Can You Spot a Hoax?
A few years ago, a woman and her husband were coming home from a ski trip in British Columbia when they spotted a disabled car on the side of the road. It was raining and the driver looked distressed, so they stopped and helped him fix his flat tire. The man was extremely grateful but didn't have any cash to reward them, so he took down their personal information. A week later, the couple got a call from their bank saying their mortgage had been paid and $10,000 had been deposited into their account by an appreciative Bill Gates.
Snopes.com, the Internet's preeminent resource for verifying and debunking rumors, ridiculous claims, and those e-mail chain letters your sister-in-law can't stop forwarding. Whether it's an urban legend like the Gates story, an overblown warning about the latest computer virus, or that bizarre photo circulating of "Hercules, the world's biggest dog," chances are Snopes.com has checked it out and rated it as "true," "false," or "undetermined." They have lots of subjects and the following sections: What's new, Randomizer, Hot 25, FAQ, Odd News, Glossary, Newsletter, and Message Board. I can't count the number of times I have received an email telling me something, thought it sounded funny, checked on Snopes and found it to be a myth. I always email the person who sent it so they can go back and tell all the people they sent it to that it is untrue.
So the next time you get an email telling you that the planet Mars will make a remarkably close approach to Earth in August 2009 and before you pass it on, check it out with Snopes. You can also find more sites on more subjects by checking out: The Best Emyths, Scams, Internet Hoaxes, Urban Legends, and Superstitions Websites
posted by Ann at
7:28 AM
4 Comments:
Yes, I've been to SNOPES and it's the best source for what's real and what's junk. And I hate getting those emails. They're always forwards of a forward of a forward.
Snopes it like the internet liar detector. Love it! That's how I found out Daddy long legs aren't actually the most poisonous spider on earth.
Although, it is not always correct or up to date. I heard about a ridiculous lawsuit once and blogged about it and someone said they checked it on there and it was declared as not true. I had a friend in Risk Management who had a lawyer look it up and he found the case number and it was indeed a true, real lawsuit....SNOPES was behind in their research and was wrong.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I have been wanting to get back to you. I can't imagine how you found it by doing a search on chi tea!!
I just found a recipe for it and can't wait to make it. Do they really hand it out in the stores in Turkey?
I'm located in the Hudson Valley, right near the NJ border. It's a very pretty area and we love to hike and there are so many nice parks very close to me. I have a 2yr lab mix and we have to keep her entertained!
Is your section of Ok. flat? I don't know much about Ok. What I do know is from The Pioneer Woman Blog. I enjoy reading about her life on the ranch.
I have used Snopes several times but I enjoyed your post about how those words began. Language certainly is fascinating!
Please stop by again. Mary
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