Mixed Signals
Any sufficiently advanced information is indistinguishable from noise
Monday 7 January 2008, 4:46 PM
Jeremy Clarkson's Guide To Avoiding ID Theft
You knew that already, you online denizen you. But now, so does Jeremy 'Pwnd' Clarkson, TV presenter, testosterone model and man-of-the-people newspaper pundit.
In particular, he recently indulged in punditry concerning ID theft, telling the readers of his Sun newspaper column that it was all nonsense. To prove it, he then told them his bank account number and sort code, together with other useful information. "All you'll be able to do with them is put money into my account."
Guess what happened next.
Aww.
By the way, that bit about the data protection act? Nonsense. A friend of mine has a standard response when told "We can't tell you what you want to know, because of the Data Protection Act". First, he tells them that this is rubbish. When they persist, he says "Fine. I'll call the office of the Data Protection Registrar and get them to give you a call to explain why it's rubbish." As he says, the DPR will indeed be happy to put people right on this - but it's never necessary, as the offenders back down in microseconds. Also works for people who say that they can't do something because of ISO9001 - they'll cave in before you can even look up the telephone number of the BSI.
Someone should tell Clarkson - he's easy to get hold of. Or so I've read.
PreviousComments on this post
It reminds me of a story about the death of Tchaikovsky from cholera. One version of the great composer's death has it that he was warned that cholera was water-borne, and nevertheless gulped down a glass of water anyway, to prove that it was all a fuss over nothing.
I wonder how Clarkson's views on global warming -- that it's all a fuss over nothing -- will stand the test of time.
This is so perfect!
A man who gladly tells you what he feels is the truth but is actually an ignorant knee-jerk opinion, rarely fact.
I hope those twerps who want him to run for PM get him as their local MP.
I have yet to find anything he says to be of value. I agree he is an interesting presenter and generally entertaining in a silly sort of way but to be taken seriously? NOT!
This is so perfect!
A man who gladly tells you what he feels is the truth but is actually an ignorant knee-jerk opinion, rarely fact.
I hope those twerps who want him to run for PM get him as their local MP.
I have yet to find anything he says to be of value. I agree he is an interesting presenter and generally entertaining in a silly sort of way but to be taken seriously? NOT!
It is disturbing to know that someone only needs your Bank details to be able to set up a direct debit, without any signatures, etc.
