# Replying to co-workers with a Snopes link?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-to-co-workers-with-a-snopes-link/477633>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 17, 2008, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-to-co-workers-with-a-snopes-link/477633 "2008-12-17T21:04:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-to-co-workers-with-a-snopes-link/477633/21 "2008-12-18T05:01:48Z")

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> [@Cervaise](#):
>
> How about this: Wait a week, then send a _new_ “all” message saying, “I recall seeing this go by in email a few days ago, I don’t remember who sent it, but I happened across this today, and thought it was applicable, FYI.”

I would probably choose this course. I think people tend to heed us better when they aren’t embarrassed or angry.

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**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-to-co-workers-with-a-snopes-link/477633/22 "2008-12-18T05:07:50Z")

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> [@jsgoddess](#):
>
> I would probably choose this course. I think people tend to heed us better when they aren’t embarrassed or angry.

I think I would be prevented from taking this sound advice by imagining the Ponzi-esque effect of all the recipients emailing all their friends, Snopes-free, in the interim.

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**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-to-co-workers-with-a-snopes-link/477633/23 "2008-12-18T17:08:22Z")

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I’d say something like:  
Interesting, but luckily you can rest easily: [http://snopes.com/whateverProvesTheyAreAGullibleDimwit.html](http://snopes.com/whateverProvesTheyAreAGullibleDimwit.html)

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**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-to-co-workers-with-a-snopes-link/477633/24 "2008-12-18T20:29:33Z")

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Well since **AHunter** included his response I’ll throw in mine.

Now these circumstances required a more delicate touch. This was from a parent of one of my students and I sent my reply only to her. I won’t include the original email since you can get the general idea with what I wrote:

> [@](#):
>
> Dear Mrs. [not so bright],
> 
> Thank you and I know your intentions are sincere as everyone needs a regular reminder to be ever vigilant in combating these malicious attempts at cyber-vandalism.
> 
> You should know however that the link to [snopes.com](http://snopes.com), while it does affirm that the threat is genuine, some parts of the message are misleading or needlessly sensationalistic.
> 
> I view snopes as one of the most reliable and thoroughly researched sites on the internet, their findings are:
> 
> ```
> "Although the Postcard virus is real, it isn't a "BIG VIRUS COMING" (it's already been around in multiple forms for a long time now), it will not "burn the whole hard disc" of your computer, CNN didn't classify it as the "worst virus" ever, and it doesn't arrive in messages bearing a subject line of 'Invitation'."
> 
> ```
> 
> The entire entry can be read here:
> 
> ['Hallmark Postcard from a Family Member' Virus | Snopes.com](http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp)
> 
> Thank you again for concern.
> 
> Respectfully,
> 
> Mr. minlowat’s last name

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