This is a great example of a service born out of a real insight. Although it hasn’t been commercialised yet, there is no doubt in my mind that it would (will) be a success.
“Since a girl’s dormitory mates will glean evidence of her popularity from the calls she
receives on the phone, we can suspect that some girls will arrange for calls to be made.”
- Erving Goffman, The Presentation of Self In Everyday Life
This insight, which is relevant in multiple situations outside of the girl’s dorm, led to the creation of the Popularity Dialer. (Just think of how wonderful it can be to escape for a little while from a really tedious market research presentation with 7 billion Powerpoint slides for example.)
Popularity Dialer is easy to use. Via a web interface, you can choose to have your phone called at a particular time (or several times). At the time of your choice, your phone will be dialed and you will hear a prerecorded message that’s one half of a conversation. Thus, you will be prompted to have a fake conversation and will easily fool those around you.
Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait to appear popular (and get out of research presentations) since the service is currently only available to US numbers.
August 4, 2006 at 6:50 AM
Thanks for blogging about the popularity dialer. You’re the first blogger who’s picked up on the Goffman quote. In what country do you live? Hopefully, we can bring the dialer there soon.
Best,
jennyLC.
cofounder of http://popularitydialer.com/
August 4, 2006 at 7:15 AM
Jenny,
Singapore is what I currently call home.
It’s a great idea, which I’m sure is relevant anywhere in the World.
Cheers
October 22, 2006 at 3:00 AM
These guys seem to have taken this concept a bit further with alibi, image dialers (their version of the popularity dialer), reminders and wake up calls. They allow you to spoof the caller ID that calls you so that you can facilitate an alibi call.
October 22, 2006 at 3:00 AM
These guys seem to have taken this concept a bit further with alibi, image dialers (their version of the popularity dialer), reminders and wake up calls. They allow you to spoof the caller ID that calls you so that you can facilitate an alibi call. http://www.mobilealibi.com
May 23, 2007 at 7:44 PM
Poop is indeed stinky.
August 14, 2007 at 8:33 AM
This service has already saved me one bad date, popularity dialer is a close second in usefulness to youmail in terms of cell phone services. cheers!
December 7, 2008 at 5:29 AM
who gives a crap? what does being popular do for you? and why lie about ANYTHING? I realize some folks will be offended, but more importantly, just tell the person the truth.. all you’re doing is setting yourself up for having to remember more.. the more you tell teh truth, the less u have to try to remember.. props though, for praying on peoples insecurities.. you guys should sell insurance.. scare people into thinking they need your product