wonky
December 18, 2008, 5:01am
21
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.
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.
I’d say something like:http://snopes.com/whateverProvesTheyAreAGullibleDimwit.html
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 , 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
Thank you again for concern.
Respectfully,
Mr. minlowat’s last name