Rumours

I get bemused when I see this quote on the internet by Abraham Lincoln -it has also been attributed to  Albert Einstein regarding aspects of social media or the net. They were visionary men but not that visionary! Humans are good at spreading rumours and misinformation - the net allows us to do it faster.

I got a lot of shtick last week for a blog article of mine that was discussed at a meeting. People were very angry about some of my comments suggesting that volunteer centres should be de funded or something similar.

I was somewhat perplexed because I have never actually said this. In fact, blog readers will know I advocate for the opposite. For example:

• Bluntly, I am not a big fan of the strategy. One of the reasons, I flagged in my comments on the strategy, was that I had real concerns at the lack of volunteer centre support"21 March 2012 

• The Australian government needs to better resource volunteerism infrastructure. This includes money for Volunteer Centres across all tiers on a contract basis of 3 years or more. This would mean that centres are not scrounging for resources. The amounts of money being played with for the sector are nonsensical when we consider its supposed size and scope.  If we say its economic impact is as large as the construction centre, should it not be funded better? 21 March 2012 

• This is becoming   recurrent theme of mine. How about  decent funding for volunteering peak bodies and resource centres 22 Jan, 2012

• Theres still not enough money to support volunteering infrastructure - or volunteer centres 22 Feb, 2012

What has annoyed me is that no one can find the offending article but everyone was upset by it. If anyone can find it for me,I would be grateful.

It is actually very easy to verify the authenticity of something on the internet. It is called Google. Type in phrase and search. Fakes can be uncovered and real opinions checked on. You can even search through my blog!

Finally, this blog has the option for comments. The idea is that I leave room for discussion and dialogue. If you are unhappy with a post or if you like it, please respond to it. I even let you make comments anonymously! I, of course, exercise the right to remove offensive comments. I will advise when I remove those comments.

So guys next time you are upset by something someone is purported to have said:
1. Check the authenticity -Google it
2. Check the context  -what were the comments/posts before this post? Is the quote in full or has only part of it been used?
3. Check the credibility - is the organisation/person that is passing on the "rumour" reliable?
4. Check the track record of the writer -what else have they said on this issue?

Thanks