Brilliant response to the sanctimonious Bono

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by rah

http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/bono.asp

Love snopes.

As with many snopes proofs, this one doesn't actually prove that the event in question did not occur; it merely shows what is more likely to be true given the evidence at hand.

Always take the conclusions of snopes articles with a grain of salt, and always read past the STATUS: FALSE part.

[Tuberski]

ACK!

[Bill3000]

As with many snopes proofs, this one doesn't actually prove that the event in question did not occur; it merely shows what is more likely to be true given the evidence at hand.

Are you actually using an argument from ignorance here?

[Tuberski]

We really need this smilie:



and



And the snopes smilie.

ACK!

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Bill3000
Are you actually using an argument from ignorance here?

No no. It would be stupid to say that the event did occur just because it cannot be proven that it did not.

I'm merely pointing out that snopes articles aren't the end-all-be-all of a debate, and that if someone else can provide real evidence that the event in question did occur, that evidence shouldn't be ignored just because snopes said it didn't happen.

[rah]

A good point, but when it's passed around on the internet there's always that assumption that it is true. Snopes is a good balance to this and at least challanges you not to believe some of these things blindly.

[Lorizael]

Also a good point.

...

Now what do we fight about?

[Bill3000]

How skeptical one should be about urban legends, and whether or not it is a good idea to think that an urban legend is false until shown true through empirical evidence?

(This isn't necessarily a property of the internet)

[rah]

I think reasonability should be a guiding factor.
If it sound possible, I'm more likely to believe it until proven false.
If it sounds tricked, I'm more likely to believe it's not true until proven otherwise.

I do like to check snopes because when they list different version you can get a feel for how it evolved.

[Lorizael]

I am, sometimes unfortunately, very naturally skeptical. My general opinion on urban legends is that if I've seen no proof that something is true then it doesn't do me any good to have an opinion one way or the other. I don't factor the urban legend into my thinking whatsoever.

I also try to filter out things I want to believe. If I anaylze my thoughts, I know that there are certain things I believe to be true because I like the idea of them being true. They sound more "reasonable" to me because they adhere to whatever romantic image I have of a particular concept or person.

Whenever this sort of thing happens, I immediately go online to do some actual research. More often than not - and this is where the unfortunate part comes in - I end up shattering my idealistic notions about the past, about certain people, about whatever. But it's just the way I am.

Essentially, the more wedded people in general or I specifically appear to be to an urban legend of any sort, the more skeptical I am about its origins.

[Tattila the Hun]

I think I heard Jimmy Carr, standup comedian do that bit, only with snapping of fingers.

[rah]

Yes, that reference is mentioned on snopes.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by rah
A good point, but when it's passed around on the internet there's always that assumption that it is true.

My god, what planet are you from!?!?!?! (No offence, but it's against my entire experience of teh interweb)

Or maybe I give too much credit. Most people I know pass it on because it's funny, regardless of it's 'trueness' or validity.

[Lorizael]

I would venture that you don't know "most people."

Consider, for example, how most viruses get to most people's computers.

Hmm... email from an address I don't recognize with a subject line not written in english and an attachment file with a .exe on the end. YES YES I MUST OPEN IT!

[Dis]

Originally posted by rah

http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/bono.asp

Love snopes.

party pooper with no sense of humor.