Back in 1991, one of my Grade Ten classes was vehemently opposed to my arguments about Environmentalism.
I composed a very clear poster and petition to encourage the government to regulate the use of that dangerous chemical, dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO).*
This chemical is used in industry, particularly in nuclear power plants. It is now so abundant that measurable amounts can be found hundreds of miles from any populated area, whether at the Poles of the Earth or in the middle of deserts. Every year it kills thousands upon thousands of people. It is now so widespread that there is not a human on Earth that does not have measurable amounts in their bloodstream and other body tissues. As little as 500 mls can kill a grown man.
Disposal of DHMO is so unregulated that a farm or business can simply throw it down drains or on their neighbors' properties with impunity. It is a significant player in the rust of automobiles. It has even been known to cause airplane crashes.
etc. etc.
I approached three bright kids in that class that were sympathetic to me, and suggested they see how many signatures they could obtain. I asked them to put a dot beside the name of any signee who they thought saw the joke.
After two days, the kids had several hundred signatures, of which only about ten had dots. The signees included several science teachers and all the arts and language teachers. They also obtained signatures across all grade levels and most of the Grade Ten students.
I then had the pleasure of the principal announcing on the PA system that whoever was circulating the petition could stop doing so, because DHMO is just water. It was a scam. (*Perfect*.)
He then outed the kids and I, as being behind the scam, to show how common it is that people will accept an idea without thinking it through, especially if it relates well to other already popular ideas.
Students throughout the school wanted to know which teachers had signed the petition, but I thought it prudent to keep that secret. Even so, I got a lot of nasty looks from several teachers who had signed it.
*I had heard of this idea before, but had to compose the whole plan myself. Now there is a website on DHMO. People still readily fall for this, now old, joke.
"He then outed the kids and I, as being behind the scam, to show how common it is that people will accept an idea without thinking it through, especially if it relates well to other already popular ideas."
Oh yeah, how common it is for people to believe in all sorts of things without thinking or without questioning....we should all have rational thinking skills drummed into us from birth!
Hey Fiery, I wanna see the pics of the floods, you said...you said...you would.. bwahahaha I know you've probably been real busy but but but....pleeeaasseeee ;)
16 comments:
oh yeah, it burns, had to laugh at all the spoofs on that one lol...
Sorry, I couldn't watch the entire video. I think my manager made that tape.
Hugs!!
Just remember, only the fittest whackjobs will pass on their genes.
You are not helping me stay in denial....
I know it's out there...but it scares me to see it.
Thump- :D *snerk*
Tracey- Dare ya to ask her since that PMS crack she made.
Hound Doggy- yeah, sorry about that. :P
She needs to take some time off when I AM PMSing! I just might tell her how I really feel!
Thanks Fiery, you always know how to make me smile!!
Hugs!!
The 90 degree camera tilt, helped turn me from skeptic to believer. God bless that woman.
Orion77- You too!!! That camera tilt was an act of...
What again?
loook at the evil shiney rainbow! Now look what happens when I turn the camera. See how it's still there? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON????
*snerk*
Off topic, but have you seen this?
You are like god.
teh evil government is forcing us to see pretty rainbows, better stop them now!
Back in 1991, one of my Grade Ten classes was vehemently opposed to my arguments about Environmentalism.
I composed a very clear poster and petition to encourage the government to regulate the use of that dangerous chemical, dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO).*
This chemical is used in industry, particularly in nuclear power plants. It is now so abundant that measurable amounts can be found hundreds of miles from any populated area, whether at the Poles of the Earth or in the middle of deserts. Every year it kills thousands upon thousands of people. It is now so widespread that there is not a human on Earth that does not have measurable amounts in their bloodstream and other body tissues. As little as 500 mls can kill a grown man.
Disposal of DHMO is so unregulated that a farm or business can simply throw it down drains or on their neighbors' properties with impunity. It is a significant player in the rust of automobiles. It has even been known to cause airplane crashes.
etc. etc.
I approached three bright kids in that class that were sympathetic to me, and suggested they see how many signatures they could obtain. I asked them to put a dot beside the name of any signee who they thought saw the joke.
After two days, the kids had several hundred signatures, of which only about ten had dots. The signees included several science teachers and all the arts and language teachers. They also obtained signatures across all grade levels and most of the Grade Ten students.
I then had the pleasure of the principal announcing on the PA system that whoever was circulating the petition could stop doing so, because DHMO is just water. It was a scam. (*Perfect*.)
He then outed the kids and I, as being behind the scam, to show how common it is that people will accept an idea without thinking it through, especially if it relates well to other already popular ideas.
Students throughout the school wanted to know which teachers had signed the petition, but I thought it prudent to keep that secret. Even so, I got a lot of nasty looks from several teachers who had signed it.
*I had heard of this idea before, but had to compose the whole plan myself. Now there is a website on DHMO. People still readily fall for this, now old, joke.
"He then outed the kids and I, as being behind the scam, to show how common it is that people will accept an idea without thinking it through, especially if it relates well to other already popular ideas."
Oh yeah, how common it is for people to believe in all sorts of things without thinking or without questioning....we should all have rational thinking skills drummed into us from birth!
NSS TTEyes!!
Hey Fiery, is the flooding in Fargo affecting you? Is your road and yard a lake? Get out your Speedo, or your trollin' boat.
R
Richard :)
Hey Fiery, I wanna see the pics of the floods, you said...you said...you would.. bwahahaha I know you've probably been real busy but but but....pleeeaasseeee ;)
Fiery, where are you????
Have you been sandbagging, or did you get into dyking???
The river is rising, i think she's out sandbagging...absolutely no time for blogging :)
Post a Comment