Monthly Archives: July 2012

An Unsettling Quandary

Posted on by The Old Wolf

I love my blogs. I love sharing interesting things with my friends; there’s so much fascinating stuff out there on the net that I think people would enjoy seeing. I haven’t gone the Pinterest route, and probably never will – it just seems too chaotic. And when I do post something, I usually try to track it back to its original source, which is often several blogs deep.

Now comes Roni Loren, with a sad tale of being set upon by hordes of attorneys bearing pitchforks and torches… well, probably only one, but you get the idea. And she really-o, truly-o got sued by a real-live photographer for violating his copyright, even though she immediately removed the photo after the initial takedown notice. And once the lawyers get involved, you don’t ever get the mushroom cloud back into that pretty little silver sphere.

Here’s what she learned about fair use from the experience (more details at her blog post):

“It DOESN’T MATTER…

  • if you link back to the source and list the photographer’s name
  • if the picture is not full-sized (only thumbnail size is okay)
  • if you did it innocently
  • if your site is non-commercial and you made no money from the use of the photo
  • if you didn’t claim the photo was yours
  • if you’ve added commentary in addition to having the pic in the post
  • if the picture is embedded and not saved on your server
  • if you have a disclaimer on your site.
  • if you immediately take down a pic if someone sends you a DMCA notice (you do have to take it down, but it doesn’t absolve you.)”

This bothers me. Ms. Loren was neither claiming copyright of someone else;s work nor attempting to monetize it, as in the case of FunnyJunk.com; in fact, she specifically gave copyright to the owners of anything she posted. I stand for intellectual property rights – I contributed to Matt Inman’s campaign to raise money for charity and embarrass supreme douchebag Charles Carreon at the same time (the entire saga is analyzed in delicious detail over at Popehat) – but I don’t stand for being a jerk; there are more human ways of handling things like this.

Case in point: some years ago, a forum I participated in was infested by the most repugnant of subhumans, the cyber-trolls. From their safe chairs of anonymity, they vomited their filth and abomination into what had become a thriving, supportive and civil community, and ultimately resulted in its demise in that venue. They may be happy with the lulz they got, but all they did was cover themselves with more shame. As a response to their actions, I wrote this little piece of nonsense, which served no greater purpose than to help me get some feelings off my chest. Later I found copies elsewhere, with no attribution, specifically here and here; I posted a comment in the first forum requesting either attribution or removal, and was pointedly ignored. My request was even deleted.

I could have gone all Clarence Darrow on these people, but what’s the point? It’s not like I’m going to make a dime off a bit of nonsense rhyme, and parody of a great author at that. Much easier to just let it go. Unfortunately in today’s society, with 47 lawyers per capita looking for billable hours, anyone with half a beef can find an attorney to cheer him one, and I think that’s sad.

So I end up being vulnerable, because if I change the nature of this blog, it simply ceases to exist, and I’m not willing to give it up. I will, however, in future posts link to a disclaimer something like this:

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Despite the fact that Ms. Loren has been terrorized into sharing nuthin’ with nobody without 100% air-tight attribution – and, in light of her experience and given how nasty lawyers can be, I can’t blame her – I’m not ready to go that route. I can only hope and pray that I don’t encounter the one person in ten thousand who is willing to sell their humanity for a mess of pottage.

The Old Wolf has spoken.

The BirdsEye Pea Car

Posted on by The Old Wolf

One of my musician acquaintances over on Facebook1 posted this pic with the caption, “I’m going to start attending movies in my Bullet Proof Movie Pod.” In light of the tragedy in Denver, it’s sad that this would have to be my introduction to this adorable little thing, and my heart goes out in its fullness to the victims of this senseless act of barbarism – those injured and those left behind.

But dang, that car is adorable. A little digging revealed that it was constructed for this advert over in the UK:

It may be nothing more than a one-off prop for an ad, but to my way of thinking it’s about 10 times cuter than the Smart Car – no offense intended.

The Old Wolf has spoken.

1He makes darn good music, too.

To my Friends in London

Posted on by The Old Wolf

Tonight, the flame will be lit. In a week, the games will begin. And in two short weeks thereafter, the games will be over. In the seven years since the Mother Country was awarded the honor of hosting the Olympic Games,  the face of your city has been transformed. And you’ve suffered – how you’ve suffered.

This colonist understands your pain.

This is my city – we have been there, done that, and bought the teeshirt. Granted, Salt Lake is a lot smaller than London, and the Winter Games not quite as big as the summer ones – but the overall impact on the region and its economy could be considered comparable.

Our home, its people and its culture were subject to microscopic scrutiny and ongoing disparagement as a result of the bidding scandal which brought us the games in the first place.

We suffered through partial or complete closure of our main freeway corridor for four years, as every major interchange, numerous bridges,  and every foot of the roadbed was rebuilt and expanded. While the freeway was disrupted, our light rail line was also being installed, and countless local roads were being ripped up to allow for increased traffic, and construction around the venue sites guaranteed endless detours and interminable delays. We were not amused.

Since 2005, the home of Francis Bacon, Thomas Beckett and Alec Guinness has seen the construction of the Olympic Stadium, the aquatic center, the Olympic Village, the Olympic Park, the Heron, and the Ministry of Truth uh, sorry, “the Shard.” Other buildings are close to completion, and I’m sure your nightmare has been at the very least equal to, if not greater than ours.

Ten years on, I would welcome the games back in a heartbeat – from where I sit, it was all worth it.

Just this year Salt Lake put forth a case to the USOC requesting consideration for a second bid in 2022. The USOC declined, saying that additional preparation would lend strength to the bid, so we may be looking at 2016 – but I can tell you that many people here were deeply disappointed. It was the experience of a lifetime.

As the games drew closer, there was a palpable feeling of pride and excitement in the air. Olympic fever is catching, and while there were a few diehard naysayers who grumbled through the entire experience, most people were delighted that we had a chance to showcase our city to the world, as well as host the games.

As soon as the call for volunteers went out, I jumped at the chance.

Here’s our gang – a part of International Client Services, working as interpreters in the Main Media Center. As a result of my job there, I wasn’t able to attend a single event in person, but we did get to see the dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony, and then attend an amazing party after the games – but because it was the media center, all the events were broadcast on huge screens all around the building, so I felt like I had missed almost nothing. And, we got to see a lot of athletes close up as they came in for interviews.

Alisa Camplin, gold-medal aerial skier, with two of her fellow Aussies. Oi! Oi! Oi!

Outside the venues and downtown, there was always something going on:

Mimes on the street

Pin Trading

For just a brief moment in time, our city looked like this:

Bright, polished, dressed up in her finest gown for a two-week party.

And when the games commenced, it was all about the athletes; the amazing performances by the likes of Salé and Pelletier, Sarah Hughes, Fritz Strobl, Janica Kostelić, and many, many others – not to forget the UK Curling Team!

Margaret Morton, Janice Rankin, Rhona Martin, Debbie Knox and Fiona Macdonald with their 2002 Olympic gold medals

The scandals, the headaches, the challenges, the bumps along the road – all of it fades in comparison with the astonishing personal and team effort exerted by a handful of the best athletes the world will ever know. Watching them perform was riveting, and to have been the host city which made their performances possible was a splendid honor. And when the games were over, we still had all these wonderful venues which can now be enjoyed by the public and athletes from all over the country and all over the world.

So keep a stiff upper lip, cousins. The logistical nightmare will soon be over, but the memory of the united effort will last for a lifetime. I wish you a safe games, a successful games, and a lasting glow of both endurance and accomplishment.

Let the games begin!

The Old Wolf has spoken.

[Edit: This was written before Mitt Romney went over there and disgraced himself in front of your entire nation. Sod his opinion – he should have known better.]

Disclaimer

No wonder little girls want to be sexy

Posted on by The Old Wolf

An article in the Huffington Post explores a study published online in the Sex Roles journal. Of greatest interest was a slideshow illustrating some toy lines which have, over time, morphed themselves into a “sexier, girlier” version.

Lego

Holly Hobbie

Candy Land

Strawberry Shortcake

Rainbow Brite

My Little Pony

Trollz

Cabbage Patch Kids

Lisa Frank

I have no brief with any of these toys in particular, other than to illustrate a general trend. What I do have a real problem with is this:

Bad enough that the Bratz line was sexualizing 8-year-olds; now they’re zooming in on the infants, and this comes right up to the line of catering to pedophiles. I’m astonished that an abomination like this made it anywhere near an American shelf.

Children need to be allowed a childhood. The way things are going, layettes will someday include infant bikinis and makeup. {Note: Don’t point me to websites that are already advertising such things. There must be some rule of the internet that says “if you’ve imagined it, someone has already done it.”}

The Old Wolf has spoken.

Disclaimer

Tweaking a Scammer

Posted on by The Old Wolf

This appeared in my mailbox the other day, and made me laugh:

Attn: Benjo X. Daiben
An (ATM Card Number;4278763100030014) has been accredited to you,The ATM
Card Value is 2.5 Million United State Dollars. Reply For More Details
Mr.Alex Udo

What’s funny is that this is a name I used to respond to another scammer months and months ago. Benjo (便所) “convenience place” is the Japanese word for “toilet”,  and “daiben” (大便) or “large convenience” is their term for “excrement.” It was amusing enough to get this that I thought I’d have a bit of fun with this guy. So I responded,

Wow, exciting! Let me know how to get this!
-bxd

Aaaand, he’s hooked!

Attn: BenjoYour email was found in the Central Computer among the list of unpaid contractors, inheritance next of kin and lotto beneficiaries that was originated from Europe, Africa Asia Plus Middle east, Americans among the list of individuals and companies that your unpaid fund has been located to the UNITED TRUST Your email appeared among the beneficiaries, who will receive a part-payment of your contractual sum of The ATM we cannot go into transfer the is why we want to move it through ATM Card
Card Value is 2.5 Million United State Dollars and it have been approved already for month’s we have startedFor more direction and instruction on how to receive your fund. Kindly furnish us with below information:

1. Your Full Name:
2. Address:
3. Country:
4. Age:
5. Occupation:
6. Cell phone Number:
7. Next Of Kin:
8. Home Equity (Yes/No):

Mr.Alex Udo

Well, he wants my information so I had better send him some.

Dear Mr. Udo,Here is the information you requested. Please send me my ATM card at once, I can really use this because my medical bills from when I lost my legs are overwhelming me. Two bears, a big one and a little one, attacked me to get at a picnic basket I had with me in Jellystone National Park. It was terrible. I am in great pain, and this money will help me a lot.

Sincerely,

Benjo X. Daiben

1. Your Full Name: Benjo Xavier Daiben
2. Address: 750 Bryant St. #513 SanFrancisco, CA 94103
3. Country: USA
4. Age: 67
5. Occupation: Retired Forest Ranger
6. Cell phone Number: 415-744-3090
7. Next Of Kin: Sgamwyr Y Lysnafedd (my best Welsh for “Scammers are Scum”)
8. Home Equity (Yes/No): Yes

Next I get this back from him:

I receive your information I want to let you know that the pin code will be ready by tomorrow and we have to insure this ATM CARD because the card contains huge amount of money can you come down here by yourself and pick the card because there is two documents you need to sign here before releasing this card to you because we don’t want to make any mistake please do and get back to us because first thing tomorrow morning I will start the process do and get back to me
Mr.Alex Udo

Come down here? He hasn’t even told me where he is.

Dear Mr. Udo,Come down where? Where are you? I indicated that I lost both my legs, I am in a wheelchair and it is very hard to travel. Is there any other way to get these documents?

Sincerely,
Benjo X. Daiben

Notice that he doesn’t give a rat’s south-40 that he’s dealing with an allegedly handicapped individual who is hard pressed for money. These drones would sell their grandmothers if they could get a buck out of the deal.

Attn: BenjoI have contacted a lawyer here who will help you sign all the important documents for releasing of your ATM CARD and insurance which contains huge amount of money the lawyer changer you $1750.00 for all his work but he said that you are going to pay him half so that he will start his work first thing tomorrow morning after you received your package you will pay the balance $875.00 what you are going to send now is $875.00 after his work you will pay he the balance of $875.00

Let me know as soon as you send the changers now to able him to start his work first things tomorrow morning

Receivers Name:Steve Onyejekwu
City: Cotonou
Country Benin Republic
Test Question Yes………………..
Answer:Me………………………….
Control Number (MTCN) ……………………….
Address of the sender…………………………..
Amount you send $875.00
Senders Name ………………………………..

Mr.Alex Udo

Notice that his grammar has gone to Hell. I’m supposed to send “changers”? I assume he means “charges.”
He also claims to be in Benin.
Well, better send him some “money.”

Dear Alex,Money has been sent. Here’s the data (Please note I changed the test question and answer to make sure that only your lawyer can collect the money)

Receivers Name:Steve Onyejekwu
City: Cotonou
Country Benin Republic
Test Question: Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?
Answer: Póg mo thóin (That’s Irish Gaelic for “kiss my ass”)
Control Number (MTCN) 1741939872
Address of the sender: 750 Bryant St. #513 San Francisco, CA 94103
Amount you send $875.00
Senders Name: Benjo X. Daiben

Please have your lawyers draw up the papers immediately.

Sincerely,
-BXD

Good, he’s got my information. Uh oh, could there be a problem?

Attn:BenjoI receive the information you sent but the MTCN is not correct please check the MTCN very well or you attach the western Union copy please do it now and get back to me because lawyer is waiting to able him conclude his work so that everything will move fine

Mr.Alex

He’s gone to Western Union once. (WU = +1).
The MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) is not correct? What a huge surprise.

Dear Alex,This is terrible. I’m sorry for the inconvenience – San Francisco was plagued with terrible power outages and storms yesterday, and the Western Union office had big computer problems. I had to visit the office again today, and they were very sorry for the difficulties. They had to give me a new MTCN, which is 1741 9399 85.

The other data for the transaction remains the same.

Sincerely,
Benjo X. Daiben

I receive this next.

Attn: BenjoI receive the MTCN i will get back to you as soon as the lawyer conclude

Alex

Off he trots to Western Union again, happy as a camel in a desert.

Attn: BenjoI want to let you know the MTCN is not correct please attach the western union copy and send it to me because the MTCN you just change is match please correct this problem and send to me correct MTCN now because the lawyer is waiting to able him start his work do and get back to me with correct MTCN
Mr.Alex

Whoops. Looks like there has been another error. Gosh.
He’s gone to Western Union twice. (WU = +2).

Oh, that’s right. I forgot to send him a scan of the transfer document. But let’s keep him busy a little while longer:

Dear Alex,I’m sure the MTCN is correct. My scanner is broken, I must go to the local copy shop to have the Western Union form scanned. I will attach it as soon as I have done this. I’m quite concerned about this because I have paid the money to Western Union and I don’t want it to be lost.

Sincerely,
Benjo X. Daiben

And, he’s getting anxious.

Attn: BenjoI receive your mail please try and make sure you attach the western union copy today because I want first thing tomorrow morning everything will be conclude so that lawyer will start his work .so far you send the money through western union with information I give to you the money is save just get the copy of the western union for me so tomorrow everything will be conclude.

Try all you can to make sure you correct everything today because the lawyer suppose to start his work today because of the delay we have today for the wrong MTCN that is why he did not start the work today please try all you can to make sure everything is correct today first thing tomorrow morning everything will be done

Thanks I am waiting

Mr.Alex Udo

So I sent him a scan of my documentation. Of course, it’s full of nonsense information.

Dear Alex,I have had the Western Union form scanned, and am attaching it now. Please read the MTCN carefully because this is what was given me by the agency office, and they still have my money. I don’t want anything to go wrong with this transaction, because I really need these funds.

Thank you.

Benjo X Daiben

Now let’s see if he can collect his “funds.”

Attn: BenjoHow are you doing I received the form you sent to me but we are still having problem with the MTCN NUMBER please brother to make everything easy please go back to the office and pick the money back and go to another Western Union office or Money Gram to send this $875.00 because Lawyer supposed to start his work today it is all this delaying is delaying Lawyer please do it fast as soon as you wake up and make sure you send the INFORMATION CORRECT because we need to get everything done today and lawyer promise to me that he will make sure that all the important documents is ready first thing tomorrow as soon as he receive the $875.00 today please try all you can to go and pick the $875.00 today and go to another place and send it please do fast because I want get everything done and have rest of mind

Use this information below to resend the $850.00 as soon as you wake up now

Receivers Name: Nkechikwulu C. Raphael
City: Cotonou
Country Benin Republic
Test Question Good ………………..
Answer:yes ………………………….
Control Number (MTCN) ……………………….
Address of the sender…………………………..
Amount you send $875.00
Senders Name ………………………………..

Mr.Alex Udo

He’s gone to Western Union three times. (WU = +3).

Interesting. Now he’s changed the receiver’s name. Does he want $875.00 or $850.00? In addition, he’s been sending each email twice or three times, with different subject lines, like “use this name now Nkechikwulu C. Raphael” or “VERY URGENT” or “PLEASE GO BACK THERE AND PICK THE MONEY.”

So, we effectuate another “transfer”.

Dear Mr. Udo,I am getting very worried. It was very hard to get my money back from Western Union, they claimed it had been picked up already. I had to show them your emails as proof that you had not collected it. I have now sent you $875.00 twice, and I have spent additional $50.00 on the transfer fees. I have attached a scan of the Western Union form, please note I have written down the number correctly:

1179 364 327

I hope your lawyer can now do what is necessary to get me this ATM card which I so desperately need.-Benjo X. Daiben

Notice I’ve given him a new MTCN, but I’ve also left off the city and country. Heh heh heh.

Attn: BenjoI received the MTCN but it is late here now first things tomorrow morning I will call the lawyer so that he will start his work please take noted nobody pick the $875.00 here western Union supposed to give you the money back but all is well by tomorrow everything will be done as soon as we conclude everything by tomorrow

Mr.Alex Udo

By now he’s thinking he’s really going to get $875.00 from me. Tomorrow morning he will be disappointed once again.

Attn: BrotherMy brother there is something I want you to do now please I want you to change password of this your email ID now (ccdesan@comcast.net) because I this cover that there is some people who is monitoring your id please change the password now because I am going to send your pin code as soon as lawyer conclude by tomorrow and I don’t want anybody to know your pin code please change your password now please please and make sure you send to your telephone number so that I will call you as soon as the pin code is ready please make sure you change your PASSWORD NOW NOW PLEASE  and

Delete the information you just sent to me now from your inbox and sent mail for the safety of the information you just send to me now please do it fast

Alex

He’s happy, he thinks he’s going to get rich from some dumb, greedy American. Now he’s calling me “Brother”. This bit about changing my password is peculiar, apparently it’s just a red herring. But he sent it three times, with these subject lines: “CHNAGE YOUR PASSWORD NOW, ” “VERY URGENT,” and “CHANGEYOUR PASSWORD FAST.” Very considerate of him, but we need to waste a bit more of his time.

Dear Alex,I’m not sure why you need me to change the password on my email account. It’s virtually uncrackable – it would take a hacker 193 trillion years to break into it (and that’s a real number, not just made up.)
My email account here is certainly of no concern to anyone else.Looking forward to receiving the card and my PIN number as soon as possible!

-Benjo X. Daiben

Ah, he’s just looking out for my interests. I’m touched.

Attn; BenjoThank you very well for your update the reason why i said that because i Don’t want anybody to know your pin code because it suppose to be secret  i will update you as soon as lawyer conclude his work by tomorrow

Alex

My goodness. We just seem to be having all sorts of problems with this transaction, don’t we?

Attn: Benjo
How are you doing today? my brother I am going into difficult because of your ATM CARD because I bring myself out to help you but you are put things in a difficult please you the $875.00 sent there is a mistake in the country I told you that city is Cotonou country is Benin Republic and you did not write it western union refuse to pay the $875.00 to us because you did not put country where the money is going other information is correct just go and put city and country
City: Cotonou
Country Benin Republic
Please do fast because lawyer is waiting if not because of all this delaying now the processing of your ATM CARD supposed to be done since yesterday please do and get back to me please call me in this number as soon as you correct the error +23480 680 36172
Please do and get back to me because I want everything to be done today
Mr.Alex Udo

He’s gone to Western Union four times. (WU = +4).
Ah. Notice the country code 234. That’s Nigeria. As if I had any doubts… He’s noticed that I left off the city and country. Also wants me to call him. Sent this message 3 times.

Dear Alex,

I am very sorry for the error, I was just so excited to get this ATM card that I missed putting the country and city on the form. The Western Union agent was very nice at this office and allowed me to make the correction without any other fee, and the MCTN number is now 1179 364 329

Please, please, I hope this is the last correction because I need this money very badly, my wheelchair just fell apart and I have to drag myself around with wooden crutches which are very uncomfortable.

Sincerely,

Benjo X. Daiben

PS: My telephone number is (415) 315-2400 please call me when everything is done so I know that this money is coming.

I’ve given him the phone number of the San Francisco Police Department, just in case he really decides to call, but that’s very unlikely.

Attn: Benjo

Is like you turn this like child play please I am very busy man just to send $875.00 since two days now you are sending wrong information call the western now let them give to you correct MTCN because I am in the western section now them said that the MTCN you sent is wrong please correct it now and get back to me I am waiting now I am still in there now waiting for you to correct it now

Mr.Alex

He’s gone to Western Union five times. (WU = +5). He’s starting to get pissed. Well, let’s ramp things up again and see if I can get him to send me a little money instead.

Alex,

I am starting to wonder if there is something funny about this transaction. I have been to Western Union four times now – the MTCN is what the agent wrote down on the form – that’s why I sent you a scan, so there would be no mistake. Maybe there is not a good Western Union connection between the United States and Benin Republic. I have $875.00 in the Western Union system, are you telling me the money has not come out at your end? Where is the money I gave to Western Union?

I am losing my trust in this transaction, but I really need this money you promised me so I will keep working at it.

The only way I can be sure that the connection between Benin and the USA is working properly is for you to send me a small amount of money – let’s say $5.00, or even just a single dollar – to make sure that things are working properly.

Receivers Name: Benjo X. Daiben
City: San Francisco
Country USA
Test Question: Did it work?
Answer: Amadan (Irish Gaelic for “fool”)
Control Number:
Address of the sender:
Amount you send $5.00
Senders Name:

If this transfer succeeds then I will know there is no scammery going on, but honestly speaking I am afraid I am going to lose my money, which I have very little because of all the medicine I need to buy, and my wife and kids are sick too, so please help me get this money which is promised. I need that ATM card.

Sincerely,
Benjo X. Daiben

Nope, he’s not going to bite on that one, but he’s quite put out.

Attn: Benjo

What is meaning of this I told you that I am in western union now western union between Benin and USA is   you are the  one making all this mistake please if you real know that you want this lawyer to get everything done by tomorrow please send the correct MTCN to me because I am waiting for you now to able him to start work first thing tomorrow morning so by Saturday I will ship your ATM CARD to you  by Monday I will send your pin code to your secret you know nobody suppose to know your pin code it is your secret correct the MTCN now and get back to me before today runs down please

Mr.Alex

Well, I’ve got things to do so it’s time to pull the plug.

Dear Alex:

I have sent you to Western Union five times now. I hope you have enjoyed the trips. This gives me a Scammer Score of +5, which is pretty good. I’d keep going, but I haven’t any more time to waste on an ONIOBURU like yourself.

Everyone in the USA knows about you 419 scammers; your Nigeria 234 country code; and the massive cesspool of corruption that Nigeria has become. I have really, really, really enjoyed wasting your time. I’m only sorry that I can’t have you thrown into a rat-infested prison where you deserve to be.

Dem no born you reach, Mugu. U no fit comot face, just skip along. Olumba Olumba Obu send you his finest black powder, no return to sender, not for me.

Hasta la vista, Maye!

Benjo X. Daiben.

(PS: ask a Japanese friend what my name means, I designed it especially for Scammers like you.)

Various Nigerian insults complete the exchange. How strange, he hasn’t responded.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that this wasn’t terribly nice, but it’s rare that one gets the chance to troll a criminal, one who would otherwise be using their time stealing real money from real people, regardless of how greedy or foolish his victims may be. I have a particular axe to grind with fraudsters, because my elderly mother was so badly victimized by this kind of human refuse. And more on that to come later.

Be careful out there. If you have elderly loved ones, or those who might not be as computer-smart as you are, please warn them about this kind of douchebaggery. It’s crazy out there.

The Old Wolf has spoken.

1918: Shipping Children by Parcel Post

Posted on by The Old Wolf

Two Girls Sent By Parcel Post over New Motor Mail Truck Route; Postage $1.23
from the Springfield, Mo. Republican September 3, 1918, page 8.

“Josephine McCall, 7 years old, and Iris Carter, 8 years old, have been stamped, mailed and yes delivered by the parcel post from their home in Red Top to their aunt, Mrs. Bessie McCall, 1221 North Campbell Street, Springfield.  They came all the way in one of the new motor trucks over one of the new routes and were driven by W. E. Fawcett who delivered them.

When the relatives of Josephine and Iris at Red Top were troubled as to how to get the children to Springfield without sending someone up with them they hit upon the idea of sending them by parcel post and by the way of the new motor route or “a la motor truck”.  The regulations say that all goods must be stamped and weighed, registered, etc.

The children were weighed and the cost of sending them figured at the regular rates of sending things.  Josephine, it was found could go for 52 cents but it took 70 cents to pay for the mailing and delivery of Iris.

A dollar and twenty-three cents was paid and the children were stamped like ordinary parcels.  When the driver of the new motor truck, W. E. Fawcett , came steaming into Red Top he found the two children awaiting him along with other things he was to deliver to Springfield.

Mr. Fawcett believes that a kid or two at a time to deliver is all right but he is glad the idea does not occur to many parents at present when moving their children and he is dreading the time when he will find children all along the way and persons in parcels at every post office.”

In 1914, the parents of a blonde four-year-old named May Pierstroff sent her from Grangeville, Idaho to her grandparents in another part of the state for 53 cents, the going rate for chickens. Word of her excursion quickly prompted the Post Office Department to forbid sending any human being by mail.
Found at Smithsonian Libraries

1913 New York Times Article

“This city letter carrier posed for a humorous photograph with a young boy in his mailbag. After parcel post service was introduced in 1913, at least two children were sent by the service. With stamps attached to their clothing, the children rode with railway and city carriers to their destination. The Postmaster General quickly issued a regulation forbidding the sending of children in the mail after hearing of those examples.”

Found at the Smithsonian’s Flickr Page.

The practice of sending children by Parcel Post was officially prohibited on June 13, 1920.

The Old Wolf has spoken.

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Technological Prejudice

Posted on by The Old Wolf

Steve Mann, called by some “The Father of Wearable Technology,” was hungry in Paris. Instead of stopping in at a local boîte, he and his family (inexplicably – this is Paris, after all) chose to dine at McDonald’s. It turned into something of an incident, which he also reported on his blog. Despite being shown a doctor’s note that explained his wearable eyepiece (a PARC1-esque precursor to Google Glass,) the staff at McDo had reservations.

Steve Mann with his EyeTap device

I imagine something like this taking place:

Staffer 1: Excusez-moi, monsieur, qu’est-ce que c’est on your face there?

Mann: It’s a wearable eyepiece. I need it. Here’s a note from my doctor.

Staffer 1: (reads.) (sniffs.) Hmp. D’accord, monsieur. For now. (Returns to work, muttering Gallic imprecations under his breath.)

[In the kitchen]

Staffer 2: What did he say?

Staffer 1: He says it’s technology. He says he needs it. He showed me a note from his doctor.

Staffer 2: And you believed him? Crétin! All américains sont des liars! He is doubtless a spy for le Wendy’s, or un Borg, or un observeur from the 7th dimension, or worse, from le CIA!

Staffer 3: Oui! We must throw him out before he begins to throw caca on les clients of our fine establishment!

All: Allons, enfants de la patrie!

Staffer 1: Monsieur! You must leave! You may not wear Borg technology in our store!

Mann: But it’s just an eyepiece…

Staffers (together): Non! Hérétique! You will burn for your blasphemy! Away avec toi! (staff hustles Mann and his family out of the restaurant, trying to rip off his eyepiece which is rather bolted to his head)

Staffers: Voila! The pûreté of our établissement has been restored! Vive la France! And stay out, or next time we will not be so charitable, cochon américain!

Of course, all révolutions begin en France, and then migrate to other shores. Perhaps a dark time will fall upon our own nation, with gangs of thugs roving the streets yanking hearing aids out of the ears of the elderly, but after the population has been decimated by the technology wars which ensue, equilibrium will be established, and portable technology will be accepted by the remainder.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go polish my optical implants.

The Old Wolf has spoken.

1PARC, or the Palo Alto Research Center of XEROX, developed the technology that has now become ubiquitous as the Macintosh, and marketed it as the 8010 STAR system and the subsequent 6085 Desktop Publishing System. They invented the desktop metaphor, with documents, folders, trashcans, windows, raster font design, and a whole host of other things… and did it in 1985, long before Windows was even a bad mushroom dream in Bill Gates’ mind.

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“Modern” Shop Front – 1890’s

Posted on by The Old Wolf

Caption reads, “A modern shop front, with windows fitted with sliding sashes.” The ‘sashes’ are the front two large-paned windows facing the street (the grips are visible along the bottom edge of the window). The sash is fitted with a sash-weight to counteract the enormous weight of a sheet of glass this size. The sash slides upward to open, allowing street-side sale of groceries during times when the weather allows and closing up during inclement weather.

Found at Infomercantile

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Abandoned Texaco Station, 1937

Posted on by The Old Wolf

Photo by Russell Lee (American, 1903-1986)

“Abandoned Garage On Highway #2, Western North Dakota, 1937/c1940s. Vintage silver gelatin photograph, typed title, photographer’s Farm Security Administration (FSA) credit stamp, FSA return stamp and numeric annotations in pencil in an unknown hand verso, 17.9 x 24.2cm. Minor wear to edges of margins.

The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was created during the Depression to combat rural poverty. It became famous for its small but highly influential photography program, 1935-44, which realistically portrayed the challenges of rural poverty.”

Found at Joseph Lebovic Gallery

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