[jariel]

To me, if it's a 'real person' but an automated system it's even more dishonest.

The message is not coming from them.

I know it's not particularly disingenuous - it's just 'marketing' but at the same time it really triggers my 'Orwellian Dystopia' concerns about the completely impersonal future where relationships are utterly commoditized and we lose the ability to distinguish between man and machine.

In fact, the overly familiar tone of messages those that 'try to hard' to lack protocol bother me as well.

A 'corporation' using the language of 'friendship' is ridiculous. Sadly, I think this will go on as we love to think that 'someone who uses more casual language with us must be on more familiar terms'.

Frankly, I'd rather go back to proper titles. Mr. Ms. whatever.

"I don't know you, you are not my friend, you cannot be familiar with me, don't tell me jokes or help me 'chillax'" is what I feel like saying.