Having just read the actual question properly.....
About twelve years ago, I decided to write to a hero of mine, the Hallowed and Revered Mr. Gary Larson.

Having been an embryonic cartoonist since I was teensy, I had never really put any effort into actually trying to become one. Hours spent laughing at greetings cards with Larson cartoons on them and poring through Far Side books both influenced and inspired me and set me on the path of a cartoonist career (a path that led nowhere then, but I've recently began to re-tread, in some ways, but I digress.)

I wrote about how he had entertained me, educated me, inspired me and how following his work had focused me into producing my own. I mentioned a few of my favourite cartoons, and even had a crack at some light humour in the hope of raising a grin on the great man's face. All in, it took me a few hours. I read and re-read it to be sure I didn't sound like an awestruck, gurning idiot and posted it off to the address given for fanmail, not really expecting a reply.

A short time later, however, a reply came! I remember the anticipation as I opened it..... what would the great man say? Would there be any pearls of advice for me? Would he have sent an autograph or better, a signed print of one of his cartoons?

I opened the folded piece of paper and saw the logo of the syndicate that sold Larson's cartoons worldwide. Below, hurriedly written were three words.

"Gary says thanks".

I think no reply would have been better, because now I doubt the shit's even forwarded my letter to him.

He's still a great hero of mine though. But it was then that I first realised corporations are dicks.
( baw__bag contains traces of nuts on, Wed 22 Apr 2009, 3:34, 1 reply)

Not all of them
The BBC's nice- I was a member of the Robot Wars club thing (Had to be a member to apply to be on the show- yes, sad bastard I know!) and in the members magazine there was the typical crappy kids mag "biographies" of each House Robot.

One of which mentioned Shunt being powered by cold fusion.
So smartass little (well, 12 or 13 year old) me decided to write in debunking that idea. A surprisingly long letter was written, citing sources from all over the interwebs and books from the local library (you wouldn't believe how much interesting stuff is in there!)

I got a very polite letter back from the producers (well, apparently. It said so on the letter and that was good enough for me) telling me that they were very sorry for the mistake and that they'd not mention it again in future.

So not ALL corporations are dicks.
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Wed 22 Apr 2009, 10:25, closed)