|
WARNING! CAUTION!
DANGER! BEWARE!
Gullibility Virus Spreading over the Internet!
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Institute for the
Investigation of Irregular Internet Phenomena announced today that many
Internet users are becoming infected by a new virus that causes them to
believe without question every groundless story, legend, and dire warning
that shows up in their inbox or on their browser. The Gullibility Virus,
as it is called, apparently makes people believe and forward copies of
silly hoaxes relating to cookie recipes, email viruses, taxes on modems,
and get-rich-quick schemes.
"These are not just readers of tabloids, or people who buy lottery tickets
based on fortune cookie numbers," a spokesman said. "Most are otherwise
normal people, who would laugh at the same stories if told to them by a
stranger on a street corner." However, once these same people become
infected with the Gullibility Virus, they believe anything they read on
the Internet.
"My immunity to tall tales and bizarre claims is all gone," reported one
weeping victim. "I believe every warning message and sick child story my
friends forward to me, even though most of the messages are anonymous."
Another victim, now in remission, added, "When I first heard about Good
Times, I just accepted it without question. After all, there were dozens
of other recipients on the mail header, so I thought the virus must be
true." It was a long time, the victim said, before she could stand up at a
Hoaxees Anonymous meeting and state, "My name is Jane, and I've been
hoaxed." Now, however, she is spreading the word. "Challenge and check
whatever you read," she says.
Internet users are urged to examine themselves for symptoms of the virus,
which include the following:
The willingness to believe improbable stories without thinking. The urge
to forward multiple copies of such stories to others. A lack of desire to
take three minutes to check to see if a story is true.
T. C. is an example of someone recently infected. He told one reporter, "I
read on the Net that the major ingredient in almost all shampoos makes
your hair fall out, so I've stopped using shampoo." When told about the
Gullibility Virus, T. C. said he would stop reading email so that he would
not become infected.
Anyone with symptoms like these is urged to seek help immediately. Experts
recommend that at the first feelings of gullibility, Internet users rush
to their favorite search engine and look up the item tempting them to
thoughtless credence. Most hoaxes, legends, and tall tales have been
widely discussed and exposed by the Internet community.
Courses in critical thinking are also widely available, and there is
online help from many sources, including:
Those people who are still symptom free
can help inoculate themselves against the Gullibility Virus by reading
some good material on evaluating sources, such as:
Lastly, as a public service, Internet
users can help stamp out the Gullibility Virus by sending copies of this
message to anyone who forwards them a hoax.
This message is so important, we're sending it anonymously! Forward it to
all your friends right away! Don't think about it! This is not a chain
letter! This story is true! Don't check it out! This story is so timely,
there is no date on it! This story is so important, we're using lots of
exclamation points! Lots!! For every message you forward to some
unsuspecting person, the Home forthe Hopelessly Gullible will donate ten
cents to itself. (If you wonder how the Home will know you are forwarding
these messages all over creation, you're obviously thinking too much.) |