Help Find Nine-Year old Penny Brown–Fiction! Summary of eRumor: An appeal from a mother to help locate her missing 9 year old daughter, Penny Brown. The Truth: This has been circulating long enough and without any evidence whatsoever that it is true that we are classifying it as fiction. In a classic act of …
Forward An Email Petition to Save MSN Messaging-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: This warning says that MSN Messenger is going to be discontinued by September 14th, 2001. If you forward the email to everyone you know, however, each message will count as a “signature” on a petition and 500,000 signatures will save MSN Messenger. If …
Forward an Email, Get Free Tickets on British Airways–Fiction! Summary of eRumor The eRumor says that due to the war in Iraq and the SARS virus outbreak, British Airways is having trouble getting passengers. If you’ll forward the email to help advertise the airline, you’ll get free tickets on British Airways. The Truth: According to British …
Are there common characteristics to eRumors, hoaxes, and urban legends that can tip us off that they may not be true? I used to confidently say yes and there are some factors about eRumors that are common, but, in my view, it has become more difficult to tell. I used to trust my “baloney detector” …
Is There a Way of Knowing Whether a Story is False? Read More »
by Rich Buhler Most of us don’t intend to spread a rumor, hoax, or urban legend. We intend to spread the truth. It’s fascinating, however, that in our desire to spread what we think is the truth, certain kinds of stories emerge that are repeated from person to person, year to year, century to century, …
