In the article “Web Hoaxes, Counterfeit Sites, and Other Spurious Information on the Internet,” a detailed overview of misinformation being presented on the internet is given. First, it speaks of true counterfeit sites. These sites are the most problematic because they tend to be the most harmful and malicious against the individual/individuals that they target. The article continues on about suspicious websites. Majority of these articles have blatant dishonest information posted. For example, one of these websites denied the occurrence of the European Holocaust. In addition, the article touches on how even news professionals are vulnerable to believing misinformation. Charity scams are one of the many web hoaxes that occur. These are particularly deceiving and occur after any disaster. Unfortunately, the list of web hoaxes continues on and on, including: subject-specific misinformation, fictitious sites, parodies and spoofs, hackers, etc. In conclusion of the article, multiple websites are listed to help track and spot these internet hoaxes.
I have to say that I was in shock after reading this article. I never really thought about all the hoaxes that could be out there. Before reading this article, I typically would not think twice about whether a website’s information was true or not. Now I will. Some of the examples that were given throughout the article were simply appalling to me. For example, the counterfeit website created against Martin Luther King Junior. I realize now exactly how information can be extremely dangerous, specifically on the internet. Pretty much anyone can make a website that is compiled of solely fabricated information. The ability of people to discern between what is fact and what is fictitious is particularly important. I think that people need to keep in mind that misinformation is within the internet and the media. Also I think that if people do come across any sort of web hoax, they need to report this to any of the websites that help deal with internet hoaxes. This article definitely reminded me not to believe everything that I read or hear, even if it’s from the media, and to evaluate all information first.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
News Report #1
“New Youth Library in Ethiopia Makes Impossible Dream Reality”
Leonard Kniffel, American Libraries Magazine
08/23/2010
<http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/08232010/new-youth-library-ethiopia-makes-impossible-dream-reality?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AmericanLibrariesMagazine+%28American+Libraries+Magazine+Top+News%29>
On August 20th, the Segenat Child and Youth Library opened and became the first library in Mekele, Ethiopia. It is estimated that there was over 400 people at the opening ceremony. So far within the library, there are around 10,000 books, a computer room, and 2 e-book readers. The books in the library are appropriate for children ages 0-18. Many volunteers took part in the process of getting the library underway, including U.S.A. ones who helped train local staff. Yohannes Gebregeorgis well deserves majority of the credit for making this library a reality for the Mekele citizens. In 1998, he founded an organization called, Ethiopia Reads, that works to build libraries all over Ethiopia. For the Segenat Child and Youth Library, Gebregeorgis raised approximately $45,000 through his organization. He was named a CNN Hero in 2008.
After reading this article, I am extremely glad to hear about this step for Ethiopia, specifically Mekele. It is hard for me to imagine what life would be like without libraries. I feel that it is easy for most of us to take advantage of all that we are offered here in America. In every school and university, there is some sort of library. Even beyond that, there are public libraries in majority of the cities here. This article definitely helped put things into perspective for me. I realize much more now that even the simple things, like being able to read a book, should not be taken for granted, because many children around the world do not have that opportunity. It makes me so happy to hear about people like Gebregeorgis who are truly out there making a difference in other people’s lives. This library will definitely help to greatly affect the lives of the Mekele citizens. I hope that the Segenat Child and Youth Library is one of many more for Ethiopia. This article should absolutely serve as an inspiration to us all!
Leonard Kniffel, American Libraries Magazine
08/23/2010
<http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/08232010/new-youth-library-ethiopia-makes-impossible-dream-reality?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AmericanLibrariesMagazine+%28American+Libraries+Magazine+Top+News%29>
On August 20th, the Segenat Child and Youth Library opened and became the first library in Mekele, Ethiopia. It is estimated that there was over 400 people at the opening ceremony. So far within the library, there are around 10,000 books, a computer room, and 2 e-book readers. The books in the library are appropriate for children ages 0-18. Many volunteers took part in the process of getting the library underway, including U.S.A. ones who helped train local staff. Yohannes Gebregeorgis well deserves majority of the credit for making this library a reality for the Mekele citizens. In 1998, he founded an organization called, Ethiopia Reads, that works to build libraries all over Ethiopia. For the Segenat Child and Youth Library, Gebregeorgis raised approximately $45,000 through his organization. He was named a CNN Hero in 2008.
After reading this article, I am extremely glad to hear about this step for Ethiopia, specifically Mekele. It is hard for me to imagine what life would be like without libraries. I feel that it is easy for most of us to take advantage of all that we are offered here in America. In every school and university, there is some sort of library. Even beyond that, there are public libraries in majority of the cities here. This article definitely helped put things into perspective for me. I realize much more now that even the simple things, like being able to read a book, should not be taken for granted, because many children around the world do not have that opportunity. It makes me so happy to hear about people like Gebregeorgis who are truly out there making a difference in other people’s lives. This library will definitely help to greatly affect the lives of the Mekele citizens. I hope that the Segenat Child and Youth Library is one of many more for Ethiopia. This article should absolutely serve as an inspiration to us all!
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