Prevent Gmail From Emailing Under the Influence

mikesd81 writes "Google has developed 'Mail Goggles,' a Gmail add-on that makes sending email from Gmail more difficult during certain times (which you can set). If you have Mail Goggles installed, it will force you to answer a series of math questions before sending out any new messages. You can adjust the math difficulty and times this option is in effect. If you get any of the questions wrong, Mail Goggles will say, 'Water and bed for you. Or try again.' Of course, if you set the math settings too high, you may have a tough time solving some of those problems in under 60 seconds, even when sober. Then again, if you're sober, you could just turn Mail Goggles off and hit send on that impassioned letter to your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or that flame to your boss."

Comments

No substitute for self control

[syousef]

All this means is that people will phone or sms or worse, show up drunk on their ex's door more often (perhaps even drive there). Sure it's a lot easier to send a drunken email than go see someone in person so that'll stop some of it but the reality is if you're a serial drunk, you need to get some help. Nothing else is going to fix it.

I've never understood why Western society (and others) glorify the pissup.

Re:No substitute for self control

[aussie_a]

I've never understood why Western society (and others) glorify the pissup.

Agreed. Then again many here glorify taking drugs.

Re:No substitute for self control

[Paleolibertarian]

I agree. But because people have a right doesn't mean they should. I'm ambivalent about this thing because if somebody needs restraining perhaps they need another hobby.

Fortunately I have learned the hard way that self restraint is very necessary. It's a sign of the times that people need stuff like this or the other stuff that censors the free exchange of information.

As for free speech, it is unfortunate that the people who actually have something valuable to say restrain themselves to much; while those who are simply full of $#!+ have no restraint at all.

Re:Just tried it.

[RuBLed]

Have you tried it while drunk?

and google helps you solve them

[NiteMair]

If you're not sober enough to do the math, perhaps you're sober enough to copy/paste them into google so it can give you the answers ;)

Turn it off

[francisstp]

I'm sure they thought this through and also require answering a math question for turning the app off?

Re:Perhaps they could just delay sending

[Arimus]

Would end Web 2.0????

Excellent. Please implement at once. While you're at it persuade the media and public at large to accept that 'the web' != 'the internet' ('the web' 'the internet')

Re:stop the discrimination!

[TheEmptySet]

I am a mathematician and you sir are insulting the abilities of drunk lemurs. I personally worry that I would never send any e-mail if I had to answer arithmetic or sports questions.

What they should do for us is to add the option of deep philosophical questions. I would happily give a brief answer while sober, but if I were drunk I would be so distracted that I would be sober by the time I finished formulating my answer.

This is just google's elaborate ploy...

[Martian_Kyo]

...to gather drunkard statistics. I bet you'll see a lot more alcohol related google ads after failing a few of those tests.

A better thing would be, NOT to tell you you were wrong but to pretend to send the mail and then notify you few hours after (when you are PROBABLY sober) about your failure.

Re:hurp

[Stellian]

How about this: don't get drunk, don't use drugs. Side effects include, but are not limited to:
  - sending stupid emails you will later regret
  - driving right into the next tree
  - chopping up your neighbor with an axe because it seems like a fun thing to do
  - nausea, headaches and a general crappy existence

Don't underestimate no. 4, it's a real killer.

Re:Insensitive!

[Hatta]

That's not funny, don't drink and derive.