If you’re one of those people that forwards on chain letters about virus warnings, sick children, improbable stories etc, then this email is for you.
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           WARNING, CAUTION, DANGER, AND BEWARE!
        Gullibility Virus Spreading over the Internet!
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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
In Box 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, E-Mail 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 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” and “Join the Crew”, 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 e-mail, 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, InternetÂ
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
     * Symantec Anti Virus Research Center at
             http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html
             http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/vinfodb.html
     * McAfee Associates Virus Hoax List at
             http://www.mcafee.com/support/hoax.html
     * Department of Energy Computer Incident Advisory Capability at
             http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/
     * The Urban Legends Web Site at
             http://www.urbanlegends.com
     * Urban Legends Reference Pages at
             http://www.snopes.com
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.
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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.)
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    ACT NOW! DON’T DELAY! LIMITED TIME! NOT SOLD IN ANY STORE!
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