Reining in EUIs—emailing under the influence
Friday, October 16th, 2009
A handful of years ago, comedian-turned-talk-show-host Greg Behrendt (he co-authored “He’s Just Not That Into You” with Liz Tuccillo, the book that was the focus of one of the “Sex And The City” favorites) played the Comedy Works in Denver. It was one of those rare shows that was 99% absent obscenities-proof in this day and age that the performer was truly comedic, not just a shock jock.
Behrendt regaled the crowd with his “Truth in vodka” skit which revolved around his throwing back 8 (at least) vodka shooters and then calling his girlfriend who had happened to move to another coast where she was living with another man in a hotel while she and her new love awaited the completion of their new custom home. Deep into his vodka, Behrendt was also in deep denial about the status of his relationship with the woman: the clear beverage, it seems, clouded his vision. He felt compelled to pick up the phone and call her after his night on the town, by then convinced that her moving out of state was not a sign she’d moved out of the relationship.
He dialed the hotel and the front desk receptionist answered. He slurred his words as he requested his true love’s room number. The desk captain asked him to repeat the number several times and then when Behrendt finally pronounced the room number articulately enough to be understood, the desk captain asked, “Sir, are you sure you want me to put this call through?”
Behrendt awoke the next morning with the phone cradled in his chest and no recollection of the call that ensued.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a little man who lived in your phone who would ask you that same question when you’re dialing impaired?” Behrendt asked the audience. Pretty much to a one, the entire audience could sympathize with Behrendt’s prone position, hooting with laughter.
Well, now Google’s gone and done it.
The Internet king has developed Mail Goggles, a system you can set up on your computer to prevent the transmission of regretful messages while under the influence. It works by requiring the user to answer a series of math questions before the email “send” button will activate, effectively allowing the composer time to reconsider.
I’m not seeing a downside to this innovation. Cheers.