How Stupid Can You Get On The Internet?

Very stupid it turns out.

I have a friend in Michigan working on a case involving two clueless parents who helped their teenager spread rumors (or if you prefer, lies) about a classmate on the Internet.

I've discovered there seem to be many people who prolifically spread libel, but don't seem to understand how traceable their activities are. Criminal intent and ignorance of computer technology used for criminal activity is a very bad combination.

My Michigan buddy sent me this Youtube thread that was almost a mirror of the situation his office is working on. I'll print a portion; names etc have been changed, "therenow" is my friend:

"Wendy"

It's not what you think! How was I to know he'd catch me lying about the other men?

"DRSKA"

Ah, "Greg Smith" of San Diego. Your entire life is spent nipping at our heels like an entertainment dog chasing a red ball. Were you bred for amusement or stupidity?

"Therenow"

How you came to this conclusion will be an interesting read.

For the record I know neither "Wendy" nor "Greg Smith"

"DRSKA"

You must lead a boring life, then.

"Therenow "

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you feel it is important enough to bring up in your video thread, then it is important enough to explain how you know this and why you think it is relevant.

"Therenow"

So am I to take this to mean that was wild speculation on your part? "Greg Smith" is an anti poverty activist:
[LINK DELETED]

"Therenow"

He is in New York. He has posted his email address online:
[EMAIL DELETED]

Your information appears to be incorrect. Maybe you should email him about your concerns.

"DRSKA"

Why don't you knit me a sweater and get me some coffee too while you're at it. Sugar and cream, please.

"Therenow"

It seems you're saying you have no evidence to support your assertions. That's makes people wonder about your motives.

"DRSKA "

You're to learn how to read and stop interrupting the class with demands for attention.

Later in that same thread:

"Therenow"

That is my point. There is only evidence of a "Greg Smith" activist in New York. There is none for a "Greg Smith" activist in San Diego. You either have the wrong person or the wrong place.

"DRSKA "

Or perhaps you're not very good at finding evidence and should stick to your knitting.

"Therenow"

Sorry, but you obviously have no evidence to support your statements. If you had, you would have posted it days ago.

"...stick to your knitting."

Actually I fish. When I'm not working.

"DRSKA "

It's been up on the web for ages. Try using a search engine. Why do so you desperately crave my approval?

"Therenow"

"It's been up on the web for ages."

Gossip and innuendo are not evidence. If I get all my friends to say "DRSKA is a homosexual", that does not make you a homosexual no matter how much we repeat it. You have proven nothing. You are just repeating gossip.

The thread has been silent ever since. Whether it's because of complaints or because of "lost face" we don't know. This isn't serious on the surface but the dynamic is common enough to be worrying under the right circumstances.

This article by Purple Tigress makes it clear even if you're right, you are not "in the right" to "expose" someone working under a pseudonym, provided they are not breaking the law:

"Writing the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth can keep you out of trouble — both in your personal and public life — only to a point. While truth is the defense for libel and slander, it is NOT a defense for invasion of privacy and the Internet is the new frontier where not everything is clearly defined..."

But in the Youtube thread above it was obvious that the individual making these claims "Wendy" was "Greg Smith", had no evidence at all. (After digging into some very fringe sources, my friend found more people making similar claims about "Greg Smith", but all sources were on the level of the Weekly World News. These people also claim that no planes were used in the September 11th attacks and the government is attacking them with secret mind weapons. Consider the source.) Even the most "libertarian" hackers aren't going to get behind spreading wild rumors just because.

It's not just unethical but, if damages can be proven, you can be sued for libel and invasion of privacy. So think before you post those juicy rumors you can't substantiate.

A certain teenager's parents wish they had.