What can I do? Step One

It usually takes a lot of lottery tickets to hit the jackpot. Let's get started.

The Data Protection Act is a powerful tool that is being used against us. And we agree to this abuse, over and over again. It's time to put this gift to use.

Step One

Have you noticed that the salutation “Dear Sir/Madam” is hardly ever used anymore? It's now “Hello David Schmid.” And this is happening simultaneously and internationally—a reason to take notice. We are being denied gender-specific forms of address, while gender is an essential part of our identity. Language has always been a tool of politics, we know that, and we say no. The General Data Protection Regulation can also be used here. I send the following letter to my communication partners—with success:

"Dear Sir or Madam,

I object to the form of address you have used and request that you address me in a gender-specific manner as “Dear Mr./Ms. <Last Name>.”

The explanation given for this new form of address is that it is intended to avoid discriminating against people who do not identify with any gender. This represents approximately 0.3% of the population. By omitting gender-specific salutations, you are discriminating against 99.7% of the population, to which I belong. I kindly request that you refrain from doing so.

Furthermore, I am exercising my right under the GDPR and object to the use of my first name for communication purposes."

And, of course, we continue to be connected in prayer or meditation every day at 3:00 p.m. London time.