Comments on: the idiot filter

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 01:25:23 +0000

sorry if I sound like an old fart (in a corridor?) but the bit I like most about this card isn’t the f-word, it’s the first sentence. I’ve found the more arrogant the person is, the less susceptible they are to threats. And boy do I have a lot of arrogant people to convince in my company

By: Manola Marketblanik

Manola Marketblanik — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 03:35:32 +0000

Now if you could only make “idiot filter” calling cards for those of us who are single …

By: David

David — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 02:34:04 +0000

Guess it’s like the cows. Can’t keep away from the fences…

By: David

David — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:44:33 +0000

Guess it’s like the cows. Can’t keep away from the fences…

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:26:49 +0000

Lighten up, David. I put “idiot filter” in quotation marks.
Anyway, if you find the language so offensive, what’cha doing reading my blog in the first place? Jeeze Louise

By: monki

monki — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:02:25 +0000

I opted for the “quality isn’t job one, being totally f-ing amazing is job one” card, and I agree with the sentiment. The message feels right to me, and if the person can’t jive with that, they probably can’t jive with me either.

By: David

David — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:20:50 +0000

So you’re saying I’m an idiot if I take offense of what I think to be offensive language? It may be a filter but it does seem like ridicule is not warranted.

By: Adriana

Adriana — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 22:37:58 +0000

Absolutely works as an idiot filter. Especially in the US where it’s more risky to use the f-word in a business environment than it is in the UK. As I don’t ’sell or pitch’ in the traditional way, I need to find those people who will be able to work with me. Or vice versa.
Also, it’s the message that resonates, with or without the f-word.
I used to have two types of cards – one without the f-word and this one. I just re-order another batch and kept only this above one. It was an executive decision..
Very cool.. Just keep making them, Hugh.

By: Mike Orren

Mike Orren — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:05:34 +0000

The “sell a dinosaur a meteor” cartoon makes the perfect powerpoint slide for a startup pitching something to an “old media” company.

By: jeff

jeff — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:55:01 +0000

Love the idiot filter. In the end, it saves everybody a lot of time and energy. It’s about taking people for what they really are.
Love the idiot filter.

By: phil

phil — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:16:08 +0000

Touche! Truly suprised to see you allow a non-sycophantic comment through. Nicely done. Keep up the good work old chap

By: Dan Ward

Dan Ward — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 19:20:05 +0000

This is one of my favorite of your cartoons, Hugh. I never use language like that, and as a general rule I think there are better ways to convey ideas than to use profanities… but doggone it, this cartoon really nails it.
I wouldn’t put it on my own business card, ’cause the language isn’t true to who I am, but the sentiment certainly is…

By: malcolm

malcolm — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:32:51 +0000

HEY! That’s my blog card
They are also very convenient and useful book-marks although my six year old daughter picked it up and started reading it: “It’s all about being utterly fucked” with a big smile on her face. All goes to show that rude words really are funny

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:09:34 +0000

You proved Adriana’s point better than you know, Phil

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:00:09 +0000

ha ha, yes, ‘Idiot Filter’.
I can see how that would work. Only in reverse Hugh. If someone handed me a business card like that I’d be looking at an idiot.
What are the chances of you letting this comment through? Zero. Coward.