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0 pointsTomOfTTB15y ago0 comments

You could be right but if that's the case I think it's a mistake. I can get why Google would want a certain type of person to test these things but the problem with an application process is it makes the whole thing a question of worthiness.

"Are you deemed worthy of a CR-48 by Google?" (This is not an official Google quote I'm just laying out the sentiment)

And the problem with that is...some people won't be. So when you look at using the package arrivals for hype you have to realize you're rubbing it in the nose of everyone who didn't get one (and the ones who did are already happy with you so they're already hyped up).

I suppose there's a third group that wasn't interested enough to even apply but I can't imagine those people being moved by a bunch of "my CR-48 arrived" stories.

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4 comments · 2 top-level

d2viant15y ago· 2 in thread

I think you're reading way to much into it. It's free. Nothing more, nothing less. People get excited at the thought of free stuff, especially something like a laptop. If someone is so emotionally unstable that they feel socially rejected because a complete stranger got picked for a beta test instead of them, they have bigger issues going on -- it's not because an application process exists.

TomOfTTBOP15y ago

It's not emotionally unstable to be upset with rejection it's the normal reaction (and to be honest there's probably no psychological phenomenon that's been documented more than that). Beyond that I think suggesting it's just "free stuff" shows a complete misunderstanding of what's going on here.

Google is trying to start a movement with the Chrome OS. They're trying to win people over to the thinking that you don't need a desktop. So the dynamics here are more like a political party than a giveaway. As such people are bound to get emotionally invested and their feelings of rejection are bound to be amplified if they are rejected from that movement (imagine a political party that only accepted people's support after an application process)

As I said it's a necessary step because this is a testing process and Google does need a certain profile of person to test. But that doesn't mean it isn't going to sting people if they don't get in.

d2viant15y ago

I think applying that degree of psychological analysis to such a trivial situation is a bit insulting to people who actually suffer from genuine rejection. What you're saying could be said about any closed beta that Google has done for any of their products. I have yet to meet or hear about anybody emotionally scarred from those experiences. Have you?

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joneath15y ago

I filled out the short application just a few minutes after they had the announcement and received one two days later. I received no conformation but I did receive three phone calls by a member of the Google ChromeOS team. I missed UPS trying to deliver it to me so Google tried to get ahold of me to make sure I get it.

They are definitely trying to get these out and make sure you get it. I have no connections with Google and I am not a member of the press so to receive this level of service was amazing.

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