Dear Friends:
This is my attempt at an anti-hoax.
For years, many of my friends have passed on to me stories, rumors, warnings, etc. with the request to pass it on to everyone I know. Before passing anything on, however, I have made diligent attempts to verify the stories and warnings before passing them on. Invariably, I have discovered that the more interesting the story is, the more likely it is to be a hoax.
Thus, my attempt at an anti-hoax. When matter and anti-matter collide, they are annihilated. If you pass this message along, it may be the means of annihilating the proliferation of hoaxes passes along the internet.
There are some two web sites that specialize in the recording and debunking of hoaxes, viruses, etc. One is a government agency:
Another is done more as a public service (and for amusement):
Before passing on a warning or story that you have recieved, please check it out on one of these web sites. Then, if it turns out to be false, feel free to pass on this e-mail to the sender so they can forward it to all the folks they have contacted, and thus the hoax & anti-hoax will collide and be destroyed.
By the way, thanks for including me in your internet universe - email is a great way to keep in touch and share thoughts & laughter!
With Warmest Regards,
Michael Goldberg