Ghost in the Machine!

Some of you around my vintage will remember "Ghost in the Machine" — the fantastic 1981 (yes, technically not 1980, music purists) album from UK band The Police. You might even hum "Spirits in the Material World" as you read this. 🤘🎸🤘

A while back, I posted here about the avalanche of AI-generated sales spam flooding my LinkedIn inbox — messages clearly blasted out with zero research, no meaningful targeting, and aimed at someone who is obviously not their ideal customer.

Here’s the flip side.
Over the past while, I’ve had several so-called legit people reach out, interested in discussing my services. Meetings are scheduled, invites sent… or at least promised.

But then:
Invites that never arrive.
Invites accepted, but no one shows up.
Calls where I sit alone in the Teams or Zoom waiting room like the last kid left at school pickup.
No message to cancel. No “sorry, something came up.” Just… nothing.
At first, I’d send polite follow-up emails: “Just checking in — did something happen?” Most went unanswered.

Now, I’m left wondering — what the hell is happening in the world of business, or am I
just wired differently?

I’m first-hand experiencing this strange new corporate phenomenon: ghosting. (This has me singing the the opening verse to U.K. Ska band, The Specials 1981 hit, Ghost Town”…
“This town, is coming like a ghost town
All the clubs have been closed down
This place, is coming like a ghost town
Bands won't play no more
Too much fighting on the dance floor…” 👻🎙️

Maybe this is the “spirit” in our current “material world” — a mix of busy calendars, digital overload, and… perhaps… a ladle-full of professional discourtesy sneaking in under the radar.

Is it just me? Or are you finding this creeping into your day-to-day too?

Comments welcomed, as always!

MC