Artificial Intelligence

If you are old enough to have seen 2001: A Space Odyssey, you doubtless remember the computer, the HAL 9000. HAL malfunctions and does everything it can to kill off the crew. The last astronaut standing is appropriately named “Bowman,” perhaps foreshadowing my own difficulties with artificial intelligence. At least I wasn’t in space….

My challenges were more down-to-earth. My DVR had started making an annoying buzzing sound when I paused and restarted something I had recorded, and the “cable” button on the remote had become extremely difficult to use. I requested new ones from my local provider, Charter . . . → Read More: Artificial Intelligence

Customer Service

Although the impetus for this blog was a “customer service” call I experienced with the “help” available at Charter/Spectrum when my cable was out, most everything here applies to all companies that assume artificial intelligence can serve customers as well a breathing, thinking, human being. Eventually, my problem was solved—but not before I developed a deep and abiding hatred for Charter/Spectrum in spite of a long history of good service from the human technicians who work for the company. Here’s the story:

I was at home nursing a very sore back (which probably reduced my tolerance for the stupidity . . . → Read More: Customer Service