text:
I have come to believe that advertising is the original sin of the web. The fallen state of our Internet is a direct, if unintentional, consequence of choosing advertising as the default model to support online content and services.
It's a long article, worth reading. But cutting to the chase:
Users will pay for services that they love…If we want to build a web that's really global, we need to rethink online payment systems. Visa and Mastercard may never become pervasive in India and sub-Saharan Africa as mobile money already has a strong market share… The model Ted Nelson dreamed of with Xanadu, where hyperlinks would ensure authors were cited and compensated for their work, required a micropayment system with low transaction costs.
This is what I have been saying for months now. We have a choice between two internets:
At this point we've basically chosen Internet #1 by default. We need to switch to #2. I pointed this out in a long article on this site, which I later reworked for Medium on a lark. Zuckerman cites Maciej Cegłowski pretty heavily; I cite Matthew Butterick and Sir Tim Berners-Lee as fully agreeing with them on this, and proposing specific solutions to boot.
Notice in #1 above, I'm not saying buying and selling on today's web is impossible, I'm saying it's a sucky experience.1 Imagine if in order to buy a book on the Kindle store you had to do a credit card transaction with every author directly. That's what the web is like today. That's what needs to change.
Originally I was saying we need to get micropayments built right into HTTP, but in the end I don't really care how we do it. All we need is some open, universal way for creators to say "you owe me $0.002 to see this page" and some open, universal painless way for users to give it to them. No committing to some kind of patronage relationship, no weird browser-specific app stores, no credit card details. Just give creators the same revenue per-pageview they're getting from advertisers, without making them get it from advertisers. That's how we fix the internet.
On Indieweb's IRC channel, Tantek Çelik complained that I'm "handwaving" since I'm "not trying" to monetize my own site, as though I were complaining that it's impossible to sell content online. (If he had bothered to check, he'd see that I've actually explored several ways of doing this, all of which work far better for users than his proposed solution of putting my site on the Mozilla App Store, which I found extremely strange.) But that's beside the point. As I said at the time, it's as though I wrote an article on minimum wage and someone accused me of not tipping buskers. The internet's advertising fixation isn't a problem you can fix one website at a time; it has to be solved universally or not at all. ↩
In particular I liked this anecdote Mr. Lapham tells about how he was fired from, and then asked to return to, Harper's Magazine. You can skip to the corresponding audio from the interview and listen along:
In 1980, Kohls decides to sell it [Harper's Magazine], because it's still losing lots of money. It's taken over by the MacArthur Foundation in Chicago, and the MacArthur Foundation appoints a board of directors to run the magazine. None of them knew anything about the magazine business. You know, they were investment bankers, philanthropists, academics (ugh)…and I had my first meeting with that board and I knew it was a question of not was I going to be fired, it was just a question of when. …I was fired in the summer of 1981, and then wrote occasional magazine pieces, wrote a column every other week for the Washington Post, began to make, you know, come up with an idea for a book.
But then in 1983 I was rehired at Harper's Magazine by the young Rick MacArthur, who was representing the MacArthur Foundation's interest in the magazine; so he asked me to come back and I said I would on two conditions. One, I could redesign the magazine, because I already had the idea in mind, with the index and the readings and the annotation and so on; and two, that all the members of the board who had fired me be themselves fired. And to my surprise, both those conditions were met.
You should listen to the audio, and note how he drops this amazing fact — that he demanded and got the board members fired as a precondition for returning — and then moves right along with the précis of his career as though it were no big deal.
The story reminds me of the similar case of Osmo Vänskä, music director for the Minnesota Orchestra, who in 2013 resigned from the orchestra after a year-long lockout by a similarly clueless board of directors. When after the lockout they asked Vänskä to come back, he too made his return conditional upon the president's resignation, and got it:
After the lockout ended, Vänskä said Orchestra President Michael Henson would have to step down in order for the orchestra to heal. Orchestra management announced in February that Henson had resigned by mutual agreement. He will step down in August.
In particular I liked this anecdote Mr. Lapham tells about how he was fired from, and then asked to return to, Harper's Magazine.]]>
Bob Berenz: All right, in this point I have to be completely honest. I did write a paper early on, and I submitted it to a physics site. And it was summarily rejected out of hand. But I did learn an important lesson, that physicists and what's being done by them is very complicated, very mathematically intensive. What I've got is none of that, so it completely, almost in reverse, goes over their heads."
Whenever his theory is challenged, Bob's response is to reject the messenger as being narrow-minded or unintelligent. In fact, of course, Bob is the one whose mind is not quite up to the task he has set for himself. But he can't allow himself even to suspect this. In this episode's narrative, Bob goes from brushing off simple, obvious clues to his own crackpottedness (the rejection of his paper) to dismissing direct personal demonstrations of his ideas' incorrectnesses. Even after a PhD in nuclear physics takes time to meet with him and explain what's wrong with his theories, Bob comes away totally unfazed.
Bob Berenz: Well, this is not really fair, but I'm going to say it anyway. It's like he [Dr. Brant Watson] was talking the party line. He didn't strike me as being all that bright. I know he has a couple of patents, and he's this big professor, and it's probably not fair for me to say that, but I'm not claiming to be this incredible genius in this one area. It's very simple what I ran into. And I need some help to get it put into a forum where people can understand it. But it really isn't that difficult.
I listened to all this with great interest, because I fear that I myself might be just like Bob. In fact, I waver between thinking I am in danger of becoming like Bob, and thinking I have been like Bob for years and am just now realizing it. I have big, long-nursed theories of my own about subjects I have no formal training in, and I even write & tweet on those subjects, with few to no disclaimers.1
When an idea captivates your imagination, you can't really do anything but ponder it, discuss it, write about it, and live it out — at least, not until another idea captivates it even more strongly. And there, I hope, is where Bob and I part company: because while he will not even admit the possibility of a new idea displacing his old ones, that possibility is deeply appealing to me. In fact I genuinely enjoy being proven wrong much more than the feeling of being proven apparently correct. In that moment there is a kind of clarity that is real and rare. I may put up a fight and kick a lot of tires before I get there, but really this is because I want that clarity: to know I'm wrong, and not to have to go on just suspecting I'm wrong.
I regret that I don't have (or don't know that I have) the direct knowledge or tools to construct with certainty my ideas on theology, metaphysics or economics; I fear I will never have them. But being, thankfully, aware of this shortcoming, I can do no other than to explore these ideas with humility and the hope of further discovery; and I invite my readers to humour me, and join with me in the same spirit.
Consider this article my life-long disclaimer. ↩
Suppose for the sake of palaver that our lives follow a predestined/deterministic path, & that we have immortal souls (wild simplification)…— Joel Dueck (@joeld) April 4, 2014
In that case it's possible that the soul existing apart from time responds at all times to ALL experiences in your life incl. "future" ones.— Joel Dueck (@joeld) April 4, 2014
Your fears in this case aren't self-fulfilling prophecies, but memories & scars of the inevitable, apprehended dimly through time's lens.— Joel Dueck (@joeld) April 4, 2014
Now: meet a guy, instantly click, feel like you've known each other for yrs despite having just met. Your friendship then lasts many years…— Joel Dueck (@joeld) April 4, 2014
The click happens because you HAVE known the guy for years. The years are in the future; the felt effect on your timeless souls is the same.— Joel Dueck (@joeld) April 4, 2014
This idea strongly suggested by e.g. meeting of Merlin & young Arthur: Merlin remembers his future w/Arthur & thus knows him at first sight— Joel Dueck (@joeld) April 4, 2014
This isn't something I believe; it's something I like to imagine, which is almost the same thing.— Joel Dueck (@joeld) April 4, 2014
But I couldn't help but think of the symbolism of this, especially from the audience's standpoint on the ground.
Imagine it: the sky lit with a classic fireworks display, the "rockets bursting in air"; and through it, gliding silently, the tiny silhouette of an unmanned drone with cameras pointing in every direction. Truly a fitting sign for our time.]]>
In Your Choice, I wrote about our desires, the role they play in determining our choices, and a new way of looking at an individual as a complex layering of changing desires. I now wish to build on that basic framework, so we can start getting to the really interesting stuff. (If you haven't read the first piece yet, you should do so before continuing).
To recap, briefly: if you examine yourself closely, you find this complicated layering of desires moving about, surfacing and submerging, jostling against each other. In a given set of circumstances, with a given set of desires, your choice will be identical every time — that is, you weigh all your desires as best you can, and choose the path the gets you closer to more of the things you want most. You can't choose your circumstances, and you also can't choose your deepest desires, since you can only suppress a desire if you have a still-deeper desire to motivate that choice.
It follows, then, that given a particular set of (extremely complex) desires and a particular set of (extremely complex) circumstances, the story of a life is fixed from the beginning to the end. Your whole life really is a book, already fully-written. You can't see the outcome, simply because of the overwhelming number of factors you don't know about; but the outcome is really there, nonetheless.
There are two ways of looking at this. The first and obvious one is to feel imprisoned and helpless, even resentful. This makes most people avoid thinking of life in these terms, because what use is it? "I still have to get up in the morning and make choices. And yet here you are telling me it's pointless because I'll end up the same way no matter what I do. If that's the case then why bother about anything?" Besides not actually proving anything1, this is just a sad way to think; but it is the first thing that occurs to most of us when we think about "fate."
The other way to think about it, though, is to set aside thinking about that final chapter for the moment, and look within yourself. What are the things you want right now? What do you want the most? Consider the choices you'll already be taking now, later today, and tomorrow morning, to make those things happen; because your desires and your irrepressible expression of those desires are actually what make your destiny inevitable and certain. When you reach the last page, it will have been through the exercise of your own nature.
You have, right now, an inevitable fate — the result of a co-conspiracy between your surroundings and your own nature.
The recent movie adaptation of Alice in Wonderland explicitly depicts the relationship of desires, choice, circumstance, and destiny in a way that is surprisingly sound.
Early on, Alice is shown a scroll in which is a picture of her fate: an eventual battle with the Jabberwock. This horrifies her; she denies that she is the person depicted in the scroll, and refuses to take part in any such battle. Yet, by the end (of course), we see her, of her own accord, taking up a sword and striding out on the field to challenge the beast.
What is interesting is that Alice is not arbitrarily forced into this outcome. At every step between her first reading of the scroll and the final battle, she freely exercises her will to make reasonable choices: flee, hide, rescue her friend, act a part, respond to kindness, etc. Each step — even at times when she was mainly motivated by a desire to avoid the scroll's final scene — led her into a new circumstance and a new choice, which eventually resulted in her deciding to do battle with the Jabberwock.
Why was this? Your first thought, like mine, might have been that Alice's destiny was inevitable because all her choices were false — that is, because paths shifted and conspired to lead her to a place she had not chosen.
But this is not the right understanding. Yes, the film does portray Alice's battle as inevitable, but not because circumstances "conspired against her;" it is inevitable, rather, because of what it would mean for Alice to actually realize her own nature, that is, her own deepest desires, in the context of her life's circumstances. At every turn, she simply did what she wanted to do. Through acting on her desires, she came to understand them differently. She found she had desires she didn't realize she had, and these in turn fueled inevitable choices that created an inevitable outcome.
So in fact Alice's own nature co-conspired with circumstances to produce her destiny; a destiny which, from the very beginning of her life, was as certain as if it had already happened.
There is an old story of a ship crowded with people making its way over the ocean. Some of these people were armchair Calvinists.
One day, in the middle of some high seas and heavy winds, one of the passengers fell overboard. The amateur theologians said solemnly, "If it is predestined that he shall be saved, he shall be saved without us; and if it is written that he shall perish, we can do nothing".
But the regular people said, "Perhaps it is written that we should save him." They threw him a rope and he was saved.
You can can actually try this out in your own life: tonight, simply accept that you have an unavoidable fate, and then, in the morning, try not bothering about anything because "nothing matters." You won't be able to do it. At some point, you're going to get out of bed and start doing things because you can't help doing things that bring you closer to what you want. In fact, even when you are convinced that you have an unavoidable fate, you still want all the same things you otherwise want, and you're going to do stuff to get those things — which is what ultimately makes your fate inevitable. ↩
Building on the first piece in this series (Your Choice) I describe how, given a particular set of (extremely complex) desires and a particular set of (extremely complex) circumstances, the story of a life, of all lives, is fixed from the beginning to the end. Your whole life really is a book, already fully-written. You can't see the outcome, simply because of the overwhelming number of factors you don't know about; but the outcome is really there, nonetheless. You have, right now, an inevitable fate — the result of a co-conspiracy between your surroundings and your own nature.]]>
The most prominent of these thoughts was this: If business owners want to opt out of certain laws for religious reasons, they should be required to file as sole proprietorships (vs. corporations).
After reading more about the decision, I find that there's really nothing in it I care to comment about, nothing that I have strong opinions on. But I will talk specifically about the thinking behind my comment above.
First of all let's talk about corporations vs. sole proprietorships.
"Corporations", are, of course, a legal invention. In an ordinary world, I'm responsible for my own stuff, my own dealings with people, and my own actions. When I die, the stuff gets divvied up and becomes someone else's problem/responsibility. A business run this way is known as a sole proprietorship.
At some point we decided that there might be some benefits to treating a business as separate from its owners. So we invented corporations. Now, instead of being directly responsible for my own stuff, and dealings with people, I can create a stack of papers (a "corporation") that says that these things are now ultimately not my problem:
Of course, a big feature of corporations is that they allow for multiple part-owners. But it's important to remember: all of this still holds true even if I'm the only shareholder. Note that in this case there's no actual difference in the way I run the business. It's still me running it, controlling the assets, hiring and firing employees. The only difference is the presence or absence of corporate documents. Without them, I'm ultimately personally responsible for all of this stuff; but with them, I'm not.
Obviously in order to invent something that's not "real" (corporations), the government has to commit to making and enforcing a lot of additional rules. We're OK with that because there are economic benefits that flow from allowing businesses to exist in perpetuity, be owned by multiple shareholders, shielding owners from personal liability and so forth. And we've gotten used to those benefits.
But it's not a free lunch for the government or the public either, because there are also big problems that come with the existence of corporations. For example, without additional regulation, corporations would have an incentive to lie about their own financial health, inflating their value until the whole thing evaporates, causing massive losses for shareholders. Corporations in many markets would also have both the capability and the incentive to merge with each other until competition becomes effectively impossible.
So not only does government have to invent and uphold the rules allowing for the existence of corporations themselves, it also has to invent and enforce all kinds of extra regulation (securities law, anti-trust law, labor law, etc.) to limit the downsides of corporations.
In the example of my own hypothetical business: if I decide to create a corporate entity for it instead of running it as a sole proprietorship, the government basically says: "OK, you can have limited personal liability, and the business can exist in perpetuity. But in exchange for all the hassle you're causing us, we're going to tax you differently, especially if the business grows to any significant size." So the government and I make this tradeoff, and we agree that there's now this new legal thing "Joel, Inc.", that's not me, that owns the business's stuff, and that takes the hit for any business liabilities.
So now finally getting back to the Hobby Lobby case. If congress enacts some law that applies to all corporations but that also genuinely bothers me in my heart of hearts (i.e., I would feel complicit in some moral evil if I followed it), what might I do?
If I were like the owners of Hobby Lobby, I would say, "this law violates my corporation's conscience." — Not my conscience, but the corporation's. Because remember, the business is now this separate legal being that shields me from liability.
My big question, and the question many others have had, is this: what exactly does it mean for an abstract legal entity to have a conscience? Especially when that legal fiction's main purpose is shield individual business owners from personal responsibility?
Remember, this corporation's existence as a corporation is enabled solely by government regulation and intervention in the market. Without this regulation, there are no corporations, and business owners go back to being personally responsible for their business's practices.
All of the above seems to me more or less incontrovertible.
Now, my personal opinion is that a corporation, being an abstract thing we all imagine based on documents and legal agreements, cannot really be said to have a conscience. People have consciences (and those need to be respected), but corporations do not.
My further opinion is that if you feel a deep need to exempt your business from certain laws based on the dictates of your conscience, you should be able to do so.
But if you're going to claim that your conscience makes you so personally responsible for some detail of your business that a law should not apply to it, you also make yourself personally responsible for every aspect of your business: you should run it as a sole proprietor (or as a general partnership).
In other words, if you're going to create a faceless legal being that shields you from personal responsibility in every other area of the company's operation, it's not reasonable to claim that the dictates of your conscience somehow pierce through that shield in any one specific area.
So much for my opinion. The legal reality in this country is that Congress (via the Religious Freedom Restoration Act ) and the Supreme Court (in this and other decisions) have effectively decided that legal abstractions like corporations can have consciences too.
The main effect of this is simply to make room for the kind of hypocrisy I outlined above, and which we see in the owners of Hobby Lobby. Again: Hobby Lobby's owners make use of a corporate business structure in large measure to be able to legally disclaim personal responsibility in just about every area of their business, but have decided a certain law ought not to apply to them because of their personal responsibility.
At this point, Hobby Lobby's owners don't legally have to do anything differently. But if they wanted to follow their consciences without being schmucks and hypocrites, they would dismantle their corporate structure and instead operate in a way that legally does make them personally responsible — and liable — for every area of their business.
In my ideal world (or at least, my idea of a better world than the one we have), the RFRA would have been clearly written apply to individuals and not to abstract legal entities.
The legal system should allow for business owners to follow their consciences, but should not allow them to use this freedom to exempt themselves from certain laws while at the same time using a government-subsidized legal invention to shield them from all other personal responsibility.]]>
After reading more about the decision, I find that there's really nothing in it I care to comment about, nothing that I have strong opinions on. But I will talk specifically about the thinking behind my comment above.]]>
What is it that you want most, right now?
Maybe you want a sandwich. Maybe you want a raise. Let's say it's a raise. OK: if it came down to a choice between you either giving up the raise or your spouse leaving you, which would it be?
You see where this is going. Whether or not you change your answer, I'm going to keep throwing new choices at you until we find out what it is you want the most. I'm not saying the answer is always going to be profound or amazing either. Maybe you just really like sandwiches.
You're already playing this exercise out, over the course of your life. What do you want more: to sleep in, or to keep your job? To own a house, or live nomadically? Of course you don't always know what you want. And what you want changes over time. Sometimes pursuing something you think you want makes you realize that you actually want something else more.
But either way, at every turn, you always — always — make the choice that, as far as you can tell, gets you closer to what you want — or what you think you want — the most.
You can't not do it.
Don't believe me? Fine, prove it. Go do something that horrifies you — something that would actually have real consequences for your desires. Go rob a gas station, or insult your child, or burn down your house. Of course you might be the kind of person who actually would do those things, right this minute; but still, you'd only be able to choose to do them because of your own particular set of desires.
(Side note: have you ever been in a room full of people and thought, What is really keeping me from jumping up on the table and yelling and ripping my shirt off right this very second? And yet there's (very likely) no way you could make yourself do it. Well now you know: your own desires are keeping you from doing it. You can't do it because it brings you closer to none of your desires, and further away from most of them.)
As a human, you have a very complicated set of desires. You want food, affection, sex, shelter, status, comfort. You want your kid to get a good education, maybe, and your new boyfriend to feel included with your other friends. You want good leaders elected. You want a new washing machine and a shorter commute. You want to finish your project. You want a sandwich. You want to kill the man who assaulted your sister.
Detail, Carmen Guedez
Your desires are like layers of colour. Some of them are much, much stronger than others. Some are minor points of interest; others are hidden or hard to discern, and may form the whole backdrop of your life.
Most people try to order their lives, as much as possible, so their desires don't conflict — so that they're not constantly having to choose between the things they want.
But we do all sooner or later face hard choices — which are hard, not so much because there are many unknown factors, but because we just have to pick between two possibilities that we want very much. The job, or the spouse's happiness? Keeping the apartment, or filling your kid's prescription?
In these moments of difficult and forced decision, we are never struck by the freedom of our will. We are struck by the sheer constraint placed on us by our own desires. It is in these moments that we find out what we think we really want more, a moment of clarity that may come either before or long after the decision.
The great problem with desires is that you can't really choose which ones to have. Think about it: if you could choose to just give up one of your desires, this choice would itself be enabled only by a still-greater desire.
You can, of course, choose to suppress a desire, if you happen to have others that are at least as strong. (Social consequences are great for this.) But absent any greater desire, you can't just choose to nix a particular other desire out of your life altogether, not all on your own. It will continue to linger there, influencing your decisions, until your circumstances change.
Again: if you don't believe me, try it sometime. Pick something you want in life and just decide to stop wanting it for no reason. You can't do it.
And this leads us to an interesting insight. Your own mix of desires in any moment is just as much an uncontrolled circumstance as anything else in your life.
Detail, Pierre Bellemarre
I would say that you have a thing called free will, although what I mean by that is much more practical than the theoretical toy most people have in mind when they talk about "free will". I simply mean you have the ability to consciously consider and control your impulses.
Your free will always operates at the bright intersection of your outward circumstances (which you can't control) and your own mix of desires (the deepest, most motivating layers of which you can't control). So your free will may not be as important as you think it is. Your own mix of desires is far, far more important in defining you as a person and in determining your course in life.
And you ultimately have no say in what your deepest desires are; you can only express them.
Given a particular set of starting circumstances, and a particular starting mix of desires, a human life unfolds unstoppably in the direction of those desires. It continues to do so until the moment it ends.
Each person's mix of desires evolves in response to circumstances; these desires drive action to influence those circumstances; and the feedback loop continues.
And, according as that loop is strong — that is, as long as a person's desires can drive action that changes her circumstances — she inevitably becomes more and more herself. Her desires and her circumstances cohere into a definite quality of personality, a known trajectory. This trajectory might be in harmony with those of others nearby, or it might be quietly — or violently — opposed to them.
Often, people are placed so that their desires have little to no effect on their circumstances; the person is subjugated to the point of becoming not so much a person as a thing. The effect is an erasure, an un-naming of the person.
You might be overbearing towards certain people around you, and you might think it's for their own good; but you are still erasing them.
And this always, always ends badly. Because it turns out, the single deepest most fundamental desire of every human, no matter how damaged or enfeebled, is the desire not to be erased. Note that by "erased" I don't mean anything so simple as a sacrificial death, or any kind of death; I mean being forced to live as a complete blank. Death is in fact far preferable to erasure.
So far as we feel threatened by this possibility, we will give up everything to prevent or forestall it: every desire, every relationship.
A person who emerges from many years in solitary confinement will seem to us utterly changed. He may have lost any ambition, or his ambitions will seem to have been radically redirected. But whatever that change, the same basic, deepest desire is still there, driving all.
Detail, C. Mari'
What is it that you want most, right now?
Maybe you want a sandwich. Maybe you want a raise. Let's say it's a raise. OK: if it came down to a choice between you either giving up the raise or your spouse leaving you, which would it be?
You see where this is going. Whether or not you change your answer, I'm going to keep throwing new choices at you until we find out what it is you want the most. I'm not saying the answer is always going to be profound or amazing either. Maybe you just really like sandwiches.
You're already playing this exercise out, over the course of your life. What do you want more: to sleep in, or to keep your job? To own a house, or live nomadically? Of course you don't always know what you want. And what you want changes over time. Sometimes pursuing something you think you want makes you realize that you actually want something else more.
But either way, at every turn, you always — always — make the choice that, as far as you can tell, gets you closer to what you want — or what you think you want — the most.
You can't not do it.
Don't believe me? Fine, prove it. Go do something that horrifies you — something that would actually have real consequences for your desires. Go rob a gas station, or insult your child, or burn down your house. Of course you might be the kind of person who actually would do those things, right this minute; but still, you'd only be able to choose to do them because of your own particular set of desires.]]>
"What is created is an oscillation … which performs a sense of error as both eternally present — something that happens to books, including books about the necessity of error — and morally, and hermeneutically, productive."
The article goes back as far as the dawn of printed books; but it instantly recalled to my mind the earlier birth of errata (in the West, at least), during the days of the medieval scribe. These early calligraphers made plenty of mistakes, and left plenty of amusing endnotes and marginalia in their attempts to clean up after themselves. In Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and Technique, Marc Drogin devotes a short chapter to Titivillus, "the patron demon of calligraphy," who was originally supposed to collect transcription errors, which were to be read out against erring scribes on the Day of Judgment.
Marc Drogin writing about Titivillus, calligraphy's patron demon who causes & collects errors in books @AdrienneLaF pic.twitter.com/GDySlAW7hd— Joel Dueck (@joeld) June 26, 2014
There is a sense that errors — and revisions or ambiguities in general — give life to a text, adding a new way of enjoying and exploring it. For example, printing errors and alterations have made the original text of Shakespeare's plays impossible to pin down; but the uncertainty now surrounding those texts has opened up new possibilities, readings and interpretations for those works, and is no small part of what keeps both scholars and performers coming back to them. Many of these interpretations may even be at odds with each other, but because the text exists in so many versions, they are all infused with the kind of value that comes, not from certainty, but from possibility.
And not only do we enjoy exploring the errata of old texts, there seems to be some sense among many writers that the errors and corrections in the stuff we're churning out today are worth preserving for future study — that they are the raw material for insights that later generations will be able to mine and have the distance to appreciate. It's why practices have emerged among bloggers to make revisions transparent. And I suspect this is why we see the regrettable but recurring interest in version-control systems by writers of prose.
I've always had an errata section on this site2; it's a convenient, out-of-the-way place to put minor notes about "the printing" of these web pages, even if those notes often don't involve corrections of the kind you'd see in old books.
For "read", substitute "skimmed", although I did actually read through it later in the day. ↩
Ironically, until 2006 I misspelled the title of the Errata section. ↩


text:
Two arrests have been made in the death of a 9-month-old DeKalb County baby.
At an 11 a.m. news conference, authorities announced that Devin Thomas, 18, and Marco Watson, 36, have been arrested in the death of Dekalb County 9-month-old Kendarius Edwards.
"We're not going to tolerate this kind of western-style mentality of you just go out and shoot people recklessly just out of how you felt that particular day," said Chief Cedric Alexander with the Dekalb County Police Department.
Reward money is still being offered for information leading to their conviction.
The two men were already in jail on unrelated charges.
DeKalb County authorities are not sure if the baby was targeted as part of a retaliation but they "suspect very strongly" this was retaliation for other shootings.
The baby was shot three to four times at point-blank range in a Stone Mountain-area home invasion on May 10. Three women were also shot in the home invasion.
"Looking at Devin Thomas his reactions show no signs of remorse to me. It looks like the act of a real coward," said Tracy Smith, the grandmother of the baby killed.
CBS46.com will have more information as it becomes available.
Copyright 2014 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
A woman who was texting while driving was impaled by guardrail pole.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
John Hill (game designer)
John Hill is an American designer of military wargames, as well as rules for miniature wargaming such as Johnny Reb 3. He is a member of the Wargaming Hall of Fame.
Hill, a native of Indiana, is most known as the designer of the extremely popular Avalon Hill board game Squad Leader in 1977. Hill founded Conflict Games Company in the late 1960s and owned a hobby shop, The Scale, in Lafayette, Indiana, for several years. Among his many titles were Verdun, Kasserine Pass, Overlord, Battle For Stalingrad, Tank Leader, Eastern Front Tank Leader and many others. He also designed Hue, based upon the fighting near the City of Hue in the Vietnam War.
In 1978, Hill was named to the Wargaming Hall of Fame, receiving the Charles S. Roberts Award at the Origins gaming convention in Chester, Pennsylvania, on June 23, 1979.[1] He was honored as a "famous game designer" by being featured as the king of diamonds in Flying Buffalo's 2009 Famous Game Designers Playing Card Deck.[2]
Hill developed what arguably is the most popular rules set ever developed for regimental level American Civil War miniature gaming, the Johnny Reb series (published by Game Designers' Workshop).[citation needed] He was noted for his elaborate 10mm miniature wargaming layouts for Civil War battles at Historical Miniatures Gaming Society conventions such as Historicon, Cold Wars and Fall In!. He founded and owned the Johnny Reb Gaming Company, which published the third version of the Johnny Reb rules.
Hill today is a frequent contributor to the Johnny Reb Gaming Society's popular CHARGE! magazine, offering rules interpretations and strategy advice for Johnny Reb players. He now lives in New Mexico after spending many years in Virginia. He is an analyst for the U.S. military.
- ^ "5th Annual Origins Awards". The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ "Poker Deck". Flying Buffalo. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
External links[edit]
- John Hill's game designs
- Wargame Academy webpage for Squad Leader
- The Johnny Reb Gaming Society / CHARGE! magazine
- Johnny Reb 3
|This article about an American writer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
|This wargame-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.


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By comparison, his frustrations in Washington and `the world' probably seem manageable.
The theory was: Boldly implement conservative policies, and swing voters will swoop in. It's not working.
Editorial counterpoint: St. Paul and its partners are working hard to fine-tune the Green Line.
Minnesotans know that "free market" arguments like those in a recent commentary are at odds with real life.
The state doled out almost $2.4 million to candidates for the House this year.
Is America's favorite billionaire "betting against America"? Not really.
The gnatlike aeronautics are becoming the toy of choice in our majestic national parks.
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Traveling the world, we witnessed a deference we don't always see at home.
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Our store opened back in 2002 and is located in Lakeside Shopping Centre. The centre is the major regional shopping centre for the Essex area and is located just off the M25 at Junctions 30 and 31. It's easy to get to, has a huge range of stores, a whole host of trendy places to eat and there's plenty to keep visitors of all ages entertained.
mark gearing 25/07/2012
Without doubt the best shop we visited on our lakeside trip, the help and service by everyone from the wonderful guy who got the shoes to the chap on the tills was excellent. This was our fifth visit to this shop and every visit has been the same a pleasure to buy trainers :0). Please pass message on to them as they deserve much praise. Sure will will be back again soon.
Dean 28/05/2012
I just wanted to let you know that I received some of the best customer service today @ your Lakeside Thurrock branch.
I was served by Sam who was fantastic, and able to answer all my questions. When you didn't have what I wanted in store I was quickly advised that they could be delivered within 2 - 5 days to any address - just what I needed to hear to stop me going elsewhere.
Scott was also very good and there was a young lady (with red curly hair- sorry didn't get her name) doing the "greeting" job by the door, who unlike other stores I've been in that do this, appeared genuine and friendly. Usually I'm put off by this approach but even my son commented on how friendly she was.
So well done and I will definitely put you top of the list next time my daughter needs more Converse :-)
Jessica Hills 10/08/2012
this was my first time in schuh, as i walked in i found my vans what i wanted and asked the man if he had theese in a 5 he was very helpful and got a lady to bring them to me it took a bit of time though ! everyone was very nice to me and i will be coming thereb again hopefully
Samantha Spartichino 31/07/2012
Excellent, friendly and attentive staff made us feel very special
Denise Manoff 12/08/2012
Believe it or not, this is the first time I have ever been into Schubert, and wow! I cannot remember having been served by such knowledgable and helpful and caring staff as the ones in your lakeside branch today.5 stars to Grace and Jess, who went above and beyond in our quest for new school shoes. Well done and thank you, I will definitely be a regular customer from now on.
Holly Allen 18/08/2012
I was so impressed with the customer service in this store. I haven't ever shopped in schuh before b
Beverley Boase 19/08/2012
Having just bought 2 pairs of shoes from you and exchanged 1 pair i was very impressed by Chris Butlin the young man that served me, he was very helpfull and honest with me which was very refreshing, he told me what i needed to know in order to make the best purchase.
My only complaint is that is was very hot in the shop as there did not appear to be any air con which i would expect in a modern store. I do beleive that good customer care is paromount and that members of staff like Chris should be congratulatated on the service he provided.
Jane Mawdsley 13/06/2013
Excellent service and delivery.
Thank you
Clare 12/06/2013
I've always received excellent customer service in this store. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable plus I never have to wait long. I nearly always buy my shoes and boots here.
Tony Pallace 13/09/2012
Helpful and friendly service, from the assistance, Grace, who suggested trying on a different colour shoe to that in stock in order to check the sizing and if ok to have the correct colour delivered the next day. Which is what happened.
marina 30/08/2012
i think the customer service was very good and the staff were very helpful. the store had a great atmosphere and was welcoming
Tanya day 08/09/2012
Excellent, friendly, helpful and efficient staff at the lakeside branch. Hannah was a pleasure to have serve us, nothing was too much effort for her. Leon behind the till point was also cheerful and friendly.
Really good customer service all round even other members of staff were friendly and made the whole experience enjoyable.
Fleur jones Mannix 30/08/2012
Staff couldn't be more helpful on the phone and in person
Ordered shoes and were delivered the next day
Nice to see that customer service still stands in some shops
And schuh is definetly one of those!!!!!
Jane chapman 26/09/2012
I was looking for avpresent for my sons girlfriend, and the staff were very helpful , I have no idea what young girls like, they had plenty of time to discuss and show me different styles. Gret shop will decently be returning
Lucy 30/09/2012
Had really friendly customer service! Latifah who put the shoes through the till was really friendly, will definately go back there!
Hayley 30/09/2012
Friendly staff and store, greeted and helped straight away. Easy shopping experience and really comfortable trainers but that bit is thanks to puma.
tina pearce 01/10/2012
Fantastic customer service,did not hassle you but were there when needed assistance,after trying on loads of pair of boots finally came away with a gorgeous black pair.I intend to wear these to work tomorrow!
Highly recommended in both staff and quality of stock and choice available.
kerry 16/10/2012
Excellent service from the man that helped me.He was very patient with me in deciding what colour boots to get !
Fantastic delivery service too.
Lucy Carter 20/10/2012
I just wanted to say how amazing the customer service was in your store today! Francis served us and was really informative about the Vans I bought! Everyone in the shop asked us is we needed help! I was very impressed and will definitely be coming back!
Thank you!
Corinne 30/10/2012
Excellent service from kellyann and James!
Mrs Louise Cooper-Keeble 18/10/2012
Served by Grace today, really lovely young lady. She gave us some great advice and seamed to love her job. Well done an excellent service. We will be using your shop again.
I bought a pair of boots today at your Lakeside Branch and was served by Ian. Ian was really helpful without being too pushy and nothing was too much trouble and he was very pleasant and courteous, I will shop at this store again. Not only was he pleasant all the staff that I walked past all offered help and acknowledged myself and my husband. Thank you for all your help.
Claire Hayles 15/11/2012
I would just like to pass on my delight with dealing with one of the team in your lakeside branch, Michaela.
Her customer service skills were outstanding and nothing was too much trouble.
She is a credit to your business and I only wish all assistants in other retail outlets were as friendly and helpful.
Well done and thank you.
Charlie Barker 28/10/2012
I got looked after as soon as I walked into the store and had assistance the whole time I was there. Super friendly staff who where very helpful and got me what I wanted. Thank you.
Helen Bakewell 02/11/2012
I visited the store twice on 31st October. Both staff who served me were fantastic. Their knowledge of their stock was spot on and both staff were extremely helpful when I couldn't get the size I was after in offering me the opportunity to order the boots and have them delivered to my home address. Nothing was too much trouble and despite the store being very busy on my second visit, it was still a very personal experience. I was so impressed that I passed my comments on to the manager before I left. Thank you, I will definately be sharing my experience with family and friends
Luke Rogers 14/01/2013
I would just like to say thanks for all your staff's help in store today, and a special thanks to Grace who was very helpful in finding me the right shoes! Thanks Again :)
Sharon Beasley 22/11/2012
Excellent customer service! Thanks!
Debbie Smerdon 26/11/2012
I was served by James cashier 008 on 26/11/12 his customer service was second to none. I work and employ staff in a customer service based industry and am envious that Schuh have managed to secure such an asset in James. He could not have been more helpful and was genuinely interested in my everyday life. Give that man a raise! failing that any gesture of recognition or I'll be back to poach him!
Charlotte Rahman 28/11/2012
I don't normally leave feedback online for anyone but i was so pleased with the service Nathan gave me that i thought i'd let you know. He was really lovely, he helped me choose the vans i wanted to buy my husband as i couldn't decide what would look better on a man. So thank you Nathan for your friendly, polite and helpful customer service :)
Adam 28/11/2012
James couldn't of been more polite or helpful. Very good brand standard, and a credit to the store.
Maureen Mirembe 30/11/2012
Went to buy a pair of Air Force 1's and the staff were so helpful. I was tres tres impressed. Thank Schuh staff at Lakeside for making my shopping experience a good one.
Fazheelah 06/12/2012
very friendly staff members in store, atmosphere was fantastic. service was excellent. great positive energy. nice easy stress free. thanks guys :)
Lisa Brooks 27/10/2013
we were served by a young chap called Jack, he was absolutely great, he was very polite, helpful and extremely patient when my 5 year old was more worried about the computer game you have in the store. just wanted to make you aware he is an asset to Schuh. good job.
Robert Fleming 28/05/2013
Brilliant service from Hannah, Assistant 166 at Lakeside Shopping Centre. She was efficient, bright, knowledgeable and most importantly of all, she was interested in her customer and in her sale. Well done Hannah!
Emmet Abbott 06/01/2013
Very helpful, knowledgable staff and so friendly. Shame there is only 2 tills for such a busy store as if there is a problem with one of the tills there could be delays in purchasing. Overall though, very happy.
sue weeden 03/01/2013
Jodie assistant very helpful when we asked her for help looking for the Vans Authentic shoes.
Smiling and polite
Ross Gillet 06/01/2013
I don't normally make feedback but this is my exception. I went into your store this Sunday and was greeted by a lovely young lady who was very helpful. I cant remember her name, but she had big redish curly hair.
She got me multiple shoes for me to try on and done it with a smile on her face and asked me questions about what i was looking for, to see if she could help which she did.
I ended up purchasing a pair of shoes and went out of the shop with a smile on my face.
I hope this gets past back onto the young girl.
Kay Fogg 08/01/2013
Used the facility to "reserve" an item on your website as I have been searching fro a couple of years for a pair of Uggs to fit my wide size 8 feet.
I reserved a pair of Men's size 9 Uggs on Saturday morning and within a few hours was in the store, trying them on and buying them.
The whole process was incredibly easy, from using the website to showing a store assistant the text message.
Would definitely recommend this facility to others - thank you!
Charlotte 11/01/2013
Pleasant experience, lady at front said hello as I walked in, was immediately told by Rosie to let her know if I needed anything, when I found the boots she was friendly, polite, knowledgable. Sam at the cashier was also very friendly. Ten out of ten
Sophie Cohen 21/07/2013
Great service, quick and efficient. Really friendly and helpful with no problems. Server (Samuel) was really enthusiastic and happy to help.
Craig Sanger 19/07/2013
Found the service good and the assistant was hopefully.
Mrs k Parker 21/08/2014
We requested help as soon as we walked into the store maddie was over to us straight away and she was very helpful land friendly towards our 3 children who we was getting new school shoes for. Maddie stayed with us from start to end. We will defiantly be shopping at that store again. Thank you
julia dewar 21/08/2014
I don't normally send reviews about shops but after visiting your lakeside branch yesterday I felt I needed to ! I needed to go in to return a pair of faulty Hunter boots. From the moment I entered I felt welcome and immediately was approached asking if I needed any help. My complaint was dealt with quickly and efficiently. I was offered either a refund or a replacement . Unfortunately the same item was not available but was shown similar items and I quickly resolved my problem. Thank you for having staff that actually seemed to be enjoying their job which is a very rare thing within retail these days. They must be good as my friend and her daughter both ended up buying shoes and they only came for a trip out !!
Joanne Abdee 23/08/2014
Was served by Daniella. Amazing service. Asked both my children for their names, gave the youngest a balloon, had a friendly personality and talked to my kids about their schools etc. impressed. Would recommend
Barry 03/08/2013
We had absolutely superb service from your sales operative Leon today 03/08/13. He was absolutely brilliant and I can't fault him at all. His attitude and service definitely guarantees that we will be back to spend more money.
The Pearce Family
Vicki 04/08/2013
Excellent service from both the sales assistant and the cashier. They were both very friendly and helpful.
Hayley Johnson 25/01/2013
The staff in the lakeside schuh kids branch were all very friendly and welcoming. The assistant Joe was very knowledgable and even looked went out of his way to check for a different size in stock for these specific boots. The cashier Sian was very friendly and even made a little joke when paying! Definitely would return, they should get some recognition!
Joanna 24/06/2013
I was so happy with the service I received instote from a lovely women named Sally. Great customer service!!!
Adam Davis-Collins 23/06/2013
Top quality service from (065 Leon). I have big feet as a size 13 and usually buy Converse. I only went in to buy one pair but came out with two. This was due to Leon rushing about to find the correct size, suggesting further options, and just being an all round nice guy. Good job, definitely an asset to Schuh Lakeside.
Parvesh 12/09/2013
Bought a pair of CAP boots, very polite, felt very well looked after, will definitely come back!
Sally- Anne Barnes 19/09/2013
I purchased my vans sk8-hi suede from the lakeside store. The young man who served my sister and I was very very helpful. He was very patient with us as we were unsure of what shoes we wanted to purchase. He was very knowledgeable on the stock available and also advised us that if they did not have the correct size or color we wanted, they could be ordered and home delivered. I'm sorry I did not get his name. It was a pleasure to be served by such a polite young man.
gill sandgrove 16/09/2013
went in to your shop this evening, and had plenty of time to look around, was left alone which was nice until I was ready to try the shoes that I had seen... the lad that attended me was very helpful, and got me a couple of shoes to try. he was very helpful, and we had a little laugh, as I have one leg longer then the other which makes one foot smaller, he didn't try to sell me anything that I wasn't happy with, hes name was Frankie, and I would like to say thank you to him for his care, and I will go bac to that shop again.
Craig Sheppard 01/02/2013
Great service from start to finish!!!
Sam 17/02/2013
Was served by a man named Francis, he was very polite and extremely helpful. Provided excellent customer service and asked about my day. He deserves a promotion.
suzanne curtis 03/09/2013
I would like to say that I recently (mon 1st Sep 2013) went into your Lakeside Store with my daughter to look for school shoes. This was the second day of searching and we were both a bit fed up.
We went into your store and was greeted by a very friendly team. The girl who served us Charlotte was absolutely wonderful very chatty and constantly smiling, the shop was very busy but she didn't make us feel rushed or that she didn't have time to help us, she must have brought us out nearly every pair of shoes that would be ok for school in sizes 7 and 8 we were in the store for about an hour , we left with a pair of kickers and a very happy mum and teenage girl. Charlotte and the Lakeside store should be commended as there customer service is amazing and we will definitely be returning in the future.
Chelsey Stanborough 01/09/2013
My assistant and cashier Scott was so helpful! It was my birthday and i just received a lot of money so i thought of buying some Vans or Nike Blazers. I'd been to many stores before Schuh and the staff were no where near as helpful as in Schuh. I was being very awkward deciding between the two pairs of shoes and Scott was very patient (more then my friends were!). When i finished deciding, he was very efficient as a cashier, again being patient when i was deciding to get a promotional bag. I was very glad I bought my Vans from here then anywhere else because its a brilliant shop! Now i can not get them off my feet! Thanks Scott and the staff at Schuh, Lakeside :)
Debbie Strowbridge 09/09/2013
I was served by Francis on the 07/09/2013 and he has to be the most helpful and informative assistant I have been seerved by in a very long time. He went the extra mile and his product information was oustanding, along side his caring and patient manner.
Well done to Francis!
amy turner 06/09/2013
staff member called hannah was extremely helpful. she couldn't do enough for us. all of the staff at this schuh store in particular are generally a really cheerful bunch of people and they are always happy to help.
very satisfied with there services always have been and always will be. these staff members are your future managers
Mrs Julie Everitt 07/09/2013
Chloe served us on our first ever visit to one of your stores yesterday, 6.9.13.
She was an absolute delight and assisted us at Lakeside with a sunny smile and genuine interest in my daughters shoe style needed for school. She was professional and is a GREAT ambassador to Schuh and well worth bringing this to your attention. I had been feeling unwell and she was swiftly there with a glass of water for me. We will certainly be returning customers - because of this first impression to your store.
Mrs Julie Everitt
Ruth Gibson 04/08/2013
Please pass these comments in to the Lakeside store manager.
My partner and I visited the store yesterday to browse for new shoes. A sales assistant named 'Leon' helped us with various styles and sizes to try on.
I just wanted to say what an absolute delight Leon was and such a fantastic sales advisor. He is an absolute asset to your team and I hope he will be pushed to go far within the company. He had excellent knowledge of the products, a can-do positive attitude and really made our shopping experience stress-free. We were convinced he must have been on commission as he was so good but he corrected us and said he just likes to have a positive attitude.
We were so impressed that we would definitely return to the store for future purchases as we received such a high standard of customer service.
I do hope you will pass these comments on.
Many thanks.
Karim Benotmane 11/08/2013
I personally would never go onto a feedback website and give a rating but my experience was overwhelmingly commendable. I was assisted by Emily (333), she was confident in starting conversation and supplying me with me information on the shoe. I feel she should be an example to all your employees as not only did she engage with me (the customer) but she made the purchase easier by speedily getting my shoe and being generally a nice person. I intend on shopping again at Schuh because if your employees are as nice and attentive as her, then it will make my shopping experience that bit less stressing. I suggest Emily is made an example in that particular branch, this will ensure all employees give the impression of being a confident salesperson. I hope my comments are valued and that Emily is rewarded.
maxine scott 14/08/2013
excellent service as always
i was helped by 2 members of staff today - both were very helpful and friendly (unfortunately i didn't get their names)
always a pleasure to shop in this store - will definitely be going back
helped by leon today
very helpful, chatty and friendly - nothing was too much trouble
staff in this store are always very helpful and friendly, always make you want to go back and shop again
Louise 21/03/2013
It makes such a change to visit a shops & receive good service! I visited your store in lakeside on wednesday evening, I didn't purchase anything myself but my friend did and I just wanted to make you aware of the friendly proffesional service we received. I work in retail myself and was so impressed I wanted to share my thoughts and give the store recognition.
Sean 24/03/2013
We were extremely satisfied with the service we received from our local store in lakeside. When you enter the store you are more often than not greeted by one of your employees which sets a good tone straight away. What made our shop great in particular was one of your employees "Leon", he was not only very helpful but had a fantastic attitude. He made sure that we waited no more than a minute for him to collect our shoes when trying them on and in general just made us feel like he wanted our business and wanted to make sure that we were treated like customers spending money. Unlike the usual poor customer service you receive in most other shops. This is not a one off, we have been served by him a couple of times now, and its always the same! he should be promoted to manager.
Chris O'Callaghan 14/07/2013
Served by a really friendly guy called Leon twice, very nice guy, didn't just give me shoes, made conversation about them and my plans for the weekend. Same service from the guy at the counter. Very impressed!
Karen Davis 18/07/2013
First class service from ordering in the shop to receiving my order. Was kept informed by emails. Very impressed with the service.
Mary Watford 18/07/2013
I was very impressed with the service that I received in store,and the quick delivery service.I will definitely visit your store again.
Ben Mortimer 26/10/2013
I'm not a big fan of shopping, particularly shoe shopping, but my experience in your Lakeside store was as painless as I could possible hope for. The assistant was friendly, helpful and patient with me in spite of my indecision over which shoes to buy. Ultimately, not only did his friendly manner convince me to buy shoes from your store rather than any of the others in the shopping centre, but he also managed to upsell me a reusable bag.
Jerren 01/11/2013
Had the best service at Schuh thanks to Emily, absolutely perfect, really helpful an all rounder, I would definitely return because of her customer service!
Beth Foster 03/01/2014
Love it!!! Service was good and I got exactly what I was looking for. Love this shop and will continue to buy all of my shoes from this store! :)
Barrie Prentice 01/06/2013
First time I've ever shopped in Schuh and I found the customer service fantastic. All of the staff were polite, friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic and most importantly, helpful! It was a pleasure shopping in you store, unlike most other footwear stores.
gary Newman 01/06/2013
Staff member who served me was a credit to your organisation. Friendly and helpful and just the right amount of attention (not too pushy) Zoe did a good job
Kerry Bliss 06/04/2013
The staff wre very kind and helpful:Micheala and sam lovely people
Jermaine 18/08/2013
I was so impressed with my service today. I was served by the lovely Megan who was very chatty and helped me with my shoes. I was then served by the lovely Alex Cooke who was a pleasure to talk to. Great service!!!!
Terry 24/08/2013
Emily was a real credit to the store - Her customer service really was second to none and couldn't of done anymore to help. !
Rebecca Holmes 25/08/2013
All staff were realy welcoming, was greeted and also asked if I needed any help by the sales assistant,
Love shopping here because of the amazing staff !!
Lee howard 14/04/2013
Excellent customer service. Very friendly staff. I was served by Leon Gaffar, a friend of mine, but still treated me like a paying customer and was very helpful and helped me in choosing the right thing!
Kelly Skeels 11/04/2013
Very good service, will buy from schuh again
Mrs Denise Blackwood 14/04/2013
I was made very welcome on arrival in the shop and offered assistance. My husband wanted to initially look around the shop first, as the shoes I wanted were more about comfort than appearance. A young man called Frances gave us advice,, which was gratefully accepted he was polite, patient and listened well. I have a damaged hip and spine which affects the way I walk - only something over the last year or so. I explained that I hadn't had a decent pair of shoes for some years, due to the problem. Frances got what we thought might be okay and made recommendations. We chose his recommendations and are very pleased with the good guidance we were given, which included information about the returns policy.
Christine Finn 01/05/2013
Served by Michael 165. So helpful and knew what he was talking about. It was a pleasure to be served by him.
Jo Gent 27/04/2013
Went into the Lakeside store today to look at some trainers for my son who is 7 years old. The shop assistant 'Joe' came over, was very helpful and we spoke about what we was looking for, he then measured my son's feet. We picked out two pairs of trainers to try, and off he went to get a size 1 for us. He then chatted to my son, tried the trainers on, and my son chose which ones he liked, and we then purchased them, along with a fabric bag!
The guy 'Joe' that served us, was very young, extremely helpful, and very friendly (spoke to my son about sports etc and what school he went to), and therefore made my son feel at ease.
Helen 06/05/2013
Very helpful and friendly staff (Charlotte), who got me the shoes i wanted to try on quickly, and informed me of offers etc that would be of use to me.
Teresa 23/08/2014
Very happy with the service Lauren gave.
I've visited the lakeside store many times but the service was not that great.
On the day I visited all the staff were great and attending to all staff. Please give Lauren a raise she's the reason why I purchased my sons shoes from their as all the other shops were the same price, I was sold on service A*****
angela lampe 05/04/2013
What a genuinely lovely shopping experience! Went into the Lakeside store and was welcomed with a hello and a smile. Was actually served by 3 assistants who were ALL extremely helpful and friendly to myself and my son. I purchased two pairs of shoes and the assistant who dealt with my payment was also so helpful, chatty and friendly but not at all false, really genuine.
I have never filled in a shopping review before but truly felt compelled to do so after this experience.Upon leaving the store my 12 year old son even commented on how friendly the staff were!
Well done Schuh- will definitely be returning!!
Fiona Marquis 24/08/2013
Served immediately. Very patient salesperson.
Monica 28/08/2013
Danielle was amazing! Really genuine, helpful comments when deciding on our purchases and friendly. She is a credit to your store. Well done!
Shirley Hoole 18/02/2013
this was my first visit and purchase from your store - the staff could not have been more helpful and friendly without being pushy I will certainly be back
Jacqueline Curtis 10/12/2012
The staff in store today were helpful friendly and very professional in there manner.
they were not overpowering but served in a welcoming way that made the purchase of my shoes at the end of the day a pleasant experience
Scott Hawkins 15/12/2012
I have shopped in Schuh for many years and will continue to do so as you offer a broad product range at competitive prices, excellent customer service and you walk out of the store with what you were looking for without the feeling that you have had it forced onto you or you have had to fight to get it like other of your competitors.
I would like to make a special mention to the Schuh Assistant Georgia-mae that helped with my shopping experience. Her customer service was of the highest possible quality, Georgia-mae was well mannered, knowledgeable, helpful and professional an asset to the Schuh company. I would recommend her for any customer service awards programs you have within your company.
Many thanks
A happy customer
Scott Hawkins
Jake Dear 15/12/2012
Lorraine Cleverly 17/12/2012
Found the staff very helpful both assistant - Sam and cashier - Scott.
Would shop in this store again.
Joanna lewis 24/09/2013
Great service from Latifah :) friendly and helpful
Ami Mitchell 01/10/2013
Went into the Schuh Kids store in Lakeside to get some converse for my little girl, Our assistant Jack (it says Ailise on our receipt although she was NOT our server) came and measured her feet, she's only 2 and he was brilliant with her, especially for a young lad himself - I was really impressed with him and had already considered giving feedback before he mentioned this form! He was so good with her, she was talking to him and telling him her name despite being apprehensive of having her feet measured. He put the shoes on her despite it being difficult as she wouldn't keep still and done them up properly, even checked whether she wanted to wear them out of the store or not. He really had a lot of time for us and nothing was too much trouble. I really hope he gets praised for his customer service. Thanks Jack, you did a brilliant job - keep it up!
Olivia 30/09/2013
The assistant who served us, Tari, was exceptionally helpful, patient and friendly. I was quite a fussy customer but he was more than happy to help and passionate about what he was doing. He clearly loves his work and should be congratulated for his excellent customer service.
michelle hawkins 29/09/2013
Always guaranteed to receive fantastic service from schuh, but Leon at Lakeside branch is the most helpful person I have encountered for a long long time, he spent ages with us, my husband and 2 daughter were all looking to purchase converse's and the girls tried so many different pairs before deciding, but he maintained a friendly smile throughout and was chatting to us the entire time and kept telling me not to worry when I was apologising for us taking so long. He is an absolute credit to your business.
Charlotte Eady 29/06/2013
Very helpful staff, amazing Customer service from cashier Leon!!
Non applicable 29/06/2013
Staff were very pleasant
Lucy Merrell 16/03/2013
Great service friendly talkative just a great shoe shopping experience
Fabulous, friendly, willing service by a lovely salesgirl, Sophie (130) - a really good advert for your stores, who deserves praise or a bonus - and no, I don't know her personally, it was just a pleasure to be served so pleasantly!
Emma keenleyside 22/04/2013
I would like to say I came to your store on 22nd April 2013, to have my 19 month old sons feet measured, and I was served by a young man called joe cashier 099, I must say i received excellent service in the store by him in fact they were all really nice and helpful but I was served by him specifically he was excellent with my son and was extremely helpful with his advice and made me feel extremely confident with my choice of shoes, he was very confident in the way he spoke and had excellent customer service skills which is not normally the case in many stores.
I would definitely shop in this store again excellent service.
Kind regards
Wendy 26/04/2013
It was so nice to receive such great service from staff who seem happy in their work and are willing to go out of their way to help. Both the young man George who served me and the girl at the till were extremely polite and deserve praise and recognition. Thank you
Jo withers 22/12/2012
I would just like to pass on my feedback about a member of your staff at the lakeside, Thurrock store. His name is Rio and he was such a helpful happy & attentive member of staff. If there are any awards of recognition that you hand out then he definitely deserves one!
Many thanks for a great shopping experience it's something that you don't often come across these days!
Scott Shrubsole 29/12/2012
Staff were very helpful and enthusiastic. The guy serving at the till, didn't catch his name, he was very friendly and made effort to chat about DC shoes, nice dude!
Katy 13/05/2013
Was very helpful x
Robbie Beck and Phillip Kinsel 09/05/2013
Have to commend Lauren for the fantastic service - very friendly , informative and a pleasure to be served by. Nothing was too much trouble - she was polite and when the trainers weren't in my size she printed me an order slip to order them at the til with free home delivery, Lauren should be commended as where many retail outlets fail with customer service , Lauren excelled . Amazing device. 10/10. Please pass our thanks on, Robbie and Phillip.
Louise Hunt 10/05/2013
A lovely manager who was extremely polite and passionate about her job. A true credit to your team.
benish 17/05/2013
Cashier was very friendly made conversation and apologised about my wait to pay.
The item i wanted was available in my size.
Evadney 19/05/2013
All of the staff were very friendly. I was served by Latifa, who was very helpful and friendly. She helped me find suitable shoes for my daughter to wear to school. The cashier was also very friendly. I love the overall atmosphere in the shop and will definitely be going back.
Angie 10/11/2013
I had a very nice shopping experience in your Lakeside store on Sat 9 November. The sales assistance,Hannah, was very polite whilst I was waiting for the size I requested and trying to deal with the busy store. Whilst waiting I had another member of a staff ask if I was been served and another member of member knew what shoes I was waiting for. Once they arrived Hannah was friendly and attentive. Even when paying the cashier was cheerful and friendly. If only more shop staff could be this nice!
Denise Johnson 14/11/2013
On Wednesday 6th November I went into the store at lakeside with my mother. I saw a pair of Ugg boots I liked and was served by a very lovely helpful young lady called Emily. I was not planning on buying any boots but I was so impressed with Emily's knowledge and attitude that if I I do decide go to buy them I will definitely return on a Wednesday and look for Emily. She is an asset to your shop. I do not normally write reviews but my mum and I both commented how friendly and helpful she was.
janet ray 17/11/2013
We visited the lakeside store on friday to buy shoes for my daughter who is in a wheelchair. We were served by a lovely lady called sally who was king caring and helped us out with buying the right sort of shoes for my daughter. She talked to her even though my daughter can't speak and made us feel at easy. I would like to thank sally for her help and we will be visiting againto buy shoes from her.
A real pleasure to go into your shop.
Vaida 24/11/2013
outstanding service
Angela Clark 22/11/2013
Sue was very helpful and went out of her way to ensure we left the store with the right shoes.You could tell she had children of her own and was understanding of the need to provide a speedy and yet professional service.The balloon and sticker went down very well with my two year old daughter.We will return to the store again in the future and hopefully find Sue again.
Nina Ahmed 19/11/2013
All the staff were pleasant and helpful especially maddie who served us, thanks for your help and patience, will definately return.
Brogan 25/11/2013
My assistant Hannah was absolutely amazing at helping me with me sale. She done a fantastic job and deserves amazing credit for it. Well done :)
Marc Ellis 24/11/2013
Fantastic service and trainers
Pippa 24/11/2013
Excellent staff and very helpful.
Vicky maclean 28/03/2014
I reserved converse for my daughter to pick up from the Lakeside branch. When she purchased them she forget to use student card for discount. One pair of converse were too big so took them back for a smaller pair. The sales assistant let me use student card for discount on both pairs. Best customer service I have received in a very long time. Will defintely be buying from them again. A1 service. Thankyou Kellyann
Abisayo Abiloye 01/04/2014
I came in with my mum, she was looking for shoes that she could walk in for trip to Israel. The only person we spoke to in store was a retail assistant called Hannah, and her service was exceptional. She was really friendly and informative, made the task really simple and just got out all the shoes that fit our description. We left the shop more than satisfied with our experience.
Peter McIntyre 07/04/2014
This store is well stocked with loads of brands to view. The design and feel about the shop gave us an instant feel good vibe on entering. Polite staff were willing to engage in a bit of banter as well, which I liked. It's difficult to leave without purchasing!
Ann Chambers 10/05/2014
I just wanted to let you know about the great service I and my family received at your Lakeside store this morning. We were helped by Lauren who was both very helpful and friendly without being pushy. My husband and myself both left the store remarking how good Lauren was!
Kellie 09/05/2014
Jack served us late in the afternoon on a Saturday at the Kids store. I had two tired girls with me who really didn't want to be there who tried on 5 pairs of shoes between them in different sizes and styles etc and it was stressful to say the least!
Jack couldn't have been more patient, helpful and professional - we were very impressed with his exceptional service. Thank you.
Anna Stoten 14/05/2014
Jodie provided some of the best customer service I have ever experienced. She was on hand to help customers as soon as she was needed, and served me quickly and efficiently whilst still being friendly and welcoming. Really happy with the service I received from her!
Christine 01/05/2014
Always very helpful
ellyse 03/05/2014
Such a lovely staff member:D very helpful and polite x
Peter Mann 11/06/2014
I went into the store asked for my size and was quickly given the shoes to try. Within 90 seconds I had paid and was out.
That's real blokes' shopping!
Sufi Miah 14/06/2014
I went to the store and had a very good experience. The person helping me was Elizabeth (202- got it from the receipt). She genuinely put a smile on my face and I walked out very happy, and I generally dislike shopping, so even a miserable person like me couldn't help but leave smiling.
Tony King 17/06/2014
All staff I came in contact with were extremely helpful and polite. My first visit and would definitely come back.
liz 26/06/2014
Store is always clean and tidy easy to find wgat your looking for. Was served by Peter a charming helpful member of the team.
Lloyd Stevens 26/05/2014
Very helpful staff and great idea being able to pay the girl who serves you rather than queue at checkout
Tracey Knight 28/05/2014
Great customer service and staff that were really happy and willing to help. Also very child friendly staff, Chloe who served us really had good knowledge on your stock and was happy to order a pair of Croc's for us also when you did not have the size in store.
Angela Cotten 29/06/2014
I've never normally left feedback on service. But I've never had this kind of service before. I was served by Lauren, 217 according to the receipt, she was so helpful, nothing was too much even though I was a challenging customer, she went above and beyond and needs to be commended for this. I'll be sure to come back for the amazing service, kind, friendly, fast and not at all pushy. Made me leave with a smile on my face. Thank you and well done, 5* :)
Graham Amner 27/06/2014
I just wanted to let you know about a young lady who works at your Lakeside branch. I, along with my wife, popped in to look for some casual shoes this afternoon and was helped by Yvonne. We were both impressed by her friendliness and willingness to help, she served us both efficiently and made us feel like we had her full attention.
Its rare in these days of online shopping, and huge supermarkets, to come across someone who gives such a good impression of a company which Yvonne has certainly done.
Please pass my comments onto whoever you feel appropriate.
kelly cooper 30/06/2014
Normally I would not shop in a place like Schuh, I personally feel that the slightly more expensive stores make me feel uncomfortable when I go into them, well it's the staff that make me feel like I'm being looked down on and judged so I avoid them, but I wanted to get some Skechers Go Walk 2 and Schuh was the only place locally to me that I could get them so I had to go there. I was assisted by Jessie 225 who was lovely, friendly, polite and helpful and then my cashier was Rosie 183 who was also lovely and friendly, I didn't feel uncomfortable at all, it was a great shopping experience. Although I'm female I'm NOT obsessed with shoes but when I need to get some I will definitely go back to Schuh.
Sonia Boston 03/07/2014
Amazing service. Your staff are so helpful & friendly. Was served by Lauren who was lovely.
Martin 29/06/2014
Young lady that was helping us choose my son's trainers was very pleasant and patient.
Was a pleasure to be served by the people in the store.
Mr J Smith 01/07/2014
Good evening,
I would like to pass on my sincere thank you via my wife who visited your store earlier today. She spoke to a young lady, Natalie, who was very attentive and polite when dealing with my wife (who can be difficult at making decisons.) Natalie greeted my wife with a friendly smile and happy hello, her confidence and knowledge of both the shop and shoes reassured my wife with the choice she was making. I would just like to pass on my personal gratitude for making my wife a very happy lady with both the shoes and the great level of customer service she received from your store today.
We'll be sure to visit again as we feel the level of customer service will be met by all staff, or at least we hope!
Kayleigh 30/05/2014
Very helpful thanks happy with the service :)
Laurence Pisani 31/05/2014
I came into the store today with my two kids and was served by Sue. I was massively impressed by how friendly and helpful she was, and the fantastic rapport she had with my kids when she was measuring and fitting them. It's the first time that taking them shoe shopping appeared to actually be fun for them. I really liked her too so I'm thinking of coming in next week to buy some shoes so I can be served by her again :)
Louise 31/05/2014
We were served by Lyeacia, who couldn't have been more helpful. I never leave reviews normally but the service I received from Lyeacia was so outstanding that I feel I need to make you aware how much you should value her as an employee. She was so great with my two boys and we ended up buying 2 pairs of sandals/trainers each for them. Overall, we were in the shop for about 30 minutes trying on different styles and Lyeacia was determined to find us the right shoes with the best fit. It was refreshing to experience this level of service, which you rarely find in the world of retail today and it just proves that such attention to detail pays off, because we spent over £100.
Claire 03/06/2014
I never normally comment on service, but this was so out standing by Joe. I used to work as a sales manager and I was so impressed. He got my order let me shop in peace without been followed, and got my shoes and saved me queuing. Was so friendly. This is how service should be. 5* service and feel he deserved acknowledgement for this.
Great customer service from George very friendly and helpful.
Dma 06/06/2014
It was very welcoming and helpful people round there, this was the first time for me to buy from Schuh and it wont be the last. Big smile from staff means a lot to customers thank you Rosie (183) for your service today, I love my slipper :)))
Emuly 05/02/2014
Polite thank you
Vivienne Blake 07/08/2014
I've never left feedback online before, however when came into the lakeside store the other day in a foul mood after some fruitless efforts around lakeside with my moody twelve year olds looking for school shoes, I just had to. I don't normally shop in places such as schuh as they are fairly expensive and generally have unhelpful sales assistants. For this reason I was delighted when I was served by a young girl called Lauren D, 217. She was amazingly helpful and catered to our needs quickly and enthusiastically. She made us feel welcome and gave us some great info on the shoes my daughters wanted. I felt as though nothing was too much for her. Her service was so natural it put all 3 of us into a much better mood and left smiling, after not having to leave our seat once, (even with paying by card!!!) a genuinely brilliant experience, will be back soon. Thank you!!!!
Billy Moore 09/08/2014
Wonderful, a great help to me help me find the perfect shoes for me and was very polite and easy to talk to
Michele Harvey 08/08/2014
Very pleasant experience. Staff very nice and friendly and helpful.
kirstie robinson 09/07/2014
Fabulous service from the store staff very impressed
Ben Tilley 08/07/2014
The staff in store were extremely friendly and helpful. They exchanged my item (which I had purchased incorrectly) and ordered the item I wanted to be delivered to my home address, which I received in 2 working days. Couldn't fault the service.
Janet hayward 13/02/2014
My grandchildren just love SCHUH,because I am able to keep buying them different shoes/boots without the worry of (hope that they will fit or will they like them )because of the fantastic returns policy,also if not in stock in the store the item will be delivered next day.
Benjamin 17/02/2014
Service was exceptionally good. Everyone was very kind,happy and helpful, very smiley and professional. I changed my mind on a pair of shoes in store and the woman that helped me to decide on what looks better and asked if I would like to try a different colour and she didn't mind as I changed my mind quite a bit and the cashier was extremely kind too
lynn hackling 22/04/2014
Lovely friendly service, from the lady who greeted us, to Josh who measured, fitted and sold us Isaacs new Vann's.
Umar Ali 23/04/2014
On 23/4/14 approx 16:30 hours I visited Schuh Lakeside to buy a brown boot. Upon arrival I was greeted by a lovely young lady by the name of Danielle. I wasn't sure the type of boot that would suit me for the occasion I was buying for, as I was spoilt with choice. Danielle recommended few that would be ideal for me, I was impressed by her in-depth knowledge of the products. I was later referred to Ian to complete my purchase and Ian advised me how to take care and clean the boots.
Both member of staff told me of the return policy incase I changed my mind. When one member of staff couldn't advice me on a specific question, they asked their colleague to fill the gap in knowledge.
Most importantly I didn't feel pressured to buy anything yet both member of staff was hands on helpful with light humour.
My visit today was both very pleasant and enjoyable and my ultimate satisfaction would be if both staff were commended.
I would like to say Both member of staff are an asset to Schuh and I wish them every success for the future.
Mrs Susan Duligall 25/04/2014
extremely helpful, fabulous not having to pay at desk - oh yes and love the shoes - thank you
l baker 27/04/2014
really helpful staff..i could not see the shoe i wanted as i had seen it online..staff member knew the shoe i was asking for and went off to find it and was then served by a different member of staff who was equally as helpful..service is always good and the staff always know the stock and products.
Aimee Saber 02/03/2014
We were served by Jack, he was fantastic with the kids and made a normally painful task of buying shoes lots of fun for our girls. We would recommend Lakeside store again and especially Jack. excellent customer service skills and gave good advise. Thank you
Marcfogg 02/03/2014
We visited both kids and adult store and purchased 2 pairs of shoes and the staff couldn't have been more helpful, friendly and cooperative, we will be visiting you stores first in the future. In this day and age we are quick to complain but praise never get through, well done to the staffs approach to the costumer
Claire 08/03/2014
Ian was very helpful and patient with my elderly mum
John Connor 09/03/2014
Excellent service I will be shopping here again.
Debbie 08/03/2014
I was so impressed with the service I had in Schuh kids today. The staff are very attentive and kind and generally made me feel welcome in the shop. I was approached by 3 people, all of which tried their hardest to help me with a very bored child who didn't want to try on shoes. The lady who actually got me the shoes was quick (and who needs someone taking ages with a very bored child), got me the shoes, tried them on him very quickly, tied them up quickly and got me out of your very busy shop (I am not much of a shopper either!!) The staff are wonderful, and now my son has got a pair of VANS (my dream!) I shall be shopping there more often!
Jess Brooks 08/03/2014
Would just like to say a massive thank you to George who helped find the perfect fit on my brand new converse. The staff at Lakeside ar ever so helpful, including Fred who I went and paid to. I have been at the store a number of times and have never had a bad word to say, will always recommend coming here. Thank you again, well definitely be coming back next pay day!
Sarah Fido 10/03/2014
Very helpful and friendly staff. My son was very awkward and after visitning numerous shops to find trainers, your staff were very patient and able to advise us on the best fitting shoe for my son. None of the sports shops that we visited were able to correctly fit him.
Heidi Kendrick 14/03/2014
Went to look at wedding shoes, and got excellent help from Sally for the wedding shoes and Joe for a pair of trainers (likely needed for dancing at the reception!). Bought one pair of shoes and have another pair being delivered that weren't available in my size in the shop. Both Sally and Joe were friendly, helpful and made what could have been a stressy experience really enjoyable! So pleased to have found two brilliant pair of wedding shoes in no time at all - thanks to Sally and Joe!
sam 14/03/2014
Extremely helpful, happy and patient staff. Delightful shopping experience :)
Valerie 22/07/2014
Sorry Im unable to give you receipt number but I didn't purchase any shoes on this occassion. However I would like say thank you to a member of staff who took her time to interact with my son who suffers with a disability (Down's Syndrome), I left him on the centre seats in your store while I browsed around. He is a chatty young man and I saw him multiple times try and interact with people who walked past and I was so pleased when this young lady in your store took her time to chat with him and make him laugh. It makes a difference to see this sort of kindness, especially as it wasn't put on in front on me - it was genuine. Thank you for making my son and myself happy.
This happened last week. I didn't manage to get a name of the girl but she had brown hair and was short. Could you please pass on my thanks.
Neil mcness 22/07/2014
Good shop will be back
Andrew Martin 25/07/2014
I didn't catch the ladies name (was wearing an orange shirt and flip flops) but she was lovely and very helpful. Came in to look for shoes with my mum and she was very friendly and chatty. She didn't even laugh at me when I made a "wally" out of myself by trying on a pair of girls "where's wally" flip flops lol. Thanks, Andrew Martin x
Mark Milne 17/05/2014
Assistant was excellent with our son and very patient as he tried on a few pairs of shoes.
Nataly 25/11/2013
Great service, good product quality
Nicola white 28/11/2013
Lakeside store were really helpful. Love my boots wear them all the time. Would definitely come back.
steve sibley 31/07/2014
very helpful staff and great shoes, couldn't get my partner out the door.
Louise Howard 01/08/2014
I was so impressed by the service I received in the Lakeside branch. I was served by lady called Evie (221), she was so friendly and helpful and delivered such excellent service from start to finish. She did everything to help me and my daughter and took time to listen and advise us. This was my first time shopping at schuh and I will definitely be coming back!
Jill Syrett 05/08/2014
After reserving my item online which was so easy and convenient I went to the store to pickup the sketchers gowalk 2, when in the shop I was served by the most helpful assistant I believe her name is Sophie, she was so patient as i had many different styles of sketchers out to try but also a big help in making my final decision, nothing was too much bother for her, so polite. In the end I came away with 2 pairs and extremely pleased sketchers are so comfy and ideal for my walking holiday.
Emily Cahill 16/07/2014
Excellent service from all staff especially Alvin and the guy whom served us on the till
Laura Harrison 23/03/2014
Excellent service, friendly and knowledgeable staff
Georgina 31/03/2014
Great service from the moment I stepped into the store, friendly helpful staff member Michaela. Paid for my shoes using the new handheld device, fantastic, didn't have to join the queue at the desk. Great idea!
Michelle 15/01/2014
This store is always very friendly. Every time I enter the staff always greet me and are not pressuring for a sale. On the day I brought a new pair Babycham trainers I was served by Jamal. He was very polite and friendly making small talk whilst I was trying the trainers on. Nothing was too much effort for him and I left feeling very happy. You have a very attentive excellent member of staff in Jamal. Hopefully this feedback will get back to him. (Sorry the feedback is a bit late)
Patricia Johnson 11/01/2014
Fiona Lewry 16/01/2014
Today I bought my third pair of footwear from Schuh Kids at Lakeside, and I cannot praise the staff enough, with their welcome to my three year old, understanding the relevance of HER opinion, as well as appreciating that Mum wants well fitting, quality footwear that will last until the next growth spurt. I really wouldn't hesitate to recommend the ladies of Lakeside for their top notch customer care and service. Thanks, ladies.
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