Why I Hate Software License Agreements... (What's Worth Your Attention?)
Dear Good News Magazine Subscriber,
I try not to have peeves—as my daughter tells me, they don't make good pets.
But still, some things are frustrating. Every new piece of software, every upgrade, no matter how free, seems to come with a price. You have to say that you have read and understand and agree to the incomprehensible license agreement! I hate it!
Recently a software update popped up on my computer. Downloading took seconds, but to actually read the 6,754-word agreement would take me at least 20 minutes—and a law degree.
Did you hear about the British game retailer that got 88 percent of buyers to agree to "grant Us a non transferable option to claim, for now and for ever more, your immortal soul"? Sure it was an April Fool's joke, and, according to FoxNews.com, the company provided this opt out:
"If you a) do not believe you have an immortal soul, b) have already given it to another party, or c) do not wish to grant Us such a license, please click the link below to nullify this sub-clause and proceed with your transaction."
But only 12 percent of the thousands of customers that day did. These diligent souls received a voucher for 5 British pounds for their efforts.
No one has ever offered me 5 pounds or even 5 cents. I don't think I've gotten much of anything out of reading license agreements, except the feeling of wasting time.
Of course, it's not just legalese that wastes our time. There is so much marketing clutter, trivial updates and even hopeless bad news to divide our attention. Living in this modern era, you have to filter rapidly or you will drown in information. They say information wants to be free, but we pay a high price for the glut.
Lost in all these wasted words seems to be anything resembling good news. Practical answers to our dilemmas. Real hope for a better world for us and our children. Time-tested tips for making life work.
That kind of information is priceless. But you don't have to sell your soul to a software retailer to receive it.
Now I know this is beginning to sound like a marketing message. But truly we have nothing to sell. We give all of the information—and biblical understanding—away free of charge because Jesus Christ commanded, "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8).
One of our most popular publications is Making Life Work. This helpful guide is easy to read and will show you some of the best biblical advice on marriage, parenting, friendships, careers, finances and God's purpose for our life. I'm always inspired when I read this practical and relevant publication.
You can read Making Life Work online, or you are welcome to request a free copy to be mailed to you. And thankfully, you won't have to sign a license agreement!
Thanks for your time and attention.
Warm regards,
Mike Bennett
Editorial content manager
PS: By the way, I wouldn't put much stock in what that British game retailer wrote about selling "your immortal soul." If you have questions about what the Bible teaches about the soul, click the following link to our Frequently Asked Bible Question: What is the soul?
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