logoalt Hacker News

cadamsdotcomyesterday at 10:26 PM5 repliesview on HN

I’m constantly amazed how passive people are with things that steal their attention

My phone is in do not disturb mode 24/7. If your app notifies me about something pointless, it gets deleted and I start using your website instead

I have a mail rule that moves any email with the word “unsubscribe” out of the inbox into its own tagged area. Every few days, I go in and unsubscribe to everything that’s arrived.

Whenever a retail point of sale worker asks for my details or phone number or asks me to sign up to their club, I ask if there’s a discount. Because if there’s no discount - they get no details. It’s a simple exchange; offer to pay a fair price for my details and I’ll consider it. But so far my time and details are worth more than any retailer has offered to pay.


Replies

pugioyesterday at 10:28 PM

That unsubscribe rule is genius. (Obvious in hindsight, as the best things are.) Thanks for that.

show 1 reply
al_borlandyesterday at 11:00 PM

With the retailer asking for a phone number, I don’t see how it would ever be worth even entertaining. They will give you a discount once, then have and potentially abuse your information for years to come.

show 3 replies
kilroy123today at 12:21 PM

I made a more advanced version of the unsubscribe thing to kill all unnecessary notifications from email. I made it open-sourced:

https://unfuck.email

makeitdoubletoday at 2:52 AM

> passive

I get your point and see it as valid, yet to nitpick most people don't feel they have a choice.

Not answering the phone or replying to people's messages is a no-no to many, which sets them in an arms race against spammers and social apps trying to get them from all fronts. And they get frustrated by us living in no-disturb land 24/7.

I don't know it could be solved, but I feel for them.

show 1 reply
sieabahlparktoday at 1:49 AM

[dead]