In the last 24 hours or so, there have been some interesting things that have come my way by way of either email of facebook. They're interesting, thought provoking, and garbage. One of them was such collection of misinformation it was mind-boggling.
Generally, this type of message comes from some well-intended source who is genuinely concerned about a topic and feels the need to pass on this urgent bit of frightening information about it. It can be about health, politics, religion...whatever; garbage is still garbage.
The worst part is, most of this information is so easily debunked. A search on your favorite search engine will generally show the fallacy of such things. One minute of work will save the embarrassment of being publicly corrected--"HEY, STUPID! SNOPES IT!"--or maybe more subtly dealt with by way of a discreet message or email; but the offender could easily have saved that by doing a minute's work.
Another problem is that it weakens the credibility of not just the one who sent it, but that of all who identify with his or her beliefs. I don't want to be the one who weakens my cause.
Please folks, take a minute; check your facts; if it's too far-fetched to believe, it probably is not to be believed. If not to be believed, certainly it's not worth passing around by every method available at your fingertips.
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