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BobTheSubgenius

(12,169 posts)
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 11:57 AM Apr 2025

I apologize if I've put this in the wrong place. It is neither important, nor particularly informative,

It does point to the fact that we are already on the downside of the zenith of civilization, I think.

Yesterday, I had occasion to call MasterCard Fraud to report some fraudulent charges on my card. Not Earth-shaking, but $3000+ is significant to a pensioner, I'd say. During a pretty rigourous ID process, she asked me how old I am, and I told her.

Her next question. "And how old will you be next year?"

It took me far longer to answer this than you might think, because I was stunned. After a couple of seconds and a deep breath, I employed a skill I've had for a while - being able to add "1" to pretty much any other number enabled me to absolutely nail it first time. Impressed with either my encyclopedic knowledge of chronology or advanced number theory, she decided I was legit and we moved on.

After more than an hour of being on hold, or navigating my way through their IVR, I got THAT. Time well spent, I think.

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I apologize if I've put this in the wrong place. It is neither important, nor particularly informative, (Original Post) BobTheSubgenius Apr 2025 OP
I think she might qualify as a subgenius although I hesitate to estimate the Tadpole Raisin Apr 2025 #1
What is really sad is that I am not surprised. LoisB Apr 2025 #2
Hmmm. PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2025 #3
Or, in the (almost) words of Jonathan Swift, Abolishinist Apr 2025 #5
Gee, I sure hope Benjamin Button never has to deal with someone like this! Abolishinist Apr 2025 #4
Ha! Good one! Woodycall Apr 2025 #11
She did not have her AI open to answer it for her. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2025 #6
I have speculated for a long time that there may be some toxin or cocktail of toxins Gaugamela Apr 2025 #7
I hope this all works out and thanks for the laugh (being able to add "1"). chowder66 Apr 2025 #8
A subgenius supremo calculation BoRaGard Apr 2025 #9
It was a trick question nuxvomica Apr 2025 #10
That was my thought as well. Even hesitation might be a tipoff. eppur_se_muova Apr 2025 #13
File under "small victories," I guess. dchill Apr 2025 #12

Tadpole Raisin

(1,891 posts)
1. I think she might qualify as a subgenius although I hesitate to estimate the
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 12:06 PM
Apr 2025

number of standard deviations below that she might be.

On the other hand to be generous it may have been a quick way to make sure you weren’t a fraudster as they would take much longer to answer the question because they aren’t really your age (if you just went by the BD - but having just given your age I’m bending over backwards on this one. SNAP!!).

PoindexterOglethorpe

(28,454 posts)
3. Hmmm.
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 12:38 PM
Apr 2025

If I ever get that question, I think I'll respond with, "I dunno. What is (my current age) plus one?"

Abolishinist

(2,886 posts)
5. Or, in the (almost) words of Jonathan Swift,
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 01:28 PM
Apr 2025

“I'll be as old as my tongue and a little older than my teeth.”

Gaugamela

(3,232 posts)
7. I have speculated for a long time that there may be some toxin or cocktail of toxins
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 02:11 PM
Apr 2025

undermining the intelligence of US society. I’m not speaking metaphorically here. And it’s not just the political mayhem and rampant spread of conspiracy theories. I see it all the time in individual behavior, like what you describe. Maybe I’m just turning into a senior cliche, but people didn’t operate like this when I was in my twenties, and I don’t see it when I travel abroad. This country is starting to look like Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

nuxvomica

(13,890 posts)
10. It was a trick question
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 02:33 PM
Apr 2025

While scammers can readily report the age of their thoroughly researched victims, they can easily be caught off guard with that question...

MC rep: What is your age?

Scammer: Why 67, of course.

MC rep: And how old will you be next year?

Scammer: 25. Why do you ask...? Shit!

Regardless, your thesis is correct. People are stupider.

eppur_se_muova

(40,966 posts)
13. That was my thought as well. Even hesitation might be a tipoff.
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 05:18 PM
Apr 2025

I'm guessing "Huh?" would be a red flag.

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