NatPost Column: Email -- Truth and Consequences
Here are some selected paragraphs from tomorrow's National Post column. It is on truth and falsehood in email, and its consequences:
1Has anyone emailed you yet the picture from the 1954 Popular Science article? I have been sent the photo a dozen times, and it shows a somewhat doddery-looking man standing in front of a giant piece of computer-like machinery, complete with steering wheel.
The kicker is its caption: "Scientists from RAND Corporation have created this model to illustrate how a "home computer" could look in the year 2004. However the needed technology will not be economically feasible for the average home. Also the scientists readily admit that the computer will require not yet invented technology to actually work, but 50 years from now scientific progress is expected to solve these problems."
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Here is the problem, however: The picture is a hoax. It is actually a photo of a submarine maneuvering console that was modified as part of a website's image-modification competition back in September.
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So, forged ID aside, how do you assess the truth of emails, like the Popular Science one above? Sure, the greatest harm might seem looking silly from having forwarded a hoax email. It is, easy, however, to imagine a case where the reliability of email matters. What if your legal firm sends you a note that they have received from the Federal Government about upcoming tax policy changes? What if they send it to you implying strongly that they have it early and you can protect yourself by acting quickly? What would you do?
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