The amazing Will Ferrell death rumor debacle today...

For those of you who haven't heard, a rumor spread like mad today that comedian Will Ferrell had died today in a freak paragliding accident.

My friend actually heard it announced on the radio in Portland, OR.

Apparently it was all started by a bogus press release at http://i-newswire.com/

Regrettheerror.com actually shows an apparent screen capture of it showing up on google news and has more info here.
http://www.regrettheerror.com/2006/03/will_ferrell_is.html

So, I guess he's alive, according to some site I've never heard of. Regardless, I think the point of it all is that it's pretty easy to start rumors and watch them spread like butter on a roll. This was just entertainment news bullshit....just think of how easy it is to spread political misinformation.

That's why I come to DU, to make sure I'm getting the news right.

:toast:

:toast:

http://news.stepforth.com/blog/2006/03/google-news-credibility-foiled-by-15.php

Google News Credibility Foiled By 15-Year Old

Sometimes the most well thought out practical jokes trigger an uneven brand of justice that falls under the laws of unintended consequences. While not formally codified and ill defined, the law of unintended consequences is very real, as a Google-focused prank pulled by 15-year old Tom Vandetta amply illustrates.

Reading through SEO focused blog entries, Vandetta found an article that explained how to fool Google's news system by writing fake press releases. Sensing an opportunity to experiment and play a joke on his friends, the self-described "Google fanboy" decided to see what would happen if he submitted a fake Google press release claiming the 15-year old New Jersey student was Google's youngest employee.

sheesh

:(

This morning, the story was posted, but not taken as fact by anyone. Rather, it set off attempts to find confirming sources. When that could not be done, all--including the OP--indicated their concern that this might be a hoax and that we needed to take a step back. While I didn't get to hang around to find out, my guess is that mods probably moved it out of the main forums pending more conclusive documentation. That is what has happened in the past with unsubstantiated death rumors and I think it is very good policy.

Kudos, fellow DUers for not buying into, nor feeding a sick rumor/hoax.

I told him I'd find out if it was true or not at DU. And I did very quickly.

Here's to the truth-finding power of DU! :toast:

They won't get me again though.

I didn't hear about it until it had pretty much been debunked, but wow...pretty crazy.

As obnoxious as I know a lot of people found it, I can't help thinking it's kind of amusing in a juvenile way...it reminds me of the greatly exaggerated death of Paul.