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I disagree entirely. "make them feel loved." Having some stranger cold call me and read a script at me isn't going to make me feel loved. It's going to make m

by points 16y ago

I disagree entirely. "make them feel loved." Having some stranger cold call me and read a script at me isn't going to make me feel loved. It's going to make me pissed off and hang up the phone. But OTOH I'm British - we don't go for the smarmy at all. Sure, there's a market for this, just like there's a large market for horoscopes. But at the end of the day, it, just like horoscopes, is preying on the stupid.

jacquesm 16y ago
It's not cold calling, that's something completely different. Also I don't think you're the 'target audience', (and neither am I) but I think that for some people this might be better than nothing at all. Btw, I think you're awesome, I've been reading your stuff here on HN and it strikes me as very insightful and your positive attitude is a shining example to the rest of us here. So, how did that make you feel ;) ?
- notahacker 16y ago
  probably better knowing he didn't pay for the compliment :)
  - jacquesm 16y ago
    How do you know somebody didn't pay me to do that?
    - notahacker 16y ago
      I'm not quite cynical enough to believe every compliment offered has a financial motivation. But if I started receiving calls from random strangers telling me I'm awesome I'd probably be inclined to doubt the callers were motivated by sincere belief in my awesomeness. Actually I'd probably be saddened to think the only compliments I was getting were from people paid to do it, or concerned that someone, somewhere, was probably secretly laughing at me. Zack, if you fancy pivoting I'd be more likely to pay to listen to the funniest responses you get :-p
- points 16y ago
  It made me feel like you're being sarcastic :P
jeromec 16y ago
But at the end of the day, it, just like horoscopes, is preying on the stupid. Okay, I take issue with that. It actually pisses me off. Unlike horoscopes you are not led to think you'll receive something which is not actually delivered. This is a legitimate product which delivers fully on what is sold. Enjoying a positive, potentially humorous daily event does not make people like "Holly" or "Logan" from the sample phone calls "stupid". In fact, I myself have considered signing up for it. I just haven't went through with it. Not many would think I'm stupid. I actually had an idea somewhat similar to this. It was to send a randomly timed, positive email out to a list of participants. The email wasn't to say the participant was awesome; it was just to say something positive, as opposed to being work related email, or spam messages sitting in their inbox, just something to brighten their day. I never figured out what content to put in the email, but I now bequeath that idea to AwesomenessReminders to add to their service as they see fit, because their version and implementation of positive messages is really good (and obviously selling). True entrepreneurs know the value of motivation and encouragement. Success usually doesn't come overnight, and because entrepreneurship is a road less traveled it can be an emotionally lonely one, even with loving friends and family, because they don't really appreciate, or understand what you're trying to do. This is why tricks like posting up motivational quotes, or pictures of nice things to buy often help entrepreneurs keep slugging away. It can be tough to manufacture the consistent optimism and positive energy needed to continue down a road of setbacks, disappointments, and obstacles which can drag on for months and years. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but only converted or transferred. If you believe this fundamental law of science then you might possibly see the value of receiving a positive, energetic message, in a world where positivity in general is quite scarce (just turn on the news). There is nothing stupid about this; in fact, it makes perfect sense. Besides, it's lighthearted and fun.
- zackattack 16y ago
  [9/10/10 11:49:36 AM] Zachary Burt: =) [9/10/10 11:49:44 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: hola mi amigo [9/10/10 11:50:24 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: customer 463...AHHHHmazing..what a story [9/10/10 11:50:49 AM] Zachary Burt: oh yeah? [9/10/10 11:51:30 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: when i called yesterday she was at the hospital visiting her neice who has leukemia. she promptly handed the phone over and i was able to tell this kid that she is amazing [9/10/10 11:51:39 AM] Zachary Burt: oh my god [9/10/10 11:51:42 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: and awesome [9/10/10 11:51:47 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: and a fighter [9/10/10 11:51:56 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: i cried all freakin' night....

by points 16y ago

jacquesm 16y ago

It's not cold calling, that's something completely different. Also I don't think you're the 'target audience', (and neither am I) but I think that for some people this might be better than nothing at all. Btw, I think you're awesome, I've been reading your stuff here on HN and it strikes me as very insightful and your positive attitude is a shining example to the rest of us here. So, how did that make you feel ;) ?

notahacker 16y ago
probably better knowing he didn't pay for the compliment :)
- jacquesm 16y ago
  How do you know somebody didn't pay me to do that?
  - notahacker 16y ago
    I'm not quite cynical enough to believe every compliment offered has a financial motivation. But if I started receiving calls from random strangers telling me I'm awesome I'd probably be inclined to doubt the callers were motivated by sincere belief in my awesomeness. Actually I'd probably be saddened to think the only compliments I was getting were from people paid to do it, or concerned that someone, somewhere, was probably secretly laughing at me. Zack, if you fancy pivoting I'd be more likely to pay to listen to the funniest responses you get :-p
points 16y ago
It made me feel like you're being sarcastic :P

jeromec 16y ago

But at the end of the day, it, just like horoscopes, is preying on the stupid. Okay, I take issue with that. It actually pisses me off. Unlike horoscopes you are not led to think you'll receive something which is not actually delivered. This is a legitimate product which delivers fully on what is sold. Enjoying a positive, potentially humorous daily event does not make people like "Holly" or "Logan" from the sample phone calls "stupid". In fact, I myself have considered signing up for it. I just haven't went through with it. Not many would think I'm stupid. I actually had an idea somewhat similar to this. It was to send a randomly timed, positive email out to a list of participants. The email wasn't to say the participant was awesome; it was just to say something positive, as opposed to being work related email, or spam messages sitting in their inbox, just something to brighten their day. I never figured out what content to put in the email, but I now bequeath that idea to AwesomenessReminders to add to their service as they see fit, because their version and implementation of positive messages is really good (and obviously selling). True entrepreneurs know the value of motivation and encouragement. Success usually doesn't come overnight, and because entrepreneurship is a road less traveled it can be an emotionally lonely one, even with loving friends and family, because they don't really appreciate, or understand what you're trying to do. This is why tricks like posting up motivational quotes, or pictures of nice things to buy often help entrepreneurs keep slugging away. It can be tough to manufacture the consistent optimism and positive energy needed to continue down a road of setbacks, disappointments, and obstacles which can drag on for months and years. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but only converted or transferred. If you believe this fundamental law of science then you might possibly see the value of receiving a positive, energetic message, in a world where positivity in general is quite scarce (just turn on the news). There is nothing stupid about this; in fact, it makes perfect sense. Besides, it's lighthearted and fun.

zackattack 16y ago
[9/10/10 11:49:36 AM] Zachary Burt: =) [9/10/10 11:49:44 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: hola mi amigo [9/10/10 11:50:24 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: customer 463...AHHHHmazing..what a story [9/10/10 11:50:49 AM] Zachary Burt: oh yeah? [9/10/10 11:51:30 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: when i called yesterday she was at the hospital visiting her neice who has leukemia. she promptly handed the phone over and i was able to tell this kid that she is amazing [9/10/10 11:51:39 AM] Zachary Burt: oh my god [9/10/10 11:51:42 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: and awesome [9/10/10 11:51:47 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: and a fighter [9/10/10 11:51:56 AM] Awesomeness Reminders: i cried all freakin' night....