Comments on: Rumors: Why They Persist and How to Squelch Them http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/13/rumors-why-they-persist-and-how-to-squelch-them/ The Neat Side of the Web Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:30:01 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: WordyGrrl http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/13/rumors-why-they-persist-and-how-to-squelch-them/comment-page-1/#comment-1084659 WordyGrrl Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:00:29 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/13/rumors-why-they-persist-and-how-to-squelch-them/#comment-1084659 What ted said. Plus, at this point, don't we usually think that "No comment" means "guilty as charged?" What ted said. Plus, at this point, don't we usually think that "No comment" means "guilty as charged?"

]]> By: ted http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/13/rumors-why-they-persist-and-how-to-squelch-them/comment-page-1/#comment-1084620 ted Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:09:45 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/13/rumors-why-they-persist-and-how-to-squelch-them/#comment-1084620 Common knowledge. Politicians have used that tactic for years. Get your toadies to say something nasty about your opponent, condemn it yourself, but it still lingers around your opponent's head. Common knowledge. Politicians have used that tactic for years. Get your toadies to say something nasty about your opponent, condemn it yourself, but it still lingers around your opponent's head.

]]> By: sw http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/13/rumors-why-they-persist-and-how-to-squelch-them/comment-page-1/#comment-1084104 sw Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:16:11 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/13/rumors-why-they-persist-and-how-to-squelch-them/#comment-1084104 hey, I heard that alex has an extra toe on his left foot . . . . hey, I heard that alex has an extra toe on his left foot . . . .

]]> By: bob. http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/13/rumors-why-they-persist-and-how-to-squelch-them/comment-page-1/#comment-1084042 bob. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:07:17 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/13/rumors-why-they-persist-and-how-to-squelch-them/#comment-1084042 It sounds like the right idea, but I remember hearing about a study recently that said trying to send out a "this rumor isn't true message" only serves to reinforce the original rumor. The summary was that people hear the original, and when the hear the rebuttal, they only remember the original rumor anyway. Additionally, having a rebuttal come from a "respected" news source (the candidate themselves or mainstream news) gives further power to the rumor. I wish I had a link handy because it was an interesting study. It sounds like the right idea, but I remember hearing about a study recently that said trying to send out a "this rumor isn't true message" only serves to reinforce the original rumor. The summary was that people hear the original, and when the hear the rebuttal, they only remember the original rumor anyway. Additionally, having a rebuttal come from a "respected" news source (the candidate themselves or mainstream news) gives further power to the rumor.

I wish I had a link handy because it was an interesting study.

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