Higher Than Normal? Let's Talk About 'Normal' in the Digital Age!

We're diving into a reality check about how our tech world is functioning—or more like, not functioning! Have you noticed that every time you call a company, you hear, “We're experiencing higher than normal call volumes”? Well, spoiler alert: that’s just their way of saying, “We’re understaffed, and the tech is a hot mess!” It’s not higher than normal anymore; it's just the new normal. Apps are crashing, websites are leaking passwords, and it feels like everything is being held together with digital duct tape and a sprinkle of prayers. So grab your favorite snack and join me as we unravel how we got to this tangled web of tech chaos, and maybe even share a laugh or two along the way! Ever tried calling a company lately? You know the drill: you get the same old line about them facing higher than normal call volumes. Well, let’s be real, folks. When did ‘higher than normal’ become the new normal? I mean, we’ve been hearing that for ages! It’s like that friend who always shows up late but insists they’re just 'fashionably' tardy. The truth is, those long wait times and frustrating automated menus are just the tip of the iceberg. Allow me to spill some tea here – it’s not that they’re overwhelmed; it’s that they simply don’t want to hire enough folks to handle the calls! Instead, they’ve decided to keep us on the line longer, playing the waiting game like it’s some sort of twisted game show. But it doesn’t stop there! The tech world is experiencing a meltdown of its own. Apps are crashing like they’re in a demolition derby, websites are leaking passwords like a sieve, and don’t even get me started on how different systems can’t even have a decent conversation with each other anymore. It’s like watching a bunch of toddlers trying to play a game of telephone – nobody knows what’s going on! The experts who built these systems? They’ve either retired, been laid off, or are now contractors who are just googling solutions like the rest of us. Welcome to the age where everything’s held together by digital duct tape and a prayer! So, how did we end up in this chaotic mess? Let’s dig into that and see if we can piece together the puzzle!Takeaways:In today's world, when you call a company, you're almost always met with the classic line of higher than normal call volumes, which has become a tired old joke.It's hilarious and a bit sad that what was once considered high call volume has now become the new normal in customer service.The tech systems we rely on are often patched together with digital duct tape, and it seems like no one knows how they actually function anymore.The folks who built these complex systems have either left the scene or are busy Googling fixes like the rest of us, making you wonder who's really in charge.Apps crashing and websites leaking passwords? Yeah, that’s basically our daily tech reality now, and it’s a wild ride to navigate!If you're feeling the frustration of modern tech, you're definitely not alone – we’re all just trying to figure out how to keep it together!Links referenced in this episode:jamesabrown.net