How Gullible Are We?

[Kekerusey]

OK,

The idea of this thread is to show how gullible we humans can be ... it's not meant as an attack on anyone's ideology or beliefs but just to show examples of human stupidity and gullibility:

This first example is a good one, truth is I don't know whether it's true or not but it sounds like it could be so treat it as humour and have a laugh

H2O: Dangerous Chemical!
A student at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide."

And for plenty of good reasons, since:

• it can cause excessive sweating and vomiting
• it is a major component in acid rain
• it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
• accidental inhalation can kill you
• it contributes to erosion
• it decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
• it has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical.

• Forty-three (43) said yes,
• Six (6) were undecided,
• One (1) knew that the chemical was water.

The title of his prize winning project was, "How Gullible Are We?"

He feels the conclusion is obvious.

Got any good ones?



Keke

[Kamean]

Hrh!

[Tìtstewan]

It is funny, but in otherwise, is very sad, because that is so true...

[`Eylan Ayfalulukanä]

That dihydrogen monoxide thing has been around a long time. The folks that started it still occasionally get donations to help ban this dangerous chemical (and I bet there are lawmakers working in it :-(  ).

The really sad thing is that there are people out there that routinely exploit peoples' gullibility. A good example is the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). They aren't a humane society at all, but rather a pernicious animal rights group who wants you to think they are a humane society. And with this cover, they raise millions of dollars a year. In one particular case, they claimed that they were caring for Michael Vick's dogs after he was arrested for dogfighting. They were not, but they ran an ad saying they were, and raised a bunch of money with that ad. But when we (the exotic animal owners community) revealed to the publication the ad was in, the truth, it was quickly and quietly reedited to take the lie out. HSUS has done this shady fund raising over and over. And they seem to keep getting away with it. That's the saddest part of all. (BTW, all but one of the dogs was succesfully re-habbed and given a good new home.)

One form of gullibility that most people on the internet have to deal with every day is 'phishing scams'. Some of these are exceptionaly well done.

But back to science. In August of 2003, Mars was closer to earth than at any time for the next several thousand years. And indeed, Mars was very impressive in the night sky. But someone at NASA came out with a press release describing Mars as 'as bright as a second moon', which of course, it was not. Not even close. But for years afterwards, every August, we (the astronomy club I am president of) gets people inquiring about the 'two moons this month'.

[Kekerusey]

But back to science. In August of 2003, Mars was closer to earth than at any time for the next several thousand years. And indeed, Mars was very impressive in the night sky. But someone at NASA came out with a press release describing Mars as 'as bright as a second moon', which of course, it was not. Not even close. But for years afterwards, every August, we (the astronomy club I am president of) gets people inquiring about the 'two moons this month'.

This thread is about science? OK, I know this particular posting bore (izzat right?) on that but it's news to me and I started

On the second moon thing ... what "the NASA guy" forgot to say was "of mars"  or some such ... like "it's like a second moon of mars" ... er ... I think I know where I'm going with this ... hmmm.

Keke

[Clarke]

Very.

[Kekerusey]

Attention Test

I've seen it before so I know what to look for but the curious thing is that if I start doing as told I can almost miss it still.

Keke