Story Archive

Exploding Idiocy Syndrome

Consumers need to be aware that not everything on the Internet is true, says Canadian medical librarian Susan M. Murray of the Toronto (Ont.) Reference Library. Many online medical sites, she says, contain suspect information. “This poor woman who called us was frantic, she thought she had exploding head syndrome,” Murray says. The woman had learned of the “syndrome” on a web site and assumed the malady was real. The site was a hoax. “This is a perfect example of people jumping on the Internet and believing everything.” (RC/AP) ...Caveat surfor.
Author’s Note: A doctor complained about this story. See https://thisistrue.com/your_source_for_medical_info/ for his complaint, and my response.
Original Publication Date: 07 June 1998
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 4.

Is There a Problem on This Page? Let Me Know using the Help button lower right, and thanks.

I believe humanity is held back by the lack of thinking. I provoke thought with examples of what happens when we don’t think, and when we do. This is True is my primary method: stories like this come out every week by email, and basic subscriptions are free. Click here for a subscribe form.


Search for:

Category: