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I think our mail systems are probably some of the most wasteful aspects of our society. At this point, I really can’t imagine the need for actual mail to come t

I think our mail systems are probably some of the most wasteful aspects of our society. At this point, I really can’t imagine the need for actual mail to come to my house. Fully 95% of the mail I get is adverts, 4.999% are bills (that could be digital), and .001% is genuine letters from another person. All that paper, fuel and wasted human effort to make sure I get something I throw away in the recycle bin immediately after I get it. It should honestly be a crime and I don’t know how it isn’t.

jrockway 5y ago
The government figured out the ad-sponsored business model well before Facebook and Twitter. I only receive junk mail, but I guess it subsidizes package delivery that I actually want.
- the_angry_angel 5y ago
  FWIW If you’re in the UK you can opt out of non addressed mail (https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/293/~/how-do-i-opt-out-of-receiving-any-leaflets-or-unaddressed-promotional-material%3F https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/...) delivered via RM In 2005 the Royal Mail was fully privatised. Since then I personally feel the amount of unaddressed mail has increased. But that might be in my head
randomhodler84 5y ago
Whaaat? Very much disagree. I think you are forgetting packages. Where I live, the postal service delivers packages every day of the week. Sundays included. The mail is a critical service, done efficiently and with a smile. The world would end if people could not get their packages.
soneil 5y ago
In most western countries the mail is the official way to reach you. Court, legal, tax, etc documents will all come via the national post. That’s a large part of why they’re protected, we don’t have a good mechanism to replace this. At the very least, gig-workers ain’t it.
- manwe150 5y ago
  (IANAL) I thought the court was required to serve more important papers (like warrants) via courier, in-person. But agreed that does lack scalability.

jrockway 5y ago

The government figured out the ad-sponsored business model well before Facebook and Twitter. I only receive junk mail, but I guess it subsidizes package delivery that I actually want.

the_angry_angel 5y ago
FWIW If you’re in the UK you can opt out of non addressed mail (https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/293/~/how-do-i-opt-out-of-receiving-any-leaflets-or-unaddressed-promotional-material%3F https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/...) delivered via RM In 2005 the Royal Mail was fully privatised. Since then I personally feel the amount of unaddressed mail has increased. But that might be in my head

randomhodler84 5y ago

Whaaat? Very much disagree. I think you are forgetting packages. Where I live, the postal service delivers packages every day of the week. Sundays included. The mail is a critical service, done efficiently and with a smile. The world would end if people could not get their packages.

soneil 5y ago

In most western countries the mail is the official way to reach you. Court, legal, tax, etc documents will all come via the national post. That’s a large part of why they’re protected, we don’t have a good mechanism to replace this. At the very least, gig-workers ain’t it.

manwe150 5y ago
(IANAL) I thought the court was required to serve more important papers (like warrants) via courier, in-person. But agreed that does lack scalability.