QUALITY OF INFORMATION: The Mars-Moon HOAX

Posted:  26 Aug 14

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OR... FACT-CHECKING IS TODAY'S WAVE OF THE FUTURE!

(and yesterday's and tomorrow's)

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1.  Well, friends ---

I was really looking forward to it -- until I checked.  Tomorrow was supposed to be the BIG night!

But this article says it all: http://www.iflscience.com/space/no-mars-will-not-appear-large-full-moon-night-sky

And, Wikipedia reaches back and shows us that this hoax has been in play, at least since 2003.  Here, see for yourselves.

And, of course, Google chimed in with 117 million results -- I didn't check them all, but the first page was consistently certain that this is a hoax.  I'm satisfied.

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2.  Just saying...

It seems a dreadful waste of human energy to concoct and spread these quite-often harmful hoaxes and rumors -- both for the few senders who do the mischief and for the busy, unwary multitude of receivers who have mud pointlessly thrown in their faces.  

I find it to be a full-time job, just managing good information.  Sorting out the bad stuff compounds the complexity and deters people from doing what they might otherwise have done with the same energy and time  That can't be a typically good thing to do.  How does that help anyone better themselves -- pursue their rightful well-being?  It doesn't.  IT HINDERS FELLOW HUMANS. 

Therefore, it's immoral. Quite so!

Oh well, human nature is human nature until we figure out how to discipline its harmful excesses.  Add another social duty to our to-do list, good citizens!

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3.  While we're on the subject...

If you are not aware, there are at least THREE excellent, easy-to-reach, basic fact-checking tools -- worthy of any conscientious power-user's toolkit -- to help us screen garbage out and stop its spread, dead in its tracks:

Snopes.com is a reliable, excellent fact-checker that seems to quickly dispel almost every "urban legend."  They're that good, well-connected, and powerful.  Never heard of Snopes?  Here are some reviews.  I testify that I have used this magnificent free service for years and it hasn't let me down yet.  And, if Snopes doesn't know something, chances are, other fact-checkers may have something to contribute.  I see them as a fine, public-spirited team.

A simple set of Google searches, that ask better and better questions -- until the right answer can be made to appear -- is a very effective way to get a pretty good handle on most any subject.

And, of course, never, never underestimate the Wikipedia blessing.

There are thousands, no, MILLIONS of good-hearted souls out there who are more than able and willing to FREELY (or at lowest possible cost) help us maintain the purity of the precious human knowledge base (HKB) -- while not exploiting our vital dependence on good information "insurance."   

TO DO THE BEST GOOD, WE NEED THE BEST INFORMATION WE CAN GET.  The truism "garbage in, garbage out" is an irrefutably invaluable and simple and imminently practical guideline.

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4.  I respectfully submit that it's everyone's job to keep that awesome human treasure -- that HKB -- uncontaminated and useful.  

We're all "supposed" to be 

FACT-CHECKERS and HKB-protectors.

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David Nelson



All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved. BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along -- and are urged to do so -- as long as it's all done free of charge, unchanged, you include this statement, AND you inform me as to how it is being used -- at YOUR convenience but, hopefully soonest.

HOLIDAY SCAMS AND MALWARE ALERT!!!!

Posted: 13 Nov 12

Purpose

To help you preserve your well-being in this "brave new world," by laying out a big problem (hopefully in time for you) and by giving you some links to helpful problem-mitigating information.  It is still true that knowledge is power.

It is hoped that you will find power here, as easily as possible, so you don't have to disrupt your days, too much, by searching so hard for it or learning the hard way.  It's sort of a reminder to look both ways before crossing.

Your attention is also invited to another relevant article on this blog, entitled "SCAM ALERT! Work From Home Scam."

What's Up?

They're at it again.  You didn't think they'd stop, did you?  Who?  I mean the poisoners of the great Internet achievement, and thus, our very lives.  And, just as all humans, they are learning how to do their "work" ever more efficiently and convincingly.

Until good ultimately conquers evil (which it shall), we're going to have to stay alert, keep each other informed, learn what the enemy is up to -- at every opportunity, AND HELP PROTECT ONE ANOTHER.


What sparked all of this?

This morning, I received a warning from one of the many computer industry watchdog groups to whom I subscribe.  It caused me to drop what I'm doing, to get this out to you, without delay.  Here is that article, but there is more I can offer you:

http://www.zdnet.com/cybercriminals-start-spamvertising-xmas-themed-scams-and-malware-campaigns-7000007178/?s_cid=e550


Scope of the Problem

There are so many ways that the enemy can fool and trap us -- if we give them a tiny opening --playing on our various needs for more and better goods and services, bargains and savings of precious dollars, our sympathies, our mutual trusts -- anything that they know a good human possesses inside  -- or on our inevitable weaknesses and failings.

Because we humans tend to be ingenious, the variety of assaults on our well-being are countless.


Limitations

Ideally, my desire is to cut snippets from all the various articles and warnings and to place them all in one convenient article.  But, I not only must respect copyrights, it's my desire and duty to respect the creativity and hard work of fellow humans -- and insure that they get their fair due credit for their efforts.  Besides, they can explain far better than I.

Since, I can't maximize your convenience in that way, the next best thing I can think of is to offer you a trail to follow, so that you can see the lay of the land, as efficiently as possible.


Therefore

The following are links that I have either examined myself or are from sources I consider to be unimpeachable.  Please examine them carefully and as soon as possible.  Eventually, you will understand at least some of the patterns and specifics that will allow you to minimize your risks.

And, please alert ALL OTHERS WHOM YOU CARE ABOUT.  You may certainly distribute this article as freely and widely as you wish.  I do ask that you consider my own copyright statement, at bottom.  For I have big plans for our futures and need to protect the integrity of the organization I am forming.

Here's to the safe and peaceful and wonderful holiday season you deserve -- as you renew yourself and others, to better play our unique parts in our society's vital work -- toward better days ahead.  We will get there.  We will.


The Links

• I always ask Google, first, and he or she never lets me down.  Here you go: "scams and malware."   Just go on down the list.  Check a few at each opportunity, till you feel you've gone far enough.
• Facebook scams -- here is a quick read that should keep you from stepping on land mines in that magnificent Facebook garden of growing friendships and wisdom.
• For Android users
• My favorite handy-dandy -- Be sure to keep "Snopes.com" in your tool box.  Like everything, unfavorable rumors can float to the top.  But, you can safely ignore any negatives concerning this fabulous public service.  I have checked them out thoroughly, have used them for years to sort out hoaxes and worse, have read the highly favorable reviews in the "fact-checking" industry and KNOW them to be good, reputable, reliable, and as honest as possible.  You can trust them.

More to Follow

• This is as far as I can go, right now, because I really wanted to rush this into your hands.
• As I learn more, so shall you, my friends.
• Check-in, here, from time to time.
• And, please tell us what you learn.  You are welcomed and encouraged to share what you know in the comment section below this posting
• I look forward to the day when I don't have to say, "be careful out there."  And, that day is coming.  We have to believe that and in each other.

David Nelson

Editor & Publisher

All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

DANGEROUS DRUG ADVISORY!!! Strawberry Meth

The Case in Point
A Pittsburg FaceBook friend brought the following clip to my attention, triggering this fact-checking investigation:

Purposes of this Fact-Check Report

• To address a long-circulating and alarming truth-claim and help place it into perspective with reliable information.

• This also helps to define, develop, and test more features and functions for this City-Journal, to better serve the community.

Rationale
Since the quality and impact of our decisions and subsequent actions depend heavily on the information which influences them, it is worthwhile to try to discover truth-values -- especially on matters of significant potential impact on the actions and peace of mind of the community.

Findings

• According to Snopes.Com (a leading fact-checking site), this case-in-point came to public attention in 2007, and has been circulating, via emails and FaceBook, ever since.  Here's their analysis, which cites evidence which refutes the idea that drug dealers are targeting children with the coloring.  

• Another leading fact-checker, Hoaxslayer.com also considers the claims exaggerated.  

• However, this matter alarmed Senators Feinstein and Grassley enough for them to introduce legislation, in 2007, to deal with the threat.

Conclusions

• Analysts have found elements of both truth and fiction present.  However, it's hard to predict future impacts of this public discussion on criminal behavior.  

• It is undeniable that the potential look of the "product" also has great potential to appeal to childish curiosity and love of sweets -- as can be seen at this Google link. 

• It seems reasonable to presume that even if this were not a present criminal strategy, there is nothing to say that it won't become so.  The whole idea of this could be easily turned into a reality.  

• The idea might even become more prone to being realized, since it can now serve as a convenient suggestion for criminal action.  Also, since it has been publicly refuted, it may NOW be a usefully confusing cover for exploitation.

Ramifications

• Our public enemies are extremely industrious and callous in their efforts to enrich themselves by poisoning the less sophisticated among us -- and damaging human destiny, by destroying as many souls as they can.  

• This whole case helps elevate the awareness of a harmful drug and its potential for camouflaged delivery.

• The stakes are high -- and forewarned is  forearmed .

• You'll have to ultimately decide on the relevance of this matter -- but appropriate warnings to children and adult vigilance seem in order.

Tag:  "Dangerous Drugs," "Hoaxes"