Gullibility Virus Warning (fwd)

Some headers removed to protect the guilty... :)

>Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 23:57:13 -0600
>From: Avi Bass <gr0nmo1@pbea.pfb.avh.rqh>
>Subject: File 6--Gullibility Virus Warning
>********************************************************************
>WARNING, CAUTION, DANGER, AND 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
>[perhaps conspiracy theories should be included here].
>"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 samestories if told to them by a
>stranger on a streetcorner." 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
>* Department of Energy Computer Incident Advisory
>Capability at
><http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html>
>* Symantec Anti Virus Research Center at
><http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html>
>* McAfee Associates Virus Hoax List at
><http://www.mcafee.com/support/hoax.html>
>* Dr. Solomons Hoax Page at
><http://www.drsolomons.com/vircen/hoax.html>
>* The Urban Legends Web Site at
><http://www.urbanlegends.com>
>* Urban Legends Reference Pages at
><http://www.snopes.com>
>* Datafellows Hoax Warnings at
><http://www.Europe.Datafellows.com/news/hoax.htm>
>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
>* Evaluating Internet Research Sources at
><http://www.sccu.edu/faculty/R_Harris/evalu8it.htm>
>* Evaluation of Information Sources at
><http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~agsmith/evaln/evaln.htm>
>* Bibliography on Evaluating Internet Resources at
><http://refserver.lib.vt.edu/libinst/critTHINK.HTM>
>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! For every message you forward to some unsuspecting
>person, the Home for the 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.)
>*******************************************************************
>ACT NOW! DON'T DELAY! LIMITED TIME! NOT SOLD IN ANY STORE!
>*******************************************
>------------------------------
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Eddy Willems - Technology Consultant - Data Alert International
>http://www.club.innet.be/~ewillems - The Comprehensive List of AV-Sites
>Private: rjvyyrzf@vaarg.or - Business: rqqlj@qngnnyreg.pbz
>http://www.dataalert.com - Benelux Distr. of Dr. Solomon's Software   
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