Communication fail

[unixronin]

I am now officially amused at our trash collection service (Waste Management Inc).

You see... our weekly trash pickup is on Tuesdays.  Many holidays do not affect this, but very occasionally, some do.  So, whenever there is a holiday that might affect the schedule of our trash pickup, but isn't actually going to, Waste Management calls us to let us know that our trash pickup will not be delayed.

However, if our trash pickup IS going to be delayed ... they don't call us.  (Yes, you can see this coming, can't you?)  They also don't call us in the event of a holiday that does not have the potential to affect our trash pickup.  And, of course, they don't call us when there's no holiday to affect the schedule.

So, basically, if we get a call from Waste Management, we know that our trash pickup is going to be on the normal schedule and they didn't need to call us.  On the other hand, if they DON'T call us, they we know that either our trash delivery is going to be on normal schedule, or it isn't.  In other words, not getting the call conveys no reliable new information, while getting the call provides no useful new information.

Somebody really didn't think this through....

Comments

[ithildae]

Logic is the most poorly understood part of the scientific method. It is also the least taught. That reflects poorly on our education system, as well as those who design policy.