There are Magicians in all forms of life that will try to convince you of something that isn't true, or change the way you look at things for their gain. This does not mean everyone lies, just that there are lies, and it's up to you to protect yourself. Let's create one, shall we?
We all know "No Hope For The Human Race", and if you don't, then you might want to take a gander at their Facebook Page because it's hilarious! This is a status message they shared yesterday, and at first glance you might not even think this is real. How could you? There are no faces, names, or even the number of comments. Yes, I'm protecting the anonymity of strangers. Well, if you questioned, you're coming along. Let's mess with this status update, and completely turn it into something else.
We all know "No Hope For The Human Race", and if you don't, then you might want to take a gander at their Facebook Page because it's hilarious! This is a status message they shared yesterday, and at first glance you might not even think this is real. How could you? There are no faces, names, or even the number of comments. Yes, I'm protecting the anonymity of strangers. Well, if you questioned, you're coming along. Let's mess with this status update, and completely turn it into something else.
Just like the names and pictures, everything can be changed on this status message, and this isn't photoshop. I personally like to use Google Chrome, and it's what I'll be using, so fire up the Chrome, and let's get started. Or you can just enjoy the show if you like. The first thing to note is that you're going to be editing a live web page so patience and care are key. It's only cosmetic, but if you click on a link the site will go there, and you will lose everything.
This works with any page on the internet, and if you right click on something, then go to the bottom, and pick Inspect Element, a Developers bar will show up at the bottom with the exact line of code highlighted for the item you clicked on. Now let's change the status to, let's see, a line from "Sound of Music". That should make NHFTHR happy. (In this line, you just have to double click between the span tags to get to the status)
Here we are with NHFTHR quoting "The Sound of Music" which I very highly doubt they've ever done before.
Next, Let's use those comments to get a fictitious celebrity debate going. And voila! A piece of fiction that can pass for a real status and comment. It is after all a screen shot, and uploaded with windows paint. There are no watermarks of an Facebook status app generator. It's a real as your own Facebook page.
None of these celebrities said any of this. Neither did Derp or the Rev. Yet, I could say they did. Anyone can create anything digitally online, and make it look legit. It happens in real life too. So how do you protect yourself without turning into a cynic or a skeptic (Not that those are necessarily bad, but daunting.)
If anyone is trying to change your view of things, or to get you to do something; just ask yourself who it benefits. Most things are OK, but if you question legitimacy, then never be afraid to ask for a source. Never be afraid to look up a source to make sure it's accurate. Especially if it fits your view, and you find it comfortable, because then you could be unwittingly spreading lies. Be aware that it's not always upfront. People could have a conversation around you, but not be talking to you directly. It sounds like a light hearted conversation to passerby's, but clearly intended to change your frame of mind. So back to the beginning; who does it benefit if you change your view?
It becomes increasingly difficult these days because there are parody and satirical websites that look real. A whole bunch of fake things. Rhetoric designed to inflame or blow out of proportion a certain issue or mindset.
And now that I have taught you how to create false things that look real, what are you going to do? Will you send your crush a facebook message from her boyfriend about how he's looking to hook up with someone else? Will you send a screenshot to set someone up to lose a court case? Cyberbulling? Will you make a screenshot of a facebook status message of your enemy wanting lewd sexual acts? Or will you be a decent human being, and live with honesty and integrity both on and offline?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are clearer pictures if you find the other ones to blurry.
Image 1: http://i.imgur.com/sUTkJ.jpg
Image 1: http://i.imgur.com/sUTkJ.jpg
