Google recently released a feature known as Mail Goggles in an effort to prevent Gmail users from firing out drunken e-mails, which they might regret sending soon after it arrives in an ex's inbox - "i luv u babie, take me bac."
If they activate the feature, users are asked to complete a few simple math problems to verify that they are not drunk - or are at least clever drunks - before their e-mails are sent on weekend nights.
I don't know how I feel about this program. What kind of a-holes bypass tried-and-true drunk dialing?
Never once have I stumbled home and said to myself, "Boy, I'm drunk. I am compelled to go turn on my crappy Dell, wait for it to fire up, open up a browser, log in to my Gmail account and type an e-mail for my ex. I wish there was simple arithmetic that could save me."
I think Mail Goggles hints at a larger problem. I am developing an averse attitude toward technology as I watch it advance almost every day. Maybe I sound like some weirdo in his auntie's basement who has an Orwellian fear of technological advancement, but I think it's becoming too pervasive in my life.
Actually, I don't have a fear of technology - it's more of a heightened annoyance.
Sure, I can pretend to talk on my cell phone when homeless people approach me, my Xbox 360 is great when I'm baked, and I have way more access to porn than any sucker from a pre-personal-computer decade.
But while technology giveth, it also taketh away. Let's look at a real-world example: There is one me and probably about an additional 15 people or so I don't mind.
Unfortunately, these people account for roughly zero of the chain-mail forwarders, YouTube video posters or Facebook requesters I am subjected to on a daily basis. Listen, person-I-vaguely-remember-from-high-school, I just don't want to join your group about Sudan or go to some crappy USF party that you keep inviting me to.
Even more unfortunately, the problem will probably get worse before it gets better - or before computers go sentient and kill all humans.
I guess I'll just have to accept that more than ever, morons are being given a greater voice by technology. I don't think that voice should be taken away, but I reserve my right to shun technology in an effort to block out whatever stupid thing is said next.
If you need me, smoke signals are all day.
