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Kerrigan · Apr 16, 2007, 04:35 PM

http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...src=rss&rpc=22

KABUL (Reuters) - rumors swept through Afghanistan on Monday that a deadly virus was being spread by mobile telephone calls, and government officials scrambled to reassure the public the talk was rubbish.

Many worried Afghan mobile phone users called family and friends, warning them not to answer calls from strange numbers. Some people said they had heard that several people had been killed by the mystery virus in Kabul at the weekend.

"Don't answer any strange number because it contains a virus that will kill you," said Ahmad Fawad, a shop owner in Kabul.

---------------------

What idiots. Who would believe something so stupid? Do they even know what a computer virus is?

I mean, if you own a cell phone, you should at least have some basic level of common sense in order to operate it. I guess not.

As Cartman said when he visited Afghanistan, "What is this, the Flintstones?"

brassplayersrock² · Apr 16, 2007, 04:38 PM

you didn't see the poli lounge?? it IS a bit hidden, and not much happens there though

Kerrigan · Apr 16, 2007, 04:43 PM

Just because it's about Afghanistan doesn't mean it's political, which is why I didn't check that forum. I just thought it was funny, so I posted it here.

brassplayersrock² · Apr 16, 2007, 04:48 PM

oh my bad. i just saw the words government officials, and thought the poli lounge

analogika · Apr 16, 2007, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

What idiots. Who would believe something so stupid? Do they even know what a computer virus is?

Conspiracy Planet - Chemtrails - The Mind Altering Abilities of Chemtrails

911 Conspiracy -- Terrorists Only Pawns in Far More Sinister Plot

Conspiracy Planet - Moon Landing Scam - NASA 'Loses' Phony Moon Landing Tape

I dunno. Who would?

Incidentally, there is a difference between "ignorant" and "stupid". Not sure if it's relevant to what you were trying to say, but it should be.

Tenacious Dyl · Apr 16, 2007, 05:13 PM

Y2K anyone? At least they weren't stockpiling canned foods, water, and board games in their basements like people across the US were.

There are technology-stupid people everywhere.

Gossamer · Apr 16, 2007, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock

you didn't see the poli lounge?? it IS a bit hidden, and not much happens there though

You're the new Cats CEO.

Kerrigan · Apr 16, 2007, 05:22 PM

Honestly, how could you think that your phone could download a real disease and somehow give it to you? What's going to happen, is it going to magically move from the phone to your body?

At least with Y2K people understood what a "virus" is and how it can affect computer systems.

This is an instance of people not knowing anything about electronics and health.

MindFad · Apr 16, 2007, 05:25 PM

Kill 'em all. o wai

Nicko · Apr 16, 2007, 05:32 PM

Afghanistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world (actually it might be the lowest). Worse things have happened.

nonhuman · Apr 16, 2007, 05:32 PM

What the hell? I can't find a single clip of the video from Ring on YouTube (there was one that might have been in from the American remake, but I don't know, never saw it).

Way to drop the ball, internet.

Kerrigan · Apr 16, 2007, 05:34 PM

In my opinion, the only thing dumber than this is when people thought aliens were invading because of a radio program.

Jawbone54 · Apr 16, 2007, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

In my opinion, the only thing dumber than this is when people thought aliens were invading because of a radio program.

One of my Top 10 Favorite Moments of the 20th Century.

RAILhead · Apr 16, 2007, 06:13 PM

Atomic Rooster · Apr 16, 2007, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

In my opinion, the only thing dumber than this is when people thought aliens were invading because of a radio program.

So Merikans are dumber than Afghans. Good point.

They only believe cells will make you sterile.

Gossamer · Apr 16, 2007, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

In my opinion, the only thing dumber than this is when people thought aliens were invading because of a radio program.

Except that wasn't a case of someone not understanding technology. That was a case of an impressionable populous taking a fake news report as a real one.

OldManMac · Apr 16, 2007, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

In my opinion, the only thing dumber than this is when people thought aliens were invading because of a radio program.

It's amazing isn't it, to find out that there are people on this planet that don't know as much as you do.

turtle777 · Apr 16, 2007, 06:33 PM

I once was killed by an email virus. So yes, it's possible.

-t

kick52 · Apr 16, 2007, 06:50 PM

Afghanistan: ...

Atomic Rooster · Apr 16, 2007, 06:56 PM

Over in the political lounge cell phones are killing bees.

Don't ask me why it's in the political lounge.

::maroma:: · Apr 16, 2007, 07:05 PM

Hey, can't you get gonorrhea from riding a tractor? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I heard that you can.

Atomic Rooster · Apr 16, 2007, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

Hey, can't you get gonorrhea from riding a tractor? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I heard that you can.

It all depends what you're plowing.

Kerrigan · Apr 16, 2007, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by KarlG

It's amazing isn't it, to find out that there are people on this planet that don't know as much as you do.

Not amazing, but funny.

UNTeMac · Apr 16, 2007, 08:36 PM

Have you read snopes.com in awhile? We Americans are just as gullible.

brassplayersrock² · Apr 16, 2007, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

You're the new Cats CEO.

no need for insults

Gossamer · Apr 16, 2007, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock

no need for insults

The resemblance is uncanny.

Railroader · Apr 17, 2007, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

The resemblance is uncanny.

You know, at first I though: "why is Gossamer being a jerk?" And then I thought: "you know, he's got a good point".

brassplayersrock: USE PUNCTUATION! But not like SkyCaptain.

brassplayersrock² · Apr 17, 2007, 02:13 AM

its not as if you wont know what im saying

Railroader · Apr 17, 2007, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock

its not as if you wont know what im saying

thats no teh point

Dakarʒ · Apr 17, 2007, 10:04 AM

I don't know what to say, but I feel like I should be posting here.

His Dudeness · Apr 17, 2007, 10:18 AM

Stephen King already wrote the book about this. Pretty lame, but still funny that they would believe that!

Visnaut · Apr 17, 2007, 10:29 AM

Maybe they're cylons.

Kevin · Apr 17, 2007, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Tenacious Dyl

Y2K anyone? At least they weren't stockpiling canned foods, water, and board games in their basements like people across the US were.

There are technology-stupid people everywhere.

UM Y2K was possible. This isn't.

Lots of bad comparisons going on here.

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Except that wasn't a case of someone not understanding technology. That was a case of an impressionable populous taking a fake news report as a real one.

Indeed.

But this DOES happen everywhere this day and age. It's just in this instance, there was a a lot of people that fell for it.

Gossamer · Apr 17, 2007, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

You know, at first I though: "why is Gossamer being a jerk?" And then I thought: "you know, he's got a good point".

brassplayersrock: USE PUNCTUATION! But not like SkyCaptain.

More than just the lack of punctuation, he runs around thinking he has more clout than he does, talking down to people, and discussing topics he really doesn't know much about. Cats used to do exactly that.

Dakarʒ · Apr 17, 2007, 10:49 AM

Now he mostly away from Lounge, or else he gets the macgeek treatment.

SirCastor · Apr 17, 2007, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Tenacious Dyl

Y2K anyone? At least they weren't stockpiling canned foods, water, and board games in their basements like people across the US were.

There are technology-stupid people everywhere.

I don't understand how this could be a bad thing? There's little to no reason to be unprepared. Sure Y2K wasn't going to result in a nuclear winter, but consider what could have happened. If shipping routes and delivery times were messed up, a town or city could have a severe run on the stores for food. Consider the mess that happens with severe hurricanes. Having a decent supply of food and water is a *good* idea.

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Honestly, how could you think that your phone could download a real disease and somehow give it to you? What's going to happen, is it going to magically move from the phone to your body?

At least with Y2K people understood what a "virus" is and how it can affect computer systems.

This is an instance of people not knowing anything about electronics and health.

I'd make the argument that most people don't know really what a computer virus is, they just know it's bad because it has the moniker 'virus'. How many people do you know start suspecting their computer is infected with a virus when it's starts running slower than what their used to, or something stops behaving the same way, when in reality it was more likely a Windows update?

Technology can do all kinds of things to health, mental and physical. There's plenty to be said about Psychosomatic effects, as well as actual problems. Of course, as you said, this is an instance of people not understanding the way (we understand) the world works.

Y3a · Apr 17, 2007, 12:32 PM

You've never seen Videodrome??

Gossamer · Apr 17, 2007, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Now he mostly away from Lounge, or else he gets the macgeek treatment.

I also think he has an understanding with the mods and or him mom, which is cool. When he does post here it's nothing like it used to be.

Super Mario · 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

What idiots. Who would believe something so stupid?

Anyone who believes in creationism, books from the sky, heaven, hell, Muhammed flying on a horse to heaven, Jesus coming up like a Zombie, Jesus coming back like a Super Zombie, The Day of Judgement, Islamic global empire, virgin births, god's name written on tomatoes and goats, Shaitan living on Wall Street, death to infidels, angels sitting on your shoulders writing your biography, etc etc etc

olePigeon · Apr 17, 2007, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Super Mario

Anyone who believes in creationism, books from the sky, heaven, hell, Muhammed flying on a horse to heaven, Jesus coming up like a Zombie, Jesus coming back like a Super Zombie, The Day of Judgement, Islamic global empire, virgin births, god's name written on tomatoes and goats, Shaitan living on Wall Street, death to infidels, angels sitting on your shoulders writing your biography, etc etc etc

Sounds about right.

Big Mac · Apr 17, 2007, 02:24 PM

To be fair, pay phones have been fatal to terrorists in the past.

Kevin · Apr 17, 2007, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Y3a

You've never seen Videodrome??

I think I have. Debbie Harry was scary in it.