For those of you unfamiliar with the service KGB is a text message research service that reports to be able to answer any question quickly and truthfully. Why anyone would think this business model was laudable (or even practical) in an age when anybody who can send a text message can also access the Internet is beyond me, but whatever. The fact that I have used the service several times, always while intoxicated, proves that there is some merit to the idea.
You'll notice I say that all of my correspondence with KGB has been inebriated, this has led to some chuckle worthy interactions with the service and my arguing every answer they have ever given me. Their answers have never satisfied me and have led to my supposition that in reality KGB is just some dude with a cellphone and the Internets surfing wikipedia.
For Example on last Fridays winter Olympics opening ceremonies in Vancouver:
ME: What time (PST) will the Olympic Torch be lit at the 2010 Winter Olympics?
KGB: Torch Relay began in Athens Greece on October 30 2009 and will arrive in Vancouver British Columbia; February 12 2010; for the opening celebration day.
First of all all let me state that I know that this was an impossible question, akin to asking what the final score of a game will be while the game is in process. There was literally some dude running with a torch and they couldn't be sure exactly what time he would get there. I was just looking for a ball park guess. The damn opening ceremonies were fucking 4 and 1/2 hours long and, with the exception of the lighting effects, asinine and boring. I was hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel. What I received from KGB was akin to a middle schooler's attempt at a pop quiz question they didn't expect. They were just hoping that if they told me enough information related to the data I requested then I would give them some fucking extra-credit or something. Instead of telling me I was an asshole for asking an impossible question or even just providing me with a simple "I don't know, who do you think I am Doc Brown?" They sent me back all of the periphery information they could, brutally abused two poor, innocent semi-colons and left me more than a little ticked off.
To Summarize: I didn't ask where and when it left from, where it would arrive or on what fucking date it would arrive. Did these assholes really think I would pay them for that tripe? I asked them on February 12th so obviously I was watching the opening ceremonies (and by the way wasn't it lit after midnight on the 13th?). It's like they were hoping that if they buried me with enough superfluous bullshit I'd just accept it and pay the charge. Needless to say I responded:
ME: I asked for a time not a date; don't charge me for a nonanswer. (sic)
(just to be a dick a used a semi-colon as god intended, to join two sentences.)
KGB: We apologise you will not be charged for this message. One free credit has been added.
Bitches - even their apologies are ambiguous. Does that mean I was was charged for the first message? If so then I declare shenanigans. I still have a free credit though. Any thoughts on what my question should be?
-T
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You should ask them why they named themselves after a committee for secret security in Russia and the Soviet Union. That's a question!
ReplyDeleteAsk them: "L'Gandy. Kryle. Who is gayer?"
ReplyDeleteHA! I didnt know you could refute charges! Awesome!
ReplyDelete