URBAN LEGENDS

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URBAN LEGENDS

• Have always been around
• Internet has magnified their influence

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3 Types of Rumors that emerge following a
catastrophe

• Wish-fulfillment Rumors
• Bogey Rumors
• Wedge-driving Rumors

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Wish Fulfillment

• Old man "surfs" 80 stories
• Bin Laden dying of liver cancer

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Bogey

• Based on fear
• Anthrax attacks
• Satan in trade tower smoke

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Wedge-driving

• Based on hate
• 4,000 Jews didn't show up for work
• Arab gas-station attendants seen celebrating

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Why we believe them

• Looking for understanding / certainty
• Need for stability
• Need for happy ending