Scary Things on The Internet: Spies, Robots, Hacks and Other Internet Deceptions

Periodically, we at the Alkek Library like to pass on what we know about the nature of information on the web. 

So here is a linkfest for you:

You know those link bait "news stories" on the homepages of Yahoo, AOL, MSN and more? Here's the musings of a former link bait writer, confirming that the writers work under deadline and often don't know anything about those subjects.

Here's another recent story: remember, not everyone in the comment section of your favorite internet page is who they say they are. Here is a great list of giveaway behaviors that suggest you're not interacting with an ordinary person.

In addition, an increasing number of news stories are written by computers using an artificial intelligence program.

My favorite example of internet duplicity is when celebrities actually try to anonymously comment on critical articles on themselves! Scott Adams of Dilbert fame was busted doing this.

Here's a list of other famous/rich people concealing their identities in comments sections. Yes, it's a Wikipedia link, but they do include sources for these examples.

Bottom lines:

1. Break the web habit and stop treating the open web as an authoritative source.

2. Learn to Think For Yourself, even when you perceive your own views to be unpopular (they may not be).