Use the word “spam” and depending on who you say it to and how internet savvy they are will determine what they think you are talking about. If you go here, you will see one explanation of what “spam” is. If you go here you will see another explanation for SPAM. (I wish the latter wasn’t so loaded with fat and calories and sodium because I happen to like it fried in a skillet. 🙂 Anyway, if you are like me,
YOU. HATE. DESPISE. VERY. MUCH. THE. WHOLE. IDEA. OF. spam.
If you will notice I used lower case letters in my title and also in the phrase I just used. That is because what we call spam for the computer, and what Hormel makes called SPAM, are distinguished by the capital letters. (The wikipedia article tells about that).
MOVING ON…
Every day I come to my blog and have to delete seemingly bunches of comments of spam. Because my spam blocker may catch a legitimate comment from time to time, I have to at least scroll through those comments. What they are spamming me about is endless…and a nuisance. I am sure you have also faced that same situation when it comes to your email. My junk mail usually has several entries off and on during the whole day. I could be rich from the lottery (which I have never played); my sex drive will be out of this world; my ACH (whatever that is) has been denied I don’t know how many times; I have a rich benefactor who wants to give me millions of dollars; and it goes on and on. Then there are the chain emails that you just have to forward along or the world will fall apart. Many of them are out-and-out fabrications lies. I very seldom open mass emails like that and I definitely don’t pass them on. Before you do so, check out truthorfiction.com or snopes.com (and no it is not owned by George Soros).
I SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT WITH THE STORY I USED AND THEN PUBLISHED HERE.
Thanks to Jeff’s comment, I investigated the whole story and found the truth about it here. The story I used is true…to a point. I could tell you where I messed up but I encourage you to read the article. I am glad that Jeff “called” me on it. I was equally glad to be able to verify what he said as true (although I admit I would have preferred it the other way!) 😉
This makes my point. I was guilty of passing along a story that sounded good, but was not true. Perhaps what is more damaging is the gossip, slander or just plain old lying that often spews out of our my mouth. Have you found yourself passing along spam that was not true because it “served to make a point?” Did you ever try to correct someone on spam content? What can you do to change?
I’ve done it and hurt many people by it. I fight very hard not to do it now and it can be a real challenge.
Even the ones we were “innocent” with have consequences. It can be a real challenge. Thanks Jason.
I have found myself passing along spam that was not true and I’ve stopped other people from spreading by telling them that they should confirm if it’s true before spreading it.
Though the story was not true, it made a very good point. Perhaps before telling a story that is not true, it should be made clear that it’s fiction so we don’t feel guilty of spreading an untrue story just to make a point. That’s my suggestion.
you make a good point Mercy and it taking your approach would be one way. Thanks.
Just last week I did and then I was called out on it. I felt about one inch tall. It could have been avoided.
it does make you feel about that tall for sure. thanks Michael for the honesty.
We first got on the internet in 1997, and I often passed stories on – until. If my memory serves me well (and it doesn’t always) I got my “comeuppance” from a young woman in her mid-teens who made no attempt to soften the news that I was an incompetent idiot. Since I didn’t know there was such a thing as BCC when I passed on the story of the kidney harvesters ( http://www.snopes.com/horrors/robbery/kidney.asp )to my friends and acquaintances, she hit Reply to All and informed all of my correspondents that I was an incompetent idiot. Ouch.
For awhile after that, I took on the job of spam police. I tried to prevent spam train wrecks every day by sending links to Snopes and other spam busters. Now, I just hit delete. There just isn’t enough time to be bothered with it.
Like gossip, the worst sorts of spam are like the Waldorf-Astoria story, that is to say, the embellished kind. ‘Tis, I fear, ingrained in our fallen human nature.
I wonder if this is in any way connected with Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
I have, from time to time, done the spam police thing also Susan. I finally figured there is no use and just delete. I will let a personal friend or someone from the church know it is not true. Speech with grace should remind us all to beware of what we pass on. Thanks Susan.
I think the important thing in this case is that once you were made aware of the less than accurate representation of the facts… You set the story straight.
The great thing about the Internet… You have alot of information at your fingertips…
The bad thing about the Internet… You have alot of mis-information at your fingertips…
Big question: how do I set it straight next Sunday morning? 🙂 True about the internet. Definitely a need to be careful. Thanks Ryan.
Ryan: I think Abe sums up your point nicely! LOL 🙂
“The trouble with quotes on the internet is that it’s difficult to discern whether or not they are genuine.” -Abraham Lincoln
Abe really said that? WOW! he was ahead of his time. 😛 Good quote though. Man, it is so good to hear from you my long lost Florida friend! How are you all doing? Saw those “hippie” costumes. You guys rocked!!
We just “keep on keepin’ on, brother!” As you can tell by the pix, Caleb has really let himself go! HA! 🙂
I try to catch up on your blog, when I can find time. Hope all is well at OVCF! We miss you guys! 🙁
Miss you all as well. Yeah, I noticed the hippie in him. I suspect had Zep playing in the background or hasn’t he “let his hair down” that much yet? Sure is good to hear from you. Tell the dude i said hi.
too funny!!! I’ll have to use that quote sometime. After all, it is honest Abe.
It’s so easy to do. It’s easy to find something on the internet and pass it along as truth. It takes guts to come clean. You are the man!
Thanks Rob. Coming clean in real life with a real person face-to-face is not always as easy. 🙂 Thanks for coming by.
I actually like the true story better 🙂
I have been called on passing along “spam” in my life. I now do my best to not pass along things I do not know to be true.
Thanks for the integrity of correcting it and then sharing the truth – that is what I think we should do when we caught passing spam!
Thanks Bill!
The true one is also interesting. I think it is important for us to come clean and lead lives of integrity. Thanks Jim.
I try to be above reproach, which is near impossible, especially when my heart is screaming my reality, even if it’s only to me.
There is no peace I find when truth isn’t accompanied by HIs spirit.
Love that you are trying to be above reproach floyd. Your last sentence speaks volumes. Thanks.
I actually sold SPAM as my first job out of college with Hormel. I know that is not the point and I don’t think much about spam and just delete it and wonder who is behind that. You just made me thing to quickly pray for that person as I dump their evil intent. I am thankful for spam blockers…I let other of lifes “spam” enter without much of a fight….gotta say no there too. Thanks
Sold SPAM. That is a hoot Tom! Who would have thunk it? I like your point about the life’s spam blockers. Thanks for coming by.
Hi Bill,
Yes, I get spam on my computer too. Not too much though. It’s easy enough to handle and delete.
One thought about sermons and stories is to not make the story the main part of a sermon. This is not my wisdom but comes from a friend of mine who has read and studied the great preaching sermons that were given in the eighteenth century.
I believe that floyd says something really important in his comment. Even truth without the accompanying Spirit of God is limited in its ability to impact our lives. Nothing of any consequence is going to be accomplished without the Spirit of God working alongside and confirming the word.
fortunately Linda I never make a story the central part of a sermon, unless it is THE STORY. I used it in my conclusion. I, too, agree with Floyd’s words. Thanks.
We are only human with faults. The story seemed plausablly true so I would have probably spamed it too.
However, I would guess one should check out the accuracy of a story. In these times how can one be sure? Best not to use a story if one does not know the whole facts.
Worse than spamming it Larry. I used it in a sermon. I took it as truth instead of investigating it. I will be more careful next time. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.