Network World had an article…well, a sort of a rant, yesterday, concerning the 10 Most Annoying Things Tech Companies Do. Without restating, or quoting them (the article is worth the read), I would like to say that what they feature is applicable to most of the world, and what is not said is that a person, on their own, will usually accomplish zero change in these actions or policies.

Large companies are not usually set up to respond to individual complaints, problems, or annoyances, no matter how logical the changes offered, or how much said companies will save if the changes are implemented. This is the thing small companies do, to become big companies, being forgotten once certain size is achieved. It is echoed throughout the world, and is exactly why the principal at your child’s school was the best teacher, leaving the one that teaches your child sadly lacking, both in capability and focus.

What the article does not speak of is that large companies are usually swayed greatly by mass movements to demonstrate a point. If you have a gripe about something that is legitimate, chances are that many others will have the same gripe. If you establish a coordinated effort - easy to do with complete strangers with the use of the internet - you can produce change. Google makes this sort of thing very possible. With the Sites area, and the use of the search engine, along with judicious comments in certain places, a coordinated effort to achieve results is possible.

Let’s say you are a friend of the planet (you know you want to be!). You really don’t like the fact that Newegg ships everything in those non-biodegradable styrofoam peanuts. You start commenting on places like Lockergnome, put up notices on Facebook and MySpace, and start putting up your thoughts on it everywhere that is acceptable. You put a small bit of stuff together on Google Sites, and then get a plan of action. 

No one at Newegg is going to give the individual message on Newegg much notice. A letter to them will most likely find its way to the circular file once an RMA or order number is not immediately seen. However, let’s say you get your ducks lined up, and find a day where 2500 people promise not to buy something that they normally would, on a certain day - instead sending a letter to Newegg stating the nature of the protest, and that said purchases will be made elsewhere if the shipping material choice is not made more eco-friendly.

Now 2500 purchases not made on 1 day will not break the back of Newegg, but it will get them to notice. With a few of these little ‘efforts’ Newegg will come around, and it has only cost your time.

Is that not worth it for you and your progeny? With a few efforts like this almost every one of those annoying habits could be broken - and everyone would benefit. This is how acceptance of a bad situation moves to the inevitability of change.

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[tags] change, ecology, annoying habits, business practices, protest, demonstration, Google Sites, Google, MySpace, Facebook, Newegg [/tags]