Disclosure and social responsibility

Erigena · 21st April 2009, 10:27 AM

This site actually appeared on the internet some time ago. It is the Isaac Caret site. Some of you may have heard of it. It looks like a writer posted an excerpt of a science fiction novel he or she may be working on. Since I don't believe aliens have visited us, I am inclined to assume that this is the author's way of gauging the believability of his story and the potential success that it may have as a result of the interest it provokes. As a science fiction writer, what better way to test your talent than to dupe your audience? In a minor discussion regarding this site, the question was raised, whether or not it is the responsibility of the author to disclose that the story is fictional.

I am presuming that the author is not deluded himself.

I cannot yet post a URL. You will need to Google "Isaac Caret" to view the site.

Freethinker · 21st April 2009, 10:49 AM

http://isaaccaret.fortunecity.com/

The writing is far too poor for a professional writer or someone with any significant education.

The Atheist · 21st April 2009, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Erigena

This site actually appeared on the internet some time ago.

Just another idiot seeking fame.

Bad news is, he's used photos of an "alien" craft, which is actually a computer-generated deliberate hoax video. (top left)

Someone will have a link, I can't be bothered looking it up.

Erigena · 21st April 2009, 05:46 PM

Regardless of his writing style, that site generated quite a bit of noise for a while and everything from t-shirts to coffee cups have been produced as a result of it. Not surprisingly, the believers are hooked. This was an example of perpetuating myth as fact and the question about social responsibility remains unanswered.

NobbyNobbs · 21st April 2009, 06:08 PM

I went to the link, read as far as the fourth word, and stopped.

A professional writer who can't use spellcheck? Please.

MikeSun5 · 21st April 2009, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by NobbyNobbs

I went to the link, read as far as the fourth word, and stopped.

A professional writer who can't use spellcheck? Please.

Too bad, it's really pretty decent as far as hoaxes go. That guy took a LONG time to create all that stuff. It's quite detailed - almost too detailed. I agree with Erigena that it must be some sort of story. Maybe the misspelling was intentional so we wouldn't think he was professional. Maybe the author's an imbecile. Maybe both.
There are a few articles available through a quick google search that attempt to dissect the whole Isaac Caret thing, but so far it's all speculation. Whatever the case, it makes for some interesting reading if you can bear a misspelled word here and their.

The Man · 21st April 2009, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Erigena

This site actually appeared on the internet some time ago. It is the Isaac Caret site. Some of you may have heard of it. It looks like a writer posted an excerpt of a science fiction novel he or she may be working on. Since I don't believe aliens have visited us, I am inclined to assume that this is the author's way of gauging the believability of his story and the potential success that it may have as a result of the interest it provokes. As a science fiction writer, what better way to test your talent than to dupe your audience? In a minor discussion regarding this site, the question was raised, whether or not it is the responsibility of the author to disclose that the story is fictional.

I am presuming that the author is not deluded himself.

I cannot yet post a URL. You will need to Google "Isaac Caret" to view the site.

Originally Posted by Erigena

Regardless of his writing style, that site generated quite a bit of noise for a while and everything from t-shirts to coffee cups have been produced as a result of it. Not surprisingly, the believers are hooked. This was an example of perpetuating myth as fact and the question about social responsibility remains unanswered.

Oh I think that “question about social responsibility” has been addressed, although perhaps in a more subtle manor then you were looking for. Why presume the author is not deluded himself? Clearly he is deluding himself in his ability to write legibly. Should he fail is his ‘social responsibility’ to accurately represent his work, either by delusion or deceit, then that responsibility falls to the rest of society. Some from this society of skeptics have already chimed in and I am sure more will follow. The society of ‘believers’ you have mentioned have also given you their ‘hooked’ response. As always, responsibility falls to the individual, whether you are the writer or the reader. A writer that abdicates their responsibility still has the responsible reader to deal with.

The Man · 21st April 2009, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by MikeSun5

Too bad, it's really pretty decent as far as hoaxes go. That guy took a LONG time to create all that stuff. It's quite detailed - almost too detailed. I agree with Erigena that it must be some sort of story. Maybe the misspelling was intentional so we wouldn't think he was professional. Maybe the author's an imbecile. Maybe both.
There are a few articles available through a quick google search that attempt to dissect the whole Isaac Caret thing, but so far it's all speculation. Whatever the case, it makes for some interesting reading if you can bear a misspelled word here and their.

How is that decent reading? Now I have no problem with stream of thought writing, but this is more of a stream of thoughtlessness. First he is working with the ‘language’ and ‘makings’ on the 'craft'. The venue of a linguist or philologist, then his ‘background’ is an electrical engineer. His story lacks the continuity that might make a stream of thought story, well, interesting.

MikeSun5 · 21st April 2009, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by The Man

How is that decent reading? Now I have no problem with stream of thought writing, but this is more of a stream of thoughtlessness. First he is working with the ‘language’ and ‘makings’ on the 'craft'. The venue of a linguist or philologist, then his ‘background’ is an electrical engineer. His story lacks the continuity that might make a stream of thought story, well, interesting.

Yea you're right, the reading wasn't really what got me interested, it was the artwork. Especially the "government manual." Now that I think of it, it's possible that this Isaac Carat guy is just a graphic designer or something. That would explain both the lack of literary skill and all the "alien diagrams." Either way, the attention to detail was impressive. He even made pieces of alien technology. Neat!

The Man · 22nd April 2009, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by MikeSun5

Yea you're right, the reading wasn't really what got me interested, it was the artwork. Especially the "government manual." Now that I think of it, it's possible that this Isaac Carat guy is just a graphic designer or something. That would explain both the lack of literary skill and all the "alien diagrams." Either way, the attention to detail was impressive. He even made pieces of alien technology. Neat!

Well I’m sorry to say that I have not looked at a good majority of the picture or document links. However, from my own experience as an enginer proper comunication skills, particularly in writing, are paramount. The fact that the autour relates his involvement in the purported examination of this ‘language’ based technology, yet then displays a complete ignorance of the foundations of context and the multitude of information any symbol carries, even in our own languages, makes the story inconsistent. I do agree that graphic design seems to be the author’s forte, rather then language, technology or a combination of both.

Erigena · 22nd April 2009, 10:29 AM

Regarding the graphic art, it's possible the author created the images and then developed a story to support those images. As MikeSun5 pointed out, a lot of detail went into producing it.

While we're on the subject of effective communication, you misspelled the word author in the third sentence, but you were still able to articulate your point.

The Man · 22nd April 2009, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Erigena

Regarding the graphic art, it's possible the author created the images and then developed a story to support those images. As MikeSun5 pointed out, a lot of detail went into producing it.

I think that is an entirely viable possibility and my particular opinion.

Originally Posted by Erigena

While we're on the subject of effective communication, you misspelled the word author in the third sentence, but you were still able to articulate your point.

Oops, well there goes my career down the crapper. Now I’ll have to study for an exciting career in graphic deign, electronics or small engine repair. Good thing I wrote down the number for Apex Tech from that infomercial.

Anyway, thanks Erigena for pointing out my mistake while still getting my point.

The Atheist · 22nd April 2009, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Erigena

Regarding the graphic art, it's possible the author created the images and then developed a story to support those images.

No, it's not.

He's simply lifted them from known, deliberate UFO hoax vidoes:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

The Man · 22nd April 2009, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by The Atheist

No, it's not.

He's simply lifted them from known, deliberate UFO hoax vidoes:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

Thanks for taking the time to find the link.

Erigena · 24th April 2009, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by The Atheist

No, it's not.

He's simply lifted them from known, deliberate UFO hoax vidoes:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

The video was posted in July 2007 and the website in June 2007. That's not to say the video wasn't produced prior to June, just that it was posted after and the creator of the video states that he designed it from a series of pictures. I wasn't familiar with the Big Basin photos, but I found a site where someone claimed to have taken pictures of the craft and the note to the site was dated June 2007. There are infinite possibilities as to who is responsible or why the myth is being perpetuated. I'm speculating that it is a collaborative or its one person coming up with multiple "witnesses" to support the hoax. Either way, I find it interesting that someone would go to such elaborate efforts to dupe their audience.

MikeSun5 · 24th April 2009, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by The Atheist

No, it's not.

He's simply lifted them from known, deliberate UFO hoax vidoes:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

The "art" that I was referring to was really that manual. It's really well done. It looks like he constructed and painted actual models, took pictures, drew all sorts of symbols and pictures, and came up with some really weird ideas. Check out the links on the right side before you pass this off as another run of the mill hoax. This is actually a decent hoax.

Skeptical Greg · 24th April 2009, 01:13 PM

Only if he actually fooled a decent number of people..

Otherwise , you might suggest it was a decent hoax attempt..

The Atheist · 25th April 2009, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Erigena

Either way, I find it interesting that someone would go to such elaborate efforts to dupe their audience.

Did you honestly say that?

Can I suggest you take a look at the Roman Catholic Church. It spends billions of dollars each year duping its audience.

Erigena · 25th April 2009, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Did you honestly say that?

Can I suggest you take a look at the Roman Catholic Church. It spends billions of dollars each year duping its audience.

Good point. I can't argue with that, but they actually believe what they're selling is true.

I don't know the author of the site or what his level of believability is, but it seems like he's trying to pull one over on his audience just to see if he can.

Skeptic Ginger · 25th April 2009, 04:22 PM

Reminds me of one Billy Meier's stuff.

MikeSun5 · 26th April 2009, 11:19 AM

Well, the question raised in the OP was whether or not the author should disclose that his work is fiction...

The Atheist brought up a good point about the church. In that context, the author's work is only fictional to those who don't believe. There are boneheads out there who were duped into believing the Isaac Caret story just like people believe some of the fantastic events in the Bible. That one guy admitted he faked the Bigfoot video on his deathbed, but there are those who still say it's real.

Even if the fiction is so blatantly obvious, there are those who are going to believe it anyway. (Scientology, anyone?)
So my answer to the original question is no. What's the point of saying it's not real if the lemmings will follow anyway?

Erigena · 27th April 2009, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by MikeSun5

Well, the question raised in the OP was whether or not the author should disclose that his work is fiction...

The Atheist brought up a good point about the church. In that context, the author's work is only fictional to those who don't believe. There are boneheads out there who were duped into believing the Isaac Caret story just like people believe some of the fantastic events in the Bible. That one guy admitted he faked the Bigfoot video on his deathbed, but there are those who still say it's real.

Even if the fiction is so blatantly obvious, there are those who are going to believe it anyway. (Scientology, anyone?)
So my answer to the original question is no. What's the point of saying it's not real if the lemmings will follow anyway?

That's a good point about Bigfoot and the alien autopsy video is another one that took a long time for the myth to dissolve. I think you're right. In this case, the responsibility falls on the part of the audience. There are instances where I believe it is necessary to make the public aware of the misinformation such in the case of homeopathic medicine.

Nice pic.

21st April 2009, 10:27 AM	#1
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322	Disclosure and social responsibility This site actually appeared on the internet some time ago. It is the Isaac Caret site. Some of you may have heard of it. It looks like a writer posted an excerpt of a science fiction novel he or she may be working on. Since I don't believe aliens have visited us, I am inclined to assume that this is the author's way of gauging the believability of his story and the potential success that it may have as a result of the interest it provokes. As a science fiction writer, what better way to test your talent than to dupe your audience? In a minor discussion regarding this site, the question was raised, whether or not it is the responsibility of the author to disclose that the story is fictional. I am presuming that the author is not deluded himself. I cannot yet post a URL. You will need to Google "Isaac Caret" to view the site.
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322

21st April 2009, 10:49 AM	#2
Freethinker Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Uncanny Valley Posts: 1,358	http://isaaccaret.fortunecity.com/ The writing is far too poor for a professional writer or someone with any significant education.
	__________________ "Did it indeed seem probable, as he had once overheard Dunbar ask, that the answers to the riddles of creation would be supplied by people too ignorant to understand the mechanics of rainfall? Had Almighty God, in all His infinite wisdom, really been afraid that men six thousand years ago would succeed in building a tower to heaven?" Thoughts of the Chaplain in Heller's Catch-22

21st April 2009, 11:03 AM	#3
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	Originally Posted by Erigena This site actually appeared on the internet some time ago. Just another idiot seeking fame. Bad news is, he's used photos of an "alien" craft, which is actually a computer-generated deliberate hoax video. (top left) Someone will have a link, I can't be bothered looking it up.
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those.

21st April 2009, 05:46 PM	#4
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322	Regardless of his writing style, that site generated quite a bit of noise for a while and everything from t-shirts to coffee cups have been produced as a result of it. Not surprisingly, the believers are hooked. This was an example of perpetuating myth as fact and the question about social responsibility remains unanswered.
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322

21st April 2009, 06:08 PM	#5
NobbyNobbs Gazerbeam's Protege Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Mended Drum Posts: 5,630	I went to the link, read as far as the fourth word, and stopped. A professional writer who can't use spellcheck? Please.
	__________________ I wish someone would find something I wrote on this board to be sig-worthy, thereby effectively granting me immortality.--Antiquehunter The gods do not deduct from a man's allotted years on earth the time spent eating butterscotch pudding. AMERICA! NUMBER 1 IN PARTICLE PHYSICS SINCE JULY 4TH, 1776!!! --SusanConstant

21st April 2009, 07:57 PM	#6
MikeSun5 Trigger Happy Pacifist, Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,877	Originally Posted by NobbyNobbs I went to the link, read as far as the fourth word, and stopped. A professional writer who can't use spellcheck? Please. Too bad, it's really pretty decent as far as hoaxes go. That guy took a LONG time to create all that stuff. It's quite detailed - almost too detailed. I agree with Erigena that it must be some sort of story. Maybe the misspelling was intentional so we wouldn't think he was professional. Maybe the author's an imbecile. Maybe both. There are a few articles available through a quick google search that attempt to dissect the whole Isaac Caret thing, but so far it's all speculation. Whatever the case, it makes for some interesting reading if you can bear a misspelled word here and their.

21st April 2009, 08:12 PM	#7
The Man Scourge, of the supernatural Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 7,525	Originally Posted by Erigena This site actually appeared on the internet some time ago. It is the Isaac Caret site. Some of you may have heard of it. It looks like a writer posted an excerpt of a science fiction novel he or she may be working on. Since I don't believe aliens have visited us, I am inclined to assume that this is the author's way of gauging the believability of his story and the potential success that it may have as a result of the interest it provokes. As a science fiction writer, what better way to test your talent than to dupe your audience? In a minor discussion regarding this site, the question was raised, whether or not it is the responsibility of the author to disclose that the story is fictional. I am presuming that the author is not deluded himself. I cannot yet post a URL. You will need to Google "Isaac Caret" to view the site. Originally Posted by Erigena Regardless of his writing style, that site generated quite a bit of noise for a while and everything from t-shirts to coffee cups have been produced as a result of it. Not surprisingly, the believers are hooked. This was an example of perpetuating myth as fact and the question about social responsibility remains unanswered. Oh I think that “question about social responsibility” has been addressed, although perhaps in a more subtle manor then you were looking for. Why presume the author is not deluded himself? Clearly he is deluding himself in his ability to write legibly. Should he fail is his ‘social responsibility’ to accurately represent his work, either by delusion or deceit, then that responsibility falls to the rest of society. Some from this society of skeptics have already chimed in and I am sure more will follow. The society of ‘believers’ you have mentioned have also given you their ‘hooked’ response. As always, responsibility falls to the individual, whether you are the writer or the reader. A writer that abdicates their responsibility still has the responsible reader to deal with.
	__________________ "Not a seat but a springboard” (1942 Winston Churchill) "As he who, seeking asses, found a kingdom" (1671 Milton "Paradise Regained") "for it seem'd A void was made in nature, all her bonds Crack'd; and I saw the flaring atom-streams And torrents of her myriad universe, Ruining along the illimitable inane, Fly on to clash together again, and make Another and another frame of things For ever." (1868 Tennyson "Lucretius")

21st April 2009, 09:03 PM	#8
The Man Scourge, of the supernatural Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 7,525	Originally Posted by MikeSun5 Too bad, it's really pretty decent as far as hoaxes go. That guy took a LONG time to create all that stuff. It's quite detailed - almost too detailed. I agree with Erigena that it must be some sort of story. Maybe the misspelling was intentional so we wouldn't think he was professional. Maybe the author's an imbecile. Maybe both. There are a few articles available through a quick google search that attempt to dissect the whole Isaac Caret thing, but so far it's all speculation. Whatever the case, it makes for some interesting reading if you can bear a misspelled word here and their. How is that decent reading? Now I have no problem with stream of thought writing, but this is more of a stream of thoughtlessness. First he is working with the ‘language’ and ‘makings’ on the 'craft'. The venue of a linguist or philologist, then his ‘background’ is an electrical engineer. His story lacks the continuity that might make a stream of thought story, well, interesting.
	__________________ "Not a seat but a springboard” (1942 Winston Churchill) "As he who, seeking asses, found a kingdom" (1671 Milton "Paradise Regained") "for it seem'd A void was made in nature, all her bonds Crack'd; and I saw the flaring atom-streams And torrents of her myriad universe, Ruining along the illimitable inane, Fly on to clash together again, and make Another and another frame of things For ever." (1868 Tennyson "Lucretius") Last edited by The Man; 21st April 2009 at 09:04 PM.

21st April 2009, 10:08 PM	#9
MikeSun5 Trigger Happy Pacifist, Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,877	Originally Posted by The Man How is that decent reading? Now I have no problem with stream of thought writing, but this is more of a stream of thoughtlessness. First he is working with the ‘language’ and ‘makings’ on the 'craft'. The venue of a linguist or philologist, then his ‘background’ is an electrical engineer. His story lacks the continuity that might make a stream of thought story, well, interesting. Yea you're right, the reading wasn't really what got me interested, it was the artwork. Especially the "government manual." Now that I think of it, it's possible that this Isaac Carat guy is just a graphic designer or something. That would explain both the lack of literary skill and all the "alien diagrams." Either way, the attention to detail was impressive. He even made pieces of alien technology. Neat!

22nd April 2009, 12:09 AM	#10
The Man Scourge, of the supernatural Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 7,525	Originally Posted by MikeSun5 Yea you're right, the reading wasn't really what got me interested, it was the artwork. Especially the "government manual." Now that I think of it, it's possible that this Isaac Carat guy is just a graphic designer or something. That would explain both the lack of literary skill and all the "alien diagrams." Either way, the attention to detail was impressive. He even made pieces of alien technology. Neat! Well I’m sorry to say that I have not looked at a good majority of the picture or document links. However, from my own experience as an enginer proper comunication skills, particularly in writing, are paramount. The fact that the autour relates his involvement in the purported examination of this ‘language’ based technology, yet then displays a complete ignorance of the foundations of context and the multitude of information any symbol carries, even in our own languages, makes the story inconsistent. I do agree that graphic design seems to be the author’s forte, rather then language, technology or a combination of both.
	__________________ "Not a seat but a springboard” (1942 Winston Churchill) "As he who, seeking asses, found a kingdom" (1671 Milton "Paradise Regained") "for it seem'd A void was made in nature, all her bonds Crack'd; and I saw the flaring atom-streams And torrents of her myriad universe, Ruining along the illimitable inane, Fly on to clash together again, and make Another and another frame of things For ever." (1868 Tennyson "Lucretius")

22nd April 2009, 10:29 AM	#11
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322	Regarding the graphic art, it's possible the author created the images and then developed a story to support those images. As MikeSun5 pointed out, a lot of detail went into producing it. While we're on the subject of effective communication, you misspelled the word author in the third sentence, but you were still able to articulate your point.
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322

22nd April 2009, 10:53 AM	#12
The Man Scourge, of the supernatural Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 7,525	Originally Posted by Erigena Regarding the graphic art, it's possible the author created the images and then developed a story to support those images. As MikeSun5 pointed out, a lot of detail went into producing it. I think that is an entirely viable possibility and my particular opinion. Originally Posted by Erigena While we're on the subject of effective communication, you misspelled the word author in the third sentence, but you were still able to articulate your point. Oops, well there goes my career down the crapper. Now I’ll have to study for an exciting career in graphic deign, electronics or small engine repair. Good thing I wrote down the number for Apex Tech from that infomercial. Anyway, thanks Erigena for pointing out my mistake while still getting my point.
	__________________ "Not a seat but a springboard” (1942 Winston Churchill) "As he who, seeking asses, found a kingdom" (1671 Milton "Paradise Regained") "for it seem'd A void was made in nature, all her bonds Crack'd; and I saw the flaring atom-streams And torrents of her myriad universe, Ruining along the illimitable inane, Fly on to clash together again, and make Another and another frame of things For ever." (1868 Tennyson "Lucretius")

24th April 2009, 01:13 PM	#17
Skeptical Greg Agave Wine Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Just past 'Resume Speed' Posts: 12,873	Only if he actually fooled a decent number of people.. Otherwise , you might suggest it was a decent hoax attempt..
	__________________ " Somewhere between Jesus dying on the cross, and a giant bunny hiding eggs,there seems to be a gap in information. " Stan - Southpark Prove your computer is not a wimp ! Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232

25th April 2009, 12:03 PM	#18
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	Originally Posted by Erigena Either way, I find it interesting that someone would go to such elaborate efforts to dupe their audience. Did you honestly say that? Can I suggest you take a look at the Roman Catholic Church. It spends billions of dollars each year duping its audience.
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those.

25th April 2009, 02:36 PM	#19
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322	Originally Posted by The Atheist Did you honestly say that? Can I suggest you take a look at the Roman Catholic Church. It spends billions of dollars each year duping its audience. Good point. I can't argue with that, but they actually believe what they're selling is true. I don't know the author of the site or what his level of believability is, but it seems like he's trying to pull one over on his audience just to see if he can.
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322

25th April 2009, 04:22 PM	#20
Skeptic Ginger formerly skeptigirl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shifting through paradigms Posts: 40,626	Reminds me of one Billy Meier's stuff.
	__________________ (*Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, ~~Pubbie Party, Repubs~~ "Republics" and Republic Party in response.)

26th April 2009, 11:19 AM	#21
MikeSun5 Trigger Happy Pacifist, Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,877	Well, the question raised in the OP was whether or not the author should disclose that his work is fiction... The Atheist brought up a good point about the church. In that context, the author's work is only fictional to those who don't believe. There are boneheads out there who were duped into believing the Isaac Caret story just like people believe some of the fantastic events in the Bible. That one guy admitted he faked the Bigfoot video on his deathbed, but there are those who still say it's real. Even if the fiction is so blatantly obvious, there are those who are going to believe it anyway. (Scientology, anyone?) So my answer to the original question is no. What's the point of saying it's not real if the lemmings will follow anyway?
	__________________ I always wondered if those WWJD bracelets worked, so I bought one. Well later, I was on a plane and this little kid was kicking my seat repeatedly, while his sister sang along with her walkman and their mother just sat there. I almost turned around and went off, and then I caught sight of my bracelet. What would Jesus do? So I lit them on fire and sent them all to Hell. --Daniel Tosh

27th April 2009, 08:06 AM	#22
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322	Originally Posted by MikeSun5 Well, the question raised in the OP was whether or not the author should disclose that his work is fiction... The Atheist brought up a good point about the church. In that context, the author's work is only fictional to those who don't believe. There are boneheads out there who were duped into believing the Isaac Caret story just like people believe some of the fantastic events in the Bible. That one guy admitted he faked the Bigfoot video on his deathbed, but there are those who still say it's real. Even if the fiction is so blatantly obvious, there are those who are going to believe it anyway. (Scientology, anyone?) So my answer to the original question is no. What's the point of saying it's not real if the lemmings will follow anyway? That's a good point about Bigfoot and the alien autopsy video is another one that took a long time for the myth to dissolve. I think you're right. In this case, the responsibility falls on the part of the audience. There are instances where I believe it is necessary to make the public aware of the misinformation such in the case of homeopathic medicine. Nice pic.
Erigena Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 322