Tree octopus exposes Internet gullibility

[Undertoad]

PSA.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/educati...et-illiteracy/

Researchers asked students to find out information about the endangered Pacific Northwest tree octopus. Students had no problem locating a Web site dedicated to the cause, “but insisted on the existence of the made-up story, even after researchers explained the information on the website was completely fabricated,” according to a press release.

(Author’s note: You gotta check out this Web site, you can actually buy posters and T-shirts through Cafe Press.)

Most students “simply have very little in the way of critical evaluation skills,” Leu said. “They may tell you they don’t believe everything they read on the Internet, but they do.”

tree octopus website

[TheMercenary]

Most students “simply have very little in the way of critical evaluation skills,” Leu said. “They may tell you they don’t believe everything they read on the Internet, but they do.”

[Clodfobble]

I don't think this has changed at all with the advent of the internet. Used to be, the scoutmaster would say you were going on a "snipe hunt," and would describe the snipe in great detail, and it didn't matter how many times the older boys told you it was a hoax, there were always some younger ones who insisted that the snipe was a real creature, and even that they were sure their cousin had caught one once on a hunt.

Kids are stupid. Always have been.

[Aliantha]

It's not just kids. Over here we tell visitors (and kids) to watch out for drop bears. Most people believe it at least at first. Some people can be strung along for days.

[ZenGum]

I love that!

Be sure to check the FAQ and sightings tabs, they are full of win.

Heck if we can have a psychic octopus, why not a tree octopus?

[Spexxvet]

For a long time, there's been this book that documents a man who was crucified, and then came back from the dead. It also recounts stories based on some amorphous "creator" who made and controls everything.

And people believe it!

[DanaC]

lol

[limey]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I don't think this has changed at all with the advent of the internet. Used to be, the scoutmaster would say you were going on a "snipe hunt," and would describe the snipe in great detail, and it didn't matter how many times the older boys told you it was a hoax, there were always some younger ones who insisted that the snipe was a real creature, and even that they were sure their cousin had caught one once on a hunt.

Kids are stupid. Always have been.

Snipe

[glatt]

Just saw this over at Boing Boing. It made me chuckle. "Put up your dukes!"

[footfootfoot]

That was funny and it made me laugh.