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Citation Station: Disbelief: Some information, please

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    I've had your gullible info iGoogle module on my page for awhile, and I really enjoy it.

    The only problem is that I've never been able to figure out whether or not the "facts" provided are actually true or not. Since it is called "gullible" info, I've always wondered whether all of the stats are completely made up as a sort of joke that gullible people might believe.

    I've tried looking on your site in the past for any indication that it might all be a joke, but couldn't find any. I have a hard time believing that some of the frivolous info has actually been researched before.

    Anyway, if I can get some kind of confirmation that these are all completely truthful and sourced facts, I'll be happy.

    Also, I think you should explain this on your website to prevent confusion.

    ---------------------------------

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      CommentAuthorFact totum
    • CommentTimeMar 28th 2008 edited
     

    Dear Sir or madam,

    Thank you for your thoughtful comments regarding the factualness of our factoids.

    Please be assured that each and every single last factoid has had the checked to within an inch of its life. We verify the heck out of every one of our factoids. Our team is relentless and dogged in uncovering tasty morsels of truthiness.

    As for preventing confusion,
    A) we had an explanation on the page but it caused more confusion than it prevented.
    or
    B) we've been in existence for decades, the last 3.5 years as a web site, and have received more feedback than we could shake a schtick at and this is the first time anyone has said we are confusing. Given that we haven't confused anyone previously we've decided having an explanation on our website would be an unnecessary drain on bandwidth and diskspace.

    Yours truly,
    The hardworking team at Gullible.Info.

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    This is, of course, a perfectly reasonable concern...

    All of the best and most recent research in Trivia Impact Analysis - a convergence of study in psychology, statistics, and marketing, such as published by Gottfried at UC London, Montague at Baylor, Nath while at Jawaharlal Nehru, and others - (as well as common sense) agrees that there are basically two paths trivial information can take to maximum entertainment value.

    The first is the degree to which the fact is unexpected, surprising, or incredible, and is, naturally, the most valuable indicator.

    Contrariwise, the second indicator shows that even facts that don't rate very high in raw surprise value can be very pleasing if they rank high in what researchers call "serendipity value"... Trivial facts that fit two or more known but divergent bits of data together in a way that is stimulating to the natural human tendency to find patterns in unexpected places. This is related, in certain ways, to the way we are pleased see faces in cloud formations or hear voices or music in the natural sounds of the wind.

    For these reasons, our researchers tend to strive to submit facts that satisfy one or both of these requirements. Although I am not directly involved in the selection of submitted facts for publication, I would assume that these standards and findings weigh in their choices.

    Members of our research teams - both in-house and consulting - tend to be a bit like special forces members or FBI agents in that they are both very well qualified experts in their own two or more areas of specialization, and also very well seasoned generalists in many others.

    As well as impeccable research skills, we also tend to have at least one significant creative talent or hobby... Be it music, art, or what have you... This is meant to select for qualities like a sense of whimsy, a history of thinking outside the box, and a predilection to looking for solutions in unexpected places.

    I hope this glimpse into our operations answers your questions, and enhances your enjoyment of a information service product that is, to us, both vocation and passion.

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      CommentAuthorTaed
    • CommentTimeMar 28th 2008
     

    Does _The Onion_ explain up-front that it is all tongue-in-cheek? Does _The New York Times_ include a disclaimer at the top of every page? Does Katie Curick preceed each night's news with a public service announcement for those who might not see the cilantro embedded in her pearly-white smile?

    No, of course not.

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      CommentAuthorFact totum
    • CommentTimeMar 28th 2008
     

    1)Yes
    2)Yes
    3)yes

    Oh. I mean No No No. I better go to rehab.

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      CommentAuthorkeir
    • CommentTimeMar 28th 2008
     
    Posted By: Fact totum

    I better go to rehab.

    you mean back to rehab?

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      CommentAuthorUdoboy
    • CommentTimeMar 28th 2008
     
    Posted By: Fact totum

    Dear Sir or madam,

    will you read my book
    It took me years to write
    Will you take a look?

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      CommentAuthorTadGhostal
    • CommentTimeMar 28th 2008
     

    Speaking solely for myself, I can assure you that every factoid I have ever posted must meet the following requirements:

    1) Is the factoid interesting?
    2) Is it unique enough to bet that the reader probably has never heard the factoid before?
    3) Is the factoid verifiable? By verifiable I do NOT mean "found in Wikipedia, or via a Google search". I mean, can I write or phone the authority involved to get personal verification?

    Getting personal verification is surprisingly easy, simply because the information generally comes from groups or organizations that are more than willing to cooperate.

    Whether the factoid is interesting or unique is a bit harder, and I can only rely on my personal preferences and what I consider to be vast exposure to factoids in general - at least I think I have a bit more exposure than the average reader. I assume that if it's interesting and unique for me, it has a good chance of being interesting and unique for the reader.

    Now, speaking not-so-solely-of-myself:
    As for the rest of the folks 'round here, and more specifically the information they've posted - I've always found it unique, interesting, AND verifiable.

    I personally check all of the factoids that others post, and they do the same for the ones I post. We do this as a second layer of quality control - not because we're asked - but because it's just the kind of people we are. The end result is a steady stream of factoids that, while being entertaining, have gone through many iterations of clarification and verification from the crew here.

    I hope this helps to answer your question.

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    Posted By: Udoboy
    Posted By: Fact totum

    Dear Sir or madam,

    will you read my book
    It took me years to write
    Will you take a look?

    You know, for being a Beatles freak, I really hate that song. I mean, is the man writing a naughty book about a man and his naggy wife and lonely son who also wants to write a song about a man who want to write a book? Grr.

    • CommentAuthorMelomania
    • CommentTimeApr 11th 2008
     
    Posted By: tossedoffabridge
    Posted By: Udoboy
    Posted By: Fact totum

    Dear Sir or madam,

    will you read my book
    It took me years to write
    Will you take a look?

    You know, for being a Beatles freak, I really hate that song. I mean, is the man writing a naughty book about a man and his naggy wife and lonely son who also wants to write a song about a man who want to write a book? Grr.

    aww... but you've got to love those yummy three part harmonies. But honestly, I think Rain should have been the A side. Besides, it's just the usual silly Paul fluff. :smile:

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      CommentAuthorTaed
    • CommentTimeApr 11th 2008
     

    Hasn't the world had enough of his silly love songs?

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      CommentAuthorUdoboy
    • CommentTimeApr 11th 2008
     

    Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs; what's wrong with that?

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    I find very much wrong with that song, at least. It seems to never end.
    I.....love.....you.............
    I.....love.....you.............

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      CommentAuthorTaed
    • CommentTimeApr 12th 2008
     

    And we feel slightly postive feelings toward you as well.

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    I was listening to Lovely Rita today and I just can't help but laugh at the "When it gets dark, I tow your heart away" part....
    *sigh*...
    young love.

    • CommentAuthorMelomania
    • CommentTimeApr 14th 2008
     

    Lovely Rita is one of my favorite Sgt. Pepper tracks, I love the bass line. :) That pun always makes me giggle.

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