Targeted Spam

I used to buy some of my prescription meds online, since they weren’t on my insurances ‘approved’ list and therefore prohibitively expensive. I guess when I was searching for a reputable ‘canadian’ pharmacy I supplied my email address to one or more less than reputable ones. About a month ago a lot of ‘cheap no-prescription meds’ ads started tunneling through my spam filters (envision the scene in The Matrix 3 where the hunter killers managed to burrow through the walls of Jericho (y, I know that’s not the name..)) Anyway, I now get maybe 5 – 10 of these daily. All promising cheap and credit card accepting pharmacies willing to break U.S. law to get me my Bonee Pills, Sleeping Pills or Pain Pills.
To prove that advertising works whether the target is receptive to it or not, I now feel tempted by these ads. I still find them deplorable, opportunistic and probably criminal. Objectively I don’t think anythings changed, but subjectively I do feel a little push – call it curiosity – as I delete the spam.  I guess it’s the same feeling some get when they consider cheating on their wives with her (seemingly available) best friend. You know you’re not going to do it, but if you did… It’s like having a little ’spam devil’ sitting on your shoulder saying “C’mon, what’s it  gonna hurt?”…

Anyway. Trying to write every day now so readers (e.g. me and a prospective employer, 5 year from now in a job interview at IBM) expect less cohesiveness of topic and/or narrative from here on out.

~ by kindablue on August 19, 2008.