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Bob Geldof Can't Manage His Emails; Says No One Should Use Email

Email

from the hello-mr.-luddite dept

Wed, Nov 16th 2005 10:40am — Mike Masnick
Bob Geldof is likely a wonderful person who has tried to do quite a lot in the name of charity, raising all sorts of awareness on important issues. However, he seems to have a problem with the internet, and apparently wants us all to abandon it with him. Geldof, you may remember, was the guy who blamed eBay when some people tried to sell their Live 8 concert tickets earlier this year, saying that eBay (not the sellers) was "profiteering on the backs of the impoverished." Now he's turned his hatred towards email. It appears, according to him, that email is the cause of so many of our problems. He apparently has a problem managing his email. This isn't a surprise. Certainly, a lot of people have problems managing their email. However, it's a email management problem rather than a problem with email. Plenty of people learn how to manage their email effectively, but Geldof would rather that we all just stop using email. There's a simple solution, of course. If Geldof stopped using email then he wouldn't have to worry about it any more, and those of us who have figured out how to manage our emails can keep doing what we do. Update: There are some complaints in the comments that I've taken Geldof's statements out of context. I've reread the article and don't think I have, but everyone gets to make their own decision. Geldof was addressing the issue of getting work done, and noting that email can be distracting. That's true. However, most of his comments don't seem to focus on how it "can be" distracting, but how it "is" distracting and you shouldn't do it. That's an extreme position and seems to mix up (as I said originally) "email" with "email management." It's fine to suggest better email management, but he very clearly says: "don't do email." Not sure how to put that back into any context that makes it sound any better.
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23 Comments

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  • identicon
    COD, 16 Nov 2005 @ 11:17am

    No Subject Given

    If Geldolf quietly stopped using email, how could he score the free publicity when you write about it?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    melancolico catrin, 16 Nov 2005 @ 11:18am

    candidate for brain transplant

    This dude is obviously in touch with the void between his ears...

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Ted Mayhoffer, 16 Nov 2005 @ 12:09pm

      Re: candidate for brain transplant

      Read the interview, he (Bob Geldof) actually does make sense. (unless you are referring to the fool who wrote this blurb, then I apologise.)

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Joe Snuffy, 16 Nov 2005 @ 12:23pm

        Make a choice

        This guy is just an idiot. So he stops using emails, OK. Is he now free to continue with his agenda? No. He is stuck answering phone calls, reading post its and when it finally shows up, Reading his snail mail. He's not going to free his day by removing the most valuable tool for comunication that there is, he is going to trade it for a differant time eater. This guy is an Idiot.

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Joe D, 16 Nov 2005 @ 1:02pm

          Re: Make a choice

          Geldof may be a little bit of a whacko, and his problem with email may be a little extreme, but he is definitely *not* an idiot.

          LiveAid was pure genius: commercial and charitable success. I know he didn't pull it off single-handed, but he it was his brainchild and certainly not the work of an idiot...

          [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Keith, 16 Nov 2005 @ 12:27pm

    No Subject Given

    I found that story quite amusing. The one part I agree with him on though is the email subject line. The rest is a crock.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Sissy Pants, 16 Nov 2005 @ 12:28pm

    No EMAIL

    I'd love it if we got rid of email... well except I'd lose my job... I could go be a Mail Man and then go Postal on everyone...

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      justin, 17 Nov 2005 @ 8:45am

      Re: No EMAIL

      I do agree that we have been having all problems with emails like virus spreading and all sort of freeks sending you spams tring to sell you things you dont like, but this is all a matter of management.

      I fully agree with Mike, if user would just pay a little attention and learn a bit of email management life would be really simple.

      Email takes up most of the time of my professonal life and i just cant imagine life without it anymore.

      true if a guy cant manage himself he cant just blame the technology.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    What, 16 Nov 2005 @ 12:42pm

    Wow

    Sorry I can't stop using e-mail because some random dude says so.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Mark Hense, 16 Nov 2005 @ 12:47pm

    This article is worse than Bob's point

    Your complaint about Bob is longer than the article and really reads out of context. He was at a conference held by ?WHAT IF! http://www.whatifinnovation.com/default He was talking about getting things done and focusing on goals set forth getting screwed-up because of the written form of e-mail failing to accurately communicate intentions an meaning. Sure, it's silly to make a sweeping generalization or assumption that he meant the world in general stop using e-mail. But his point becomes valid when context is not clear. I do not want to e-mail my doctor a list of my symptoms and have him e-mail back the diagnosis. I imagine most efforts like the ones he works on involve face to face to be effective in getting to an agreed upon course of action.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Mike (profile), 16 Nov 2005 @ 12:55pm

      Re: This article is worse than Bob's point

      The problem is that his "solution" isn't a solution at all. "Don't do email" doesn't make much sense. Learning to manage your email would be a smart suggestion. Learning when email is and isn't appropriate would be a smart suggestion. But, that's not what he said.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      RBasil, 16 Nov 2005 @ 5:11pm

      Re: This article is worse than Bob's point

      "Your complaint about Bob is longer than the article and really reads out of context."

      95% of the stories that Mike writes for Techdirt are this way.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        John, 16 Nov 2005 @ 6:35pm

        Re: This article is worse than Bob's point

        95% of the stories are taken out of context? So why do you read Tech dirt? In my experience, Mike seems to put a lot more context *to* stories than the press. I never understand why people come here and complain. THeres a really simple solution. Go the fuck somewhere else.

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          RBasil, 17 Nov 2005 @ 2:01am

          Re: This article is worse than Bob's point

          "Mike seems to put a lot more context *to* stories than the press."

          So who cares if the "context" is wrong time and time again. In your words as long as there is "more" it is better?

          "I never understand why people come here and complain."

          I do like a few of the authors here and they are the reason I visit. Mike used to be one of them until he started on his "bitch about everything and get most of it wrong" crusade.

          [ link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            Mike (profile), 17 Nov 2005 @ 2:12am

            Re: This article is worse than Bob's point

            Hi RBasil,

            Sorry you feel that way about my posts. I've added some more to the original post to try to clarify. I'm a bit confused as to why you think I "get most of it wrong." I'm willing to debate the points, but your comments don't seem to have any points other than "Mike's wrong all the time."

            I've gone through a few of your past comments, but you've yet to provide anything constructive. Almost every one is a personal attack on me. That's fine if that's what you want to do with your life, but it just seems like it would be a lot more valuable if you had something constructive to say.

            The only time I've found a post where you actually pointed out something specific that you felt I got wrong, it turned out you were the one who was wrong.

            People can disagree with me. That's fine. I'm more than willing to discuss facts or opinions. But, if you can't provide anything constructive, than I'm just not sure how to respond.

            Mike

            [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    daniel duende, 16 Nov 2005 @ 12:58pm

    "i don't like emails" by Bob Geldof

    "The silicon chip inside my head Gets switched to overload. And nobody's gonna go read email today, I'm going to make them stay offline. And people doesn't understand it, I always said email was as good as crap. And I can see no reason 'Cause there are no reasons What reason do you need to be shown? Tell me why? I don't like emails. Tell me why? I don't like emails. Tell me why? I don't like emails. I want to shoot The whole thing down." hehehhehehehe just for laughs the original is here: http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/artists/boomtownrats.htm

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      WollyHood, 16 Nov 2005 @ 6:27pm

      Re: "i don't like emails" by Bob Geldof

      Bob Geldof, as frontman for The Boomtown Rats, wrote a fantastic song with "I Don't Like Mondays". Of course, given the track record here Mike may want to write a Techdirt blurb pointing out that Geldof is an idiot for wanting to do away with a day of the week.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Run-Amuck, 16 Nov 2005 @ 2:16pm

    Geldof and Email

    Who really cares how Geldof feels about email? Really - he probably hates direct mail, too (don't we all?) but it doesn't make a bit of difference to the world whether he reads it, just pitches it in the trash or leaves it in the mailbox because he hasn't figured out how to get it out.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    VonSkippy, 16 Nov 2005 @ 5:12pm

    Huh?

    Who is this moron and why should anyone give a Shat on what he thinks. I'm so tired of media whores telling the world what "they" think is the only way to do things. Next!

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    roberta geldofenstien, 16 Nov 2005 @ 5:19pm

    lets beat up on some stupid celebrity

    There is nothing in that article to warrant such derision. He makes a perfectly valid point that people abuse email. You could say he thinks people have an email management problem.
    Sounds more like you parsed the words 'Bob Geldof' and 'Email' and made up the rest.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    ted, 17 Nov 2005 @ 5:47am

    gee why didnt i think of that.

    good idea bob, i would much rather get 50 phone calls for little shit that i have to write a note down for anyway. yea, f e-mail, who needs it? in fact while im getting rid of things, who needs a computer at work? its not like i use that for anything important. it must be wasteing my time.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]


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