It's been a while since I provided a straight link and said "go read this", but here's a Wired Magazine article that is both amusing and a good reminder of why we should be sceptical of any piece of news we read until we've verified sources thoroughly. The Onion, in case you don't know, is one of the best satirical magazines out there. However, it seems a lot of people 'out there' aren't aware of the fact that even its trademarked tag line of "America's Finest News Source" is part of the satire, and believe what is written by the magazine. That the average punter falls for some of this stuff is not so surprising, but journalists who reprint the stuff are just plain lazy. As the Wired article quotes, "You have to be skeptical even about stories you see on the front page of The New York Times". The lesson appears to be, 'don't believe it till you know it'.
Posted by Joe at April 18, 2004 11:05 AMQuite right. I've made it a point not to believe anything. Sometimes even when I see it with my own eyes!
Posted by: Lisa at April 19, 2004 05:38 AM'People aren't used to seeing their humor without a punch line.'
Posted by: DJ at April 21, 2004 09:47 AM