To think hoaxes are always dangerous?

[squizita]

A few of my friends think this morning's twitter/facebook hoax was a good thing! It "raises awareness" of terrorism: they got really angry and passionate about it as if I was a fool putting everyone in danger by listening to the real news. They actually accused me of not caring about my F&F who use the tube because I said the hoax was a hoax (FWIW I am in London and we all use the tube).

Basically the way I see it, it panicked a load of people needlessly, diverts attention from what the police are actually telling us to do, could mean people focus on the tube when we should have our wits about us everywhere (and say someone wanted to bomb a bus... how could they make it crowded? Scare everyone off the tube) and could lead to "the boy who cried wolf" later.
And all for a sick joke.

[londonrach]

What hoax?

[Bulbasaur]

Here's the thing, if you know something is going to get bombed, so do the authorities. You're probably fine.

All bombings happen by surprise because they didn't threaten, they just did it.

The point is, if you're going to get blown up, you're going to get blown up. No point in worrying about it.

[Farahilda]

I think she means the hoax that was running yesterday (and by same accounts a day or two before that) and which said 'There's going to be an attack on the tube tomorrow. All police leave cancelled'. Usually sourced to brother's friend connected to the Met or to Special Forces.

There have been two MN threads this weekend about it. Time's already up on some iterations of it.

Small details like no police leave being cancelled haven't stopped the hoax circulating.

I don't see why shite on the Internet 'raises awareness'.

[squizita]

Incul It was a text messages, fb and twitter stating the police had said to avoid the tube, all tourists were being flown home (think that would be on the news) and all police called on duty including those on holiday from 4pm because there was a specific threat on zone 1 tube.

Completely fake. Caused a lot of worry and people wondering if they should go to work!

My DH was caught up in the 7/7 (unhurt etc' thankfully) and the first thing he said was "it better be a prank... remember they bombed the tube then the buses, and planned further bus attacks when the tube was down..."
Thankfully I think it is.

[squizita]

I was most at the implication I don't love my family because I wouldn't send a scary fake text to them.
I know about risks of terrorism. I grew up in Irish NW London in the 80s, and ever since.
I'll listen to all good advice and keep myself and loved ones safe.
I won't forward shite.
During the riots I saw some older people severely frightened by scary fake taxts saying rioters were in their areas. It's just cruel.

[Bowlersarm]

It's scaremongering I suppose, but as the terror alert warning has been headline news I wouldn't go as far as saying it's a total hoax. People need to be extra aware.

[TiffanyToothache]

Squitza the people who forwarded the hoax without checking it are mindless (at best). Are you concerened about there opinion of you, in that case?

[TiffanyToothache]

Their! Their opinion! Their! Their! Many apologies.

[TiffanyToothache]

And I got your name wrong. I am also a bit mindless this time of day

[squizita]

Bowlersarm a message specifically giving the impression that (1) a bomb will be planted on the tube and (2) the whole city is flooded with police? That is a hoax. There is a raised level of danger and it's not specific ... most importantly it's not focused on the tube: in reality we need to be alert everywhere.

I don't think that it will make people more genuinely alert. If anything it will make foolish people think "Oh that odd looking bag over there by the bus stop is not a problem... it's the tube that's under threat..."

[squizita]

Incul I meant scary hoaxes about crime and so on. Ones which scare old/vulnurable people or disrupt everyone!
I think they're dangerous because they distract from listening to real warnings, and if they focus everyone on the wrong place a terrorist might find it easier to plant something elsewhere. Not to mention things like 'mob mentality' (some perfectly innocent people in hajib or with a beard might end up abused on their way to work after this kind of thing).

[sashh]

Well it makes a change from the 'man/woman or arabic/asian/eastern european origin telling people not to shop before Xmas' I suppose.

[Bowlersarm]

I don't agree with you about people ignoring odd looking packages at a bus stop. Their whole awareness will have been raised by your so called hoax, so I agree more with your friends.

I don't think it's advisable to pass it on left right and centre without a solid foundation, but I don't agree with your outrage.

[squizita]

Bowlers It isn't a "so called" hoax. It's a confirmed hoax. The police and army are annoyed about it: they do NOT see it as helpful at all, to them it causes confusion.
Everyone knows there is a risk.
Fake messages telling people there is a specific threat it a specific place when there isn't makes life harder for police. It also leads to congestion in other places and people not following legitimate instructions.

This is a known hoax. People foolishly passing it on creates fear not awareness.

I've seen vulnerable people terrified by hoaxes. They're cruel. The people who start them don't do it to help us!

Just to reiterate: there is no "so called" ; the Met have stated it IS a hoax, is dangerous, and not to pass it on.
Maybe you should advise them on their outrage?

[squizita]

Also Bowlers do you get your serious news from texts, FB and Twitter? Not news TV, websites, papers and so on?
Which do you think is a more reliable and helpful way to "raise awareness"?

Panic mongers make me feel nervous. If you've ever seen a "crush" caused by panic you'd see what the police are worried about.

[TheBogQueen]

These hoaxes are utterly ridiculous. Posted by morons.