Dark Patterns
I've spoken about this before, although I didn't call it Dark Patterns, I called it "Systematic and Premeditated Incompetence". When I worked for Shaw Cable, and Star Choice Television, (after they were acquired by Shaw Cable) we'd employ any number of "Dirty Techniques" to retain customers. While the company never acknowledged them as such, it was pretty clear what they were up to. At Star Choice, remote customers calling from remote areas on Cell Phones (remote cabins without land line service) were regularly waiting on hold for hours on end. This was 15 years ago, at that time no cell phone could even run an hour. And if by some miracle you, the customer, got through and suggested you wanted to disconnect, well, we weren't "empowered" to do that, we'd have to transfer you, the customer (with another hour or longer holding pattern & circus music specifically designed to encourage you to hang up or go insane) to a special "Saves Team". If you, the customer, at any point hung up or despaired you could be assured that you were still on billing, the company accepted no excuses and took no prisoners...
if you wanted, however, to upgrade or expand your package your call was immediately answered and you were transferred to a priority agent who provided you with swift and prompt service. No upgrading customer ever held for even 2 minutes on a call.
Anyways, apparently the label for this fine behavior is "Dark Patterns", and you can read more about their "tricks" on their website here:
Link: Dark Patterns
Or watch a short youtube video explaining: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxkrdLI6e6M
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On the Kaslo - New Denver Pass
Raining in the valley, but as you get higher there's snow...and more snow...
But a lovely day.
A couple of pictures:
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The Town of Scarfolk
I visited this site a few years ago - it's been that long? It has. And what seemed then to be a couple of minutes in the future and a couple of steps to the left has already come to pass. The premise is less absurd than prescient.
Link: Scarfolk & Wiki on the Same
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Dog Heaven
A friend, presuming competence, that generalization that because I'm good at my job and I'm terrific at holding my liquor I'm probably great at my artwork as well, invites me to paint the portrait of her beloved deceased dog.
Cue circus music.
Now I'd make the same mistake myself if I didn't know myself any better. But I accept the challenge - why not, dogs aren't people, you only have to realize a passing resemblance to the breed and people will invariably identify it as "their" dog. Not like people. Damnable people. People, you get a resemblance, eyes, nose, mouth, maybe even ears and a forehead, yet still they find something wrong. Dogs, come close on color, shape and size, and there's no complaining. This summer I'm going to set up at the Ferry landing and do doggie portraits, I'll make a killing, no complaints, I'm pretty sure...so this, this will be the necessary practice.
My art supplies, by grim necessity, are coming largely from "Dollorama". I've got to get used to the new color naming schemes, no Cadmium or Alazarin hues here, I'm making do with "Daffodil Yellow" and "Sapphire Blue" and "Pumpkin Orange". And Glitter, lots and lots of glitter. And you know, it isn't half bad, why ever in the hell did I need expensive top-of-the line oils and canvas when generally all I paint is shit? This is working out terrific...and I'm saving a bundle...
Attempt #1
At which point it was much admired and then she let me know her dog was a girl, hence the fire hydrant wasn't really a necessary prop.
I knew I could do better, and so I tried again:
Yeah, better, maybe, I'm loving the glitter, but not enough better, and so I thought on it for a while and went back to Dollarama for some better brushes. Acrylic brushes.
And I think I got it, maybe a little more abstract than she'd like, but it pleases me (mostly) and in the end that's all that matters...
You know, I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to paint clouds. Clearly it didn't sink in. But the whole bit about "Paint the background first" was a bit of a revelation, and upon reflection it kind of makes sense...
My Favorite. It doesn't get better than this. Dog Heaven.
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