Disqus - Latest Comments for jonathanmacdonald

Re: Alternative Public Transport – A Proposal

jonathanmacdonald — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:02:29 -0000

Good point....as my colleague Liri says "the thing with privatization is that it means ALOT more for some, and ALOT less for others"

Re: It’s official! We’re in a dotcom ‘mobile’ bubble!

jonathanmacdonald — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:07:38 -0000

...and then the big proof of how big mobile will be is that a massive (blind) fish buys a smaller (blind) fish.

Re: Customer Relationship Management – Wired Style

jonathanmacdonald — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:02:55 -0000

Indeed - its interesting that some (like me) are impressed by even small gestures - even if they are not ideal - which indicates that there is still a long way to go in terms of vendor relationship management ;)

Re: 2009 BEUC Consumer Privacy and Online Marketing Forum - I’m Going…

jonathanmacdonald — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:11:29 -0000

You are gonna rock the house my man. Let us know whether there is video footage :)

Re: my 10 favourite wordpress plugins

jonathanmacdonald — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:13:38 -0000

the new feedburner feedsmith link is here - now called something different but doing the same thing apparently: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/feedburner-...

Re: Using Google Apps Mail With Fasthosts - The Solution

jonathanmacdonald — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:40:00 -0000

looking more into that point fyi - they 'suggest' that the trailing is 'often' needed - but actually, i dont use the trailing '.' at the end of the MX string and its fine :)

Re: Involvism – Method 5: Creation

jonathanmacdonald — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:04:32 -0000

Thanks!

It's certainly true that 'finishing' something is an invalid concept in today's world - this needs to be embraced to maximise.

250 year business plan? I would LOVE to see that. That kinda shiz does it for me...!!!! :)

Re: Ian From The London Underground Vs An Elderly Man

RailwayEmployee — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:26:29 -0000

Johnathan there are a few key things that have led me to conclude that both Staff and passenger were in the wrong.....

1/ You state that the customer relayed his experience of being trapped in the doors to Ian.

Answer: Whilst Ian should not be behaving in aggressive manner to any customer, he should of actually responded to that customer by reminding him that he should not attempt to board or alight trains when doors are in the process of closing in the interests of his own safety, and also customers that ignore the doors closing safety warning are in breach of a railway byelaw.
This could explain why he wanted that customer to see the British Transport Police, as they can fine those that break byelaws.

An answer like the above may be the words of a jobsworth by some commuters, but it brings a firm but factual point across.

I personally would not even bother having a customer fined for an issue such as that, however if somebody was to complain about that to me, that is what I'd tell them.

Ian is a very sorry excuse for a Customer Service Assistant, and he has given those of us that take our jobs' seriously look bad!

Whatever Ian's "story" is behind his outburst, whether that be a large number of awkward customers' prior to this incident or just having a bad day, he could simply of taken 'time out' had a short break to allow some relief of any earlier stresses, and then returned to duty.
Instead, he chose to behave what can only be decribed as a "ticking time bomb" that chose to explode at that customer.

I noticed towards the end he said "sling him under a train"

That is simply sickening to wish death on any human being!

I noticed at the end of you video you stated that the woman laughed when you said to her that he'll lost his job.
She probably agreed with you, but didn't want to say anything because she didn't want any long term problems for her future on the railway. (I'm sure it doesn't take much work of one's imagination to realise what I'm saying here)

I have problems with a small number of rude revenue protection staff at my station that abuse their power, they can penalty fare a customer and not even clearly explain why. They have a right too know!
When a customer approaches me to complain, I am standing there thinking "I agree this man was ingnorant to you" but for the same reason as I mentioned earlier you feel awkward to voice your opinion.

My conclusion: Although the customer was wrong to a certain degree, with a byelaw breach.
Ian was the worst....he has a company to represent and therefore should behave like a representative.

I had 6 customers' support me yesterday after I had to deal with somebody, that refused to buy a ticket to Zone One because he could not afford it.
I said to him, Sir this is a revenue protection matter and you'll need to see them as I can only let you out with their permission"
(no aggression, no rudeness just one sentence that got straight to the point)
The man response was to spit at me and then headbutt me, with possible further attacks, until 6 customers interviened!
Had it not been for them, my injuries could have been much worse!

Re: Ian From The London Underground Vs An Elderly Man

jonathanmacdonald — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:04:11 -0000

http://www.jonathanmacdonald.com/?p=4058

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

jonathanmacdonald — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:56:39 -0000

That is one of the most insightful replies we have had - thank you (and all others) for your collective time within this conversation.

Reason is a great balance.

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

version3point1 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:29:21 -0000

Either way (and what you still keep failing to comprehend), the reaction to the problem was not of equal force. There's no two ways about it. I was bullied at school – I was severely injured at one point – and even though there were plenty of times I wanted to smash this boy's face in for beating me up, I didn't go and do it. I went to the teachers and it got sorted.

You've basically gone the other way. For somebody who has been supposedly 'bullied', you've done everything a victim shouldn't do – you yourself have become the bully. Social media CAN backfire. You're going around with the illusion that it won't by going to the papers and whatnot, and I suppose this guy thought the same thing as well: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-...

He came through one of his regular destinations a few days afterwards and was ridiculed, pointed out and laughed at by normal everyday passengers. But I guess he thought everybody would be on his side, no?

With your follow up of how TfL can be 'assisted' in the use of social media and 'staff training', you claim that you 'know' how to use social media 'tools'. Look at how you post up your screen grabs like they're trophies (or I suppose you'd say they're 'examples'). You say you didn't expect the reaction you did, yet you also say 'Through this post I will cover exactly what steps I took to make this happen' with regards to viral activity within social media.

You will never admit you used this story for your own benefit. Of course you wont. I guess claiming you know how to use social media tools is a euphemism for that. You haven't gained any real insight into your actions with regards to this, but you've made a whole load of enemies along the way. Applause to you. And whilst people are here praising you and giving the compliments, all the while waiting for your next move, you'd just better hope you don't trip up.

Social media is a beast you can't claim to tame.

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

antonynett — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:57:00 -0000

For the record Jonathon, Ian is one of the most laid back gentleman I ever met. I have never seen him lose his cool before in the four years I have known him. Like I said in my own message, you have only filmed half the story. This
defenceless old man as you portray him isn't entirely innocent as you well know!

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

mathewbirkin — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:06:56 -0000

This is crowd power...

More like heard psychology. You seem to be quite good at this john, I can think of another man who was also quite good at this. A man who also chose easy targets and fought for ''social'' justice. Like yourself he was bullied as a child, and suffered many beatings. Upon finding his social media he also became famous, and with the same god complex delt out his own second party punishments. Only you are english and this man was german.

Can you think who he is?

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

DaveyBoy — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:56:05 -0000

I'm not saying the entire storm was something you did, but you did start it. The fact that angers me is that you showed no restraint whatsoever whilst being clearly aware of the possible media storm this could whip up (including contacting the press, which once again you choose not to respond to, if you hadn't got the big media involved, then I doubt that this would've blown up the way it did.)

The backlash on Ian absolutely IS unjust, it's completely out of proportion for what he did and is not suitable punishment for his "crime". You're absolutely right, I can't take on social media mentality and/or citizen broadcasters or, to put it another way, online mob rule. And no, I won't 'get used to it' as you so succinctly put it, we are all human beings at the end of the day and we are all subject to human error and we all make mistakes, it frightens me that those mistakes could then be broadcast online for all the world to see. Think for one moment about a time when you have lost your cool, then look at it the other way and see yourself plastered all over the internet with people up and down the country baying for your blood. It's a scary thought and no, not a society that I myself am happy with living in. As if there aren't enough CCTV cameras about watching my every move, I now have to contend that any Tom, Dick or Harry can whip out a camera and sensationalize something that in the grand scheme of things is so trivial.

You talk about Human rights, correct the elderly chap had the right to use the tube without being abused. Conversely,Ian should have the right to a fair hearing and the right to privacy, instead with how this has become, those rights have gone out the window, the internet has become judge and jury and you talk about this like it's a good thing...maybe the government could make a saving by getting rid of the justice system and instead throwing court cases on twitter, leaving it 24 hours and then making a ruling based on the comments made by the people. Do you think that would be fair?

I'm sorry mate, but you're lying to yourself if you're saying you aren't getting any pleasure from all this and you know you are. This whole blog post reeks of it. I'm sure that maybe you thought your initial intentions were noble, I just don't think you thought it through to conclusion before you did what you did. By it's very necessity a media storm requires the involvement of hundreds and thousands of people, that's why it's a media storm others have to pick it up and run with it. But you had the power and the discretion to prevent this from happening in the first place. As I said before, there were other routes you could have considered but you didn't. Maybe you didn't know, maybe you didn't care, maybe you were after the attention, maybe not.

All of the maybes aside.....do you not feel ANYTHING for the guy? Do you not even have the slightest inkling of sympathy for him? If this was happening to me I'd be afraid to leave the house, don't you even in the least think that's awful again, given the proportion of his 'crime'?

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

jonathanmacdonald — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:16:54 -0000

You actually think that the entire media storm was something I did.

You think nobody else twittered it?

You think nobody else blogged it?

And if anyone did - it was because of me?

For real?

This isn't about how big MY story has become.

This is about how empowered we as people ARE.

The 'backlash' on Ian isn't just or unjust. I just reported events.

And finally - in closing - your point: "Fortunately the majority of us haven't had some self-absorbed "social media champion" filming our off moments and posting them online for the world to see."

Well my friend. Get used to it.

This is the world we live in - and if others can withstand the ignorance of others to stand up for themselves and human rights, then you will see a lot more of the 'off moments' published.

So - you are left with some questions.

Do you think that you can ensure that doesn't happen?

Can you take on social media mentality and citizen broadcasters?

Can you?

Really?

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

whowantstoknow — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:56:48 -0000

LOL
No you didn't go there NO you didn't call me a bully LOL

Jonathan I am not bulling you I am just telling you what I think and what I believe in. You have open yourself to this

Now for the crowd accountability comment, I am not stupid and I know that there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop this now, but I also know that you knew when you started sending this to the papers that this could have been a consequence and I don’t think that you should have taken the risk.
Even if I condemn what Ian has done, I don’t know the guy but I actually feel sorry and I am worried for him at this moment. He didn’t deserve that, and yes he has learned the biggest lesson of his life but no one should feel scared to walk down the street for something like this.

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

jonathanmacdonald — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:41:34 -0000

This then will be my last correspondence with you as you have already decided what you think and you are sticking to it.

So be it.

After spending most of my time at school getting the shit kicked out of me, I kinda react in a certain way when I see someone behaving in the way that the bullies did to me.

Thank you so much for thinking that I have the power to control the entire twitterverse and press. Sadly I don't. Its not down to cleverness, its because I simply do not believe ANYONE has that power.

This is crowd power.

Crowd accountability.

On your second point - of all the comments that anyone has written, this is the most saddening to me. Mainly because you clearly have misjudged why I do what I do.

It is what it is and you are entitled to your opinion. However, I simply cannot carry on defending myself against you.

So - like a bully - you win.

Well done you.

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

whowantstoknow — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:36:06 -0000

Imagine how Ian feels

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

whowantstoknow — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:34:21 -0000

Let’s be clear about this, there is 2 points in this argument.
1. Ian acted in an unprofessional and rude manner and I certainly do not even try to defend his action, but and this is a big BUT the punishment he is as we speak going through is disproportionate to the crime. Ian has not rape or murdered anyone and still thanks to you his face is on all the papers in the country and all over the internet. Now would I have done things differently? Yes I would have, I would have spoke out at the time of the incident. Now is that how you should have reacted? Well we are different so I can’t judge but one thing I am sure about is publishing his name and where he works, is totally out of order, he has a right to privacy like anyone else. You have started something you cannot control and I really hope that things do not spin out of control. Don’t come back to me with I didn’t know it will turn out this way, you sell yourself as a clever man, so you knew exactly what you were doing.
2. My second point is that I strongly believe (not that you will ever admit it) that you did that for your own interest and not because you were concern about the public. You have singled out one man (even if he did wrong) and made a business case out of him. Good case I will admit as this story is going wild and show the power of media. That was for your own benefit. And probably a story you will be selling for many years.

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

jonathanmacdonald — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:34:19 -0000

Actually Graham, I have said may times that in every company there are good and bad people. As it happens, I have met some incredible LU staff who have done great things and are lovely people.

Just for the record.

I absolutely, categorically do not think for one moment that all staff, including your wife, treat people badly.

Its a shame that you say I have a lot of enemies because I genuinely didn't want to label the entire workforce, rather report one particular bad apple - hell, even the lady on video is heard apologising to the old guy..

But there you go.

I am beginning to feel as if it would be unsafe to go underground now - and by the sound of your comments, you would probably agree.

At least all this is out in the open and stored.

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

cart00nist — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:24:46 -0000

Bravo. Well said, Jonathan.

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

grahamstaunton — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:03:43 -0000

Oh thank god for you Jonathan! You're our hero?! But really your just a silly little man who wants to earn a few quid and get publicity so you can afford to have you balls trod on by a dominatrix and also buy a farm so you can suck of some sheep! You're pathetic! You should have gone through the right channels! You may have ruined Ian's life?! You are a fucking cunt! End off!

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

jonathanmacdonald — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:02:48 -0000

I took a camera out of my pocket, recorded an instance of abuse and blogged it.

I worked in this space before the instance happened, yet if I worked in a bank I would have done exactly the same thing. Would you then suggest I was advertising the bank's services?

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

cart00nist — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:01:40 -0000

That's what I'd like to know too. The person calling himself "grahamstaunton" is all over the comments to yesterday's entry too and insulting others in a rather vile language. I honestly hope he's not working for London Underground.

Re: Understanding The Power Of Social Media

jonathanmacdonald — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:00:32 -0000

I am finding it very hard to work out what I should have done differently.

1. I dislike bullying

2. I blog (as you do)

3. I reported what I saw - and anyone can see via video

4. I didn't predict the incredible take up by Twitter

--

Could I have not blogged it? Yes. I could have ignored the event - or, just reported it to TFL without blogging it.

Why didnt I?

Because it sickens me that people can bully others and often get away with it - and I blog what I find interesting. I don't force people to follow it - read it - or even comment on here (but thanks for doing so nonetheless).

The twitterverse effect should tell us something about what thousands of people feel about this story.

People could have equally ignored it.

The only person who 'destroyed Ian's life' is Ian.

I know how to blog/twitter/etc but I have no ability to put words in Ian's mouth.

I didn't say 'sling him under a train'.

I didn't call a passenger a 'stupid little git'.

I didn't force the twitter effect.

It's a real shame that you feel that I am somehow to blame for reporting real life.