38. Junk Mail

Why does the mailman bring us so many catalogs, credit card offers, and pizza coupons? Because his job depends on it. Zachary Crockett checks the mailbox.

• SOURCES:
  • Brett Chamberlin, program manager at Catalog Choice.
  • Aaron Gordon, journalist.
  • Mike Gunderson, president of Gunderson Direct.

• RESOURCES:
  • "U.S. Postal Service Reports Fiscal Year 2023 Results," by the U.S. Postal Service (2023).
  • "How We Ended Up With All This Junk Mail," by Aaron Gordon (Vice, 2020).
  • "Here Are the Data Brokers Quietly Buying and Selling Your Personal Information," by Steven Melendez and Alex Pasternack (Fast Company, 2019).
  • "How to Stop Junk Mail and Save Trees — and Your Sanity," by Elisabeth Leamy (The Washington Post, 2018).
  • "How The Post Office Sells Your Address Update To Anyone Who Pays (And The Little-Known Loophole To Opt Out)," by Adam Tanner (Forbes, 2013).
  • The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970.

• EXTRAS:
  • "Is It Worth It for Charities to Harass Their Donors?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).