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Publicly shaming Comcast doesn't seem to be working, at all. I think it's good in theory, but doesn't work so well in practice.

by keslag 12y ago

Fede_V 12y ago
I actually think that part of the reason why Comcast has had such a horrific time getting their proposed merger approved is because they suffer from such a horrific reputation. Obviously, shaming only goes so far... but realistically speaking, besides boycotts and shaming, there really aren't many effective ways to register your disapproval towards privately owned companies.
e40 12y ago
Comcast has a monopoly in most of the markets in which it operates. This makes a huge difference.
TheCraiggers 12y ago
You and the parent are both right. The problem with Comcast is that many people (I being one of them) have no choice in the matter. It doesn't matter how much I despise my ISP, for they are literally the only game in town. My vocation dictates I have high-speed internet, thus I'm forced to work with Comcast. Shaming Lenovo or its partners can make a difference because people do have a choice here. There are many laptop vendors out there. And if "Vintage Investment Partners" becomes well enough known as something the public finds distasteful, it could conceivably cause other companies to shun them as well. You know, at least until they change their name. Still, I'd argue that if people cared enough, this approach would work in non-monopolistic cases.
- teddyh 12y ago
  > My vocation dictates I have high-speed internet, thus I'm forced to work with Comcast. Or move. Sorry to sound like a Comcast apologist, but it annoys me when people claim that they’re being “forced” to do something when they aren’t explaining why the obvious alternatives are unacceptable. I mean, maybe you can’t move because of your job. Or maybe you can’t afford to move. Or you have to live where you do because of your health. Or you can’t leave the state for legal reasons. (This post is not in any way intended to condone or support the actions of Comcast or that of any other ISP.)
- at-fates-hands 12y ago
  >>> for they are literally the only game in town I live in the Midwest and thought the same thing. After some research, I found several smaller companies who offer high speed internet, including the local telecom company. I guess it boils down to if you're willing to pay more or pay the same and get slightly slower speeds without having to deal with Comcast and their horrible customer service.
jgalt212 12y ago
I'm not so sure about that. Within a few weeks of the Time Warner/Comcast merger announcement (which has still yet to occur), I closed my Time Warner account and opened up one with the Verizon. I don't have a ton of love for Verizon, but certainly the lesser of two evils.
snarfy 12y ago
It's misdirected. There needs to be legal consequences. There is nothing about maximizing profits that says be a moral citizen when doing so. The only way any corporation will be reigned in is through the legal system. We should be publicly shaming the politicians that let this (comcast) happen or worse, are a part of the scam.

Publicly shaming Comcast doesn't seem to be working, at all. I think it's good in theory, but doesn't work so well in practice.

by keslag 12y ago

Publicly shaming Comcast doesn't seem to be working, at all. I think it's good in theory, but doesn't work so well in practice.

Fede_V 12y ago

I actually think that part of the reason why Comcast has had such a horrific time getting their proposed merger approved is because they suffer from such a horrific reputation. Obviously, shaming only goes so far... but realistically speaking, besides boycotts and shaming, there really aren't many effective ways to register your disapproval towards privately owned companies.

e40 12y ago

Comcast has a monopoly in most of the markets in which it operates. This makes a huge difference.

TheCraiggers 12y ago

You and the parent are both right. The problem with Comcast is that many people (I being one of them) have no choice in the matter. It doesn't matter how much I despise my ISP, for they are literally the only game in town. My vocation dictates I have high-speed internet, thus I'm forced to work with Comcast. Shaming Lenovo or its partners can make a difference because people do have a choice here. There are many laptop vendors out there. And if "Vintage Investment Partners" becomes well enough known as something the public finds distasteful, it could conceivably cause other companies to shun them as well. You know, at least until they change their name. Still, I'd argue that if people cared enough, this approach would work in non-monopolistic cases.

teddyh 12y ago
> My vocation dictates I have high-speed internet, thus I'm forced to work with Comcast. Or move. Sorry to sound like a Comcast apologist, but it annoys me when people claim that they’re being “forced” to do something when they aren’t explaining why the obvious alternatives are unacceptable. I mean, maybe you can’t move because of your job. Or maybe you can’t afford to move. Or you have to live where you do because of your health. Or you can’t leave the state for legal reasons. (This post is not in any way intended to condone or support the actions of Comcast or that of any other ISP.)
at-fates-hands 12y ago
>>> for they are literally the only game in town I live in the Midwest and thought the same thing. After some research, I found several smaller companies who offer high speed internet, including the local telecom company. I guess it boils down to if you're willing to pay more or pay the same and get slightly slower speeds without having to deal with Comcast and their horrible customer service.

jgalt212 12y ago

I'm not so sure about that. Within a few weeks of the Time Warner/Comcast merger announcement (which has still yet to occur), I closed my Time Warner account and opened up one with the Verizon. I don't have a ton of love for Verizon, but certainly the lesser of two evils.

snarfy 12y ago

It's misdirected. There needs to be legal consequences. There is nothing about maximizing profits that says be a moral citizen when doing so. The only way any corporation will be reigned in is through the legal system. We should be publicly shaming the politicians that let this (comcast) happen or worse, are a part of the scam.