa.html

In any case, I prefer the kudzu vine because *in it’s proper place*, kudzu is a wonderful plant with many uses. For instance, it first spread across the US when farmers planted it as a soil improver.

When the Internet was the domain of computer nerds and academics, e-mail was a wonderful, useful system. It only became a major nuisance when it was used for business and commerce.

Here’s a thought: what were the “natural predators” that once to kept e-mail in check? Was it academics’ reluctance to waste one another’s time with stupid crap?

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