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Post by gwffantrav on Jan 8, 2006 14:04:42 GMT -5
Did anyone see this about Wal-Mart?!? Do you think it was intentionally done or just a random thing?
Wal-Mart Apologizes for Racist Software Glitch
Wal-Mart's attempt to mimic Amazon, NetFlix, and Blockbuster by providing an automated system that recommends movies based on the types of DVDs its customers previously ordered came to a crashing halt Thursday after blogs spread the word that the Planet of the Apes DVD was linked to "Similar Items" that included DVDs about Martin Luther King, Dorothy Dandridge, Jack Johnson and Tina Turner -- all notable African Americans. "We are heartsick that this happened and are currently doing everything possible to correct the problem," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Mona Williams said in a statement. "We were horrified to discover that some hurtful and offensive combinations are being mapped together. ... We are deeply sorry that this happened." The company gave no explanation for how the software program managed to select only films about African-Americans for the recommendations.
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Post by BrianU on Jan 8, 2006 14:18:47 GMT -5
I read this in the news. I was shocked and disappointed. Mistake or not, this is pretty bad.
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Post by gwffantrav on Jan 8, 2006 14:23:35 GMT -5
Well, I think they should promote Casper the Friendly Ghost and put all white people's videos....just kidding.
You know, something similar happened to us at UPS. I work in communications/media. The guy who posts things on the website names the pics. If you just put your cursor on the pic, it'll show you the title of that pic.
There were so many, so he named them so he could remember when posting. There was a big black girl in a red shirt. He of course, named it big ol' black girl in red.
He forgot to rename it once he posted it though, and he caught some flack on it. But they knew it wasn't malicious...but the Wal-Mart thing....hmmmm. Probably something someone on the website did to see if people were actually paying attention, and I guess they do!!!
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Post by JimSteel on Jan 8, 2006 14:31:43 GMT -5
Wal-Mart is always getting bad press some is well deserved
I work for Wal-Mart and its no fun at all. Not a good company at all to work for
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Post by gwffantrav on Jan 8, 2006 14:35:48 GMT -5
Just curious Jim, why don't you like it. I hear various things about them...some good...some bad.
I like the prices better than most, but my complaint about them is everything is crazy, nothing put back, but that's the drawback of having to be open 24 hours, rather than someplace like Target, which has all night to re-organize.
Second, it's the biggest pain to go to customer service at Wal-Mart.
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Post by gwffantrav on Jan 8, 2006 14:36:22 GMT -5
P.S....Jim, that wasn't you that put that on the website now was it???  jk |
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Post by JimSteel on Jan 8, 2006 14:56:03 GMT -5
Wal-Mart treats their employees like trash. Also when it comes to promotions they don't promote the most qualified they give it to the least qualified that need to be trained to do the job That works sometimes but not everytime Just curious Jim, why don't you like it. I hear various things about them...some good...some bad. I like the prices better than most, but my complaint about them is everything is crazy, nothing put back, but that's the drawback of having to be open 24 hours, rather than someplace like Target, which has all night to re-organize. Second, it's the biggest pain to go to customer service at Wal-Mart. P.S....Jim, that wasn't you that put that on the website now was it??? jk MAYBE  |
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Post by ringsyde on Jan 8, 2006 16:42:08 GMT -5
I worked for Wal Mart for 3 days as a department manager. In those three days, I felt like I gave away my freedom and rejoined a plantation. I was so disgusted with the treatment of staff, the apathy of managers and supervisors, and the "Wal Mart is good for the people / community" brainwashing that I elected not to return after day three.
As for the Planet of the Apes tragedy, I am speechless. Knowing what I know, some beer-swilling redneck -who was probably promoted to the position because he / she lasted the longest with the company - thought it might be a funny little trick that would likely never get noticed.
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Post by gatekeeper on Jan 10, 2006 14:02:05 GMT -5
Wal-Mart is the devil. The reason they can put lower prices on everythng is because they have virtually NO full-time employees, working many 38 and 39 hrs. a week. So, that way they never have to pay for health benefit packages or worry about paying into retirement funds for their employees.
Think about it, Wal-Mart prices are only slightly less than anyone else's. It won't make that much of a difference to have 2 extra quarters in your pocket. I refuse to shop there.
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Post by kaz on Jan 10, 2006 14:30:47 GMT -5
I have to agree that Wal-Mart isn't what it appears to be. All I can say is work there, you'll have a completely different perspective on the company. I worked there for 5 years, with 3 of those as Toy Department manager. It's the only time in my life I cussed upper management up one side and down the other (over the radio no less, so everyone could hear..) over being blatiently LIED to to my face. I walked off the job two days before the store was to be inventoried. I actually got an ovation as I went out the door after my 15 hour shift. The only managers I saw on my way out looked away and didn't say a word. If half of the people who shopped there actually knew what the markup was on the things they buy... wow.
As for the PotA scandle, I can't blame an entire company for something that may or may not have been done by someone who was just being an a$$hole. But there's much more to hang them on.
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Post by gwffantrav on Jan 10, 2006 23:16:58 GMT -5
Wow...some harsh stuff about Wal-Mart. Had no idea. UPS does that alot with people, just keep them working 30+ hours, but nothing full time to keep them from getting those full time benefits. Until they promote Dark Menace of the Universe along with Clash of the Titans, The Odyssey or theIlliad...Make mine COTG! |
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Post by Shon Maxx on Jan 12, 2006 6:35:35 GMT -5
Jim, I feel for you. I've worked for Publix Supermarkets for over a decade (lousy college took too long and now any job is a pay cut). Although we, like Walmart, have been named one of the top companies to work for, we too have a lousy work environment.
Constant favortism to the point of breaking policies for some but not others, back stabbing, criticism for work you're not responsible for, just enough training to give you more work without a promotion, and I swear the top 2 qualities they look for in managers is lack of brains and communication skills.
As for the Planet of the Apes incident, I truly hope it was just an overlook (although obviously a major one), as I'd hope we'd be moving away from rasicm in the 21st century.
Then again, some people are too stupid to change, and they prefer to live in the past. Too bad we can't leave Them there!
Take care,
Jay
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Post by nelson on Jan 12, 2006 6:39:37 GMT -5
jay, right on my man. later, neil  |
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Post by MikeMcKinney on Jan 12, 2006 17:27:03 GMT -5
Walmart is HELL!!!!! I've been in there bout 5 times(which is 5 times to many) I will never set foot in there again....The customer service is the worst i've ever dealt with, crap is everywhere, and with 40+ check out lanes, 3 are open. It just flat out SUCKS!!!!
tkx again
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Post by steelthunder814 on Jan 27, 2006 17:25:25 GMT -5
I 2 work for Wal-Mart and to be honest with you. Your experience there depends on what store you work for. The 1st one i work for was fantatic. The managers actually had competence and a clean store. Now the store i work for now i cant say the same thing about. Understaffing because of constant callouts and nothing being done about it. Mangaer hyprocrisy and apathy. I do work full-time but dont use their health benefits because they r a joke. you might as well not have it at all. a special message to the store manager of 2841, get up off your fat rear and care about place! Course thats just my opinion i could be wrong
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Post by gatekeeper on Jan 29, 2006 17:37:24 GMT -5
To restate - Wal-mart is the devil. I saw a program on TV that showed an Indian female who works in one of those shops that makes clothes for WM. She gets paid 17 cents/hr. She has 3 kids and is trying to support her two parents who are now unable to work. She works 14 hrs. a day most days. They brought her to the US and took her to a WM, she fell to the floor crying when she saw the clothes she makes for $0.17/hr. being sold for $13.00. Damn, Wal-Mart should burn.
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Post by offspring515 on Jan 30, 2006 0:31:57 GMT -5
Thank god no other stores sell clothes made by women and children in third world countries. Except, you know, all of them.
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Post by steelthunder814 on Jan 30, 2006 13:15:25 GMT -5
And people will not care where it comes from just as long as they get because most people are lethargic
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Post by gatekeeper on Jan 30, 2006 14:00:31 GMT -5
Thank god no other stores sell clothes made by women and children in third world countries. Except, you know, all of them. Good point. |
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Post by offspring515 on Jan 31, 2006 1:38:28 GMT -5
My post came off way more smart assed than I intended. Blame it on the late night posting!
You had a good point too Keeper, in that we really shouldn't just accept these things. Yet we do, and that's a pretty sad indictment of the world today.
Also, I tend to not buy into the "Walmart is owned by the devil" stuff because pretty much everyone complains about the people they work for. I know Walmart has done some sucky things to screw over workers...but alot of other places are doing the same things, just on a smaller scale.
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jk
