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A little digital discrimination, manipulation and intimidation [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-06-15
Visiting my local Verizon store in an upscale strip mall, Chestnut Hill, MA, this morning, I had a learning experience. The store was closed. If I wanted to find the store hours, I had to scan a QR code posted on the door.
Being digitally astute for a senior citizen, (I was in IT for the last 20 years of my work life), I used my phone to scan the code and got the store hours: it opens at 10 am, in about 15 minutes. I decided to go and grab myself a coffee and as I turned away I heard "sir, sir, excuse me, sir, may I ask you a question?" I turned back to find an elderly woman sitting on a nearby bench calling me in a thick Caribbean accent. I replied "yes ma'am!" She asked "did you do that thing, do you know when the store opens?" I told her the opening time and she told me:
"I don't know how to do that!
Why do they make me do that?
I just know how to call on my phone.
My daughter gave it to me!
Why can't they put up a real sign?
This is crazy, I been waiting an hour, I could have done my shopping!"
I agreed, why don't they have a "real sign"? I told her it would open in a few minutes and wished her a good day.
The sign looks like it is now a standard issue Verizon corporate sign for their stores, graphically very professional and elegant. It does an efficient job for Verizon; greets you, informs you about store security, declares the policy on solicitation, and, most importantly, requires you to use Verizon service, which you pay for, to get the store hours! I find the "handicapped accessible" graphic on the bottom a bit ironic given my recent encounter.
I am increasingly amazed at how much the corporate world affects even the most simple of our daily activities; mostly, for their benefit. I'm seeing theses "Scan code for...." basic information more and more often: menus, contact info, store hours! What if I don't have, can't afford, are not able to use a cell phone? Am I then restricted as to my social and cultural access?
As the lady said" "Why can't they put up a real sign?"
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