Fools
April 1st can be a trying day, as the normally well-lubricated internet tubes become clogged with bad attempts at April Fool’s jokes. Reading online news on April 1st during a Bush administration can be exceptionally frustrating - you can never tell what is jest and what is painfully real. But every year one website manages to pull of an exceptional April Fool’s joke that makes up for all the crap. This year Openwave went above and beyond.
According to a fake but convincing press release Openwave announced that it stopped development of its entire client product line and laid off 200 employees. What really stood out was Openwave’s commitment to the prank - not only did they release an official-looking press release but they also convinced their employees to play along. I talked to several of my ex-teammates from the client team and they kept up the pretense that they were no longer employed. That is dedication.
The April Fool’s joke was so good it fooled everyone. Take a look at the Yahoo finance message boards it you want proof - hook, line and sinker. I personally can’t believe anyone fell for this obvious fakery. Getting rid of the entire client group would be like a marathon runner cutting off his own leg in order to run faster. Everyone who fell for this should be embarrassed.
Hold on … my producer is trying to tell me something on my headset. What? Its not an April Fool’s joke? Hmm. They are fucked over a barrel you say? Uh-uh. Got it, thanks.
Well folks, this is a little awkward. To all my fallen client team brothers and sisters: Chin up! Things may be bleak now but they could be much, much worse. For instance, you could be still working at Openwave.
